May 1, 2011
2011 Les Bolstad Trophy Presentation Photo Gallery
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — University of Iowa senior Vince India was named the recipient of the 2011 Les Bolstad Trophy at the conclusion of the Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships Sunday. The Les Bolstad Trophy is awarded at the end of each season by the Big Ten Conference to the male golfer who records the lowest stroke average during the season (fall and spring).
India tallied an impressive 71.08 stroke average during his senior campaign to win the trophy. His current stroke average would be the best in Iowa school history, breaking teammate Brad Hopfinger’s mark of 72.5, set last year.
The Big Ten Conference has awarded the Les Bolstad Trophy every season since 1974. India’s 71.08 stroke average is the ninth-lowest in the trophy’s history. India joins the likes of Steve Stricker, Luke Donald, Shaun Micheel and Jeff Overton as Les Bolstad Trophy winners.
“I couldn’t be happier about this,” India said. “This has been a really good year for Iowa golf and for me. It’s a real good cap to my Big Ten career. It’s really a special moment right now. This award kind of sums up our progress as a team this year and my progress as an individual.”
India, who is currently ranked as the third-best player in the country by Golfstat.com, earned three first place finishes in his final season as a Hawkeye. He claimed medalist honors at the Golfweek Conference Challenge, the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate and the Hawkeye Taylormade-Invitational.
India has played in nine stroke-play tournaments this year and has finished in the top-15 in very competition, including eight top-10 finishes.
“The Les Bolstad Trophy is very prestigious since it includes every player in the Big Ten,” Head Coach Mark Hankins said. “He has the lowest stroke average for the entire year. It’s a measure of his consistency and it’s a measure of his ability to go low and win golf tournaments. He’s won three of this year. We couldn’t be more excited for him and his achievements as we move forward.”
India is Iowa’s second Les Bolstad Trophy winner. Brad Klapprott won the trophy in 1992 with a stroke average of 74.
The trophy is named after the late Les Bolstad, who served as Minnesota’s head golf coach for 30 years.