April 12, 2011
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THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s golf team will host the 18th-annual Hawkeye – TaylorMade Invitational April 16-17. The Hawkeyes, ranked 14th in the nation, will host the 11-team field on their own Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. Competition will consist of 36 holes Saturday, followed by the final 18 on Sunday. Both days will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. (CT).
THE COURSE — The 7,180-yard, par-72 Finkbine Golf Course is prized by the University and Iowa City community alike. A tremendous test of golf, Finkbine was the site of the Amana VIP Pro-Am for more than 20 years, featuring the PGA’s finest as well as national and local celebrities. In 1991 Finkbine also became the host of the Ben Hogan Tour – Hawkeye Open. Collegiately, Finkbine has been the site for the 1992 and 2002 men’s Big Ten Championships, the Hawkeye Intercollegiate and the Big Four Invitational.
THE COMPETITION — The 14th-ranked Hawkeyes will compete among an 11-team field, including Eastern Michigan, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami (Ohio), Missouri, Nebraska, North Texas, UNC-Charlotte and Wichita State.
LAST OUTING — The Hawkeyes finished third at the LSU National Invitational Sunday, April 3. The Black and Gold topped three Big Ten teams, as well as Iowa State, on its way to a three-round total of 893 (+29). Vince India led the way with a second place finish, firing an even par 216. After his performance, the senior was honored with the first Big Ten Golfer of the Week award of his career.
HEAD COACH Mark Hankins — Hankins is in his fourth year as Iowa’s head men’s golf coach after spending seven years as the head coach at Michigan State University. Under Hankins, the Hawkeyes finished the 2010 season with the highest national ranking in school history. Ranked 36th among all NCAA Division I teams, Iowa earned its best Big Ten finish (second) since 1992 and produced an NCAA Regional berth for the second-consecutive year. Additionally, the Hawkeyes picked up four tournament titles in five events last fall. Hankins is a native of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and a graduate of Iowa State.
NEXT TIME OUT — The Hawkeyes will travel to Ohio State’s Robert Kepler Invitational April 23-24. After taking a one-year hiatus from the invite, Iowa will return for one final tune-up before the Big Ten Championships.