On March 3rd and 4th, the Blackburn College Men's Golf team competed in a dual match against Millikin University, at Oak Terrace Country Club in Pana, IL. Millikin University brought two teams to the tournament, while the Beavers brought one team and two individuals. Oak Terrace Country Club is home to what is called "The Shotmaker's Mile", this stretch of four holes is on the back nine holes of the course, and tests the average golfer to place the ball in certain spots on the course to even have the slightest chance to play well on that hole. This however did not discourage the Beavers as they took on the course with full force. With the course being just a bit damp from the night before on Saturday, the Beavers put together a team score of 322. Senior Jordan McMIllen led the way with a 76, while Senior Trenton Easley and Junior Anthony Harper were not far behind with a pair of 80s. Sophomore Matt Kinsella rounded out the scoring with an 86. After the first day, Blackburn found themselves trailing Milliken's A team by just three shots.
On the second day, the Beavers found a little sunshine, however the course was still a little damp which made hitting out of the low spots difficult. Blackburn went on to shoot 311 on the day, beating their first day score by eleven strokes. Easley led the Beavers with low round of the day, 73, while McMillen and Harper both shot 78s. Rounding out day two scoring for Blackburn was Senior Kyle Kesinger who shot an 82. Shot of the tournament, went to Trenton Easley who made eagle on the 265 yard par 4 15th, a daunting dog leg right with water all down the right side and around the green. With a 15 mph wind in his face, Easley decided to pull driver and attempt to hit one on the green. Easley hit a near perfect shot as he shaped the ball left to right around the trees as the ball landed softly just two feet from the hole. Easley was the high finisher for Blackburn finishing second overall with a two day total of nine over par. Jordan McMIllen finished a solo fourth place shooting ten over par for the tournament, while Anthony Harper finished in a tie for fifth overall with a two day total of 14 over par. This marks the Beavers third tournament win in a row carrying over from the fall season.
The Beavers next tournament will take place over Spring Break as the team heads to Longview, Texas to compete in the Yellow Jacket Spring Invite, on March 12th and 13th, tee times will be released later this week.