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51 T he University of Iowa men's golf team began its 2021 season at the Big Ten Match Play in Palm Coast, Florida, the first week of February. e Hawkeyes are led by returning seniors Alex Schaake and Benton Weinberg as they make their return to collegiate competition since the 2019-20 season, which was canceled by the NCAA due to the coronavirus pandemic. Head coach Tyler Stith says his team cannot wait to get back in the swing of things. "It has been 10 months since we traveled and competed as a team. ey're excited," said Stith. "ey have shown a lot of resiliency over the last 10 months. I can't wait to watch them warm up on the range and for that first tee shot. Getting back into a competitive setting is going to be a lot of fun." Stith knows his team's success will need to be spearheaded by veterans. Redshirt seniors Schaake and Weinberg, along with junior Gonzalo Leal Montero, were named Big Ten preseason honorees for the second consecutive season. Schaake and Weinberg were seniors last March and had already compiled impressive accolades. Schaake was the Big Ten Men's Golfer of the Year and Les Bolstad Award recipient in 2019, while Weinberg has earned all-conference honors. e two return thanks to the NCAA's decision to extend eligibility to spring student-athletes affected by the cancellation. Montero had success of his own as a Hawkeye last season, tying Schaake for the team lead with four rounds at or below par. "[ose three] bring a lot of experience and confidence," Stith said. "at gives the whole team a little bit of an edge. It brings a lot of confidence to the other guys on the team." Iowa also has depth behind their returning leaders. In the offseason, the Hawkeyes added graduate transfer Charles Jahn from Bradley University. Jahn is a lifelong Hawkeye fan who Stith says has earned a spot in the lineup. "Charles is confident guy. He is great to have in the locker room and works extremely hard," said Stith. "I'm eager to get him acclimated with the team as soon as we can, because he adds something that we didn't have a year ago. He has the ability to shoot some low scores." Iowa will also rely on sophomore Mac McClear, who Stith says may be the most improved player on the team. "Mac is one of the most reliable and consistent performers that we have," Stith said. Other Hawkeyes who will push to make the lineup include senior Jake Rowe, sophomores Garrett Tighe and Matthew Garside, and freshmen Callum Macfie and Felipe Pedraza. Stith has put together another challenging schedule for 2021, including the inaugural Calusa Cup in Naples, Florida, which Iowa will host. e field will consist of Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida, Florida State, Marquette, Oklahoma, Texas and Purdue. ose teams combine for over a dozen national team championships. FEBRUARY SCHEDULE Feb. 14-16 at Kiawah Invitational (Charleston, S.C.)