Consistency will be key for the IU men’s golf team as it heads into the Fighting Illini Invitational this weekend.
After a disappointing finish from IU at the Windon Memorial Classic earlier this week, IU head coach Mike Mayer said he is hoping to see a more well-rounded tournament this weekend.
“We need lower numbers and a little bit more consistency top to bottom,” Mayer said. “We need more input from all five players.”
The Hoosiers have a variety of experience up and down the lineup, and Mayer said he’s looking for more consistency from anyone, younger or older.
Mayer said the tournament, which will take place at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, is played at one of the toughest courses in the country.
The Hoosiers had the opportunity to practice on the course before the Windon Memorial Classic this week. As a result, Mayer said the team knows the course as well as anybody.
Mayer said the new Pfau Course at IU will help give the team an advantage as well. The new course has difficult tee shots, similar to the ones at Olympia Fields, so the Hoosiers should be accustomed and confident when the holes get tougher.
“I think we can come into Olympia Fields with a little bit more confidence, a little bit more bounce in our step, and get ready to compete against the best in the country,” Mayer said.
At the Fighting Illini Invitational last year, the Hoosiers placed 11th out of 14 teams. The team was led by Brock Ochsenreiter, who tied for 22nd with a score of six over par as a junior.
Ochsenreiter will look to repeat his success in a bounce-back performance after a rough showing Monday and Tuesday. The senior finished tied for 72nd after shooting 20 over par.
Not only is the course tough at the Fighting Illini Invitational, but the competition is as well. Illinois will welcome some of the best teams in the nation for its tournament.
A total of 11 of the 15 teams in the tournament are ranked in the top 25. The field includes No. 1-ranked University of Texas, No. 3 Georgia Institute of Technology, No. 4 Oklahoma State University and No. 10 Pepperdine University.
“You could argue that it’s the best field in college golf,” Mayer said. “It’s really going to put us to the test, so we have to be ready.”
