Iowa Set To Play In Robert Kepler Intercollegiate

THIS WEEK
The 39th-ranked University of Iowa men’s golf team travels to Columbus, Ohio for the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. Hosted by Ohio State, the 54-hole tournament will be played at the Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The first 36 holes will be played on Saturday and with the final 18 holes to be played on Sunday. Teams will tee off from holes No. 1 and No. 10 from 6:30-8:36 a.m. (CT) both days. 

FOLLOW THE ACTION
You can follow this week’s action by visiting golfstat.com for live scoring. Links can be found on the men’s golf schedule page on hawkeyesports.com.

THE LINEUP
Iowa has not announced its lineup for the event. Individuals will qualify this week.

THE FIELD
Iowa will get a crack at multiple Big Ten foes, as the 16-team field features 11 conference opponents. Competitors include: Dayton, No. 47 Indiana, No. 8 Illinois, No. 39 Iowa, No. 40 Kent State, No. 14 Liberty, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Toledo.

THE COURSE
The Robert Keppler Intercollegiate is hosted annually at the Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course. The par-71 Scarlet Course spans 7,455 yards and is regarded as one of the top venues in collegiate golf. Renovated by Buckeye alum Jack Nicklaus in 2006, the course provides an array of water features, including a nine-and-a-half acre lake.

SCHAAKE NAMED BIG TEN CO-GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Fifth-year senior Alex Schaake was named Big Ten Co-Men’s Golfer of the Week on Wednesday. Schaake, who shares this week’s honor with Minnesota’s Angus Flanagan, was recognized following his historic performance at last weekend’s Hawkeye Invitational.

The Omaha, Nebraska, native claimed the tournament title, topping a field of 66 competitors with a 54-hole score of 204 (-12) to help lead Iowa secure a team championship at the event. His first round 65 (-7) ties for the fourth-lowest 18-hole score in program history and matches a low for the Hawkeyes this season.

ON THE LINKS
The Hawkeyes won their second tournament championship of the season last time out at the Hawkeye Invitational. Iowa previously took home the team title at the Spartan Collegiate last month; the victory at Finkbine Golf Course marks the first time since 2014, that Iowa has brought home multiple team trophies in the same season. Schaake was the individual champion, finishing 12-under par (204), which was the lowest score by an Iowa golfer this spring.

  • The Hawkeye Invitational marked Schaake’s first championship of the season and third top-five finish in the past three events. Schaake was the tournament medalist for the second straight season after sharing 2019 title with teammate Matthew Walker.
  • Schaake notched a 65 (-7) in the first round, securing the fourth-best 18-hole score in program history. The round matched Iowa’s low for the season; sophomore Mac McClear previously scored a 65 in the final round of the Spartan Collegiate.
  • McClear was the runner-up at the Hawkeye Invitational at 206 (-10). He and Schaake previously finished one-and-two at the Spartan Collegiate, with McClear coming in first at that event.
  • Junior Gonzalo Leal-Montero rounded out the top five for Iowa, tying for fourth with a 209 (-7).
  • The Hawkeyes led the tournament field with 66 total birdies, 12 more than second place Kansas; Schaake led all 66 competitors with 20 birdies in the tournament, followed by Leal-Montero with 19.
  • Iowa led all 12 teams in par 4 scoring average (3.96) and tied with Creighton in par-5 scoring average (4.6).
  • Sophomore Garrett Tighe, who competed unattached, tied for 19th place with an even-par 216. He carded a personal best 18-hole score of 68 in the second round.

RANKINGS AND HONORS
Alex Schaake moved up to No. 11 in the PGA TOUR University standings, marking his best ranking in the metric this season. He trails just two other Big Ten golfers.

Schaake is up to No. 52 in the GolfStat individual ranking, seven spots ahead of teammate Mac McClear (No. 59). The Hawkeyes cracked the GolfStat top 40 this week, checking in at No. 39.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Big Ten Championships tee off April 30-May 2, at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.