Ihm and Winslow Earn All-Big Ten Honors

May 1, 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two University of Iowa men’s golfers earned postseason awards from the Big Ten, the conference office announced Wednesday. Junior Steven Ihm is one of six players named first-team All-Big Ten, while sophomore Joseph Winslow is one of six players named second-team All-Big Ten.

“To have two players honored as All-Big Ten is a credit to the depth of this team,” said UI head coach Mark Hankins. “I outlined the criteria for All-Big Ten last year, and they have worked to make these accolades possible. Steven continues to have an incredible spring with two wins and several top-10 finishes, while Joseph continues to improve and has battled for some great scores and tournament finishes this spring.”

“Each of them have been consistent, which is the key to these awards. It’s important to have the great finishes, but to also minimize the weeks that you aren’t playing at the top of your game. I’m proud of them. They each deserve these prestigious awards.”

Ihm, a second-team All-Big Ten selection last year in first season with the program, has a team-best stroke average of 72.28. A native of Peosta, Iowa, Ihm has provided Iowa’s top individual finish in six-of-eight stroke play tournaments. He has a team-high four top-10 finishes and has played 15 rounds at or below par. Ihm earned co-medalist honors at the Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational (211/-5) and the Boilermaker Invitational (211/-5), becoming the first Hawkeye to win back-to-back stroke play tournaments since Brad Schuchat in 1970.

Ihm earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors for the second time of his career on April 24. Ihm has also notched top-10 finishes at the Golfweek Conference Challenge and the Rod Myers Invitational. At one point in the spring season, Ihm played seven consecutive rounds at or below par. Ihm is ranked 64th in both the Golfstat Cup Standings and the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings.

Winslow, who received honorable mention All-America accolades last season, has Iowa’s second-lowest stroke average — a 73.48. The native of Overland Park, Kan., posted the first two top-five finishes of his career in consecutive weeks in the past two tournaments. Winslow tied for fifth at the Big Ten Championships with a four-round total of 292 (+4), and was named to the All-Championship team. He placed fourth the week before at the Boilermaker Invitational with an even-par, 216, three-round tally. Winslow has played 11 rounds at or below par this season and has five top-20 finishes this season.

Winslow was also Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award Honoree.

The Hawkeyes are one of three teams with more than one player named All-Big Ten. Hankins has now coached individuals to eight All-Big Ten honors in his six years at Iowa. The Hawkeyes had a combined six All-Big Ten honorees from 1992-2010, and just 16 before Hankins was hired in 2008.

Led by Ihm and Winslow, the Hawkeyes have notched three consecutive top-three finishes and are in great position to earn the program’s fifth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. The NCAA Regionals are May 16-18, while the selections will be announced Monday, Mar 6, at 8 p.m. (CT) on www.ncaa.com.