Year: 2019

Leszczynski, Duenow share lead 54th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur


The first round of the 54th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur took place today at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah. Perfect weather allowed for ideal scoring conditions as two women stand atop the leaderboard. Defending champion, Laura Leszczynski (pictured above), Saint Mary’s, and Beth Duenow, Saint Ansgar, each fired 4 over par 76’s. Leszczynski’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 8th, where she holed out from 100 yards.

In the Super Senior Division, Beth Duenow leads the way with a 76. Jeanette Frederickson, Cedar Falls, and Janis Owens, Creston, are close behind after carding first round 78’s. Duenow birdied the par-5 18th to extend her lead to two going into tomorrow. Frederickson also had an exciting finish of her own after making a birdie on both 17 and 18.

For complete scoring, click here. Round two will take place on Monday, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Elliott finishes runner-up at British Senior Amateur, Palmer & McCoy tie for 19th

Iowa’s Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, Mike McCoy, of Norwalk, and Joe Palmer, of West Des Moines, all competed in the 2019 Senior Amateur Championship this week which began on Wednesday. The championship was held July 31-August 2 at the historic North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. The field of 144 played 18 holes both Wednesday and Thursday, with the low 60 players & ties advancing to the final round on Friday.

All three Iowans not only made the cut but finished well, with Elliott finishing runner-up after a three-hole playoff with eventual champion Craig Davis. Davis made birdie on the third playoff hole to win the title. Elliott posted rounds of 70-67-70 – 207 (-9). McCoy and Palmer both finished at 214 (-2) to tie for 19th place.

Elliott, Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member, finished as the low amateur last week at the 2019 British Senior Open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s Golf Club. He has excelled in this event in prior years, finishing in third place in 2018 at Royal Porthcawl and as the Runner-Up in 2017 at Sunningdale. He has won the Iowa Men’s Player of the Year title four times, and the Senior Player of the Year title three times.

McCoy, 11-time Iowa Men’s Player of the Year, was the low-amateur at this year’s US Senior Open in South Bend, Ind. He is Iowa’s most decorated amateur, with his career highlights including his victory at the 2013 US Mid-Amateur Championship, competing in the 2014 Masters Tournament and earning a spot on the 2015 Walker Cup Team. He has won the Iowa Amateur Championship six times, and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

Palmer, 2018 Iowa Senior Player of the Year, competed in the Senior Amateur Championship for his first time. He placed third in the stroke play qualifying and advanced to the Round of 32 in the US Senior Amateur Championship in 2018 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore. He has won the Iowa Senior Amateur title three times and has made multiple USGA Championship appearances, including the 2006 US Mid-Amateur and the 2014 US Senior Open.

To see a recap of championship scoring click here.

U.S. Senior Amateur, Senior Women’s Amateur Sectional Qualifier held at CRCC

Sam Billmeyer (above), of Ankeny, IA, punched his ticket to the 2019 U.S. Senior Amateur after firing an even par 72 at Cedar Rapids Country Club. Billmeyer’s round was highlighted by four consecutive birdies on holes three through six which helped him make the turn in 3 under par 33. James Butler, of Fort Madison, IA, also shot 72. Butler had two birdies on the day, coming on the 3rd and 8th holes. With his runner-up finish, he claims the first alternate spot.

The U.S. Senior Amateur will take place August 24-29 at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

 

From left – Leeann Fairlie, Therese Quinn and Susan Marchese.

Heidi Person (left)

Sixteen women from across the United States teed it up today for a chance to make it to the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur. With four spots on the line, Therese Quinn, Jacksonville, FL, Heidi Person, Pauma Valley, CA, Leeann Fairlie, Oklahoma City, OK, and Susan Marchese, Omaha, NE, all punched their tickets to the national championship. Therese Quinn fired a 7 over par 79 to claim medalist honors. Her round was highlighted by a birdie on the 10th hole. Heidi Person shot a 9 over par 81, Leeann Fairlie and Susan Marchese both shot 10 par over 82.

The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur will take place August 24-29 at Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Follow USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying (Men’s & Women’s)

JULY 30 – Cedar Rapids Country Club plays host to two USGA Senior Amateur qualifiers today, one for men and one for women.

22 men will be vying for one qualifying spot while 16 ladies will play for four positions into their national championship.  The women’s national championship will also be hosted by Cedar Rapids Country Club from August 24 thru 29.  The men’s championship will be held at Old Chatham GC in Durham, North Carolina over the same dates.

Women’s qualifying will begin at 8:00 a.m. while the first men’s group will tee off at 9:20 a.m.

You can view tee times and results for both qualifiers using the links below.

Women’s USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying

Men’s USGA Senior Amateur Qualifying

Jon Brown wins 117th Iowa Amateur Championship on fourth playoff hole

It took four playoff holes, but Jon Brown (pictured right) weathered the storm and came out on top at the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship played at The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center. This is Brown’s second Iowa Amateur Championship, winning in 2006 as well.

After both finished at 208 (-5) for 54-holes, Jordan Even and Brown locked horns in a playoff duel. Both players made two-putt pars on the first playoff hole (#18) and then Even made an incredible up and down for par on the second playoff hole (#17), after hitting his drive into the right fescue. Brown had a putt for birdie after hitting it close, only to have it to slide by.

On the third playoff hole, both players missed the green, with Brown finding the bunker with an awkward stance. Neither was able get up and down for par, with Even’s par lipping out.

On the fourth playoff hole (#17) Brown’s par won the playoff against Even’s six. Even’s six included a two-stroke penalty for tapping down a pitch mark on the fringe that was on his line of play prior to playing his third shot from off the green.

“This gives me goosebumps,” Brown said following his playoff victory. “This means the world to me. I won the match play last year and I thought that might be the last ‘big’ one I win. These kids are so tough and it’s tough to win these. To win a second (Iowa Amateur), I am just thrilled.”

Even’s 68 (-3) in the final round tied for the low round of the day.  It included six birdies. Brown’s final round (71) featured three birdies to go against three bogeys. Charles Jahn, who held the 36-hole lead, finished in third place after a 73 (+2) in the final round to finish at 209 (-4), just a stroke out of the playoff.

Click here to see a full recap of scoring from the championship.

Jahn shoots 66 (-5) in second round, leads 117th Iowa Amateur Championship

Charles Jahn wasted little time climbing the leaderboard in the second round of the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship being played at The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center.

Jahn, who opened with 70 (-1) yesterday, posted a round of 66 (-5) this morning, which included a total of seven birdies.

“I was able to take advantage of the par 5s today,” Jahn said. “They are all pretty reachable for me. I hit my driver really well and I was getting 30-40 yards of roll out there. I was able to hit some approach shots close (as well). You can’t give yourself a lot of long putts, because these greens are so fast.”

Jon Brown, who won the Iowa Amateur in 2006 at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, sits just a shot back at -5 through two rounds. The Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member, Brown, birdied six holes in his second round.

“I made my share (of putts) today,” Brown said. “It was a different day, the greens were softer for me yesterday. I was happy with the way I played. It’s great to be in the final group. There are a lot of guys that are a shot or two back. I have no idea what it will take tomorrow. It will be a fun day.”

Logan Schweinefus and first round co-leader Cody Holck are three shots back of Jahn, at -3 through 36-holes.

Hot Round – Clive’s Hank Weresh put together a blistering round of his own with a 66 (-5), which included a total of eight birdies. Weresh is four shots back of Jahn’s lead.

“I was just trying to recover from yesterday’s round (74),” Weresh said. “I started making putts and not thinking too much today. I came in too focused yesterday, so I will keep it loose tomorrow (in the final round).”

A total of 60 players made the cut and will play the final round on Sunday.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Packed leaderboard at 117th Iowa Amateur Championship

With relatively moderate wind conditions for most of the day, The Ridge Golf Club was the sight of some good rounds of golf in the opening round of the 117th Iowa Amateur.

Nine players broke par on a day that was made for golf with sunny skies and the afore mentioned calm conditions, which are rare for The Ridge.  Leading the pack is Indianola’s Jake Marvelli and Grimes’ Cody Holck at 68 (-3).

Marvelli, who played in the morning wave, commented that he felt pretty good about his opening round.

“It was a successful day,” Marvelli said. “I struck the ball well and only missed 2 or 3 fairways. It seemed to go my way today. The greens are so fast, you can’t try and make 30-footers. Hitting fairways and greens will be key this week.”

Holck said he was very happy with his ball striking effort today.

“I’ve hit it really well this past week or so,” Holck said. “Making some putts (today) helped too. I hit it close on a couple holes, that make its easy. Anyone keeping it under par all three days will have a good shot (at winning this tournament).”

Jon Brown (Adel), Corey Matthey (Sergeant Bluff) and Ben Epperly (West Des Moines) sit just a shot back of the lead, after opening with 69 (-2).

“I was hitting my approach shots well today,” Epperly said. “I am going to try and relax (tonight) and come back at it tomorrow.”

Brown admitted he was overall pleased with his round in the morning.

“We were fortunate the wind wasn’t howling out there,” Brown said. “It normally can out here. I had a great day. The golf course and its condition is fantastic. It’s so much fun to play. I hit the ball solid, but made a couple silly mistakes. I was burning edges and then all of sudden birdied three (holes) in a row. It was a good start (going into the weekend).

Click here for a full recap of scoring from Round One.

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, Lifetime IGA Board Member George Turner passes away

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame and IGA Lifetime Board Member George Turner passed away on the morning of July 25th at Taylor Hospice.

Services will be Monday Aug 5th, 3:00 p.m – St. Lukes Church – Forrest Ave in Des Moines, with a reception following service at Waveland Golf Course Clubhouse. Click here to read an obituary for Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Iowa Golf Foundation (1605 N. Ankeny Blvd, Suite 210, Ankeny, IA 50023) or Taylor House Hospice (3401 E Douglas, Des Moines, IA 50317).

Turner’s contributions to Iowa golf have come both on and off the golf course. From his victories in two designated major championships — the 1965 Northwest Amateur and the 1969 Fort Dodge Amateur — to countless other amateur events, Turner’s name is well-known in Iowa. Turner’s other wins include the Iowa Golf Association State Seniors title in 1989, the Iowa Golf Association State Masters title in 1990, the Iowa Golf Association State Senior Amateur title (70 years-over) in 2002, and the Des Moines Senior Open title in 2005. Turner qualified for and played in the 1981, 1984 and 1993 U.S. Senior Open and the 1988, 1990 and 1991 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Turner was a lifetime member of the IGA Board of Directors and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Off the course, George has been an Iowa Golf Association volunteer for decades, helping run numerous events. George and John Nervig took over operations of the Iowa Masters from the late Harry Burrell 30+ years ago.

The Iowa Golf Association named its distinguished service award after Turner in 2003. It is given annually to individuals who – like George – have given back to the game through years of volunteer service.

Des Moines Mens City, Junior Am Championship Entries Open

Entries to the Des Moines Mens City Championship and the Des Moines Junior Championship are now being accepted.  Click the links for more info on each.

Click here to view information on the Junior Championship.

Junior Metro Championship
August 12-13
Bright-Grandview Golf Course
Des Moines

Click here to view information on the Men’s City Championship.

Men’s City Championship
August 16-18
Waveland Golf Course
Des Moines

Hoffman fires final round 68 (-3), wins 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur by four

West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman (pictured right) left little to chance in the final round of the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship. Hoffman, who entered the final round at Otter Creek Golf Course, fired a 68 (-3) to pull away from the field and win by four shots.

“It was just one of those days when everything works out,” Hoffman said. “Actually on the front nine I was hitting my irons really well and missed a couple birdie putts (I should of made). I didn’t get mad, I was one under on the front and was still happy.”

Hoffman, who admitted she made some putts when she really needed to, especially on the back nine to keep her momentum going, made a total of five birdies on the day.

“The (birdie) putt on #10 got me to -2,” Hoffman said. “I was starting to think I could win this, but then I remembered I needed to just take it one shot at a time. It wasn’t time to think about winning. You can’t get ahead of yourself, that’s where the big numbers come from.”

A trio of players tied for runner-up, including defending champion Sierra Hargens (Cedar Rapids), Joy Chou (Ames) and Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (Ames), who all shot +1 for the three-day event.

In the Open Division, Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson (right) posted a final round 78 to finish two strokes ahead of Janece Schwartzkopf, of Stuart.

Click here for a full recap of scoring

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