The men’s golf team participated in the Buena Vista University Spring Invite this past weekend, and the Duhawks, where the Duhawks placed 13th among 22 teams.

Coach Jeremy Hawkins enjoyed the way his players competed on the second day of the event at BVU. 

“We had a really tough first day with the weather conditions, and they put up some numbers they are not really not used to posting,” he said. “The second day, we managed our games well, gave ourselves some opportunities to make birdies and came in with much lower scores.”

Players that really stood out throughout the weekend included senior Mark Dolphin, who shot 79 the first day and 76 the second;  first-year Sam Herrmann, who posted a pair of 79s; senior Steve Stark, who followed up an 83 with a 76 on his second time through; and junior Andrew Schroeder, who posted scores of 83 and 79.

“I liked the potential that my guys had in the lineup,” Hawkins said. “They have the ability to go low. It’s just a matter of getting four guys to play well at the same time.”

During a tournament, the golfers he players often are on their own because they are spread out around the course. Part of the coach’s challenge is to pick the spots where he can help his athletes.  

“When I am out on the course coaching, I work with the guys with yardages on par-3s,” Hawkins said. “I really try to get them to play smart, patient golf. Again, we work on trying to avoid making a big number on a hole.”

The last thing players probably need is someone else in their head critiquing what they need to work on, but Hawkins strives to find a way to help without being a distraction.

“They have to be patient, and when the opportunity to make a birdie is there, they have to make the most of it,” Hawkins said. “The big thing is getting them to manage their way around the course and stay positive. When they do that, they come in with a good score.”

The Duhawks now are setting their sights set on the Iowa Conference Championships, which will take place over the next two weekends.

“I am fairly happy with the season so far,” Hawkins said. “Our guys are showing improvement and continue to get better each week. We have a nice mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen which is always helpful to the younger guys.”

He also praised the “valuable” leadership that Stark and Dolphin provide, especially because of their knowledge of the courses.