Final Notes 2018-19

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REGIONALS RECAP
The Hawkeyes capped off the 2018-19 season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Austin Regional, May 13-15. This was Iowa’s 10th NCAA Regional appearance in 11 years and the 21st NCAA appearance in program history.  Iowa posted a three-round total of 870 (+18). Three Hawkeyes — sophomore Benton Weinberg, freshman Gonzalo Leal Montero, and junior Alex Schaake — finished in the top-25. Weinberg earned the best individual finish, 16th, with a 54-hole score of 214 (+1). Leal Montero tied for 18th with a score of 216 (+3), while Schaake finished with a score of 218 (+5) to tie for 25th.

BEST IN THE BIG TEN
After leading the conference with a stroke average of 70.81 this season and earning the Les Bolstad Award for the lowest stroke average, Schaake was named the Big Ten Men’s Golfer of the Year. He is the third Hawkeye to earn both honors (Brad Klapprott, 1992 and Vince India, 2011). He was also named a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team.

B1G HONORS
Junior Benton Weinberg earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. He was second on the team with a 71.79 scoring average and the second lowest round with a 64 (-7). Senior Aaron DeNucci was the recipient of the Iowa Men’s Golf Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

REGIONAL RECOGNITION
Schaake and Weinberg were selected to the Division I PING All-Midwest Region Team. This is the 11th straight season that a Hawkeye was named to the All-Midwest Region Team and the ninth time in 11 years that Iowa has had multiple student-athletes earn all-region honors. This is Schaake’s second time earning this honor (2018), making him the eighth Hawkeye to earn the honor multiple times.

INDIVIDUAL RECORD SETTERS
Four Hawkeyes — senior Matthew Walker, Schaake, Leal Montero, Weinberg, and sophomore Joe Kim — found their way into the record books this season. Walker fired a 66 (-5) in the final round of the Gopher Invitational (Sept. 9-10) to tie the fifth best mark in program history. Leal Montero, Schaake, and Weinberg all posted rounds of 67 to tie for the sixth lowest 18-hole score in school history. Schaake set the second lowest 54-hole score in school history with a 203 (-10) performance at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic, while Weinberg’s play of 205 (-8) put him in fourth in the record books. Kim and Schaake each tied the eight lowest 54-hole score record of 209. Walker tied the ninth lowest mark of 210, while Schaake tied the 10th lowest score with a 211.

TEAM RECORDS RECORDED
Iowa posted a 54-hole score of 833 (-19) at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic (Oct. 7-8) for the second lowest score in program history, while also posting the 10th lowest 54-hole score at the Gopher Invitational (Sept. 9-10) with a 851 (-1). The Hawkeyes tied the eighth lowest 18-hole score in school history with a 277 at the Gopher Invitational and Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic. Iowa’s 18-hole score of 279 at the Fighting Irish Classic tied the 10th lowest mark in school history.

RECORD SETTING PERFORMANCE AT HAWKEYE INVITE
The Hawkeyes shattered the program’s 54-hole mark by 24 strokes with an 809 (-43).  Iowa set a new program record for 18 holes with its 262 (-22) performance in the first round, topping the previous mark by six strokes. Their third-round total of 270 (-14) is the third lowest 18-hole score in school history, while the second-round score of 277 (-7) tied the eighth lowest score for 18 holes. Walker and Schaake’s 54-hole performance set a new school record of 199 (-14). Schaake set a new tournament 18-hole record with a 63 (-8) in the first round. It was also best for second in program history and just one stroke off the school record. Schaake and Weinberg tied the third lowest 18-hole score in school history with a 64 (-7). Weinberg’s 54-hole total of 204 (-9) set the third lowest mark in school history. Walker fired a 67 (-4) on the first 18, tying the sixth lowest mark in program history. The senior posted back-to-back rounds of 66 (-5), which ties the fifth best 18-hole score in program history. Kim tied the eighth lowest 54-hole mark in school history with a 209 (-4).

CAREER BESTS SET
All seven Hawkeyes set career bests in 2018-19. Senior Aaron DeNucci posted a career best 18-hole score (69) and finish (T22) at the Golfweek Conference Challenge. Walker and Schaake’s Hawkeye Invitational set career bests for 54-hole score (199), and finish (T1), while Schaake also set a best 18-hole score of 63. Weinberg posted personal bests for 18 holes (64), 54-holes (204), and finish (6th) at the Hawkeye Invitational. Kim’s performance at the Hawkeye Invitational earned him career bests for 18-holes (68), 54-holes (204), and finish (T14). Sophomore Jake Rowe carded a personal best 54-hole score of 224 at the Hawkeye Invitational. Leal Montero posted a career best 18-hole score (67) and finish (T5) at the Golfweek Conference Challenge and posted a 54-hole career best (213) at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic.

WEEKLY HONORS
Schaake earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week twice this season, while Walker earned the honor once. Schaake garnered the honor for his performance at the Golfweek Conference challenge (Sept. 16-18) where he finished second with a two-round total of 139 (-5) as he surged 21 spots on the individual leaderboard in the second round. Walker and Schaake earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week after earning co-medalist honors at the Hawkeye Invitational (April 20-21) with a school record 54-hole score of 199 (-14). Walker posted three rounds at or below par, while also firing his third career ace on the par-three 200-yard fourth hole. Schaake led the field with 19 birdies as he posted eight in rounds one and three.

TOP OF THE FIELD
Iowa earned top-10 finishes in eight of their 11 events this season, including five top-five finishes. The Hawkeye’s best finish came at the Hawkeye Invitational where they claimed the team title with a 54-hole score of 809 (-43).

SCHAAKE LEADING THE CHARGE
Schaake led Iowa this season with a stroke average of 71, a low round of 63 (-8), five top-10 finishes, six top-20 finishes, and posted 17 of his 29 rounds at or below par. The Omaha, Nebraska, native earned the best individual finish for Iowa in four tournaments, including earning co-medalist honors with Matthew Walker at the Hawkeye Invitational. The junior posted two or more rounds at or below par in six tournaments, including all three rounds below par at the Colleton River Collegiate (March 4-5) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish Classic (Oct. 7-8).

FAMILIAR FACES
The Hawkeyes return their top three scorers — junior Alex Schaake, junior Benton Weinberg, and freshman Gonzalo Leal Montero — for the 2019-20 season. Schaake led the team with a 71-stroke average, while Weinberg posted a 71.79 and Leal Montero with a 72.14.

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