Kinney Reflects On Outstanding Career At Iowa State

Story written by Iowa State Athletics Communications Assistant Justin Farrell

Iowa State senior Tripp Kinney fell in love with the game of golf when he picked up his first set of plastic clubs as a child. The desire for competition developed at a young age and Kinney began to win tournaments at eight-years-old.

"I grabbed a club when I was really young, and it was kind of natural at that point," Kinney said. "My parents took me out to the golf course all the time and I just started to develop a love for the game."

Kinney continued to pursue his passion for golf and started to play as a freshman at Waukee High School, helping his squad win two state titles (2014 and 2015).

As the level of competition improved, so did Kinney's work ethic. He was competing in American Junior Golf Association tournaments and knew the next step was to play collegiate golf.

Kinney visited Iowa State and knew the program was on the rise after the construction of the brand new Golf Performance Center. Kinney saw the potential and the progress that the program was making and wanted to be a part of it.

"Choosing to attend Iowa State was one of the best decisions I have ever made," Kinney said. "Iowa State means the world to me. I was not an Iowa State fan growing up, but I cannot imagine myself rooting for any other school right now."

When Kinney arrived at Iowa State, he had early success. Kinney recorded one of the best rookie seasons in Iowa State history and played in the NCAA Championship with the team. Kinney's goals started to grow and so did his passion for the game.

"The great thing about Tripp is just his desire to improve. He wants to be good, and he doesn't settle for anything less," Iowa State head coach Andrew Tank said.

With the help from Tank, Kinney was able to improve his game mentally and physically after his freshman year.

"Coach Tank has helped me through everything in golf and life," stated Kinney. "I did struggle with my game and my mentality on the golf course, but Coach Tank was there every step of the way."

The team started to click during the 2019-20 season, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The remainder of the season was cancelled, and the players were without golf and in need of a spark.

"To have the season ripped away from us when we were trending in the right direction was tough. To come back and restart that momentum was difficult, but we were all looking forward to it," stated Kinney.

Kinney decided to come back for his fifth year after some help from Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard to get that extra year of eligibility for collegiate seniors. He wanted to take his game to the next level and work with the coaches and his teammates.

"I don't think I was mentally strong enough last year, and my game wasn't in a great place," said Kinney. "There really wasn't a better opportunity than to come back to play another year of college golf with my teammates and get the coaching and have all the resources."

Kinney's season isn't over. He earned an individual bid to the NCAA Stillwater Regional (May 17-19), his fourth NCAA Regional appearance in his outstanding career.

Kinney shared his favorite moment from playing golf as a Cyclone so far.

"Competing in the three NCAA Championships has been my favorite moment as a Cyclone, Just to be there and playing against some of the best golfers in the country on a national stage was amazing and something I will never forget," Kinney said.

Kinney is the only Cyclone to appear in three NCAA Championships. He also has one of the best career scoring averages in Cyclone history and won the NCAA Louisville Regional in 2019.

Tank has had a tremendous impact on Kinney and the program. Tank shared his thoughts on the remarkable career that Kinney has had so far.

"It is fun to take a step back as you come close to the end of someone's career. That is what I love about this time of the year," Tank said. "It's sad to see them move on, but as you go into graduation and senior banquets, you do get that perspective like, 'wow, look how far he's come and look at all he's done for Iowa State Golf.'"

Kinney will begin a new journey after Iowa State, but right now he has his eyes on a fourth NCAA Championship appearance, something that has never been accomplished by a Cyclone.

"After this season, I will probably turn pro and play on the Mini-Tour circuits this summer and hopefully do Korn Ferry Tour Q-School in the fall," Kinney said. "I'm focused on the remainder of the season and then we will see what happens next."

The driving factor of his game is his love and passion for golf.

"Golf has been very helpful for me on and off the course. It has taught me how to grow, how to learn, and how to mature as a person. Golf has taught me everything," Kinney said.

The impact Kinney has had on Iowa State golf will be remembered forever. Once a Cyclone, always a Cyclone.