2018 Yearbook

30 Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Mason City CC, Mason City June 18-19 The Championship Bracket was exactly that at this year’s Forever 39 Championship with eight past IGA victors in the field, all dueling on the traditional track of Mason City Country Club. Schwartzkopf’s lucky (forever) 39 qualifying round landed her the sixth seed, pairing her against 2017 IGA Women’s Player of the Year Julie Buerman of Cedar Rapids. “I told myself I was going to go out there and do my best, but it would likely be it for me.” The play- ing career of Buerman would leave anyone weary of a head-to-head match, but Schwartzkopf stuck to her game plan and played conservative golf. The match was a battle from start to finish, so much so that it required a tenth hole to decide the result. “On the last hole I hit my tee shot straight and Julie hit hers in the left rough. My second shot also was down the middle and Julie hit a nice one, but it carried through the fairway and into the rough on the right. I chipped my third up close and Julie missed the green. I made my putt and that sealed the match.” said Schwartzkopf. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the bracket, another upset was taking place as Nancy Olberding of Cedar Rapids defeated the qualifying round medalist Beth Duenow on their final hole 1 up. The first round proved to be competitive and thrill- ing with every match continuing to the 9th or 10th hole and resulting in an underdog win. On the second day of the competition Schwartzkopf faced 2009 champion, Kelly Grimes, in the semi-finals. Similar to the first, it was a tough fought match. “At one point I was 2 up and thought ‘I have this’ but then Kelly made a couple amazing putts to get right back in it.” said Schwartkopf. Like the first match, Schwartkopf’s consistent ball strik- ing paid off down the home stretch. Schwartzkopf prevails at 55th Forever 39 Beth Duenow “Similar to my match with Julie I hit the ball down the middle off the tee and Kelly missed the fairway. I was able to stay out of trouble when it counted and that ultimately won me the match.” On the top half of the bracket Kelly Nelson of Waterloo secured her place in the final match, for the second consecutive year, by defeated Olberding 3 & 2. “I knew this would be a tough match because Kelly was coming off a strong win against Olberding where she made several birdies and posted a 37,” said Schwartz- kopf. Schwartzkopf and Nelson had an even start to their final match, tossing the lead back and forth as they moved through the back nine. The match was all square as they stood on the 16th tee (their 7th hole) but a series of made putts by Schwartkopf on their final holes proved to be crucial. “I hit the ball very consistent, but the key was I made the putts when I needed to make the putts,” she said. Schwartzkopf went on to win the sixteenth and sev- enteenth hole to seal the match 2 & 1. “I’m still in awe and amazed at the result”, said Schwartzkopf In addition, Jennifer Corkrean of Ankeny won the First Flight bracket over Carroll Dethrow of Nevada and Nicki Clayton of Greenfield won the Second Flight bracket over Becky Schwiete of Ankeny. Lora Winter (L) and Sue Harmon