Interview
CGN+ Player Highlight and Interview: Maura Peters’ Rise from Walk On to Iowa Leader
Iowa senior Maura Peters has developed from a walk on into one of the Hawkeyes’ leading golfers. The Pleasant Valley, Iowa, native led the team with a 74.06 scoring average during the 2025 to 2026 season and opened her senior year with a career best third place finish at the Diane Thomason Invitational, helping Iowa capture the team championship.
In an interview with CGN+, Peters discussed her introduction to golf, her development at Iowa, the influence of volleyball on her leadership and her plans beyond her senior season.
Career Highlights
- 2023 Iowa Junior Amateur champion at one over 217
- Three time All State selection at Pleasant Valley High School
- Helped Pleasant Valley win the 2023 state championship
- Joined Iowa as a walk on
- Two time Academic All Big Ten selection
- Led Iowa with a 74.06 scoring average and 77 birdies during the 2025 to 2026 season
- Third at the 2026 Diane Thomason Invitational, helping Iowa win the team championship
- Majoring in biomedical engineering
Collegiate Results Snapshot
2026 to 2027 Senior Season
- Third at the Diane Thomason Invitational at four over 220, a career best individual finish
- Helped Iowa win the Diane Thomason Invitational team championship
- Finished 21st at the Illini Women’s Invitational at Medinah at two under 214
- Recorded a four under 68 in the final round at Medinah
- Tied for 14th at the Route 66 Invitational at six over 222, leading Iowa
- Finished 28th at the Badger Invitational and 43rd at the Boilermaker Classic
2025 to 2026 Junior Season
- Team leading 74.06 scoring average across 31 rounds
- Recorded 77 birdies, the most on Iowa’s roster
- Only Hawkeye to record an eagle
- Two top 10 finishes
- All 31 rounds counted toward Iowa’s team score
- Tied for fifth at the Diane Thomason Invitational
- Ninth at the Badger Invitational at one under 215
- Tied for 14th at the Mountain View Collegiate at two under 214
- Academic All Big Ten
2024 to 2025 Sophomore Season
- Competed in all 11 tournaments
- Recorded a 75.84 scoring average across 32 rounds
- Finished with 61 birdies
- One top 10 finish and two top 20 finishes
- Tied for seventh at the Nashville Invitational, helping Iowa win the team title
- Iowa’s top finisher at the Big Ten Championship, tying for 29th
- Academic All Big Ten
2023 to 2024 Freshman Season
- Made her collegiate debut at the Tulane Classic
- Competed as an individual and tied for 72nd
- Recorded a 79.00 scoring average across three rounds
- Earned Dean’s List recognition during the spring semester
Interview Highlights with CGN+
Family and introduction to golf
Peters grew up in the Quad Cities and learned golf through her father and grandfather. Her father played collegiate golf at St. Ambrose University. Family trips to the driving range and short game area introduced her to the sport at an early age.
Volleyball and leadership
Before focusing on golf, Peters competed in volleyball and helped Pleasant Valley win the 2021 state championship. She credited volleyball with teaching her time management, communication and the importance of team culture. Those experiences now influence her leadership within Iowa’s women’s golf program.
High school success
Peters helped Pleasant Valley capture the state golf championship during her senior year while finishing third individually. She recalled celebrating the title with teammates and returning to school with a police escort as a memorable conclusion to her high school career.
2023 Iowa Junior Amateur victory
Peters won the Iowa Junior Amateur Championship with rounds of 73, 72 and 72 for a one over 217. She viewed the victory as an opportunity to demonstrate her ability against strong competition before beginning college.
Starting at Iowa as a walk on
Peters entered Iowa without a golf scholarship and approached her freshman season determined to earn her place on the team. She recalled the nerves of her first collegiate qualifying competition, which included her first experience playing 36 holes in one day.
Improvement through competitive rounds
Peters attributed much of her scoring improvement to playing more golf during the summers. Rather than relying exclusively on lengthy practice sessions, she regularly played 18 or 36 holes while working at a country club. She explained that competing on the course helped improve her decision making, shot selection and ability to avoid costly mistakes.
Diane Thomason Invitational championship
Peters finished third at the 2026 Diane Thomason Invitational as Iowa captured the team title. The tournament was particularly meaningful because it took place at the course where she had worked for four summers. Friends and family attended, giving her an opportunity to celebrate the victory with both her teammates and supporters from home.
Senior leadership and team culture
Peters emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment for Iowa’s younger golfers. She connected that responsibility to lessons from volleyball and described the team’s early season tournament victory as especially rewarding for its newer members.
Academic plans and future eligibility
Peters is studying biomedical engineering and plans to remain at Iowa to pursue a master’s degree in business analytics. She has discussed the possibility of a fifth year of golf eligibility with her coaches but has not made a final decision.
