Oct. 2, 2011
DURHAM, N.C. – University of Iowa sophomore Steven Ihm finished runner-up at the second annual Rod Myers Invitational in Durham, N.C., Sunday afternoon. The Hawkeyes, ranked 22nd in the nation, posted a final round of 301 (+13) to finish fourth with a 54-hole total of 883 (+19). Duke topped the 11-team field on its home course with a mark of three-under par 861. Competition was held on the par 72, 7,136-yard Duke Golf Club.
In his first season as a Hawkeye, Ihm paced the Black and Gold with a three-round total of three-under par 213. He was in first placed with a score of 140 (-2) through two rounds but a final day of 73 (+1) brought him back down to second, two strokes out of medalist honors.
Ihm played a consistent final round, recording 12 pars and three birdies, but three tough holes gave the Peosta, Iowa, native his first round above par for the tournament. Ihm recorded the second-most pars of any competitor in the field and was just one of three athletes to finish the tournament below par.
“I’m very proud of Steven today,” said Head Coach Mark Hankins. “He was determined to post a good final round and it was almost enough to win medalist honors. He stuck to his plan all day and didn’t lose patience. Three-under par on a quality golf course is a great total effort.”
Senior Barrett Kelpin posted his best round of the tournament to climb the leaderboard and finish inside the top-10 (T6) after the final day. He had posted identical rounds of 73 (+1) during day one, but a final day of one-under par 71 was enough to bump him into the top-10 with a tournament total of 217 (+1).
Freshman Ian Vandersee finished tied for 36th with a final score of 228 (+12). Struggling to find a rhythm in his final round, Vandersee posted an 18-hole mark of 80 (+8). Freshman Brian Bullington finished one stroke back from Vandersee in a tie for 38th place (229, +13). The Frankfort, Ill., native also had trouble getting something started in the final day and finished with a day two total of 81 (+9).
Additionally, Chris Brant carded a final round of 77 (+5). The senior finished tied for 42nd with a 54-hole tally of 230 (+14). On a course that averaged nearly four strokes over par throughout the tournament, Iowa compiled five rounds at even par or better.
“Barrett and Steven posted great scores today and that pulled us to a top-four finish,” said Hankins. “We played the course well as a team and showed our depth this week. We started the final day in a position to challenge for the tournament title which helps develop that killer attitude that it takes to win championships.”
The Hawkeyes will return to action at the prestigious U.S. Collegiate Championship in Atlanta, Ga. Three rounds of competition are slated to be played Oct. 23-25.
Team Results (Par-72)
1. Duke 285-290-286=861 (-3)
2. Baylor 291-289-290=870 (+6)
3. Charlotte 289-284-299=872 (+8)
4. Iowa 295-287-301=883 (+19)
5. Tulsa 292-297-297=886 (+22)
6. Michigan 300-295-304=899 (+35)
7. Tennessee 297-298-306=901 (+37)
8. East Tennessee State 306-294-308=908 (+44)
9. Coastal Carolina 308-294-307=909 (+45)
North Carolina 305-294-310=909 (+45)
11. Georgia Southern 309-299-311=919 (+55)