Senior golfer Kevin Ward practices putting at Alvamar golf course during his sophomore season. Golf World magazine named Ward College Player of the Week last Friday.

Kansas senior golfer Kevin Ward led his team to a first place finish at the Stevinson Ranch Intercollegiate on March 22 and a second place finish at the 59th Western Intercollegiate on March 29.

Last Friday, Ward received some national recognition for his contribution, when Golf World magazine named him the College Player of the Week.

The voting for the award took place during the Jayhawk’s visit to Stevinson, Calif. Ward not only won the Stevinson Intercollegiate by six strokes over Ben Kern from Kansas State, he led Kansas to a 20-stroke victory over Kansas State and Nebraska.

Ward played some of the best golf of his career during the two-day tournament, hitting a three-round 8-under-par 208. He shot a 4-under-par 68 in the opening round, and went on to shoot a career-best 8-under 64 in the second round.

Ward’s second-round play was flawless, as he made eight birdies and no bogeys. Through 15 holes, Ward was eight under par, and his score could have been even lower if he had connected on any of three makeable birdie putts

Even though Ward received the national honor last week, he has remained humble.

“This award is really going to help with my confidence and also the team’s confidence,” Ward said. “The team deserves this award as much as I do because they really helped my cause — winning by 20 strokes. I give them all the credit.”

Ward has been a team leader for the Jayhawks the past two seasons.

Coach Ross Randall nominated Kevin Ward for the honor after his play at Stevinson.

“He really has been our leader all year,” Randall said. “He is everything you want from a player, whether it’s in the work out room, at practice or on the golf course.”

During his career at Kansas, Ward has won three individual tournament titles, and has recorded 10 top-10 finishes. Ward entered the 2004-2005 golf season with a 75.59 career stroke average. All season long he has been improving upon that number. He has the lowest season-stoke average of his career: 71.37.

With a national player of the week award under his belt, Ward has all the confidence he needs to finish the season.

“I’m excited about getting this award,” Ward said. “But I’m even more excited about playing and finishing the season out.”

Kevin Ward and the Jayhawks will head to Holly Springs, N.C., to play in the Courtyard by Marriot Intercollegiate on April 8.