TJ Barger Named MVC Golfer of the Week
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Illinois State redshirt junior TJ Barger broke the program single-round scoring record last Saturday, and as a result, has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week, announced by the conference office on Thursday morning.
Barger broke the previous mark of 63 set in 2007 by Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich on back-to-back days. In the second round Barger had a bogey-free round with eight birdies and 10 pars for his eight-under 62 on the par-70 course. His two-round score of 132 also set the school record for a 36-hole tournament, breaking the previous record of 135 set by Felix van Dijk in February last season.
This season he averages 73.4 strokes per round, second-best on the team, and trailing teammate Alex McCulla by just six total strokes over the 29 rounds. His stroke average is the sixth-best in a season by a junior, while his nine at- or under-par rounds this season is the 11th-most in a season by a junior. His three top-10 finishes this season are tied for the most on the team and is the only player on the squad this season to earn medalist honors.
The team is set to compete in the two-day Hawkeye Invitational on April 13 and 14, setting the stage for the MVC Championship a week later.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
Players Mentioned
- Fifth Year
- Redshirt Junior
- Senior
Players Mentioned
- Fifth Year
- Redshirt Junior
- Senior
Latest Men's Golf News
- Redbird Pair Earn MVC Golfer of Week HonorsThe Illinois State duo of Will Troy and TJ Barger have each been named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week for their performances at the Hawkeye Invite at Finkbine Golf Course.
- ISU Climbs to Second at Close of Hawkeye InviteIllinois State carded a final-round 290 – the second-lowest in the field on the day – as the Birds climbed two spots into second at the finish of the tournament, closing as the runner-up at the 2025 Hawkeye Invite at Finkbine Golf Course.
- Redbirds Go Low in Second Round in IowaBehind a low second round score, the Illinois State men's golf team has climbed to fourth at the Hawkeye Invite.
- Men's Golf Prepares for Final Pre-MVC Tune-Up at Hawkeye InviteThe Illinois State men's golf team gets its final tune-up before the MVC Championships as the squad travels to Iowa City to compete in the Hawkeye Invitational, hosted by the University of Iowa.
- Barger Sets School Record in DeKalbIllinois State redshirt junior TJ Barger reached a mark not yet accomplished by a Redbird golfer, as the Bloomington native became the first golfer in program history to card a 62 for an 18-hole score, breaking the previous mark of 63 set in 2007 by Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich on back-to-back days.
- ISU Heads North to Kishwaukee IntercollegiateAfter a strong performance at a difficult course in Memphis, the Illinois State men's golf team travels north to compete in the one-day Kishwaukee Intercollegiate, hosted by Northern Illinois University.
