May 3, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – The University of Iowa men’s golf team finished the final round of play at the Big Ten Championships Sunday. The Hawkeyes recorded a 72-hole score of 1172 (+36) to finish sixth, their best finish in eight years. Illinois won the Big Ten title with an 1149 (+13).
Chris Brant posted his second par round of the tournament to finish tied for 15th. The freshman recorded a 294 (+10) to lead the Hawkeyes. Sophomore Vince India finished tied for 22nd with a 296 (+12). Senior Cole Peevler shot a 72-hole total of 297 (+13) and finished tied for 27th. Freshman Barrett Kelpin and sophomore Brad Hopfinger both carded a 299 (+15) to finish tied for 35th.
“Overall we hung in there the entire day,” said Head Coach Mark Hankins. “We had the opportunity to place third or fourth if it weren’t for a couple shots here and there. We’ll learn from this pressure situation and grow as a team.”
Additionally, Brant talked about his gutsy finish after a difficult second round.
“I was pleased with three of my rounds, but my second was tough,” said Brant. “I knew I was a better player than that and that I needed to do the things that I do well. I stuck to my plan and it worked out for me.”
Participants for the NCAA Regionals will be selected May 5 at 5 p.m. CT. If chosen to compete in one of the six regional competitions, it will be Iowa’s first time in over a decade. The 2009 NCAA Regionals begin May 14.
Team Results (Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Illinois 292-288-284-285=1149 (+13)
2. Minnesota 287-294-292-258=1162 (+26)
3. Indiana 286-295-294-292=1167 (+31)
4. Ohio State 289-290-292-299=1170 (+34)
Penn State 290-296-296-288=1170 (+34)
6. IOWA 290-292-290-300=1172 (+36)
7. Northwestern 290-296-287-304=1177 (+41)
8. Purdue 293-297-283-306=1179 (+43)
Michigan 285-302-299-293=1179 (+43)
10. Wisconsin 295-292-290-306=1183 (+47)
11. Michigan State 293-296-312-309=1210 (+74)
Individual Results – Par 71 (Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Eric Chun (Northwestern) 70-68-71-74=283 (-1)
2. Kevin Foley (Penn State) 73-70-70-71=284 (E)
3. Derek Chang (Minnesota) 71-73-71-71=286 (+2)
Ben Pisani (Minnesota) 70-72-72-72=286 (+2)
Chris DeForest (Illinois) 76-70-69-71=286 (+2)
T15. Chris Brant (UI) 71-80-72-71=294 (+10)
T22. Vince India (UI) 72-74-73-77=296 (+12)
T27. Cole Peevler (UI) 73-75-72-77=297 (+13)
T35. Barrett Kelpin (UI) 74-72-77-76=299 (+15)
T35. Brad Hopfinger (UI) 79-71-73-76=299 (+15)