A Fall to Remember For Cyclone Golf

The Iowa State men's golf team added another chapter to its history as it wrapped up the fall season Oct. 24 at the 49'er Collegiate Classic. Guided by eighth-year coach Jay Horton, the Cyclones won back-to-back tournament titles for the first time in school history and set or equaled a number of team and individual records. Under Horton's tutelage, a young lineup showed experience and poise beyond their years, aiming to help Iowa State qualify for the NCAA Central Regionals for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign. Off until February, Horton and his team reflected back on the fall season.

Under Horton's leadership, the Cyclones led the Big 12 Conference in tournament wins with two, as Kansas and Texas were the only other schools to register a victory. He also led Iowa State to rank third in the conference in team stroke average (290.36), only behind Texas and defending national champion Oklahoma State.

“I always have high expectations but I would say so far the team is meeting them,” Horton said. “This fall they were able to see that they could meet those expectations. Winning twice was great and hopefully we get some more victories in the future.”

Two returners, Chris Baker and Joe Cermak, were the catalysts of consistency as newcomers Cameron White and Cedric Bertin received extensive playing time. Senior Rodney Hamblin emerged into his own after an outstanding summer to contribute to ISU's fall achievements. Freshman Ross Menke showed steady improvement competing individually in three events and Johnny Larson was a key contributor down the stretch.

"Cedric (Bertin) had two years of junior college experience so he didn't have as many adjustments to make," Cermak said. "I'm very proud of the way Cameron (White) and Ross (Menke) have played this year. I remember my freshman year and there's a lot of things to adjust to."

The infusion of youth in White, Menke and Bertin, have been a perfect complement to Cermak, Baker and Hamblin's experience.

“It was so exciting to get out there and compete in my first tournament (Gene Miranda Falcon Invite) because I worked hard to get to the Division I level,” White reflected. “It was a dream come true and to play the way I did was icing on the cake.”

“They are playing real well and maturing quickly and we wouldn't be where we are now without them,” the senior Hamblin said about the newcomers.

“They're another reason we're playing well as a team because we know there are people behind us pushing us at practice to get better,” Baker added.

Baker, who was a first-team Big 12 Conference tournament selection as a freshman, led the team in stroke average last season as a sophomore.

“The biggest difference this year has been my confidence,” Baker said. “Everything about the team and the whole atmosphere brings out our true games. It makes it better to enjoy golf and compete and you know the team is behind you.”

Hamblin was coming off two summer event wins and placed high in several tournaments to prepare for this season. The St. Paul, Minn., native and former two-time all-state selection is growing into a balanced force and providing senior leadership with a career-best performance at the Wolf Pack Classic. Hamblin has provided equal excellence in the classroom as well, aiming for his third consecutive Academic All-Big 12 First-Team selection.

“Everyone dreams of winning a title with the team and we've done that this year,” Hamblin said. “It's always been a goal of mine to win an individual title and even though it's tough with 100 other guys out there, I'll have seven or eight chances to win one this spring. This team has no limit to its potential. We can compete with anyone as we've shown this fall.

The Cyclones opened up the new season in Colorado Springs at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational where they finished tied for sixth out of 19 teams.

Iowa State followed up its season debut with a runner-up performance at the Jayhawk Invitational, tying Nebraska, toppling perennial powerhouse Houston and only trailing host school Kansas for the team title. That performance raised the eyes around the country from players and coaches.

“It sent a little shockwave throughout some teams,” Baker said. “Coach (Horton) was talking to a Nebraska player at the Kansas Invite and he looked at the scoreboard and did a little double-take because he didn't expect to see our name up there.”

The Cyclones made school history at the Wolf Pack Classic, storming back in the final round to overtake Utah for the school's first tournament win since 2004. In the process, ISU broke the team tournament record (850 ? 1997 Red Raider Intercollegiate) by eight strokes, firing a 22-under 842 in the event. Cermak (210), Hamblin (211) and Baker (212) etched their names into the record books, finishing with the fifth, sixth and seventh-best 54-hole tournament scores in ISU history. Baker carded the school's second-lowest score in the second round with a 67. It was also the first time that all five starters completed three rounds without going over par.

It was a team effort to win back-to-back events as all six starters placed in the top 12 to give Iowa State its first Big Four Championship title since 2001. Baker and Cermak registered two-round scores of 141 to tie for fourth. The Cyclones upended defending champion Drake by three strokes. Baker led the Cyclones in the team's final event, finishing seventh as ISU ended up in a three-way tie for eighth at the 49'er Collegiate Classic.

The Cyclones will have a two-month layover before getting back in the swing of things. The addition of the heated bay facility at the Veenker Golf Course in Ames will contribute to the team's off-season regimen.

“Right now, November and December is a time to get away from the game,” Horton said. “They have all been competing since last February so they need a break. Our focus will start again next January when they get back to school. Having the heated bay on campus will allow for more quality practice during the winter months.”

Cermak edged out Baker for the team lead in scoring average, recording a 72.40 clip through five tournaments. Both are on pace to break Jason Knutzon's single-season stroke average mark of 72.71 set back in 1997. Baker scored at an average of 72.66 and finished fall competition at a torrid pace, placing in the top-10 in three straight events. Horton spoke about the development of his junior tandem.

“From the first day they hit campus two years ago, I knew they were my best two players, but they did not realize it yet,” Horton said. “Both are very driven individuals and want to succeed. They are playing more relaxed now because there is not as much pressure on them to play great. They have been two solid leaders at the top and their consistency has been a major part of our success. They realize that if they have an off week, there are plenty of guys to pick up the slack any given week.”

Adding to the excitement is the signing of two prep standouts, 2006 Iowa Class 4A champion Nathan Leary (Waterloo West) and Tennessee native Thomas Lathrop, and the Cyclones are creating a formula for long-term success.

"Leary won the Iowa Master's and he beat me," Cermak said. "I can't say for sure that they'll be on the traveling team but they add to the depth and contribute when called upon."

Iowa State collected fall season accolades, rated second in the conference behind Texas and 36^th nationally in Golfstat's Nov. 2 rankings. As the Cyclones strive for greater achievements, Horton and his players rave about the potential this squad possesses.

“I think this team has unlimited potential,” Horton said. “Even last year when we were finishing high in events, we proved we could play with everyone for one round. This year we have played with more maturity on the course and they are proving to themselves that they belong up at the top.”

"The sky is the limit," Cermak added. "I'm confident we can compete in regionals and I'm confident we can make it to nationals. We just have to focus on beating the teams in our district. Kansas is very tough at home along with Nebraska. Tulsa and Wichita State along with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are also in our district as well as the Big 12 North teams."

The Cyclones will be on a quest to break the school's single-season tournament wins record (three) set by the 1996-97 team. The Cyclones will compete in eight spring events, its first at the Santa Anita Classic Feb. 23-24 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Defending national champion Oklahoma State remains the team to beat at the Big 12 Championship April 23 in Hutchinson, Kan., with four starters ranked in the top-70 led by All-Americans Pablo Martin and Jonathan Moore who won medalist honors at the 2005 NCAA Championships. Texas A&M has creeped up to 14^th in the Nov. 12 Golfweek rankings and Texas Tech remains dangerous at 28^th with All-American Oscar Flores. Texas is ranked 23^rd behind the strength of two top-100 players. Kansas is well-stocked led by top-20 player Gary Woodland who captured medalist honors at the Jayhawk Invite where the Cyclones tied for second with Nebraska. Baylor and Colorado are also ranked in the top 50.

“Our main goal is to get to the NCAA tournament, but I also asked them to re-establish their goals for the spring,” Horton said. “They are good enough that if we play well we can play with anyone and I think all of us would like to challenge for the Big 12 title as well.”

Fall Scoring Leaders

Joe Cermak ? 72.40

Chris Baker ? 72.66

Rodney Hamblin ? 73.75

Cameron White ? 73.92

Johnny Larson ? 74.13

Cedric Bertin ? 74.62

Ross Menke ? 74.88

Iowa State Fall Tournament Results

Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational ? 6^th/19

Jayhawk Invitational ? T2nd/16

Wolf Pack Classic ? 1^st/18