The Iowa men’s golf team began play at the Callaway Match Play Championship at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga., on Sunday.

In the first round, the Hawkeyes were the No. 6 seed and matched up against 11th-seeded Southern California.

Iowa got off to a slow start against USC; senior Vince India was the only member of the team to win his match. With Iowa falling to the consolation bracket for the second match of the day, the Black and Gold had much better luck against Washington State.

Senior Brad Hopfinger and juniors Jed Dirksen and Barrett Kelpin all recorded victories to give Iowa a 3-2 match victory.

India, Hopfinger, Kelpin, Dirksen, and juniors Chris Brant and Brad George traveled with the team to complete practice rounds and determine the five starters.

Dirksen ended up claiming the fifth starter’s spot, and George was left off the roster.

Today, the Hawkeyes will have another tough test when they compete against second-seeded Alabama in the consolation bracket.

— by Ben Wolfson