Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College men's golf team has been ranked eighth in the SLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, according to an announcement by the league. This follows a notable performance in last season's conference tournament where the Blueboys achieved a team score of 873 (+21) over a 54-hole event, breaking the previous record by 51 strokes.

Head Coach Jay Rowell leads the team, which includes top golfers Jarrett James and Cole Bartels. Last season, James set a new program record with a 54-hole total of 212 (-1) and was named First-Team All Conference. He also recorded a final-round score of 66 (-5), setting another school record. Bartels finished with the second-lowest total at 217 (+4), earning Second-Team All Conference honors.

James continues his strong form into his senior year, averaging 72.5 over six rounds during the fall season, highlighted by an eighth-place finish at the Highland Championship with a two-round total of 143 (-1). Bartels and teammate Tobin Nell are expected to be key players this season following their strong performances in fall tournaments.

Teddy Walbaum is another player to watch after averaging 77 over six rounds early in the season, including an impressive -2 round of 70 at the Midwest Region Classic. Other contributors include AJ Odle, Caden Tinsley, Emmitt Brokaw, Myles Kampwerth, and Ashton Sutton.

The Blueboys will start their spring season on March 22nd at the Illinois Central College Spring Invite held at Weaver Ridge Golf Course in East Peoria, Illinois.

The complete results for the SLIAC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll place MUW first followed by Webster and Lake Forest rounding out the top three positions.