The saying, “Save the best for last,” could not have been more true than as the career of long time Iowa State Golf coach Dale Anderson came to an end this May.

After leading the Cyclones to the most successful season in their history, with three tournament victories, a playoff loss, two runner-up finishes and a total of 10 top three finishes out of 11 regular season meets, he was named Big 12 Coach of the Year.

Also, two of his protegee had very successful seasons. Jason Knutzon, a junior, finished with a 72.7 stroke average — the best in Cyclone history — and was ranked 20th in the nation.

He finished within the top six in nine of the Cyclones 11 events and won two tournaments.

Donnie Teeter, a senior, had the second best stroke average — 74.1 — and finished sixth in the Big 12 Championship.

They were both selected to the All Big 12 first team and pushed the Cyclones to third at the Big 12 Championship.

The Cyclones were 14th out of 21 teams at the NCAA Central Regional, and missed out on the honor of competing in the NCAA Nationals, which takes the top ten teams, by just six strokes.

“Our worst finish was third, and all of our tournaments were Division 1,” Anderson said. He described Knutzon and Teeter as outstanding individuals. “First citizenship, second academics, and third athleticism. Of course, we are initially attracted by the athleticism, but we only continue if they are good citizens and students,” Anderson said.

“Being recognized by your peers is the most meaningful thing in the world — it’s very gratifying,” Anderson said. “Of course you can’t plan on it, but if it happens, it happens.”