The ISU men’s golf team not only won its first match of the spring season, they made a statement. The Cyclones defeated Northern Iowa and the rival Iowa Hawkeyes in convincing fashion at the Big Four Match in Phoenix.

After a fall of inconsistency, the Cyclones have shot out of the gate for the first meet where all but one of the six golfers for the Cyclones shot par or better on the day.

“I think this was a good first meet,” said coach Andrew Tank. “I think it will provide some confidence and momentum for us.” 

Against Northern Iowa, the Cyclones swept the Panthers 6-0, winning every match with a combined score of 8-under par. Nate McCoy shot four under, Tom Lathrop was three under par, Jacob Aaholm was one under par, and Michael Wuertz, Nathan Leary, and Borja Virto all shot even.

“I felt pretty relaxed,” McCoy said. “I think the whole team was relaxed. We worked hard the past few weeks so I think we were ready.”

In the finals the Cyclones matched up against the No. 11-ranked team in the nation, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa is led strongly by the No. 8-ranked player in the country in Vince India.

The Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes 4-2, after the round had to be cut short due to running out of daylight. Wuertz defeated Brad Hopfinger, Leary beat Barrett Kelpin, Virto defeated Chris Brant, and McCoy took down Iowa’s Vince India, all in the effort defeat the Hawkeyes.

McCoy, the No. 185-ranked golfer in all of college golf and had been leading the team all fall, had another strong showing to start off the spring.

“Driving the ball was a positive,” said McCoy.” I don’t think I missed many fairways, and my putting felt good too so I think i felt competitive against Vince.”

Against India, holes three and four seemed to be the swing point for McCoy where he made a long birdie putt on three, and had an eagle on four.

“Holes three and four really helped my round get going,” McCoy said, “I think it was a confidence booster early in the round.”

All the golfers played at a high level this past weekend, but coach Tank was extremely pleased with Tom Lathrop’s play.

“I think Tom Lathrop made a nice breakthrough,” Tank said. “He lost his match to Iowa, but he shot three under par in his match against UNI, so that was great to see.

The ISU men’s golf team has their next action in San Antonio, TX, in the Oak Hills Invitational Feb. 14-15.

 “It felt like we’d put in good work, and that we’re headed in the right direction,” Tank said. “It’s just nice to have the scoreboard match up with our gut feeling.”