2018 Yearbook

52 Herman Sani Tournament Hyperion Field Club, Johnston August 10-12 It took an amazing shot for Zach Steffen to finally outlast Broc Everett and J.D. Anderson for the 69th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enter- prises title. Steffen, a pro from Des Moines, defeated Everett and Anderson on the first playoff hole after the trio finished the 54-hole event tied at 13-under par 203 at Hyperion Field Club. His birdie on the 18th hole was due mostly to a fantastic second shot after he pulled his tee shot left on the short par-4. He hit a towering wedge shot from the rough under one tree and over another and burned the edge of the hole as it rolled past about four feet. After Everett and Anderson narrow- ly missed their birdie opportunities, Steffen was able to convert his short but tricky putt for the win. “In regulation I hit three wood (on 18) and was too close to the green to spin it,” Steffen said. “In the playoff I hit hybrid and hooked it a little. I got a break where I was at and could get under one tree and over the next. I have practiced that shot a lot and can hit a really high 60 degree (wedge). I had a good number and the ball hit the front and almost went in they said. I was hoping it wasn’t six feet above the hole because I know how fast it is, but I was fortunate enough to make it.” Steffen would post a final round 66 (-6) to catch Ev- erett, who was the leader heading into the final round, and Anderson, who started the day two back. Steffen was four back going into the final 18. Sperry’s Charles Jahn joined Everett and Anderson in the final group- ing, as he started three behind. Jahn, an amateur who plays at Bradley University, would post a final round 72 to finish tied for 5th. Everett, from West Des Moines, won the individual NCAA championship earlier in the spring while com- peting for Augusta University but had turned pro shortly thereafter. Anderson was the lone amateur in the playoff and could take some solace in knowing he Steffen outlasts Anderson, Everett in Playoff had earned low-amateur honors. Completing the top five was Denzel Ieremia from New Zealand. Ieremia re- cently finished his senior season at Iowa State and shot a final round 67 to finish alone in fourth. In the Senior Division, Joe Palmer of West Des Moines would claim another victory at the Herman Sani. He fired a final round 68 (-4) to earn a two shot win over Rob Dickerman of Mar- ion. Palmer’s final round featured a terrific final nine that included birdies on 10, 11, 15 and 17. The win was the third for Palmer in the Senior Divi- sion of “The Sani”, including his second in a row. His previous two victories both came at Echo Valley CC, in 2013 and 2017. A Super Senior Division was held for the first time in 2018 and it should prob- ably come as no surprise that Rob Christensen came out victorious. Christensen, of Marshalltown, won the first IGA Super Senior (age 65+) Player of the Year award in 2017 and would earn that distinction again in 2018. He finished the championship at just 1-over par 217 (74-69-74), good enough for a four shot win over David Sergeant of Fort Dodge. Super Senior Champion Rob Christensen (R) with Sani Scholar Selection Committee Chairman Steve Jermier Low Amateur J.D. Anderson Senior Champ Joe Palmer