IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Sophomore student-athlete Alex Schaake is set to compete at the NCAA Men’s Golf Regionals as an individual in Columbus, Ohio, beginning Monday, May 14. Schaake, a second team All-Big Ten selection, is one of ten individuals and 13 teams who will be competing.
The 54-hole stroke play event will take place at Ohio State’s par-71 Scarlet Course that stretches 7,364 yards with 6:30 a.m. (CT) tee times for each round. The top individual from each regional site will advance to the NCAA Championships, May 25-30, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Schaake is very familiar with the course, playing their twice in the past two seasons at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate.
“Already having played at the Scarlet (Course) is huge,” said Schaake who tied for 21st at six-over-par at last month’s Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. “I know how the course sets up and have an advantage over teams and players who haven’t played. I basically have played four practice rounds for this tournament. I feel prepared and comfortable.”
Schaake fired a two-under-par 69 in the final round at the Kepler on April 22 and is looking to build off that.
The Omaha, Nebraska, native led the Hawkeyes in 18-hole scoring average (71.74), top-10 finishes (4), and rounds at or below par (13). Schaake was also Iowa’s top finisher in four of Iowa’s six stroke-play tournaments of the spring.
He is hoping to carry the momentum from the team’s late season success and play well at the regional tournament.
“I’m excited to make regionals,” Schaake said. “It’s a bummer that our team couldn’t make the last jump to make it, but I’m ready for the challenge and am going to make the most of it.
“My mindset going into regionals is to win. I have nothing to lose, so I’m going to go out there relaxed and try to shoot three good scores.”
Head coach Tyler Stith is just as eager as Schaake for the opportunity to represent the Hawkeyes at regionals.
“(Schaake’s) game is good right now and suited for a championship setup like the Scarlet Course,” Stith said. “He is driving the ball well, which gives him a huge advantage. You get up early, do workouts, and practice all season long for these opportunities. Alex has earned it and I’m very excited for him.”