Illinois golf coach can make history at event
A college golf coach attempting to build a nationally competitive program and keep his own game sharp has a challenging balancing act. After all, both pursuits take time.
But it’s a trick University of Illinois coach Mike Small has pulled off.
Earlier this month, in his 11th season at his alma mater, Small guided the Illini to their best finish in the NCAA in 70 years, reaching the match-play quarterfinals.
| PGA Professional Championship |
| When » Sunday-Wednesday |
| Where » Hershey Country Club, Pa. |
| TV » Golf Channel |
This week at Hershey Country Club, Small will attempt another feat with historical significance as he shoots for his unprecedented third straight PGA National Championship and fourth overall.
For Small, who is married and a father of two, it’s all about time management.
“A head coach has a lot of responsibilities, not just coaching golf,” Small, 45, said. “Maybe that’s why I play better. I’m not so consumed with my golf game that it beats me up. I take it as it comes.”
When Small took over at Illinois in 2000, the program had won one Big Ten title since 1941. That came in 1988 when Small was on the team along with current PGA Tour standout Steve Stricker. This year, Small guided Illinois to its third straight Big Ten title and won conference coach of the year honors for the fourth time.
Players who have thrived under Small include 2010 NCAA champion Scott Langley, the low amateur at the 2010 U.S. Open, and Chris DeForest, who missed the cut by a stroke last week at the U.S. Open. Helping lure elite-level players to Illinois is a five-year-old, $5.1 million indoor practice facility that Small helped convince the school to build.
“Golf at Illinois is important,” Small said. “We’re actually getting better in Champaign over the wintertime.”
Coaching college golf keeps Small busy in the fall and spring. But summers are the most hectic as he tries to find time to play between recruiting and running summer camps.
As winner of the PNC, he receives exemptions into six PGA Tour events, including the PGA Championship. After winning the PNC in 2005, Small made the cut in five PGA events. In 2007 at Southern Hills, he was the low club pro at the PGA, joining tournament winner Tiger Woods at the trophy presentation. Two weeks ago, Small tied for 60th in the St. Jude Classic, his first PGA event this summer.
“I think I’ve been home maybe a week total all summer,” Small said before last year’s PGA Championship.
“I have a great family that understands what it means to have someone who is involved in the game. And I owe a lot to the University of Illinois,” Small told the PGA. “They are supporting me. They understand the value of me playing and the attention it brings. It is a fair trade. I try to find a balance, and that’s what I try to teach my players.”
