Black Hawk College golfers are not only athletically talented, they are academically talented.
For Spring 2023, the team earned an average GPA of 3.67, the highest of the eight BHC athletic teams. The golf team also had a 2022-23 average GPA of 3.14, the second highest of any BHC squad.
“Academically, our student-athletes turned it around this year,” said first-year head coach and BHC alum Shayne Shepherd.
“I am beyond proud of these student-athletes this year. Year one was a success!”
For next school year, “I am hoping our student-athletes can build upon what they did this past season and continue to do well in the classroom,” he said.
BHC golf team accomplishments for 2022-23:
- Finished 3rd in Region IV
- Finished 3rd in Arrowhead Conference
- Competed in National Championship
- Won two regular season events and finished in Top 3 in 14 of 18 events
“We fought hard to finish in the Top 3 at Regionals in the fall and the Arrowhead Conference this spring, ultimately giving us a chance to play at the National Championship,” Shepherd said.
For next season, “Our goals stay the same on the course each and every year – win Regionals, win the conference, and make it to the National Championship,” he said.
BHC golfers’ individual accomplishments for 2022-23:
Luke Lofgren of Rock Island:
- Won Highland 36, Duane Chanay, IVCC, Monmouth Spring and Highland Spring invites
- All-Region Honors – finished 4th individually
- All-Conference Honors – finished 3rd individually
Evan Earl of Sherrard:
- All-Region Honors – finished 13th individually
- Honors List for Spring 2023 (3.50-3.74 semester GPA)
Mason Steinert of Geneseo:
- All-Conference Honors – finished 5th individually
Sam Spurgetis of Moline:
- All-Region Honors – finished 15th individually
- All-Conference Honors – finished 8th individually
- High Honors for Fall 2022 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)
- High Honors for Spring 2023 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)
Parker Friant of Port Byron:
- High Honors for Spring 2023 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)
Nolan Thomas of Andalusia:
- High Honors for Fall 2022 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)
- High Honors for Spring 2023 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)
Major Chisholm of Milan:
- High Honors for Spring 2023 (3.75-4.00 semester GPA)