Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1129783
29 F ollowing an impressive sophomore season that ended with an individual Regional appearance, University of Iowa junior Alex Schaake had a 2018-19 season that was filled with consistent play, wins, and awards. e Omaha, Nebraska, native was able to use momentum from his sophomore campaign to get better coming into his junior season. "ere were more opportunities I took advantage of during the summer going into this year," said Schaake. "I got to play in a Web.com event and the U.S. Amateur which really emphasized the weaknesses of my game and I worked hard to improve those." Taking advantage of those opportunities proved to be helpful during the season as Schaake recorded consistent numbers tournament aer tournament, earning the Les Bolstad Award for leading the Big Ten Conference with a 70.81 stroke average. Schaake led Iowa with 17 rounds at or below par, five top-10 finishes, six top-20 finishes, the best individual for Iowa in four events, and a low round of 63. "It is tough to be as consistent as he has been. If you look back on his results, a couple top-10's, second-place finishes, and the win at the Hawkeye Invitational," said Iowa head coach Tyler Stith. "We play a lot of great golf courses against great competition, so to be competitive week-in and week-out speaks volumes about his game." e junior's play this season included a record- setting performance at the Hawkeye Invitational (April 20-21) where he fired a school record 54- hole score of 199 (-14) and the second-lowest 18- hole score with a 63 (-8). e Hawkeyes recorded the lowest team 18-hole score of 262 (-22) and 54-hole score of 809 (-43) in program history. Schaake's play helped lead him to his first individual win and team win during his collegiate career. "My favorite memory from this season has to be the Hawkeye Invitational. Not just me winning individually with Matthew (Walker), it is the team winning and setting the school record for the lowest round ever in program history," Schaake added. "It was a lot of fun. My family and friends were out there, making it special." Schaake capped his stellar junior year performance by being named Big Ten Men's Golf Player of the Year, a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team honoree, and selection to the Division I PING Midwest Region Team. He looks to carry this play into the summer to improve his game and head into his senior year ready to compete with the best. "I always have this motto going into the summer season: have a better summer than the year before," Schaake said. "I need to compete at that higher level and be successful. If I can be successful at that level, then I know dropping down to the collegiate Division I level that I can go out there and compete every single tournament."