Hawkeyes Set to Host Calusa Cup

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s golf team hosts the nation’s top collegiate talent, April 3-5, at the second-annual Calusa Cup at Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, Florida.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Rounds one and two at the 54-hole event tee off from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (CT) on Sunday and Monday, with 10-minute intervals. Tuesday’s final round gets underway from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (CT) with the awards presentation to follow.

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
Junior Mac McClear heads the Iowa lineup, followed by junior Ronan Kleu, freshman Ian Meyer, senior Gonzalo Leal Montero, and sophomore Callum Macfie.

THE FIELD
Iowa hosts a powerhouse field of nine teams including No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 8 Georgia, No. 11 Georgia Tech, No. 16 Florida, No. 17 Wake Forest, No. 22 Clemson, No. 23 Purdue, and Marquette.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
The Calusa Cup will feature 17 GolfStat Top 100 golfers including Florida’s No. 3 Fred Biondi, Oklahoma’s No. 4 Chris Gotterup, and Georgia’s No. 12 Trent Phillips.

THE COURSE
Golf Digest ranks Calusa Pines Golf Club as the No. 74 course in the United States and the No. 3 venue in Florida. The par-72 course spans a scenic 7,320 yards and is as memorable for its stunning vistas as its compelling challenges.

2021 CALUSA CUP
Oklahoma took home the championship in 2021, while Florida State’s John Pak became the tournament’s first medalist. Iowa’s Alex Schaake ’21 finished fifth at the event, draining six birdies in the final round for a tournament-best 18-hole score of 67 (-5). Current junior Mac McClear was next for Iowa, placing 26th with a 223 (+7) 54-hole score. The Hawkeyes finished seventh overall.

ON THE LINKS

• The Hawkeyes placed sixth out of 15 teams last time out at the Schenkel Invitational. Kleu drained eight birdies in the second round for an 18-hole 67 (-5), tying for 12th overall with a 54-hole score of 213 (-3).

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH TYLER STITH
“We are excited to host a great group of coaches and teams at Calusa Pines. We are honored to have this unique opportunity and plan to build this into the premier event in college golf.  Last season was a huge success and we look to improve upon that experience this year.”

LOOKING AHEAD
Iowa hosts the Hawkeye Invitational April 16-17 at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa.