Overton returns to advise IU

As IU heads to West Lafayette this weekend to compete in the Boilermaker Invitational, the players will take with them the guidance of IU alum and PGA golfer Jeff Overton. \nOverton, a two-time All American and two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, earned his PGA tour card at the end of December's six-round Q-School tournament -- the PGA's qualifying process -- just months after graduating. \nWith the Hoosiers beginning their most grueling portion of the spring this weekend, Overton came to Bloomington on Wednesday to provide some insight to the young IU lineup. \n"He's played at Purdue a lot," said freshman Seth Brandon. "The advice that he gave us really helps and gives us a boost of confidence." \nThough coming off a third-place finish in a shortened yet competitive tournament, the Hoosiers will need any advantages they can get this weekend. The Boilermaker Invitational will include six teams from the Big Ten, including Northwestern, which is ranked 25th in the Golf Coaches Association of America poll, and Minnesota, a team that just dropped out of the same poll. \nFreshman Drew Allenspach said that this weekend marks the first of many big events for the team. \n"All of the rest of our tournaments are big for us just because it is our Big Ten schedule, and it's a lot of teams that we're going up against for regional bids," he said. "Minnesota and Northwestern are both having a pretty good year, so if we can go and take them down, it would be really beneficial for us." \nGiven their familiarity with the course, Purdue will undoubtedly enter this weekend with a slight advantage. As Allenspach pointed out, this experience can only take the Boilers so far. \n"It helps to know the golf course," he said, "but you still have to capitalize." \nIU has yet to win a tournament this season, which is something it hopes to change as soon as this weekend. \nFor the first time in the spring, IU will use the same lineup for consecutive tournaments, sending senior Scott Seibert, sophomore Santiago Quirarte, and freshman Jorge Campillo along with Brandon and Allenspach. Campillo said he has faith in this group and believes the team is playing well entering this crucial point in the season. \n"We're getting better," he said. "I think we are going to win a tournament before the end of this year." \nWhen the opening drives are made Saturday, much more than the tournament championship will be up for grabs. The final leaderboard could impact the NCAA tournament field in May. Along with coach Mike Mayer's guidance, the players will use the advice and inspiration they received from Overton as they head into these final weeks, beginning with this weekend in West Lafayette. \n"He just encouraged us to go up there and be confident with everything that we do and to play with no fear," Allenspach said.