May 11, 2009
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s golf team will travel to Sorrento, FL, this weekend to compete in the 2009 Central Florida Regional at Red Tail Golf Club. Teams will begin the first round Thursday morning with second and third rounds being played Friday and Saturday mornings, respectively.
RED TAIL GOLF CLUB — The beautiful 18-hole course, built in 2004, is a link-style par 72, totalling 7152 yards. Nestled among the 100-year old oaks of Lake County, Red Tail Golf Club promises the finest golf Florida has to offer.
REGIONAL COMPETITION — This is the first time the Hawkeyes have been selected for regional play in 14 years, and only the third time in school history. Their regional debut came in 1960, with their most recent trip in 1995. In order of their respective seedings, the Central Florida Regional will consist of Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, Central Florida, Florida State, Arizona, Augusta State, Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Iowa, Charlotte, Campbell and Loyola (MD).
LAST MEET — The Hawkeyes are coming off their best Big Ten finish in eight years. Freshman Chris Brant (294, +10) finished tied for 15th and led the Hawkeyes to a 1172 (+36), sixth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Brant was also selected as a Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree.
BIG TEN NETWORK — The 2009 Big Ten Championships, played May 1-3 at Penn State, will be broadcasted on national television. The Big Ten Network will air complete coverage of the tournament, May 24 at 3 p.m. (CT).
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)
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 — “This is just another 14-team tournament, and we are going to stick to our game plan for three full rounds. NCAA Regionals tests your confidence, trust and patience. You have to believe in yourself, and if each guy prepares and competes for a top ten individual finish then, our team score will take care of itself.”