Dan Soper begins his 13th season as head golf coach at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Laker Men are coming off a record breaking 2007-2008 season shattering the single season match victory record with a 50-18 mark and a 2^nd place finished  in the Region XI tournament while qualifying three individuals for the National Tournament of which one has returned to this year’s team.  The Laker Women had a 3^rd place finish at the Region XI tournament and return their national qualifier for her sophomore season.  The Lady Lakers also had a team GPA of 3.39 with three girls earning a perfect 4.0 mark.   Dan has coached 23 national qualifiers in his previous twelve years including a two time All American.  Known for consistent teams, Soper’s men’s teams have posted over 300 match victories since he took over the program in 1996.  In addition, his players have excelled in the class room with six Academic All-Americans and many Academic All - Region players including five members of last years men’s and women’s teams earning 1^st or 2^nd Academic All-Region and one Distinguished Academic All-American.

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 tremendous asset 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.

Soper has three children, sons Jeff (24) and Andy (21) both former National Qualifiers on the links for the Laker men and a daughter Ricca (19) a sophomore at Iowa Lakes and returning National Qualifier for the Lady Lakers who also plays basketball at Iowa Lakes.

Coach Soper is very excited about this year’s Men’s and Women’s team who have a mixture of youth (nine freshman and six sophomores) and talent looking to continue the excellence the golf program has shown for several years.

Email Coach Soper: dsoper@iowalakes.edu

Coach Dan Soper