Young golfers coming on strong
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Men’s golf head coach Mark Hankins was able to further the golf program’s rejuvenation in his second year since arriving from Michigan State.
What you should know
Highlighted by the squad’s victory at the Landfall Tradition on Oct. 26, the 2008-09 campaign saw Iowa golf experience success it hasn’t had in years. Coach Mark Hankins saw his young team, whose 10 members include eight underclassmen, continue to buy into his philosophy, and it paid dividends.
“I feel like we have come a tremendous long ways from where we were last year,” Hankins said. “I think we were ranked 155th at the start of last year; to this point, having an opportunity to make it to the NCAA regionals for the first time in 15 years is really a testament to these kids and how well they’ve performed throughout this season.”
Whom you should know
Led by outgoing senior Cole Peevler for most of the fall, the spring season saw the future of the golf team rise to the forefront. Junior-to-be Vince India, who hit a hole in one in the second round of the Boilermaker Invitational on April 18, will look to become the top golfer on a more experienced club in 2009-10.
“I probably played a little better last year, and I’ve played decent this year,” he said. “But still, to have a little bit better of a team behind me and get a better finish this year means a lot. Hopefully, now we can keep this going for the rest of the year and next year as well.”
Main rival
As Iowa looks to continue to climb back into the upper echelon of the Big Ten, Illinois stands among the top of the heap in the conference. The Fighting Illini topped the Hawkeyes by nine strokes to win the Boilermaker Invitational on April 19.
Best Individual Finish (through April 19): 2nd (twice), Cole Peevler at Golden Gopher Invitational on Sept. 14, Vince India at Landfall Tradition on Oct. 26.
Best Team Finish (through April 19): 1st, at Landfall Tradition on Oct. 26
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