Back Nine Fan John Cusick made a trip to Dalhousie Golf Club in Southeast Missouri and was kind enough to provide a preview of the golf course from his perspective. In just a few weeks, the best amateurs in Missouri will be contesting the Missouri Amateur Championship on the Nicklaus Design, Dalhousie Golf Club.

For the fifth year in a row, the Illinois men's golf team qualified for the NCAA Championships after tying for third at the NCAA Norman Regional behind three top-10 individual performances. The Illini maintained their position in the top five on Saturday and moved up a spot with a final round 296 to tie with No. 24 Florida State at 871 (+7). Illinois is one of just five schools to advance to the NCAA Finals each of the past five seasons, joining Florida, Texas, Texas A&M and USC in the elite group.

Kirkwood's Ben Crancer entered the day a single shot behind 18 hole leader, Corey Connell of Cape Central in the Class 4A State Championship. After near misses the past two seasons, Crancer will have to settle for a 2nd place finish in his final bid at a High School State Championship. The Kirkwood senior will be teeing up for Texas A&M next year and likely in the mix for a NCAA Championship with a thriving Aggies golf program.

In a move that affects only us golf geeks, Golf Channel is apparently making a move with Morning Drive co-host, Erik Kuselias who is shifting to NBC Sports Talk. Kuselias has been doing more work lately with NBC Sports Talk leaving an open chair alongside his former co-host, Gary Williams, on Morning Drive.

Jeff Pelizzaro talks with Dustin Ashby on The Back Nine Online to discuss the importance of golf fitness in game improvement.