ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Illinois College men's golf team was picked to finish 8th in the annual SLIAC Conference Coaches Poll, as announced by the league today.
After a record-breaking conference tournament last season, the Blueboys and Head Coach
Jay Rowell return their top two golfers,
Jarrett James and
Cole Bartels.
In last season's conference tournament, the Blueboys posted a team score of 873 (+21) over the 54-hole event, shattering the previous record by 51 strokes.
Jarrett James secured the top spot in the record books with the lowest 54-hole total in program history, finishing at 212 (-1), and was named a First-Team All Conference member. His final-round score of 66 (-5) also set a new Illinois College record.
Cole Bartels followed closely, recording the second-lowest 54-hole total at 217 (+4), and was named a Second-Team All Conference member.
James carried his momentum into his senior year, averaging 72.5 over six rounds in the fall season. His best performance came at the Highland Championship, where he finished tied for eighth with a two-round total of 143 (-1).
Cole Bartels and
Tobin Nell are also expected to be key contributors for the Blueboys after strong fall campaigns. Nell opened his season with a top-20 finish at the Highland Championship, finishing +4 over two rounds.
Another name to watch is
Teddy Walbaum, who had an impressive start to the 2024-25 season, averaging 77 over six rounds, including a standout -2 round of 70 at the Midwest Region Classic.
AJ Odle,
Caden Tinsley,
Emmitt Brokaw,
Myles Kampwerth, and
Ashton Sutton all saw action for IC in the fall and will look to contribute to another strong conference finish in May.
The Blueboys begin their spring season March 22
nd in the two-day Illinois Central College Spring Invite at Weaver Ridge Golf Course in East Peoria, Illinois.
2024-25 SLIAC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll Results
#1 MUW
#2 Webster
#3 Lake Forest
#4 Knox
#5 Grinnell
#6 Spalding
#7 Lyon
#8 Illinois
#9 Monmouth
#10 Fontbonne
#11 Westminster
#12 Blackburn
#13 Eureka
