At the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship, Southern Illinois fired an MVC-record 10-under-par 278, and the Salukis hold a seven-stroke lead over second-place Missouri State (285) after Day 1. Valparaiso is 13 strokes behind SIU and in third place with a first-round score of 291.
The 2024 MVC Championship is taking place Sunday-Tuesday, April 21-23, on the 7,060-yard, par 72 layout at The Golf Club at Porta Cima in Sunrise Beach, Mo.
REMAINING 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Monday, April 22: 9:00 am -- Tee Times begin off Hole #1 (9:00 am) & Hole #10 (9:30 am)
Tuesday, April 23: 8:00 am -- Tee Times begin Off Hole #1 & Hole #10
Three Salukis are in the Top 4 on the individual leaderboard, led by Leon Heitz who shares the 18-hole lead with Missouri State's Hampus Wijkstrom with a 5-under 67. Edouard Cereto of Southern Illinois is at 69, while SIU's Dain Richie is in fourth place with a 70 after today's opening round. The 67 is tied for third all-time in MVC Championship history for an 18-hole score (on a par-72 layout). The league record for a par-72 18-hole score was established by Wichita State's Gary Navarro (65 in 1972). Last year, Anthony Delisanti of Valparaiso set an all-time mark with his 64 (accomplished on a par-71 layout).
A total of eight players broke par today, with four carding one-under 71, including Daniil Romashkin of Evansville; Caleb VanArragon of Valparaiso; defending two-time medalist Anthony Delisanti of Valparaiso; and Conner Brown of Belmont.
Meanwhile, SIU's 278 18-hole score established a league record for a par-72 layout, edging the previous record of 280 established by Wichita State in 1972. Illinois State fired two rounds of 276 last year on the par-71 Oakwood Country Club at Coal Valley, Ill. The league's all-time 18-hole record was set by Oklahoma State in 1949 (a team score of 275 on a par-70 course). SIU's 278 on Sunday is Southern Illinois' 7th 18-hole score of 280 or better this season.
THE GOLF CLUB AT PORTO CIMA
The Golf Club at Porto Cima is a Jack Nicklaus designed facility that opened in 2000. Over the last 23 years Porto Cima has hosted several Missouri Golf Association Championships, the annual Missouri Intercollegiate and the 2011, 2015 & 2019 Men’s MVC Championships. Golf Digest has recognized The Club at Porto Cima as the one of the best private golf courses in America.
2023 CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
Setting marks for the lowest single-round team total at the Missouri Valley Conference Golf Championship since 1998 in each of the first two rounds, the Illinois State men's golf team ran away with the 2023 MVC Championship, the program's sixth conference title, and the first conference crown since 2007. ISU's final-round 284 put the 'Birds with a three-round 836, which is the lowest three-round tournament score in program history and second-best in MVC championship history. The Redbirds' three-round total of 836 distanced themselves from Valparaiso (849), Northern Iowa (856), Bradley (858), Murray State (862), Southern Illinois (862), Evansville (863), Belmont (869), Missouri State (882), and Drake (883). For the second consecutive season, Valparaiso's Anthony Delisanti was medalist. Delisanti shattered the MVC Championship record and the modern program record with his 54-hole score of 200 (-13), breaking a record that stood for more than 70 years |
2023 Championship Recap