Robles chooses Illinois

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake South golfer Nick Robles will play his collegiate golf at the University of Illinois.

Robles committed to Fighting Illini coach Mike Small on Thursday. Illinois has won the past three Big Ten championships.

The Gators’ senior was one of the area’s most prolific golfers in history, with a runner-up finish in the 2010 IHSA Class 3A State Tournament followed by a third-place state finish last month.

Robles, a three-time regional champion and three-time state qualifier, was the Northwest Herald Boys Golfer of the Year each of the past two seasons.

“I really liked the coaches and the campus,” Robles said. “I like the way they teach and run their program. I thought this overall experience would be the best for me.”

Robles also considered Iowa, Marquette, Northwestern and Colorado. He is waiting to hear if he will receive an Evans Caddie Scholarship, for which he has been recommended. Evans Scholarships are awarded each year to caddies who have shown great sportsmanship, citizenship and achieved academic excellence. If Robles receives a scholarship, it will cover the entire schooling cost for four years.

Robles began contacting Small by email a couple of years ago and has been speaking with the coach for the past year.

“I’m excited to see how good I can get,” Robles said. “I still have a goal of making it to the PGA Tour, but an education at Illinois is an amazing opportunity.”