March 14, 2012
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s golf team will return to The Concession Course for the 2012 Callaway Collegiate Match-Play March 18-20. The Concession is located in Bradenton, Fla. Fans can follow the action on the tournament central page at www.collegiatematchplay.com.
THE COURSE
Named “Best New Private Course of 2006” and “Top 100 Courses in the U.S. 2009” by Golf Digest magazine, The Concesion Golf Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus in association with Tony Jacklin. The par 72, 7,474-yard offers a natural golf experience lined with aged oaks and pines, along with scenic water features.
THE FIELD
Currently ranked 30th in the nation, the Hawkeyes will join a field of 16 teams including, host school South Florida, defending champion Duke, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Chattanooga, Colorado State, East Carolina, Indiana, Kennesaw State, Liberty, UNC-Wilmington, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Washington State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes competed at the Big Ten Match-Play which was held on The Concession Golf Course Feb. 10-11. Iowa posted a record of 1-1 as senior Barrett Kelpin went undefeated on the weekend. With the top-three seeds falling in the quarterfinals, including Iowa’s 4-2 loss to Northwestern, the tournament was turned upside down in a hurry. The Hawkeyes scrambled back to beat Indiana based on criteria after a 3-3 tie. Iowa finished tied for fifth place with Illinois.
HEAD COACH Mark Hankins
Hankins is in his fifth 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 last season ranked ninth among all NCAA Division I teams. Hankins’ 2010-11 squad is coming off a 10th place finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships, Iowa’s best finish since 1960. After a second place finish at the 2010 Big Ten Championships, its best finish since 1992, Iowa placed third at the 2011 Big Tens. Hankins and company will look to make their fourth-consecutive NCAA postseason appearance this season.