Sept. 12, 2014
- Read the September issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s golf team begins the 2014-15 campaign this weekend, hosting the annual Golfweek Conference Challenge on Sept. 14-16 in Burlington, Iowa. The tournament will be held at Spirit Hollow Golf Course for the fifth consecutive season. The first round will begin on Sunday at 9 a.m (CT), with the second round beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday. Tuesday’s final round will begin via a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., and the Golfweek Awards Ceremony will follow. Teams will play 18 holes each day, and 54 total.
 |
THE FIELD
Twelve teams will represent twelve conferences in the Golfweek Conference Challenge. Iowa (Big Ten), Austin Peay (OVC), Eastern Michigan (MAC), LSU (SEC), Oregon State (Pac 12), Richmond (Atlantic 10), San Jose State (Mountain West), Southeastern Louisiana (Southland), SMU (AAC), Texas State (Sun Belt), UTEP (Conference USA), and Xavier (Big East) make up the field.
THE LINEUP
Seniors Ian Vandersee and Brian Bullington, junior Nate Yankovich, and sophomores Raymond Knoll and Carson Schaake make up the lineup for Iowa this weekend.
THE COURSE
The 18-hole “Spirit Hollow” course at the Spirit Hollow Golf Course facility was ranked the No. 1 golf course in the state of Iowa in 2012. With 7,360 yards of golf from the tips, this par 72 has a course rating of 73.1 with a slope rating of 134 on Bent grass. Spirit Hollow opened in 2000 and was designed by Richard Jacobson (ASGCA). Spirit Hollow has played host to the 2007 U.S. Amateur qualifier, the 2009 Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, the 2010 U.S. Open Qualifier, the 2011 Iowa Match-Play Championship and the 2012 Iowa Amateur Championship. Spirit Hollow has served as the host of the Golfweek Conference Challenge since 2010. Iowa won the event in 2010, and finished tied for sixth last year.
HAWKEYES IN THE RANKINGS
The University of Iowa men’s golf team is ranked 36th in the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Preseason Poll. Iowa is the third-highest ranked Big Ten team in the poll.
6-STRAIGHT NCAA APPEARANCES
Iowa has advanced to NCAA competition in each of the last six seasons, joining Illinois and Northwestern as the only Big Ten teams selected to NCAA Regional competition in each of the last six seasons. Iowa has advanced to the NCAA Championship finals three times in the last six years.
3 HAWKEYES ON B1G PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
Seniors Brian Bullington and Ian Vandersee, and sophomore Raymond Knoll have been selected to the 2014-15 Big Ten Men’s Golfers to Watch List. Each member of the trio garnered PING All-Region honors last year.
NEW FACE AT THE HELM
Tyler Stith is in his first year as the head coach at the University of Iowa in 2014-15. Stith was named the UI head coach on Aug. 22, 2014. Stith, a former assistant coach and student-athlete at Iowa, served as assistant coach at Minnesota the last three years.
QUOTING COACH STITH
“There is a lot of opportunity this week because we’re playing at a great golf course that we’re familiar with against a top national field. This week gives us the ability to get off to a good start and pick up wins against quality competition.”
FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the men’s golf program and to access exclusive coverage, “like” Hawkeye men’s golf on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hawkeyemensgolf) and follow @IowaHawkeyeGolf on Twitter.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes are back in action next weekend when they head to Chicago to compete in the Windon Memorial hosted by Northwestern University. The two-day tournament begins on Sunday, Sept. 21.
