A sophomore transfer débuts as a Hawkeye for the women’s golf team.
By Jess Westendorf
Shawn Rennegarbe made her first appearance as a Hawkeye last week at the GolfWeek Conference Challenge in Vail, Colorado. She stayed consistent during the tournament, posting a three-round score of 237 (21-over) and a tie for 78th place.
“I think she had a pretty solid outing,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “Some things got a little loose, but I thought the way she finished was really strong.”
Rennegarbe is a sophomore transfer from Arkansas who joined the Hawkeyes this fall. She redshirted her freshman year and did not compete at a tournament her second year, which made this her first college outing.
She has a long history with golf, starting with her family. At a young age, Rennegarbe tagged along with her father to the golf course and ride on the cart. She was not the only one who grew to love the game of golf; her sister Shaina also started playing.
While she grew to love golf, Rennegarbe played other sports and had success in other sports.
In her words, she was “into all the sports.”
It wasn’t until the Addieville, Illinois, native was in seventh grade that she knew golf would be the sport she wanted to play in college. From then on, golf was her main focus. She went to Nashville Community High School and played on the girl’s golf team.
During all four years of her high-school career she won her high school conference, made all-state and placed at the state competition. Her freshman year, she finished ninth. Throughout the rest of her career she placed fourth, second, and fourth overall, respectively.
Rennegarbe also competed in several American Junior Golf Association tournaments. From 2011 to 2014, she competed in the Junior All-Star at Eagle Ridge, the Under Armour at Atler Creek, and the St. Louis Junior. She placed first overall at all three tournaments and was considered one of the best golfers in Illinois.
She also made moves in the classroom. She was named to the 2014 All-State Academic Team and was the valedictorian of her class.
The Hawkeyes made their first attempt at recruiting Rennegarbe during her junior year, but they were unsuccessful and she committed early to Arkansas. Then in the spring, when Rennegarbe was looking into transferring, Menzel had her second chance to bring in Rennegarbe.
“I was lucky enough to go down and watch her play at the Trans in St. Louis, and the biggest thing that stuck out was her body language,” Menzel said. “She is long off the tee as well as athletic; it was fun to see her play again.”
Menzel did something right, because later in August, she announced that Rennegarbe officially transferred to Iowa as a redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility left. The team was excited and ready to see what she could bring to the table.
She was one of three newcomers to the roster. She had met freshman Sophie Liu during the summer at a tournament, and they are now roommates.
“We met playing a tournament in the summer, and I really liked her,” Liu said. “I think she has a lot to offer the team, and she works really well with the team. She brings the team closer, and I feel really good having her here.”
Liu is not the only one happy to have Rennegarbe on the team; Menzel said she is impressed with how Rennegarbe has carried herself. Menzel and the women’s program are excited to see what the future holds for Rennegarbe.
“I see her as someone that can be a staple in our lineup and someone who can post good scores,” said Menzel. “We expect big things out of her.”
