—Submitted photo Iowa central golf coach kris graewin stands at hole nine at the Country Club with Minnesota Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Kris Graewin is a native of Wisconsin, but as far as his NFL allegiance goes, it belongs to the Minnesota Vikings.

Graewin, the head golf coach at Iowa Central, enjoyed a round on the links at the Fort Dodge Country Club on Tuesday with current Viking quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Maryann Cousins, Kirk’s mother, grew up in Fort Dodge, and his grandfather, Dr. Ralph Woodard, was a standout at the University of Iowa on the gridiron before returning home for a 36-year medical career.

Dr. Woodard, a 1945 FDSH grad who died in 2014, is in the Dodger Athletic Hall of Fame. He actively practiced medicine in Fort Dodge from 1959 and through 1995, and was once chief of surgery at Trinity Regional Hospital.

Martha Woodard, also a ’45 grad who had a degree from Iowa State University, passed awy in 2018.

“It was such a cool experience getting to play a round of golf with an NFL Pro Bowler,” Graewin said. “For being such a high profile athlete, he was very down to earth and asked a ton of questions about Iowa Central.

“He’s a big fan of Fort Dodge and loves Dodger Stadium. Kirk birdied the sixth hole but I was able to best him on the round.”

Graewin said Cousins arrived at the course and he offered to join him on the first tee. They played the front nine together.

The 33-year-old Cousins was born in Barrington, Illinois and attended high school in Michigan where he played football, basketball and baseball. He played at Michigan State University before being selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Cousins, a three-time Pro Bowl pick and the NFL completion percentage leader in 2015, joined the Vikings in 2018. He has thrown for over 32,000 yards and 223 touchdowns during his career.

Graewin, who was just finishing practice with his players before heading to the FDCC, will take two qualifiers to the NJCAA Div. II Championships May 17-20 in Joplin, Missouri in Justin Schipper and Liam Ross.

Last year, the Tritons placed a program-best fourth at nationals.