India has honors

Hawkeye golfer named Big Ten Player of the Year

Vince India, a senior on the University of Iowa men’s golf team, was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Year after putting together the best individual season in Hawkeye men's golf history.

India became just the second golfer in school history to win the prestigious Les Bolstad Trophy, awarded by the Big Ten Conference at the end of the season to the male golfer who records the lowest stroke average during the season (fall and spring). India's 71.08 stroke average is the ninth-lowest in the trophy's history, dating back to 1974.

India captured first place in three different tournaments as a senior, winning the Golfweek Conference Challenge, the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate, and the Hawkeye-Taylormade Invitational. He is just the third player in school history to win three or more tournaments in a single season. India has played in nine stroke-play tournaments this year and has finished in the top 15 in every competition, including eight top-10 finishes.

He is just the second player in school history to be named Big Ten Player of the Year, joining Brad Klapprott, who won the award in 1992.

"This is the top golf award in our conference and Vince, without a doubt, deserves this award," Coach Mark Hankins says. "His individual season has been amazing and his consistency is a direct result of his tournament-by-tournament approach. I am proud of his progress and for him to see the much-deserved accolades as a result of his work."

India and fellow senior Brad Hopfinger were named first team all-Big Ten, while junior Chris Brant was a second team all-Big Ten selection. This season marks the first time since 1996 that an Iowa golfer has earned all-conference accolades. The last time Iowa had three players earn all-Big Ten honors was the 1992 season.