Sept. 27, 2015
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BURLINGTON, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s golf team claimed the team title at the 2015 GolfWeek Conference Challenge, carding a final round 285 (-3) on Sunday at Spirit Hollow Golf Course. The Hawkeyes finished with a 54-hole total of 842 (-22) — the fifth-best 54-hole score in program history.
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The title is the first for Iowa since winning the Hawkeye-GRE Invitational on April 13, 2014.
“Winning is something that doesn’t happen very often in our sport,” said UI head coach Tyler Stith. “These kinds of moments are really special. The guys have put in a lot of work in the early portion of the season, and to win in Iowa in front of so many of the fans that support us is very cool.”
Junior Raymond Knoll had a career day, claiming co-medalist honors with a 54-hole total of 205 (-11; 66, 67, 72) — the lowest three-round total in program history. The title is the first of Knoll’s collegiate career.
“It feels really good to finally get my first win,” said Knoll. “I have put in a lot of work to get to this moment. Coming into this year I had a different mentality and I am playing with a lot more confidence. Knowing that all the hard work is finally paying off is really nice.”
“This is something that Ray and I have talked about since he got back from the summer,” said Stith. “This has been a goal of his for a while. He has been close many times, but today he got it done and I’m really proud of him, not only for his performance this week, but for all the work he has done this first part of the season.”
Senior Nate Yankovich and junior Carson Schaake each finished within the top 10. Yankovich tallied three birdies on his final nine holes to tie for fifth place with a three-round 209 (-7; 73, 66, 70). Yankovich’s second-round 66 was the best 18-hole performance of his career. Schaake carded a one-under-par 71 in Sunday’s final round to tie for seventh. He finished the weekend with a three-round 210 (-6; 73, 66, 71).
Senior Voramate Aussarassakorn and freshman Matthew Walker rounded out the Iowa lineup. Aussarassakorn tied for 35th with a 54-hole total of 219 (+3; 72, 74, 73), while freshman Walker jumped six spots in the final round to tie for 44th with a six-over-par 222 (75, 75, 72).
“We will enjoy this win for the next few days, but the competition doesn’t get any easier, so we have to get back to work,” said Stith.
The Hawkeyes have a week off before heading to Louisiana for the David Toms Intercollegiate on Oct. 10-11.
