University of Iowa first-year men’s golfer Jack McCarty begins his college campaign this fall with a special story attached to it.

For McCarty, playing golf was instinctual. He picked up his first set of clubs at 5 years old and later led the Solon Spartans to the state tournament three times, including a third-place finish during his senior season.

“He was extremely key to the success we have had over the last four years. He stepped right in as a freshman,” Solon High School Golf Coach Adam Stahle said.

One of the main influences in McCarty’s life is his father Sean McCarty, who was a member of the Iowa golf team from 1992-95, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 1992 and claiming four individual titles during his career.

Sean McCarty led the Hawkeyes to eight team titles, including the program’s first-ever conference title in 1992. He was later inducted into the UI Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, becoming the first golfer to be inducted.

Now, Sean McCarty gets to watch his son tee off at Finkbine.

“It’s cool to be able to continue the legacy,” Jack McCarty said. “He definitely raised the bar a lot.”

The leadership and passion for golf that Sean McCarty ingrained in his son from a young age led Jack McCarty to place in the top 10 at the Iowa High School Athletic Association state golf meet every year during his time as a Spartan.

Despite all his triumphs in his high school career, Jack McCarty wasn’t always sure that college golf was right for him.

“Growing up, college golf wasn’t something I thought about,” he said. “I didn’t understand golf and recruiting until high school.”

During his last two years of high school, Jack McCarty decided that college golf was going to be his next step. With his father’s alma mater and the school that he grew up cheering for in his backyard, there was no question that his move would be to the Hawkeyes.

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McCarty worked on and off the golf course in order to prove himself to the Iowa coaching staff. In doing so, he left a mark on the Solon golf program for years to come.

“In my eyes, his legacy would be one that is extremely successful. He came in with very high expectations for himself,” coach Stahle said.

As Jack McCarty begins his Division 1 golf career, those same lofty expectations and goals remain.

“All of the potential of the world is there. [McCarty] is a strong athletic kid,” Iowa head coach Tyler Stith said. “In this environment, he will be surrounded by guys with more experience than him and if he works hard, he will continue to improve.”

Stith also credits the freshman class for their effort and dedication to the game.

“They have raised the bar. That competitiveness will fuel everyone to work hard and make it into the lineup,” Stith said.

“It’s super cool to be able to call myself a Hawkeye,” Jack McCarty said.