April 24, 2011
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Columbus, Ohio – University of Iowa junior Chris Brant shot a two-under par 69 in the final round to lead Iowa’s men’s golf team to a fourth place finish at the 11-team Robert Kepler Intercollegiate Sunday afternoon. Brant posted his best round of the tournament Sunday, which is also his lowest 18-hole total of the spring season. The Edwardsville, Ill., native recorded just one bogey during his final round to finish tied for 10th with a score of 217 (+4).
The Hawkeyes fired a final round of 289 (+5), for a tournament total of 872 (+20). Kent State and Illinois shared the team title with 54-hole scores of 857 (+5). Competition was held at the par 71, 7,455-yard Scarlet course at The Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio.
Iowa, ranked ninth in the nation, placed three golfers in the top-15 individually. Vince India posted a final round of 74 (+3) to finish in fourth place, the senior’s third-consecutive top-five finish. Ranked No. 2 in the nation individually, India finished with a three-round total of one-under par 212. He was one of just four golfers that finished under-par for the tournament.
“We had some nice individual performances and a few spring season low rounds from Vince, Chris and Brad [Hopfinger],” said Hawkeye Coach Mark Hankins.
Senior Brad Hopfinger also improved throughout the final round as he finished the day at even par 71. Finishing with a strong two-under back nine that included a birdie on 18 to close, Hopfinger tied for 14th with a score of 219 (+6). Junior Barrett Kelpin carded a final round of 75 (+4). Kelpin finished with a tournament total of 226 (+13). Additionally, junior Brad George turned in a three-round total of 230 (+17). He posted a final round of 78 (+7).
Iowa now looks to make a postseason run, beginning at the Big Ten Conference Championships, April 29-May 1. Iowa’s national ranking (ninth in college golf) is the highest ranking in program history heading into the postseason. Purdue will host the league championships at its own Kampen Golf Course in West Lafayette, Ind.
Team Results
1. Illinois 294-283-280=857 (+5)
Kent State 291-286-280=857 (+5)
3. Ohio State 285-291-284=860 (+8)
4. Iowa 294-289-289=872 (+20)
5. Minnesota 298-301-286=885 (+33)
6. Ball State 302-297-292=891 (+39)
7. Dayton 302-297-294=893 (+41)
8. Miami of Ohio 307-298-293=898 (+46)
9. Eastern Michigan 309-305-293=907 (+55)
10. Wisconsin 317-299-300=916 (+64)
11. Xavier 301-305-311=917 (+65)
Individual Results – Par 71 (Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Luke Guthrie (Illinois) 71-71-68=210 (-3)
John Hahn (Kent State) 71-68-71=210 (-3)
3. Kevin Miller (Kent State) 71-70-70=211 (-2)
4. Vince India (Iowa) 71-67-74=212 (-1)
T10. Chris Brant (Iowa) 74-74-69=217 (+4)
T14. Brad Hopfinger (Iowa) 74-74-71=219 (+6)
36. Barrett Kelpin (Iowa) 75-76-75=226 (+13)
T48. Brad George (Iowa) 78-74-78=230 (+17)