July 27, 2007
IOWA CITY – Mark Hankins, the newly named men’s golf coach at the University of Iowa, and former UI women’s Coach Diane Thomason will coach the United States men and women’s golf teams, respectively, at the 2007 World University Games.
The World University Games will be held August 8-18 in Bangkok, Thailand, with competition scheduled for August 14-17 at Water Mill Golf and Gardens in Nakhonnayok, Thailand.
Golf is being included in the World University Games for the first time. The United States previously competed in the World University Golf Championships, held in alternating years with the World University Games. Both events are sponsored by the Federation of International University Sports.
The USA men’s team at the World University Games includes Ryan Brehm (Michigan State), Bronson Burgoon (Texas A&M), Braxton Marquez (Scottsdale CC) and Aaron Goldberg (San Diego State). The women’s squad consists of Selanee Henderson (Cal-Irvine), Mary Jacobs (Arizona) and Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (Stanford). Henderson was a member of the women’s championship squad at the most recent Golf Championships.
“The World University Games is a once in a lifetime experience for our players and coaching staff,” said Hankins, who was named men’s coach at Iowa on July 9. “We have great young players representing Team USA. It’s a privilege to be able to serve as their coach for this international competition.”
Hankins joined the Hawkeye program from Michigan State, where he led Spartan teams to the Big Ten title in two of the last three years, including 2007. The Mt. Pleasant, IA, native was twice named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year.
“It’s an exciting atmosphere for the student-athletes,” said Thomason, who has coached teams from the United States 11 times in the World University Golf Championships. “This is Olympic-style competition for college golfers. It’s a good test of golf in which the United States has experienced success.”
Thomason served as Iowa’s women’s coach for 27 years, guiding the Hawkeye women to the Big Ten title in 1991. She was national Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1990 and Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991. She was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Hall of Fame in 1994-95.
The USA women’s team has won the competition six times, including the last two championships, and has had the women’s medalist six times. The USA men’s team has won three titles at the Golf championships and had the medalist twice.
The USA golf contingent will meet in San Francisco before departing August 8 for Thailand. Teams competing in the competition could include Thailand, France, Italy, South Africa, Ireland, Great Britain, Russia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, Slovakia, Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Canada.
For further information on the World University Games and results, go to www.bangkok2007.com.
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