April 28, 2009
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s golf team will travel to University Park, PA, this weekend to compete in the 2009 Big Ten Championships, hosted by Penn State University. The 72-hole tournament begins with the first 36 holes Friday, followed by one round Saturday and the final round Sunday.
THE COURSE — Competition will take place at the newly renovated Penn State Blue Course in University Park, PA. The course, totaling 7,150 yards, includes over 20 strategically placed bunkers, as well as three new water hazards.
BIG TEN HISTORY — Iowa’s lone Big Ten Championship in men’s golf came in 1992, when it was held in Iowa City. Hawkeye golfer Brad Klapprott was crowned medalist during that tournament. The only other individual Big Ten Champion Iowa has had was John Jacobs, who was the medalist of the 1946 Championships held in Minneapolis, MN.
THIS WEEK’S LINEUP —
1. Cole Peevler Sr. Keokuk, IA (Keokuk)
2. Vince India So. Deerfield, IL (Deerfield)
3. Brad Hopfinger So. Lake Forest, IL (Lake Forest)
4. Chris Brant Fr. Edwardsville, IL (Edwardsville)
5. Barrett Kelpin Fr. Kalamazoo, MI (Loy Norrix)
LAST MEET — Iowa last competed in the Boilermaker Invitational April 18-19, finishing 3rd out of 18 teams. Of the six other Big Ten schools competing in West Lafayette, the Hawkeyes defeated four, including 13th-ranked Indiana and 45th-ranked Michigan State. Sophomore Vince India (211, -5) led the Hawkeyes with a fourth place finish, as well as a par-3 hole-in-one.
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.
QUOTING COACH HANKINS — “We have played a solid schedule this spring and have continued to make progress physically and mentally. The Big Ten Championships are not unlike any of our other tournaments, we need to play well every week to be a top team in the NCAA’s.”