Freshly cut grass and 70 degree weather was a sight for sore eyes for the Illinois men’s golf team. The team began its season this weekend with the Tinervin Cup, an event put on by Jeff and Madalyn Tinervin against Illinois State in Placida, Florida. The Illini won 8-1 and remain a perfect 12-0 in this event since its creation in 2003.

The tournament took place at Coral Creek Golf Club. The 7,038 yard, par 71 course is noted as one of the nicest in Florida, backed up by its No. 17 ranking in the State of Florida by Gold Digest. Play begins with a four-ball competition in which two players from each team compete against one another. In the afternoon, the single matches were held and players competed against another player from the opposing team. Illinois won all but one singles match.

Illinois swept the morning four-ball tournament with the pairs of Brian Campbell and Charlie Danielson; Nick Hardy and Thomas Detry; and Dylan Meyer and Spencer Reed all winning their daytime events, each pair earning a point for the Illini. In the afternoon, the singles matches took place with Illinois completing a near sweep. Campbell, Danielson, Hardy, Meyer and Reed all brought back a point with Detry being the only golfer to take a loss.

“It was a positive day identifying things we need to get better at,” Illini head coach Mike Small said in a press release. “Conditions were really tough today. The wind was really strong. Charlie (Danielson) and Dylan (Meyer) played well, and the event served its purpose. Guys played hard and had a good mindset, but there are things we need to work on. 

“It’s January and there’s a long way to go, but it was a good day to get down south and play some golf.”

Illinois has a small two-week break before hitting the road again for the Big Ten Match Play Championship Feb. 15-16 in Palm Coast, Florida.

Drake can be reached at [email protected].