April 21, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
THIS WEEK: The Hawkeyes will conclude their regular season schedule April 23-25 at the Big Ten Championships in Madison, WI. The 72-hole tournament will be played on the par 72, 6,224-yard University of Wisconsin Golf Course-University Ridge.
THE COMPETITION: Iowa will face the other 10 teams in the conference; Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Purdue is the defending champion.
THE LADY BUCKEYE INVITATIONAL: Iowa finished the Lady Buckeye Invitational Sunday afternoon in 10th place. The Hawkeyes (333-329-325-987, +123) improved their score each round of the tournament, shooting a 325 the final 18 holes. Host, Ohio State, won the tournament with a 919 (+55) Sophomore Chelsea Harris (82-80-84, +30) placed the highest for Iowa, tying for 40th. Freshman Gigi DiGrazia shot an 82 the final round, finishing just one stroke behind Harris. Freshman Kristi Cardwell also shot an 82 the final round, shaving six strokes off her first round score of 88. Junior Brianna Coopman (87-86-78, +35) shot a team-best 78 the final round.
LAST YEAR AT BIG TENS: In 2009, Iowa shot a season best 305 in the fourth round to secure a fifth place finish at the Big Ten Championships in West Lafayette, IN. The Hawkeyes’ fifth placing is the highest at the women’s golf Big Ten Championships since 1995 when Iowa finished fourth. Iowa had a four round total of 1,264. The Hawkeyes shed 22 strokes off their score between the first and final rounds of the tournament. The final round score of 305 was the best single round total of the 2009 spring season.
FROM COACH Kelly Crawford: “I am really excited for the Big Ten Championship and our road trip to Madison, WI. The girls continue to work hard and that effort is definitely paying off for us on the course. These are my best six players and that was evident in our trip to Ohio State this past weekend especially during the van ride home. The chemistry this past week was the best it has ever been since I came to Iowa. I expect that chemistry will play an integral role at the Championship this week.”