Pieters to skip senior year, turn pro
By: Aaron Bennett
Updated: January 22, 2013
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.
(UI Release) - University of Illinois junior Thomas Pieters (Nijlen, Belgium /
Sportschool Hasselt) will pursue his dreams of being a professional
golfer following the 2013 spring season, Illini
head coach Mike Small announced Tuesday. Pieters was the 2012 NCAA
individual champion, Illinois' second in the last three years, and
helped the Orange and Blue to their fourth-straight Big Ten
championship.
"My experience at
Illinois has been awesome and I feel like I have had a very good
college career, but my dream has always been to become a professional
golfer, and the time will be right after this season.
I want to thank Coach Small and Coach (Zach) Guthrie for their
incredible support and guidance over the past three years. I couldn't be
where I am today without them and I know they will be a great resource
for me as I move into professional golf."
On his way to
becoming the 2012 NCAA individual champion, Pieters was Illinois' top
finisher in seven of 12 tournaments in 2012 and was named a first-team
All-American and first-team All-Big Ten. He placed
in the top 11 at 10 events, including his first career title at the Jack
Nicklaus Invitational. He had 16 rounds under par on the season,
including shooting his career-best, 6-under par, four times. He also
earned two Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors. During
the summer of 2012, he played for the European team at the 2012 Palmer
Cup, helping his squad win the event.
"Thomas has had a
great career at Illinois and has a number of impressive
accomplishments," Small said. "But it's time for him to move on with his
career and enter the world of professional golf. I'm sure
he will have a great professional career because of his talent, drive
and work ethic. He has been a true pleasure to coach and I sincerely
wish him the best.
"We expect Thomas
to lead us and have another great season this spring. As with all of
our golfers, he will always be a big part of Illinois golf and we will
support him fully in his professional career."
Pieters and the
Illini tee it up to start the 2013 spring slate on Jan. 26 against
Illinois State at the annual Tinervin Cup in Placida, Fla.
