Dan Soper

Dan Soper begins his 14th season as head golf coach at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Laker Men and Women are coming off an outstanding 2008-2009 season where the Men set the single season winning percentage record with a 43-9 match record while qualifying two individuals in the NJCAA National Tournament including the Region XI Medalist and  Ping All American West Region performer who returns for his sophomore season. The Laker Men also finished ranked 14^th in the nation in the final NJCAA Division II golf polls. History was also made on the Women’s team as they became the first Lady Laker Golfers to win the Region XI Championship qualifying them for the National Tournament where they finished 12^th in the nation in the rain shortened Championship.  The Laker Men and Women also excelled in the classroom with 10 Academic All Region performers and three graduating sophomores who earned Academic All-American honors.  The Women’s team earned an Academic team honor with the 3^rd highest team GPA in the nation @ 3.52.  Dan has coached 30 national qualifiers in his previous thirteen years including a two time All American on the Women’s side and a Ping All-American on the Men’s side.  Coach Soper attributes the program’s consistent success to young men and women who are academically motivated, have a strong work ethic and tremendous family support along with a school that continues to provide better opportunities to their student athletes.

The Lakers home course is Brooks National Golf Course in Okoboji, Iowa. This beautiful 27 hole layout with bent grass fairways and the finest practice facility in Northwest Iowa has been a difference maker to the Laker Golf program.

Coach Soper is a native of Estherville, he graduated from Estherville High School in 1981 where he earned eight varsity letters (two each in football, basketball, golf and baseball) and was a member of the Class 2A State Golf Championship team his senior year. He continued his education at Iowa Lakes while playing golf for Coach Roy Powers.  Dan was a member of the Region XI championship team his sophomore year and was named the team’s outstanding student golfer both his freshman and sophomore years for his academic achievements.  He received his A.S. degree in Small Business Management in May 1983.

Following, graduation Soper spent six years in the United States Navy.  In December 1989 Dan and his family moved back to Estherville.  He later returned to school and received his B.A. in Business/Entrepreneurship in June 1996 from Buena Vista University.

Coach Soper is excited about this year’s teams where the men return four of their top seven players and a talented freshman class.  On the women’s side five freshmen will continue the tradition along with one returner from last year’s team.

Email Coach Soper: dsoper@iowalakes.edu

Coach Dan Soper

Andy Soper

Andy Soper starts his first year as an assistant coach for the Laker Men’s and Women’s golf programs.  Andy was born in Aurora, Co and moved to Estherville, IA as an infant and is an alum of Estherville Lincoln Central and Iowa Lakes Community College, graduating in 2008.  He is currently a senior at Buena Vista University where he will graduate in 2010 with a B.A. in Management/Entrepreneurship and is also a member of the Men’s golf team.

Andy had a great golf career at Iowa Lakes. As a freshman on the golf team he and three others qualified for the National Tournament. That same year, Andy put his name in the record books with a 69 -- tying for second for lowest round in Iowa Lakes History which is held by his brother Jeff Soper with a (68).  As a sophomore, Andy helped lead his team to a 50-18 record giving that team the most wins in a season by a Lakers’ Team. He also earned academic all Region honors while playing for the Lakers.

 Andy captured three consecutive Men’s Club Championship at the Estherville Golf Course from 2006-2008 and shares the 9 hole scoring record of 6 under 30 at his home course in Estherville.

While in High School Andy was a four sport Letter winner - Golf (4) Baseball (4), Basketball (3), and Football (2).  He was an All-Conference performer as well as All-District performer. He was also an Estherville Daily News player of the year twice in Golf, and once in Basketball.

Andy’s golf knowledge, college golf experience, understanding of the Laker Program and stellar amateur accomplishments will be great assets in helping the young players adjust to college competition and balancing their academic responsibilities.  He will also be actively involved in recruiting future Laker Golfers.

Coach Andy Soper