IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two University of Iowa men’s golfers claimed amateur victories this June. Senior Carson Schaake claimed medalist honors at the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Amateur (June 11-12), while sophomore Matthew Walker was crowned champion at the Ottumwa Amateur (June 4-5).
Schaake won the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Amateur, played at the Riverside Golf Club in Grand Island, Nebraska, after carding a two-day, 36-hole 134 (-10; 70, 64). Schaake, who won the individual title at the 2015 Big Ten Championships and took fourth this spring, was three strokes back of tournament leader Kevin Bryson heading into the final round. However, Schaake vaulted himself to a first place finish after tying the course record with an eight under-par 64 — seven birdies and an eagle highlighted his course record-tying performance in the final round.
“Sunday was one of the best rounds I have ever played in a competitive tournament,” said Schaake. “I played really boring; hit greens and made putts. But this is the reason I play the game. This tournament is really competitive and there are a lot of great players. It’s a fantastic event and golf course.
“Putting is something I’ve been working on for the last year. When I played in the John Deere Classic last year, I didn’t play very well and it was because of my speed. I got my speed back on Sunday. It’s the best round I have ever shot.”
After firing a five-under-par 67 in the first round and a three-over-par 75 in the second, Walker found himself playing catch up in the final round of the Ottumwa Amateur, played at the Ottumwa Country Club in Ottumwa, Iowa. Walker, an Ottumwa, Iowa, native, trailed then tournament leader and current Kansas Jayhawk, Alex Moorman, by six strokes. Following a bogey-free 68 in the final round, which included four birdies, Walker was crowned champion. Walker’s win was solidified on the 18th-hole where he secured a par, while Moorman made a double-bogey to shoot 76.
Walker concluded the two-day event, shooting 210 (-6; 67, 75, 68). He made par or better on 49 of the 54 holes, including nine birdies and an eagle.
“I played pretty well in all three rounds,” said Walker, who played in every event for the Hawkeyes as a freshman this past year. “I just stayed patient. I hit my driver well and did a good job of keeping the ball in play. My putting was good in the final round, but I struggled a little bit in the second.
“This win means a lot to me because I have never won this event before. I have finished in the top five two different times, with one of them being a second place finish.”