Biggest weapon for men’s golf is depth heading into Big Ten Tournament
The following post was written by staff writer Lee Ann Sangalang.
Each week, the Illinois’ men’s golf team features a different lineup. While this may allow room for criticism because of the lack of consistency, even all the way into last week, the final week of the regular season, this flexibility may be the Illini’s biggest asset.
The team is at least seven-deep. Three individuals have taken first place medals — freshman Scott Langley, freshman Chris DeForest, and redshirt sophomore Matt Hoffman. The other four players that played in the Varsity lineup this season (Mark Ogren, Larry Blatt, Jon Krick, and Zach Barlow) have led the Illini at a tournament at least at one point. With this depth, head coach Mike Small really could not go wrong picking a lineup for this week’s Big Ten tournament.
Each player has the ability to come out on top. In addition, these players are of all different grade levels. The lineup boasts two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors, and a senior. The upperclassmen have experience on their side and have capitalized. The trio – Blatt, Ogren, and Krick – have the second, third, and fourth highest stroke averages respectively. At the same time, the underclassmen are the ones who have taken all the titles this season. In collegiate sports, where seniority plays a huge part in deciding lineups, the men’s golf team has shown the underclassmen can compete just as well – and now hone talents for seasons to come.
The team has had nearly equal playing time between the seven. Langley is the sole individual who has been in every lineup. Small’s rotation has seasoned every player into being able to compete. The added healthy competition between players for spots in the lineup has allowed them to focus. With seven capable players and the top-five playing in the postseason, Illinois is going to be a force to reckon this weekend in East Lansing, Mich.