HAWK TALK

February 2020

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49 O ne month into 2020 marks the beginning of another academic semester. It also marks the beginning of the spring season for the University of Iowa men's golf team. is year marks something greater for Iowa golf. On April 5, the Hawkeyes will host the inaugural Calusa Cup in Naples, Florida, at the Calusa Pines Golf Club. Featuring eight of the nation's top teams, it is the first-ever collegiate golf tournament at one of the best courses in America. e tournament came to fruition with the help of Hawkeye golf alumnus Brad Heinrichs. Head coach Tyler Stith is excited for what it means for Iowa as a program, as well as the entire college golf community. "It's a huge honor to host at Calusa Pines," Stith said. "Not many clubs of Calusa's stature are willing to open their doors. I applaud the club for supporting collegiate golf. We've been fortunate to attract a quality field of teams and look forward to putting on a premier event." e eight-team field — Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia, Clemson, Auburn, Florida, Illinois, and Iowa — features teams from three conferences with six teams ranked inside the top-50 and two in the top-10. e talented field pairs well with a host course that few have ever stepped foot on. the private course in South Florida is open to members only and was designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, who were largely responsible for the design of Erin Hills in 2011. Golf Digest ranked Calusa Pines Golf Club No. 18 on the list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses in 2019-20 because of its uniqueness and some of the firmest, fastest Bermuda fairways and greens in Florida. It's safe to say the course provides the tournament with an experience not many across the country can hang their hat on. Calusa Pines general manager Walt Kozlowsky felt it was time to open the doors to one of golf 's best-kept secrets. "Calusa Pines Golf Club is honored to be the hosting course and club for the inaugural 2020 Calusa Cup," Kozlowsky said. "We have refrained from hosting outside tournament play until the opportunity arose to host this wonderful collegiate event. We look forward to welcoming the eight highly-ranked Division I programs competing in the tournament. We expect to provide challenging conditions that will result in an exciting event." e exciting event is only three months away. Iowa will compete in three spring tournaments before the Calusa Cup, with its last regular-season tournament at Iowa City's Finkbine Golf Course for the annual Hawkeye Invitational on April 18- 19. FEBRUARY SCHEDULE Feb. 7-8 at Big Ten Match Play (Palm Coast, Florida) Feb. 16-18 at Puerto Rico Classic (Rio Grande, Puerto Rico)

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