Huskers Head to Hawkeye Invitational

Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational
Dates: Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 19
Golf Course: Finkbine Golf Course
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,239
Format: 54 holes

• Saturday: 36 holes starting at 9 a.m. (CT) - Shotgun
• Sunday: 18 holes starting at 9 a.m. (CT) - Shotgun

Scoring: Golfstat.com
Course Website: Finkbine.com
Tournament Field (12 teams): Denver, DePaul, Idaho, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Marquette, Minnesota, Nebraska, Washington State, Wichita State

Nebraska Lineup:
1. Josh Reinertson
2. Calvin Freeman
3. Ross Dickson
4. Niko Vui
5. Aaron Wong

The Nebraska men’s golf team makes its final appearance before the conference tournament at the Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational over the weekend. 

The tournament commences on Saturday at 9 a.m. (CT) with a shotgun start. All competitors will play 36 holes on the first day before Sunday’s final round, which is also set for a 9 a.m. start. Scoring for the 54-hole event will be available on Golfstat.com.

Finkbine Golf Course, a par-72, 7,239-yard layout, will play host to the tournament, which is in its 22nd year. Last year, NU finished sixth among the 12-team field with an 895 stroke total.

The Huskers will be joined by 11 other teams at the Hawkeye Invitational: Denver, DePaul, Idaho, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Marquette, Minnesota, Washington State and Wichita State.

Nebraska’s lineup will include Josh Reinertson, Calvin Freeman, Ross Dickson, Niko Vui and Aaron Wong. Reinertson, Freeman and Dickson have appeared in every tournament this season. Wong is making his first stroke play start of the year. His lone appearance of the season was at the Big Ten Match Play Championship in February.

Last Time Out: Huskers Finish 13th in Ohio
Nebraska posted a final round 303 en route to a 13th-place finish at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate. The Huskers finished with a 901 tournament total at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course. Senior Ross Dickson led NU by firing a final round 74, giving him a 9-over-par 222-stroke total and placing him in a tie for 29th.

Spring Season Recaps
Big Ten Match Play (Feb. 15-16): Huskers Go 0-4 at Big Ten Match Play
Nebraska fell to third-seeded Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten Match Play Championship, 5-0-0, on the Conservatory Course at Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla. In the round robin bracket, the Huskers lost to No. 13 seed Rutgers (3-2-0), No. 10 seed Wisconsin (4-1-0) and No. 12 seed Indiana (2-1-2) on the Ocean Course.

Puerto Rico Classic (Feb. 22-24): Siwa’s 71 Leads NU on Final Day in Puerto Rico
Nebraska shot a final-round 301 at the Puerto Rico Classic en route to a tie for 14th place. The Huskers posted 35-over-par 899 for the 54-hole tournament after rounds of 296 and 302 on the first two days. Senior Calvin Freeman turned in the best NU finish with a tie for 33rd. Freeman produced a 4-over-par 76 in the final round on his way to a 6-over-par 222 total.

Desert Mtn. Intercollegiate (March 6-7): Reinertson Climbs Leaderboard on Final Day
Nebraska shot a final-round 297 en route to a ninth-place finish at the Desert Mountain Intercollegiate.The Huskers finished with a 913 tournament total at the Desert Mountain Club’s Outlaw Course, a par-72, 7,107-yard layout. Senior Josh Reinertson tied his best score at NU by firing a final-round 69. He finished the team competition in a tie for 19th by producing a 54-hole 222 total.

Denver Desert Shootout (March 19-21): Huskers Fire Season-Best 283 to Finish Eighth
Nebraska fired a final-round 283 en route to an eighth-place finish at the Denver Desert Shootout. The Huskers finished with a season-best 858 tournament total at the Palm Valley Golf Club. NU opened the team competition with 289 before posting a 286 in the second round. Senior Josh Reinertson led NU by carding a 212 total, which earned him a tie for 23rd individually.

Fall Season Recaps
Gopher Invitational (Sept. 7-8): Reinertson Fires Final-Round 69 in Minnesota
Senior Josh Reinertson scorched Windsong Farm Golf Club with a 2-under-par 69 in the final round en route to a tie for 24th individually. He led Nebraska to a 10th-place finish among the teams in the Gopher Invitational. The Huskers produced a score of 303 in the final round, tying their best round of the tournament. On the opening day, NU posted 303 in the first round before shooting 305 in the second round. The Huskers’ 911 total for the tournament earned a tie for 10th with Notre Dame.

Mark Simpson CU Invitational (Sept. 29-30): Freeman Finishes Tied for Third in Colorado
Senior Calvin Freeman recorded his second consecutive subpar round to lead Nebraska to a tie for ninth place at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational. The Huskers posted their second consecutive sub-300 round with 297 in the final round at Colorado National Golf Club, a par-72, 7,771-yard layout. NU tied for ninth at 12-over-par 588, as tournament host Colorado took home the team title at 556.

Wyoming/Southern Dunes Invitational (Oct. 4-5): Huskers Finish Sixth in Arizona
Nebraska shot 306 in the final round of the Wyoming/Southern Dunes Collegiate Invitational to finish in sixth place. The Huskers produced a 54-hole total of 30-over-par 894 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, a par-72, 7,500-yard layout. NU opened with 291 in the first round before posting 297 in the second round.

Bill Ross Intercollegiate (Oct. 13-14): Reinertson Climbs Leaderboard, Ties for 11th
Senior Josh Reinertson fired a final-round 73 to lead Nebraska to a 10th-place finish at the weather-shortened Bill Ross Intercollegiate. The Huskers produced a 309 total in the final round after posting 312 in the first round. Nebraska’s 45-over-par 621 total over two rounds finished 22 strokes behind team champion Wichita State.

Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate (Oct. 20-21): Huskers Fire 290 to Finish 12th
Nebraska closed its fall campaign by firing its best score of the season (290) en route to a 12th-place finish at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate. The Huskers finished with a 37-over-par 889 total at NMSU Golf Course, a par-71, 7,242-yard layout. NU opened the tournament with 293 before posting 306 in the second round.

Off the Tee (Team Notes)
• The Huskers have managed top 10 finishes in six of their nine stroke play events this season.

• Under Head Coach Bill Spangler, who is in his 14th season, Nebraska has won 10 tournament titles. Spangler has also guided the Huskers to 31 top-three tournament finishes and six individual titles.

• The Nebraska men’s golf program has four NCAA Championship appearances along with seven NCAA Regional starts. In each season from 2010 to 2012, the Huskers sent one individual to the NCAA Regionals. Scott Willman tied for 40th at the Norman Regional (2012), Andrew Wyatt tied for 41st at the Colorado Regional (2011) and Brandon Crick tied for eighth at the West Regional (2010).

Chip Shots (Individual Notes)
Ross Dickson, Senior (London, England)
• Ross Dickson has made nine appearances this season, and holds a 75.36 stroke average in 25 rounds. He is 0-2-1 in match play.
• Dickson’s career-best round (68) and career-best 54-hole score (214) came at the 2014 Desert Shootout.
• Dickson’s best tournament finish (T-3rd) was at the 2012 D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate.

Calvin Freeman, Senior (Table Rock, Neb.)
• Calvin Freeman has made nine appearances this season, and has a 74.84 stroke average in 25 rounds. He is 1-2-0 in match play.
• Freeman joined the Huskers in 2013-14 as a junior after competing at Southeast Community College-Beatrice for two seasons. In his first year at Nebraska, Freeman played in 11 of 12 tournaments for a 74.90 stroke average over 31 rounds.
• Freeman has shot his career-low round of 68 on three occasions.
• Freeman’s best career 54-hole score was 211, which he fired at the 2014 Desert Shootout.
• Freeman’s best finish was a tie for third at the 2014 Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational.

Justin Jennings, Sophomore (Amarillo, Texas)
• Justin Jennings has made eight tournament showings this season for a 77.05 stroke average in 22 rounds. He is 0-3-0 in match play.
• Jennings played in eight tournaments last season as a true freshman, compiling a 76.06 stroke average over 18 rounds.
• Jennings’ lowest career round (69), lowest career 54-hole score (217) and best tournament finish (T-22nd) came at the 2013 Price’s Give ‘Em Five Invitational.

Ben Maschka, Freshman (Omaha, Neb.)
• Ben Maschka has played in four tournaments this season for a 80.83 stroke average in 12 rounds.
• Maschka is in his first season at Nebraska after a standout career at Omaha Creighton Prep High School where he won the individual Class A state title in 2014.

Cameron Palmer, Junior (Gilbert, Ariz.)
• Cameron Palmer did not compete for the Huskers in 2013-14, but played in two tournaments during the spring 2013 season. He holds a stroke average of 80.00 in three stroke play rounds at Nebraska since transferring from Arizona State during his sophomore season.

Josh Reinertson, Senior (Gibbon, Neb.)
• Josh Reinertson has made nine appearances this season, and holds a 75.16 stroke average in 25 rounds. He is 1-3-0 in match play.
• Reinertson’s summer included a trip to the U.S. Amateur as well as a tie for fourth at the Nebraska Amateur and an appearance in the semifinals of the Nebraska Match Play.
• Reinertson proved to be a consistent player for the Huskers during the spring 2014 season, compiling a 73.85 stroke average in 13 rounds. He managed a career-best fifth-place finish at the 2014 Oak Hill Intercollegiate. His career-best 54-hole score (212) came at the 2015 Denver Desert Shootout.

Mike Siwa, Senior (Omaha, Neb.)
• Mike Siwa has made six tournament showings in 2014-15 for a 76.72 stroke average in 18 rounds. He is 1-1-1 in match play.
• Siwa, a fifth-year senior, competed in seven tournaments for the Huskers in 2013-14, earning a 76.39 stroke average.
• Siwa’s best 54-hole score is 217, which he has accomplished twice. His best career result is 18th place at the 2014 Oak Hill Intercollegiate.

Niko Vui, Freshman (Apia, Samoa)
• Niko Vui has played in six tournaments this season, and holds a 75.75 stroke average. He is 1-1-0 in match play.
• The top-ranked amateur player in Samoa, Vui spent his high school career golfing at LDS Pesega College.

Aaron Wong, Junior (Chandler, Ariz.)
• Aaron Wong played in two tournaments last season for a 75.33 stroke average over six rounds. He is 0-2-0 in match play.
• Wong’s lowest round (68), lowest 54-hole score (223) and best tournament finish (T-7th) all came at the 2012 Fairway Club Invitational.

Nathan Wong, Sophomore (Chandler, Ariz.)
• Nathan Wong competed in the first tournament of the 2013-14 campaign, recording a tie for 33rd, after redshirting in 2012-13. He holds a career stroke average of 74.67.

Winter Notes
• Former Husker golfer Brady Schnell earned a spot on the 2015 Web.com Tour following a six-round qualifier in mid-December. Schnell tied for 21st with a 10-under-par 419 total. He carded rounds of 70, 71, 70, 73, 66 and 69 at PGA National’s Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

• Head Coach Bill Spangler announced the addition of six golfers to the roster for next season on Nov. 21: Michael Colgate (Saratosa, Fla. - Nebraska-Kearney/Saratosa), Jace Guthmiller (Yankton, S.D. - Yankton), Dylan McCabe (Sioux City, Iowa - Bishop Heelan), Joel Sneed (Leland, Mich. - Leland), Sean Song (Omaha, Neb. - Burke) and Jackson Wendling (Effingham, Ill. - Effingham).

Summer Notes
• Former Husker golfer Brady Schnell fired a second-round 59 at Sirocco Golf Course on Aug. 1 while competing at the ATB Financial Classic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Schnell, an Omaha, Neb., native, became the first player in PGA Tour Canada history to card a sub-60 score.

• Josh Reinertson qualified for the U.S. Amateur after firing 11-under-par 133 for two rounds at Willowbend Golf Club in Wichita, Kan., on July 16. At the U.S. Amateur, he shot 80 and 77 and missed the 64-player cut for the match play portion of the tournament.

• Newcomer Ben Maschka captured individual medalist honors at the Nebraska Class A State Boys Golf Tournament at Holmes Park Golf Course on May 29. Maschka fired a pair of 68s at the two-day, 36-hole tournament to lead Omaha Creighton Prep to its third consecutive team title.