Iowa To Host Hawkeye Invitational

Sept. 16, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

THIS WEEK: The Iowa Hawkeyes will host their only home meet of the season Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19. The Hawkeye Invitational will be played at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, IA. The 54-hole tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 (CT) Saturday. Teams will play 36 holes Saturday and the final 18 holes Sunday (8 a.m. tee times). Admission is free.

THE COMPETITION: Iowa will compete against seven teams; Ball State, Creighton, Drake, Illinois State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and South Dakota State.

IOWA FINISHES SIXTH AT CHIP-N CLUB INVITATIONAL: Iowa finished tied for sixth after a scoring correction at the weather-shortened Chip-N Club Invitational. Senior Laura Cilek led the Hawkeyes, shooting 74 (+2) in both rounds. Her 148 (+4) was good for a fourth place finish. Junior Chelsea Harris also played well for Iowa, finishing tied for 23rd (+10, 154). Senior Lauren Forbes finished tied for 43rd after posting a 157 (+13). Senior Brianna Coopman ended the tournament tied for 58th place after firing an 78 in the first round (160, +16). Sophomore Kristi Cardwell registered a 162 (+18) to round out Iowa’s scoring.

HAWKEYE LINE-UP: The Hawkeye will take scores from Laura Cilek, Chelsea Harris, Lauren Forbes, Gigi DiGrazia, and Kristi Cardwell. Brianna Coopman, along with freshmen Woojay Choi and Karly Grouwinkel, will compete as individuals. Choi, a The Woodlands, TX native, was named the top player at The Woodlands College Park High School in 2010. Grouwinkel, from Mt. Prospect, IL, holds the Prospect High School 18-hole record, posting a 73 during her senior season.

HEAD COACH Kelly Crawford: Head Coach Kelly Crawford has been in charge of the women’s golf program for five years. The Sacramento State alum has six letterwinners returning from the 2009-10 season. Crawford led Iowa to a fifth place finish at last year’s Hawkeye Invitational, which has been played annually since 1975. Assistant Coach John Owens returns for his second season with the Hawkeyes.

FROM COACH Kelly Crawford: “I expect our team to win our home tournament. I also expect that a Hawkeye will be the champion. Who that is exactly, is up to the individual who wants the prize the most.”