WINDERMERE, Fla. – The Fighting Illini men's golf team unofficially opened its 2026 spring schedule on Saturday, pairing up in an exhibition against program alumni at Isleworth Golf & Country Club. The exhibition offers the Illini a chance to test themselves at one of the top courses in the state of Florida as they prepare for the spring schedule.
The alumni match consisted of two-man teams, with the pairing of current Illini juniors Ethan Wilson and Dane Huddleston coming away with the victory.
The Illini now turn their attention to the team's official 2026 opener at the Hal Williams Intercollegiate, Feb. 16-17, hosted by South Alabama at Magnolia Grove Country Club's Crossings Course in Mobile, Ala. Illinois has competed in the event – formerly known as the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate – in five of the last six seasons, securing team wins in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Illinois closed the fall season ranked No. 6 in the GCAA Coaches Poll and sits at No. 13 in the NCAA Division I men's golf team rankings released Feb. 4.
