Illinois’ top-seeded men’s golf team continued its early-season success with its first program win at the Big Ten Match Play Championships in Bradenton, Fla., on Saturday.
Playing the championships at The Concession Golf Club, a par-72, 7,177-yard course, the team swept both fifth-seeded Ohio State in semifinals and seventh-seeded Michigan State in the final — 5-0-0 in both matches.
The closest Illinois has ever come to winning a Big Ten Match Play event was in 2009 and 2011, when the team placed fourth.
The Illini’s play allowed them to go 14-0-1 in three matches at this event, along with 12-of-15 individual matches that concluded before the 17th hole.
“I thought we were very committed,” head coach Mike Small said. “The conviction was there on our part. We haven’t played well here in the past, but this time,we put the pedal to the metal after a couple individual matches were won.”
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At the start of the tournament, freshmen Thomas Detry and David Kim each won their matches 4 and 3, while senior Mason Jacobs won 3 and 1. In addition, professional-to-be Thomas Pieters and freshman Charlie Danielson captured each of their matches by one point.
Detry won holes six, eight and nine for a four-point victory over Tee-K Kelly from Ohio State. Kim and the Buckeyes’ Michael Bernard parred and bogied hole No. 15, respectively, letting Detry take the 4 and 3 win.
Holding the No. 5 position, Jacobs came from behind after being two holes down after 10 to win 3 and 1 after wins on hole Nos. 12, 14, 16 and 17 against Ohio State’s Matt Turner. Danielson was also able to hold some ground to win 1-up with four holes remaining. Pieters was also able to win his match after Ohio State’s Boo Timko lost both the 14th and 15th holes.
That same afternoon, the Illini took on Michigan State for the championship. All five Illini won their matches before reaching the 17th hole. Pieters claimed an 8 and 7 victory, Danielson won 6 and 5, Detry held a 4 and 3 win, while Kim and Campbell both won 3 and 2.
Small said no one specific player stood out in his mind at this event, calling it a “total team effort.”
“For us to win 14 ½ out of 15 total points was fantastic,” Small said. “I was really encouraged by everyone’s efforts.”
Claire can be reached at [email protected].
