NORMAL -- Robert Robertson knows the Bloomington-Normal Two-Man Best Position Tournament is all about fun.

Get a buddy, make some birdies and perhaps enjoy a cold beverage in the clubhouse afterwards while rehashing the round.

"I've played five or six years with three different partners," said Robertson.

Now, Robertson wants a little more. He believes he's found the right partner for that.

Robertson and Paul Brouillet will team up for the first time on their home course when the Two-Man begins its 11-day marathon journey Thursday at Ironwood Golf Course. Qualifying takes place through Saturday before teams are flighted for match play.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 240 teams had registered. Ironwood will accept late entries during qualifying provided there are open tee times.

Neither the 54-year-old Brouillet nor Robertson, 40, has ever qualified for the Two-Man championship flight. With a combined handicap of 10 -- and knowing every blade of grass at Ironwood -- they are aiming for a spot in the top 31 to join defending champions Drew Miller and Kyle English in the championship flight.

"He needed someone who could get him in a lower bracket," said a smiling Brouillet, who carries a 4 handicap. "We should help each other. We're both capable of making all the shots."

Robertson said this is the first time he's played with a lower-handicapped partner. There's something else about Brouillet's game that Robertson likes.

"He hits it a country mile," said Robertson.

Robertson and Brouillet occasionally play together in the Ironwood Men's Association. Robertson is a past president of the group. They share the same demeanor on the course.

"We're two of the most serious guys out here in the men's association," said Robertson, who owns Direct Mail Simplied, Inc., in Bloomington.

Brouillet, who is the pro shop manager at All Seasons Golf Learning Center in Normal, knows keeping up with the talented crop of young Bloomington-Normal golfers will be a tough challenge.

Yet he believes they are up to the task of competing with kids who are young enough to be their sons.

"It's going to help having someone almost equal to me," said Brouillet. "I don't mind the pressure so much, but if you do miss one I know he can do it and vice versa. We've played with people before, and you feel you have to make every shot."

Ironwood has undergone a noticeable change since 2005 when it last served as Two-Man host.

Robertson noted the trees are getting taller while the fescue grass has been allowed to grow out. That might not make as much a difference in a team event as a stroke-play competition.

What Robertson believes will be different --and those who don't play Ironwood much should enjoy -- is the improved greens under superintendent Rob Hale.

"In previous years out here there was a lot more grass (on the greens)," said Robertson. "You could get it on line, and there was so much grass it would bounce off line. Now if you get it on line you'll make it."

The tourney qualifying record of 15-under-par, which has been equaled the last four years, could be in jeopardy. It took 7-under 65 four years ago at Ironwood to qualify for the championship flight.

The upper half of the field will play matches at Ironwood, with the lower half going to Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State. Finals in all flights except the championship will be July 18, with the championship flight finals July 19.