April 12, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s golf team leads the 12-team field at the Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational following the first day of action at Finkbine Golf Course. The Hawkeyes finished the first 36 holes at eight-under-par (568; 286, 282), and lead second place Minnesota (574; 290, 284) by six strokes.
All eight Hawkeyes are competing in the event. Following the first day, three of the top five individuals hail from the University of Iowa.
Senior Steven Ihm is currently in third after carding a four-under 140 (69, 71) in 36 holes on Saturday. Ihm earned medalist honors in last year’s event.
Freshman Raymond Knoll is tied for fourth following a first-day score of 141 (73, 68). Knoll posted one eagle and five birdies in his second round.
Freshman Carson Schaake is tied for seventh after posting a one-under 143 (71, 72). Saturday marked Schaake’s first appearance in the Hawkeye starting lineup since the Rod Myers Invitational in the fall of 2013.
Junior Brian Bullington currently resides in a tie for 12th after he carded an even-par 144 (72, 72). In his last appearance, the Frankfort, Ill., native earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors after he finished third at the Arizona State University Thunderbird Invitational.
Junior Ian Vandersee is tied for 45th following a nine-over score of 153 (79, 74) in 36 holes.
Senior Ryan Marks and sophomores Nathan Yankovich and Voramate Aussarassakorn are participating as individuals in the event. Aussarassakorn is tied for fourth place after carding a three-under score of 141 (70, 71). The sophomore collected two eagles and eight birdies in two rounds of play.
Marks is tied for sixth following his first day score of 143 (71, 72). The senior earned par or birdie on 31 of 36 holes.
Nathan Yankovich is tied for 24th after a four-over score of 148 (71, 77). Yankovich birdied five of the first eight holes he played on Saturday.
“We played great today,” said head coach Mark Hankins. “We didn’t know what our scores were going to be like in the stronger breeze, so our goal was to focus on one shot at a time and let our individual goals guide our play. I saw a little competitive rust today, but each guy fought hard to remain patient, find their focus, and post a good score.”
The 12-team field includes Big Ten teams Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, and Denver, DePaul, Iowa State, Kansas, Marquette, Northern Illinois, and Washington State.
Play in the Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational concludes on Sunday at Finkbine. The final 18 holes will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. (CT). Live scoring can be found at golfstat.com.
TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. IOWA – 568 (-8)
2. Minnesota – 574 (-2)
3. Kansas – 579 (+3)
4. Iowa State – 584 (+8)
5. Marquette – 585 (+9)
6. Washington State – 587 (+11)
7. Denver – 592 (+16)
T8. Michigan State – 597 (+21)
T8. Wisconsin – 597 (+21)
10. Nebraska – 607 (+31)
11. DePaul – 610 (+34)
12. Northern Illinois – 613 (+37)