Feb. 16, 2013
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The University of Iowa men’s golf team dominated the competition at the Big Four Match Play Championships, claiming victories over Drake and Iowa State to earn the team title. The Hawkeyes downed Drake, 6-0, in the first round and defeated Iowa State in the championship match, 5-1. The medal-match competition was held at the par-71, 6,984-yard Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz.
Junior Steven Ihm, sophomores Joseph Winslow, Ian Vandersee and Brian Bullington, and freshman Nate Yankovich each went 2-0 in their matches. Junior Ryan Marks finished 1-1. Ten of Iowa’s 12 individual rounds were played under-par, while Iowa was a combined 11-under in all 12 matches.
“We always look forward to competing with and against our fellow Iowa universities,” said head coach Mark Hankins. “It feels good to get a decisive win. We’ve won this event before, but it was nice to do it convincingly this time.”
Iowa claimed the first round victory with ease, shutting out Drake to advance to the finals. The Hawkeyes had five rounds at or below par led by a four-under, 67, from Yankovich. Ihm and Bullington each shot two-under, 69, rounds. Winslow carded a 70 (-1), while Vandersee shot even par (71). Marks shot a 76.
The Hawkeyes would continue their solid play in the finals, winning five matches against Iowa State with five of six matches under par. Ihm led the Hawkeyes with a terrific round, carding a six-under, 65, in the No. 1 match. Bullington (69), Vandersee (70) and Yankovich (70) also went under par, while Winslow carded an even-par round. Marks carded a 74.
Ihm had the lowest two-round total in the field, with an eight-under total (134). Yankovich (137/-5) and Bullington (138/-4) had the second and third lowest two-round totals, respectively.
“The competition in practice the past two weeks paid dividends today with the low scores our guys were able to shoot,” said Hankins. “We’ve been competitively sharp in practice and in competition.”
Iowa will have a month off before opening their competition spring season on March 28 in Palo Alto, Calif., for the U.S. Intercollegiate.
Iowa 6, Drake 0 Steven Ihm (Iowa) (69) def. Devin Leland (Drake) (79)Joseph Winslow (Iowa) (70) def. Connor Steele (Drake) (80)Ian Vandersee (Iowa) (71) def. Dane Worley (Drake) (74)Brian Bullington (Iowa) (69) def. Matt Ohl (83)Ryan Marks (Iowa) (76) def. Blake Huser (89)Nate Yankovich (Iowa) (67) def. Will McDonald (81) Iowa 5, Iowa State 1 Steven Ihm (Iowa) (65) def. Scott Fernandez (ISU) (73)Joseph Winslow (Iowa) (71) def. Sam Daley (ISU) 74)Ian Vandersee (Iowa) (70) def. Collin Foster (ISU) (75)Brian Bullington (Iowa) (69) def. Blake Waller (ISU) (71)Zach Steffen (ISU) (70) def. Ryan Marks (Iowa) (74)Nate Yankovich (Iowa) (70) def. Duncan Croudis (ISU) (72)
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