For most student-athletes, playing for their hometown school is a dream. For Iowa men’s golfs transfer Grant Gudgel, Oklahoma State provided this opportunity, but he never took a swing with the Cowboys. Still a kid from Stillwater, Oklahoma,
Gudgel doesn’t regret his decision.
“I’m very grateful I did go to Oklahoma State. Being from Stillwater, I always wanted to play at Oklahoma State, and when they recruited me, it felt like I had to go there,” Gudgel said.
After having two wrist surgeries before his first year at Oklahoma State, Grudgel entered his first year still injured. Although he couldn’t play, he said he still learned valuable lessons during that time.
“I am grateful that I went through that adversity and was able to know the tough times and know that I can come out of them and play some really good golf,” Gudgel said.
Gudgel hit the transfer portal and stumbled upon Iowa, a state he had never even been to prior to his first visit. Despite the unfamiliarity, Gudgel said he felt comfortable in Iowa City, whose residents rally around the university’s sports teams.
“I fell in love with the town, and I feel like everyone here loves the place. It’s pretty easy to come here and love this place,” Gudgel said. “I want to win some tournaments with the team — that’s why I came here. I don’t like anything
but winning.”
Gudgel knew some of his teammates beforehand. He played amateur tournaments with Iowa second-year Ryan Shelberg and followed Chance Rinkol on Instagram.
In the Hawkeyes’ last tournament, Gudgel placed the highest out of his teammates at 22, but he still sees ways he can improve his game.
“I’m just going to build on it. I know there can be a lot better golf, and I think that’s the same with the team,” Gudgel said. “We know how good we can be, coach knows how good we can be, it’s just about going out there
and competing.”
So far this season, Gudgel is content with his driving but feels dissatisfied with his short game. In the first two tournaments of the year, Gudgel placed 22nd and 43rd.
The Hawkeyes’ next event, the Fighting Irish Classic, is another chance for Gudgel to improve his putting, but the opportunity offers a chance for revenge on his former team.
“It’ll be nice to see my buddies, but I want to go out there and beat them all,” Gudgel said. “We’re there to compete, so it’ll be kind of fun going against them.”
Gudgel has only spent a few months in Iowa City, but the transition to a new setting hasn’t whittled his determination.
Back in Oklahoma, Gudgel played alongside PGA golfer Viktor Hovland and hopes to share Hovland’s profession in the future.
“I just want to be the best teammate I can be and compete hard,” Gudgel said. “I’m hoping to get some team and individual wins under the belt. We’ve got some really good coaches here, so it’s going to be fun.”