Month: July 2018

Follow Iowans at U.S. Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur

iowagolfJuly 16, 20180 commentsUSGA

A pair of Iowans will represent the state at the U.S. Junior and Girls Junior Amateur this year. Jake Marvelli (above), Indianola, is participating at the U.S. Junior Amateur this week being held at Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J. Marvelli was the lone qualifier from Cedar Rapids Country Club on June 18.

Ames’ Britta Snyder (right) posted a 69 (-3) to capture medalist honors at the U.S. Girls’ Junior qualifier earlier this summer at Pioneer Creek Golf Course, Maple Plain, MN. Snyder will represent Iowa at the 2018 U.S. Girls’ Junior that is being contested this week at Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach, Calif.

Click here to follow Jake Marvelli

Click here to follow Britta Snyder

Follow the 115th Trans-Miss Amateur

iowagolfJuly 10, 20180 commentsNews

To help commemorate the 60th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’s first Trans-Mississippi Amateur victory, this year’s 115th playing of the championship travels to the Golden Bear’s hometown. From July 10-13, the 72-hole, stroke play event takes place at Brookside Golf & Country Club, a classic parkland course that promises to challenge the top amateurs in the country. Several players with Iowa ties are in the field.

Nicklaus, golf’s all-time major championship winner with 18 Grand Slam titles, won the 1958 Trans-Miss Amateur at Prairie Dunes Golf Club, which happened to be the site of last summer’s championship won by Cameron Champ. Nicklaus won the Trans-Miss Amateur in ’59, too, when he outlasted Deane Beman at Woodhill Country Club. Beman went on to win four times on the PGA Tour before he became the tour’s second commissioner in 1974.

Nicklaus, of course, proceeded to pile up 73 PGA Tour wins and 117 professional victories worldwide, including a record six Masters wins.

Brookside, an old-school parkland course built in 1927 by Charles Lorms, will welcome an elite field that includes 27 players in the top 300 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Just a short iron away from Jack’s celebrated Muirfield Village Golf Club, Brookside has a rich history as a testing ground and entry point for our nation’s oldest championship.

For 13 of the past 15 years, Brookside has hosted some of the strongest fields for U.S. Open sectional qualifying. On more than one occasion, the eventual U.S. Open Champion played his sectional qualifier at Brookside. Most recently, Lucas Glover won the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black after earning his way into the tournament through Brookside. Steve Jones did the same thing in 1996 when he punched his ticket into the U.S. Open at Brookside, and then won the national championship two weeks later at Oakland Hills.

Brookside also played host to the 2000 and 2012 Ohio Amateur Championship. Future British Open champion Ben Curtis won the 2000 version, just three years prior to hoisting the Claret Jug at Royal St George’s.

Click here to follow live scoring

Gradoville/Seiser, Kubesheski/Grady go wire-to-wire at 8th IGA Women’s Four-Ball

iowagolfJuly 10, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

With temperatures nearing 100°, players not only faced another day of intense competition, but the heat as well.

Anne Gradoville and Paige Seiser’s second round score of 68 (-3) proved to be just enough to outrun the Open Division field by one stroke. Their blemish-free path to the top included 10 birdies and 26 pars (-10).

The twin duo of Hailey and Hannah Bermel (Cedar Falls) started the final round four shots off the front-runners, but an eagle and five birdies propelled them up the leaderboard to a second place finish at 133 (-9). The twins had five birdies and an eagle in their final round.

Despite scorching temperatures Rose Kubesheski and Margene Grady kept their cool Monday posting a 77 (+6) and finish the championship at 145 (+3). One birdie in the final round helped sustain their lead in the Senior Division. Only one stroke behind with a 146, Nancy Olberding and Beth Duenow finished in second place.

In the Open – NET Division Kelly Grimes and Sue Harmon posted a 125 (-17) and Emily Snelling and Sarah McMichael placed second with a 128 (-14). In the Senior – NET Division Carolyn LaRue and Jean Burch finished 20-under par at 122. Ardrae Parmenter and Noreen Christians followed close behind with a 123 (-19).

Click here for a full recap of scores

Lindwall & Ott share medalist honors, Bull wins playoff for last U.S. Amateur qualifying spot

iowagolfJuly 10, 20180 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

It was a marathon day at Beaver Hills Country Club during Monday’s U.S. Amateur Qualifier. Players battled high temperatures and fatigue over 36 holes of golf in Cedar Falls.

Harrison Ott (Brookfield, WI) and Cedar Rapids’ Frank Lindwall (pictured above – Ott on the left) would share medalist honors at 141 (-3). Both players shot 73 (+1) in the morning round and followed that back up with 68s (-4) in the afternoon. Scores were not as low as some, including Lindwall, predicted in the morning round

“I figured four or five-under on this course would be leading in the morning,” Lindwall said. “When I saw 70 was low, I thought if I could shoot a few under on the second round, I would have a chance. It feels good to qualify. I just tried to stay positive and patient. I felt a little off, I didn’t drive it real well. I was able to make some key putts in the second round. I’ve been playing well the last few months and knew I was good enough. I tried to control what I could control.”

Dennis Bull (right), of Norwalk, captured the final qualifying spot in the playoff over Dusty Drenth, of Davenport. Both players posted 142 (-2). A birdie on the first playoff hole would be the difference for Bull and punch his ticket to the U.S. Amateur. This year’s U.S. Amateur will be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California.

Bull admitted after his playoff victory he didn’t have his best stuff for most of the day.

“I was not playing well today, but just tried to hang on this morning,” Bull said. “It was manageable in the afternoon, I just didn’t make many putts. This day, you have to remember, is a shot here and a shot there. When I found out I was in the playoff it was energizing. I am exhausted, but it was awesome. It was a gritty day, I thought if I could shoot even in the morning, I might have a chance in the afternoon. A day like this is a marathon. I am not 20 anymore, I remember those days, you feel like you can run through a wall at that age.”

Drenth will be 1st alternate and Wes Buntenbach earned the 2nd alternate spot with his own playoff win over Sam Vincent.

Click here for a full recap of scores

Gradoville/Seiser lead Open Division; Kubesheski/Grady top Senior Division

iowagolfJuly 9, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

The 8th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship began Sunday, July 8 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny. A total of 14 teams competed in the Open Division and 15 in the Senior Division.

Reigning champ, Karli Kerrigan (Ankeny) was back with new partner Sydney Eaton (Mason City). Senior Division winners from last year, Rose Kubesheski (Dubuque)/Margene Grady (Cedar Falls), were also in action hoping to clinch another win.

After the first day of 18 holes the duo of Anne Gradoville (Des Moines)/Paige Seiser (Waukee) took the lead with a 64. Madelyn Hawkins (Asbury)/Sarah Nacos (Washington) and Rachele Miller (Princeton)/Allison Miller (Princeton) are two strokes back with 66.

In the Senior Division after the first round Kubesheski/Grady were back at it firing a 3-under par, 68, putting them in the lead. Nancy Olberding (Cedar Rapids)/Beth Duenow (Saint Ansgar) finished with a solid 72, for second place.

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Iowa Amateur Qualifiers Canceled

iowagolfJuly 6, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

The qualifying events for the 116th Iowa Amateur Championship have been canceled. All players originally enrolled in qualifying will be advanced to the championship proper at Tournament Club of Iowa on July 23 – 25.

The IGA accepted 139 entries through the deadline of July 5th. We will accept up to 144 total entries before beginning a waitlist. Those from the waitlist will be added to the field as other players withdraw.

Players who signed up for qualifying at the $85 fee are required to pay the remaining $65 fee to bring their entry fee to the full $150 amount. They can do that by clicking here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1271147

Groupings and Starting Times for the 116th Iowa Amateur will be released by Tuesday, July 17th.

U.S. Amateur Qualifying

iowagolfJuly 5, 20180 commentsUncategorized

Follow the action on Monday, July 9th at Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls as 84 players vie for three (3) qualifying spots into the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The 84 players is the most at the Iowa U.S. Amateur qualifier since at least 2002. In all, 7,463 players have entered the U.S. Amateur, including 43 of the top 50 amateurs in the current World Amateur Golf Rankings. Iowa’s Mike McCoy is exempt from qualifying, thanks to his victory in the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

312 players will make the field at Pebble Beach where they will face 36-holes of stroke play to determine the low 64 players who will make up the match play draw. The 36-hole championship match is scheduled for August 19th. You can view the action Aug 15, 16 & 17 on Fox Sports 1 and August 18 and 19 on Fox.

Click here to follow the Iowa qualifier.

Brown wins record third IGA Match Play title

iowagolfJuly 3, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play

Jon Brown (right) added another IGA Match Play title to his list of accomplishments. Truth be told, no one has ever won two of them and Brown has put his name on the match play trophy a total of three times.

Brown, the #10 seed following a qualifying round of 71 (-1), knocked off John Mey (5&4) and Cody Holck (3&2) in his first two matches of the week. Brown then went toe to toe with Gene Elliott, where he finally coming out on top after 19 holes.

As if 19 holes weren’t enough in the Round of 16, Brown defeated #2 seed Dennis Bull in 20 holes. Brown fought cramps during the round throughout his body, including his hands during the quarterfinal match against Bull.

“To be beat Gene and Denny (on Friday) that was so special,” Brown said. “It was such a boost of confidence. I did find a little something in my game these last couple weeks. I didn’t play any tournaments, I was just hitting balls. I was working hard on my game and something started to feel good.”

Brown would then meet Matthew Walker, who had only one of his matches reach the 14th hole during his own run to the semifinals. Brown would defeat Walker 4&3, thanks in part to a bushel basket of birdies. A lengthly birdie on the 15th hole would ultimately end the match and leave Walker scratching his head in defeat.

“I came in with some confidence,” Brown said. “But you never know what match play. It’s all about putting and my putting has been all over the place the last couple years. I putted well against Matthew in the morning (on Saturday).

In a back and forth final match, which looked to be anyone’s to win throughout the whole round, Brown would get past Frank Lindwall 1 up. Brown’s up and down for birdie on the Par 5 18th hole proved to be the difference. Lindwall, who defeated J.D. Anderson (5&4) in his semifinal match, gave Brown all he could handle in the finals.

“My speed (on the greens) was good and I was seeing the line today,” Brown said. “Conditions changed this afternoon (against Frank), I just wasn’t quite as on, but I was able to still be pretty good. Frank and I had a great match. I missed a short putt on #16 and wondered if I would get a chance like that again. Things just worked out in my favor.”

Click here for a full recap of scoring & matches.

Eaton wins 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship

iowagolfJuly 3, 20180 commentsChampionships, Wmn's Match Play

Mason City’s Sydney Eaton (above), a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa, made the trek south to The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, near Moravia, and left with the trophy from the 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Eaton, the #2 seed into match play following a qualifying score of 72 (E), defeated Michelle Klein (9&7) and Karli Kerrigan (19 holes) before dispatching Tenley Moretti in the finals, 3&2.

“I knew coming into this event there was such great competition,” Eaton said. “To win holes, you would have to make birdie. I felt good about all part of my game (coming into this week) and my putting has been as good as ever. I felt really conformable on this course, I never had to really scramble this week.”

Click here for a full recap of the event.

Iowa Golf Association Partners With Affinity Travel Benefits

iowagolfJuly 3, 20180 commentsNews

Now Offering Massive Discounts On Hotel Lodging, Movies & More!

The Iowa Golf Association announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Affinity Travel Benefits, a leading edge, online travel aggregation platform providing exclusive discounts up to 70% off retail rates at hotels and resort properties.

Affinity has obtained heavily discounted rates that are not available to the public on travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Trivago, and Orbitz so your next hotel booking is guaranteed to be the lowest rate on the internet. As a member of IGA you will now have access, in addition to hotel price savings, other discounts include different theme and water parks across the country, movie tickets, sports and concert tickets, and, of course, hotel deals, both national and international.

“We are delighted that the International Association Of Golf Administrators put together an over-arching agreement allowing each State Association a simple and quick path for bringing travel discounts to members and players. Members of golf associations travel for many reasons. Offering a guaranteed low-price hotel room adds immense value to a growing association and its membership benefit programs. Our philosophy is to promote our client’s brand, deliver exceptional service, and share revenue to make this partnership win-win”, says Stephen Boyd, President of Affinity.

ABOUT THE IOWA GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Iowa Golf Association is the governing body for golf in the state of Iowa and exists as a non-profit organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the best interests and spirit of the game. As “caretakers” of the game we work to preserve the rich history of golf in our state and to provide numerous services that benefit all that play the game in Iowa.

ABOUT AFFINITY TRAVEL BENEFITS
Affinity Travel Benefits operates a leading-edge, online travel and entertainment aggregation platform with travel opportunities available to over 700,000 hotels and vacation rental properties globally. Leveraging a vast and established network of hospitality properties, travel wholesalers, and bulk travel buyers, Affinity’s data center delivers real-time streaming of highly discounted, “unpublished” and exclusive rates on hotels and resort properties. Affinity is a one-stop shop for its partners and members and always operates under a Lowest Rate Guarantee Policy.