By Clark Cahill
clark-cahill@uiowa.edu
The streak has ended.
After finishing in the top five in each of its three tournaments this season, the Iowa men’s golf team finished tied for sixth place in the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic with a score of 885 (45 over) on Tuesday.
The Hawkeyes entered the final round in second place, but faltered down the stretch — raising their score by seven strokes in the final three holes of the Warren Course in South Bend, Ind.
Host team Notre Dame won the tournament with a score of 870 (30 over).
The strokes the Hawkeyes dropped in the final three holes were glaring because third place finisher Arkansas, carded an 878 — seven strokes ahead of Iowa.
“I think our guys were playing really well, but we lost a little focus down the stretch,” head coach Mark Hankins said. “We didn’t complete the round and it cost us a lot of places.”
Tuesday’s final round was a stark contrast to the Hawkeyes’ play on the final day in their past two tournaments.
Iowa shot one of the best rounds of the day to move up in the standings. The Hawkeyes were in place to finish in their fourth straight top five before the final three holes.
“We went in with the right mindset today and we were executing perfectly,” Hankins said. “For whatever reason, we didn’t get it done in the last three holes. It’s been a while since we’ve fallen down like that on the final day.”
Juniors Vince India and Brad Hopfinger led the way for Iowa, both finishing in the top 15.
India, who placed eighth in 2007 and 12th in 2008 in the Irish Classic, finished tied for 10th with a score of 218 (8 over).
“This course just kind of fits my eye. When I get there the layout just looks good to me,” India said. “I like midwest courses as well, and I think this course is the epitome of midwest golf.”
Hopfinger shot the best round of any Hawkeye on Tuesday with a score of 1-over-par. The Lake Forest, Ill. native finished the tournament tied for 14th with a total of 219.
Sophomore Chris Brant carded a 222, good enough for his highest placement of the season, tied for 24th.
Sophomore Barrett Kelpin had a tough end to his final round, shooting two double-bogeys in the final three holes. The Kalamazoo, Mich. native finished tied for 40th at 226.
Redshirt sophomore James Reiss, competing in his first collegiate tournament finished in 81st with a score of 242.
The Hawkeyes will compete in the Baylor Intercollegiate in Dallas. The tournament which starts Oct. 26 is the final regular season match for Iowa.
Hankins said maintaining focus is crucial in finishing the season strong.
“The guys really learned the lesson [Tuesday] that every shot counts,” Hankins said. “One bad shot at the end of the round can cost you the whole thing. That is how important it is to stay focused.”
