Aug. 5, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa sophomore Brad George had never shot a hole-in-one in his golf career until competing in the 107th Iowa Men’s Amateur golf championship July 29. During the two-day tournament at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, George posted his first and second career aces in back to back days.
George’s first ace came in the second round on hole number eight, with an 8-iron from 160 yards.
“The ball kicked toward the cup when it hit the green,” George said. “I lost it, but a guy near the green threw his hands up to let me know it went in. I went nuts.”
As if one wasn’t impressive enough, George holed his 187-yard tee shot with a 6-iron on hole number 13 the following day.
“I was able to watch the second one the entire way so it was a little sweeter for me,” George said. “It took two hops and landed in the hole. I couldn’t believe it.”
After shooting a first round 6-over par, George came back with two rounds of 71 (-1) to finish the tournament tied at 17th with a score of 220 (+4).
After a spring season that landed Iowa fifth at the NCAA Regionals and 17th at nationals, it would be easy for the Hawkeyes to sit on their success. This is not the case for Head Coach Mark Hankin’s young group of talented golfers. Along with George competing in the Iowa Amateur, sophomore Barrett Kelpin qualified for the U.S. Amateur (July 27). Juniors Vince India and Brad Hopfinger also competed in the 107th Western Amateur in Lake Forest, IL, August 3-8.