Leathernecks to start spring at Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invite

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois men's golf team will open its spring season Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9 at the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational at the Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah.

The Fighting Leathernecks will join a field of 11 teams, including Summit League members Oral Roberts, UMKC, IPFW and host Southern Utah, in the tournament, which is scheduled for 36 holes of competition on the par-72, 6,758-yard layout.

Western Illinois coach Mel Blasi said his team is eager to hit the links after a rough winter in which his team couldn't get out much.

“It's been a long and difficult winter to practice outside, which makes being competitive this time of year very difficult,” Blasi said. “Obviously, we would love to be competitive in this tournament, but most importantly we hope to get four rounds of golf in (including practice rounds).”

The tournament will also serve to give Western a preview of the course it will play for The Summit League Championship Apr. 25-27.

“Playing a difficult golf course as many times as possible before competing in a championship is invaluable,” Blasi said. “Often the difference in a tournament comes down to just one stroke, so gaining experience in seeing a golf course can make that difference.”

Western looks to build on a solid fall season in which the squad posted top-five finishes in four of five tournaments, highlighted by a second-place finish in the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate.

The Leathernecks are led by 2008 Summit League men's golf Athlete of the Year Kyle Peterman. Peterman posted the team's low stroke average through the fall season at 72 strokes per round and shot a career-best 67 at the Fairway Club Invitational. The Sherman, Ill., native placed in the top five individually four times during the fall, including a second-place finish at the John Dalio Memorial.

Teaming up with Peterman as one of Western's team leaders is senior captain Brian Scott. The Hannibal, Mo., native was second on the team with a stroke average of 73.9 per round through the fall with a career-best tying second-place finish at the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate.

“We got really solid play from Kyle Peterman and Brian Scott during the fall season. They were a really nice 1-2 two punch,” Blasi said. “There is no substitute for experience. They are both very 'seasoned' players and they both know what it takes to win a championship. Their leadership is vital to our success.'

In addition to Peterman and Scott, seniors Jake Weeber and Ryan Franks also played all 14 rounds for the Leathernecks during the fall. Weeber averaged 75.9 strokes per round while Franks averaged 77.5 strokes per round.

Sophomore Andrew Godfrey played 11 rounds during the fall with a stroke average of 75.8 strokes per round while Freshman Ben Kilborn played eight rounds with a stroke average of 80.5 per round. Other Leathernecks recording rounds included sophomore Tim Harwood (75.8 strokes/round) and freshman Konrad Deka (83.0 strokes/round).

“Jake Weeber has established himself as a solid contributor and Andrew Godfrey proved in our last tournament that he is very capable of competing individually to win tournaments,” Blasi said. “Ben Kilborn and Konrad Deka gained valuable experience as freshman and Tim Harwood and Ryan Franks

Blasi said the team had solid play from spots one through three during the spring, but the Leathernecks need to improve consistency at spots four and five in order to compete for tournament titles.

“Playing golf as a team sport requires that every member from one to 13 is contributing and has a great desire for the success of the team as a whole,” Blasi said. “We haven't reached that place yet, but we've been close.”

Blasi said the Leathernecks spring schedule will allow his team to compete against great competition on a variety of courses in preparation for The Summit League Championship. After the Thunderbird Invitational, the team will head to Ft. Pierce, Fla., Mar. 1-3 for the Treasure Cove Classic before the team takes its spring break trip and competes in the Jackrabbit Classic Mar. 15-16 in Primm, Nev.

After spring break, the team returns to Macomb for the Beu-Mussatto Invitational Mar. 29-30 before stops at the Branson Creek Invitational Apr. 5-6 in Branson, Mo., and the Hawkeye Invitational Apr. 17-18 in Iowa City, Iowa, leading up to the conference championship.

“Our schedule this spring will give us a variety of opportunities to compete against very good competition,” Blasi said. “The hope as a coach is that each tournament gives the team the kinds of experiences that prepare them to win a league championship. I think our schedule throughout the year does a good of that.” have the ability to really contribute. I think the competition for those spots on the team will make us stronger.”

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