Hawkeyes To Open Fall Season

Sept. 9, 2008

THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s golf team will travel to Minneapolis, MN this weekend, to compete in the Golden Gopher Invitational. The tournament will be held at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, MN. Competition consists of 54 holes, with 18 holes Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

SPRING HILL GOLF CLUB — Spring Hill Course at the Spring Hill Golf Club was voted one of the top five courses in Minnesota in 2006. The par 72 layout is 7,020 yards (bent grass) and was opened in 1999.

THE COMPETITION — The Big Ten claims the biggest representation with Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The Golden Gophers will also host Southern Methodist, Washington, Arkansas, Iowa State, LSU, Marquette, Pepperdine, Texas and Yale.

INVITE HISTORY — This is the fourth annual Golden Gopher Invitational, but the first appearance for the Hawkeyes. Previously, this tournament has proven to be a good measuring stick for success. The Golden Gophers took the event in 2005 and went on to finish third at the 2006 NCAA Championships. The Stanford Cardinal won the invite in 2006 and went on to win the 2007 NCAA title.

2008-09 HAWKEYES — The 2008-09 Iowa men’s golf team will begin its second season under Head Coach Mark Hankins. Senior, Zack Anderson leads the returning lettermen with an average of 72.5 from last year. The Hawkeyes will also receive help from Brad Hopfinger, a sophomore transfer from Kansas. Hopfinger led the Jayhawks in 2007-08 with a 73.39 average. Others likely to make the trip include Cole Peevler, Vince India, and Dusty Koth.

HEAD COACH Mark Hankins — Hankins is in his second year as Iowa’s head men’s golf coach. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, at Michigan State, in 2005 and 2007. He led the Spartans to Big Ten championships those years. Hankins also led the Spartans to five NCAA tournament appearances in his seven years as head coach. He is a native of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and a graduate of Iowa State University.

LOOKING AHEAD — The Hawkeye’s will head to Richmond, VA for the Virginia Commonwealth University Shootout on Sept. 29-30.

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