The PGA Tour professionals aren’t the only ones getting ready to play in Augusta, Ga. 

The Illinois men’s golf team will be traveling there this weekend to compete in the annual Insperity Augusta State Invitational, a two-day event played at Forest Hills Golf Club, a 7,142-yard track, designed by famous golf course architects Donald Ross and Arnold Palmer. 

The Illini finished third at last year’s Augusta State Invitational after breaking the single-round school record with a 15-under 273 in the tournament’s second round. The team finished -18 for the tournament, eight strokes behind Texas and Augusta State.

The No. 17 Illini will compete against a 15-team field, boasting many top teams such as the No. 6 Longhorns along with No. 16 Southern Mississippi and No. 17 Georgia. Out of the 15 teams participating, four of the top 25 and seven of the top 50 individuals in the Golfstat rankings will appear at the tournament.

The Illini lineup will be anchored by team stroke leader Thomas Pieters (71.11) who is coming off a Big Ten Golfer of the Week honor on March 27 after finishing third at the Desert Shootout. He will be accompanied by sophomore Alex Burge and a trio of freshmen: Charlie Danielson, Thomas Detry and David Kim.

Despite cold weather affecting Illinois’ practice routine, Pieters feels he will play well on a course that suits his playing style.

“It’s not that long of a course, and I hit it pretty long,” he said. “It’s an advantage to be able to hit it long. It’s a placement course. I’m good with my irons, so I think I can bring it home.”

Pieters said even he can acknowledge that gaining confidence from this tournament is key for not only him, but the team as a whole.

“I’m definitely hoping to gain more confidence,” Pieters said. “Last tournament, we didn’t play so well in Arizona, so just finishing strong and maybe winning will help us rebound. As a team, it also would be nice for us, to give us confidence going into the Big Tens.”

Head coach Mike Small also emphasized how hard the team works, having said it’s up to them to play “relaxed, confident golf” to close out the spring season.

After the teams play 36 holes on Saturday and 18 on Sunday, they will attend the practice round of the prestigious PGA Tour event, The Masters. Players like Pieters could not be more excited to watch live in Augusta, considering the lineup. 

Former Illini and PGA golfer Steve Stricker will be playing in the 2013 Masters, vying for an eight million dollar purse.

“There’s former Illini competing, so we’ll probably be able to meet them,” Pieters said. “I also will get to meet Nicolas Colsaerts, a Belgian from my home country. It should be a fun day after a weekend of good competition.”

Claire can be reached at [email protected] and @Clairelav228.