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Feb. 15, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State men's golf team continues its southern swing next week as the Redbirds travel from Florida to San Antonio, Texas to compete in their first traditional-scoring event of the spring season, the 13th annual Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) Oak Hills Intercollegiate, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 18-19 at the Oak Hills Country Club.

The Redbirds have just one day between events, as they will compete in the Tinervin Cup Saturday, and have a practice round for the UTSA Oak Hills Intercollegiate Sunday before getting underway Monday Morning.

Head Coach Ray Kralis sees the early spring road trip and short turnaround as an opportunity for his young team to gain some valuable experience.

"We have to learn how to carry ourselves," said Kralis. "We struggled a bit in the fall, but we have a lot of talented players. I have been stressing to our guys the need to do the right things, not just on the golf course, but from the time we get up in the morning. I think it is beginning to pay off and I am hopeful it will show through early this spring season."

Tough competition awaits the `Birds in Texas as four of the 17 teams competing are ranked in the top-60 in the country. Oklahoma enters the event ranked 60th, Mississippi State is No. 25, Texas Tech currently sits at No. 18 and conference-rival Wichita State is currently ranked 42nd.

"In these first two tournaments, we are getting all the competition we want," said Kralis. "It will be a great test for our young team. Our guys want to compete at a high level and what better way to take significant steps towards our goals than to hit the ground running against some great competition."

The 54-hole event will be played at the 6,691-yard, par-72 Oak Hills Country Club. Oak Hills is located inside San Antonio's Southwest Texas Medical Center, has hosted 24 PGA Tour events and is the new home of the PGA Champions Tour SBC Championship.