Hall of Fame Classes
Iowa Golf Hall of Fame
Ann Griffel
Ann Griffel's wide-ranging contributions to golf in Iowa include her role as a player, a volunteer and administrator and benefactor. "I doubt that there is another individual who had had a greater impact upon women's golf in Iowa than Ann,'' said Jill Blackwood, president of the Iowa Women's Golf Association. When the IWGA was chartered in 1955, Ann was one of the first members. She was elected president of the organization in 1962, and served in that capacity for 23 years. Under her watch, the IWGA drove down new avenues of opportunity. The Girls' State Junior, the State Husband and Wife, the Forever 39 and the Senior Women's Championship were all started during Ann's term of office. Griffel served as chair for the State Husband and Wife tournament from 1961 to 1965. The tournament was believed to be one of the largest in the nation contested on one course, reaching a high-water mark of better than 500 participants.
The first Forever 39 was held in 1964. Ann won the title in 1973, 1974 and 1979 and was a five-time runner-up. The senior event began in 1966. Ann won seven times between 1967 and 1979. The IWGA started presenting scholarships to Iowa high school seniors in 1966. They were renamed the "Ann Griffel Scholarship Awards'' in her honor in 1985. "Ann's contributions to the IWGA were immeasurable,'' Blackwood said. "The tournaments that she started are still enjoyed by the women in Iowa. The IWGA needed someone with Ann's initiative, foresight, leadership and character and was very fortunate to have her guidance for 23 years.'' (Courtesy of Rick Brown)
Career Highlights
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President of the IWGA for 23 years (1962-1985)
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The IWGA Scholarship for high school students was named the Ann Griffel Scholarship in 1985.
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3 time winner of the Forever 39
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7 time winner of the Iowa Women’s Senior Amateur
To see Ann Griffel's nomination letter for the Bob Jones Award click here
May 28 - June 1
Discount for IGA Members
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