Sophomore Drew Hensen carded a 75 in the CIML Iowa Conference meet on Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course. He placed third as an individual while leading the Ankeny boys’ golf team to a fourth-place finish.
Hensen is a three-time medalist this season. He leads the Hawks with a nine-hole average of 38.7 strokes.
Here is some inside info on Hensen:
You played in the same group on Tuesday with Ankeny Centennial’s Jack Winkel, the Iowa PGA Junior Tour Player of the Year, and defeated him for the second time this season. Does that give your confidence a huge boost?
Yeah, definitely. Jack has a lot of high school golf experience being a senior. It is fun to get to compete against players like Jack since for most summer tournaments he would be in a different division than me.
Your team posted its second-best score of the season. Do you feel like your squad is peaking at the right time?
Our team played well once again at Otter Creek. Our team is very young and inexperienced so I think it is important for us to just keep working and improving every day. So far this season we have definitely improved so I hope that some of that work can pay off on Tuesday.
What has been the highlight of your season?
As of right now, I would say my round in the Fort Dodge Invite (where Hensen placed third with a 72) has been the highlight so far. However, if I could make it past our district on Tuesday and finish well at state, that would have to be the highlight.
You went from having very little varsity experience to becoming the team’s No. 1 player this season. Did you expect to take over that role?
I did. Last season I split time playing the No. 6 spot on varsity and the JV No. 1. This season we lost those top six so I figured I would be taking over that role.
Does that put any pressure on you to post a good score at every meet?
It doesn’t really affect the way that I play, but I do know that I have some pretty big shoes to fill with (current) Iowa State golfer Hunter Johnson being the No. 1 player for the last few years.
Your team will play in a district meet on Tuesday at Whispering Creek in Sioux City. I think you’ve had a chance to play a practice round there, so what did you think of the course?
The day that I had a chance to play the course, there was hardly any wind. I have talked to some players that have played in the Whispering Creek district in the past, and they all say that the heavy winds are one of the most difficult aspects of the course. I did think that the course was nice and in good condition.
What will be the key to having a good round there?
I think that putting well on the undulated greens will be important but also keeping the ball low and out of the wind will be key.
Do you like your team’s chances to qualify for state?
I think that we have an equal chance with a few other teams that we have either beaten or been close with during the season. I know that a good round from me will be important for our team’s success. Some other guys stepping up and playing well will give us a chance to make state.
Do you feel like you can contend for an individual spot if your team doesn’t qualify?
Hopefully, the entire team plays well but if not I do think that I can contend for one of the individual spots.
If you do make it to state, the state meet will be held on Friday and Saturday at Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls. Are you familiar with that course at all?
I played the course for the first time a few weeks ago.
I’m sure you’d like to play golf in college. Have you started looking at schools yet?
Because of new NCAA rules, coaches can’t contact me until June 15 after this school year but I have done what I can so far.
Who is your favorite pro golfer?
I am a big Jordan Spieth fan. He is a good ball striker and is a great putter.