Illini Men’s Golf Enjoying a Hunting Postseason Mentality Rather Than Defending 

Illinois trying to find momentum from a comeback effort in a second-place finish last week at the 2026 Big Ten Championships. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 15, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

URBANA — A few months ago Illinois men’s golf head coach Mike Small has what he calls a running joke assessment with assistant coaches Ruben Sondjaja and Eric Gilpin about the 2025-26 team. 

“I was casually mentioning to them in passing at (the Demirjian Golf Practice Facility) in fun that this team seems like everything is great until something hits the fan,” Small . . .

 

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