Spartans of UD - Luke Harwick

Spartans of UD highlights what makes the University of Dubuque special - the people.

Luke Harwick is a sophomore business major from Guttenberg, Iowa, who is on the men's golf team at the University of Dubuque. On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Harwick became the fourth men's golfer in program history to win the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) individual conference title, doing so by tying the 18-hole and breaking the 54-hole conference championships records. He was named the NCAA Division III PING All-Region VI for the second year in a row on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Harwick won two tournaments this spring and was named A-R-C Men's Golfer of the Week three times.

The Spartans men's golf team will compete at the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships at the Mission Resort + Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, beginning Tuesday, May 12, 2026. One week later, the Spartans women's golf team will compete at the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships at the Desert Willow Golf Course in Palm Desert, California, starting Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

How did you get your start in golf?

"My dad got me into the game when I was very young. I do not have an exact age of when I started playing, but I know I had a club in my hand for as far as my memory will allow. I started to fall in love with the game in middle school, though. In the summer, my dad would drop me off at the golf course at 6:00 a.m. on his way to work, and my only way of coming home was for him to pick me up at 6:00 p.m. on his way back. I spent long days in the grueling heat and humidity at the Guttenberg Golf Course every single day. I loved hitting hundreds of range balls a day. The greenskeeper kicked me off the range sometimes for tearing it up too much. Some of my favorite memories is when an old timer would pick me up in his golf cart and let me play with them, because I was too young to drive a golf cart."

What was your reaction upon learning you are just the fourth UD men's golfer in program history to win the A-R-C individual conference title?

"This accomplishment is an honor to have. I was able to learn from Carter Ruegsegger, who accomplished the same thing last year. I was able to pick up on some of his habits and make them my own. I know that I am a Top 10 player in D3 golf, and I plan on continuing to get better and prove myself."

How are you and your teammates preparing for the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships?

"I am not treating this tournament any differently. My teammates and I know how to prepare ourselves for these kind of events through experience. We are still practicing together almost every day and growing our team chemistry along with our golf games. I have had the national championship circled on my calendar after last year's missed cut."

What are some life lessons you've learned from your golf career at UD so far?

"With my time here at UD, I have learned how important it is to detach my identity from golf. I have matured as a student, friend, teammate, human, and golfer because of this. I also learned that nothing is given to you, it is only earned. What you put in is what you get in return."

In your opinion, what makes the University of Dubuque unique?

"I believe that everyone at UD is cheering me on. With the small size of the school, I have gotten to know a lot of people who are very supportive of me. It feels like here at UD everyone wants to see each other succeed, and you will be pushed to do so."

Originally Published: May 12, 2026