Gene Elliott (above), Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member of West Des Moines, captured his fourth IGA Senior Match Play crown on Saturday. He defeated Terry Cook of West Des Moines 3 & 2 in the championship match.
Elliott took command early in the final match by winning holes 2 thru 5 and then hole 7 to 5 up. After Cook won the 8th hole, Elliott won the 10th to go back to 5 up, which was plenty to withstand the run Cook made near the end by winning two out of three holes (12 & 14). Ties at 15 and 16 secured the championship for Elliott.
Elliott advanced to the finals by defeated #1 seed Tony Newkirk of Pleasant Hill in the semifinals. Elliott came out on top by a margin of 5 & 4. Cook defeated Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jon Brown of Adel in his semifinal match. A birdie on the first extra hole propelled him into the championship match.
Steve Kahler (left) of Marion is the Super Senior bracket champion. Kahler outsted Mark Hogenson of Cedar Rapids in the championship match 2 & 1.
Kahler took control early winning the first two holes. He would make the turn 3 up in the match and would remain 3 up thru 12. Hogenson then made his move, winning 14 and 15 to get within a hole. Kahler slowed the momentum by halving the 16th hole, then won the 17th to take the match.
Matt Weresh (bottom right) of Clive earned the President’s Bracket title by defeating Brian Persson of Elk Run Heights by a 4 & 3 margin. Marty Goetz of Marion defeated Doug Bryant 6 & 5 to win the Vice President’s bracket.
After consulting with the Bos Landen Golf Club superintendent and viewing the damage to the golf course we have decided to cancel the 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship for the next two days. The course received an additional 2 inches of rain since last night and has taken on nearly 7 inches since the middle of the week. There is more rain expected which looks to add to that total.
IGA Four-Ball Rescheduled We wanted wanted to inform players that the rescheduled date for the IGA Four-Ball Championship is going to be September 6-7. The championship will still be held at Bos Landen Golf Club.
If you know for sure that those dates will NOT work out please let us know and we will make sure to get you a refund. If you aren’t quite sure yet we recommend you hold off on withdrawing until you know for sure.
If you are definitely planning on playing we will hold your entry fee and keep you in the field. Please feel free to give us a call this week at 515-207-1062 to inform us of any change. Thank you for your understanding and we hope this date works out for many of you.
Stocking caps and jackets were the order of the day on a cold and windy Sunday at Green Valley Golf Club.
The weather, however, didn’t seem to affect Tyler Danke (pictured right), who stormed from behind to win the 15th Tri-State Masters by one shot.
With temperatures in the 40s and a strong wind that made it feel even colder than it was, Danke turned in the only sub-par round of the day with a 2-under 70. That was good enough for a one-stroke win over defending champion Adam Fields.
Two IGA Additional Sanctioned Point Events are taking place this weekend.
The Tri-State Masters – played over three courses in the Sioux City area – gets underway on Friday, May 17th and finishes on Sunday, May 19th. You can follow the find scores and tee times by clicking this link.
The Southeast Iowa Amateur at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake is contested over Saturday and Sunday, May 18th and 19th. Follow the action here.
Dennis Bull (pictured above), of Norwalk, had the mindset to stay patient and see where the chips fell at the end of the day. Thankfully for Bull the chips fell in his favor with the help of solid golf in the final round of the 32nd Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship at Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny. The victory marks Bull’s first ‘solo’ IGA title, as he paired up with Dusty Drenth to win the IGA Four-Ball last year.
Starting the day Bull was one shot behind opening round leader John Burgett (pictured right), of Waukee. Burgett’s lead grew to three strokes early on in the round, but as mentioned Bull stayed patient.
“This is going to be a long day I thought,” Bull said after the round. “I made a sloppy bogey on #1. John made a nice, long putt on #2, so right away I was in a hole. I didn’t birdie #3 or #4. I was playing ok, just wasn’t scoring. But then I birdied 5 and it was back and forth after that.
Fast forward to the 14th hole, where two fine shots left Burgett an eagle putt he would convert and take sole position of the lead by three strokes.
“John made eagle on #14, which was fantastic and then I fail to make birdie, so (once again) I am three (strokes) down, Bull said. “I didn’t think I was out of to after he made eagle. I had good looks on #16-18 for birdie, just didn’t make any of them and he made a couple bogeys coming in.”
Bull’s final round included a pair of birdies to offset his two bogeys, which was good enough by one stroke over Burgett and three over West Des Moines’ Ryan Bishop. Bull, who shot 145 (+1) for the championship, admitted with the cooler, windier weather in the final round, birdies wouldn’t be flying by any means.
“My mindset was trying to stay patient today,” Bull said. “I drove the ball so-so early on, but didn’t make many mistakes. Scores were a little higher due to the weather. There was a little bit of wind and it was cold. But it’s nice to win one of these, I have been trying for a while.”
In the Senior Division, West Des Moines’ Bob Brooks defeated Brian Verduyn, of Polk City, after both players finished with a two-round score of 143 (-1). Jim Butler, of Fort Madison, claimed the Super Senior Division title by a six shots over Dave Sergeant, of Fort Dodge. Butler also posted 143 (-1) over the two-day event.
From left – Jim Butler (Super Senior Division Champion), Dennis Bull (Mid-Amateur Champion) and Bob Brooks (Senior Division Champion). Bull is shown above holding the Michael McCoy Mid-Amateur trophy.
John Burgett, of Waukee, leads the 34th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship following an opening round 72 (E). Burgett, who is a member at Briarwood Golf Club, where the event is being contested, made three birdies to offset his three bogeys.
Hot on Burgett’s heels is a group of five who posted 73 (+1), which includes Aaron O’Brien, Dennis Bull, Scot Cook, Ben Stein and Brian Allison.
In the Senior Division Brian Verduyn, of Urbandale, put together a fine round of 68 (-4). Verduyn’s card was clear – four birdies against no bogeys. Not to be outdone, Bob Brooks, of West Des Moines, posted his own 68, which included two birdies and an eagle. Joe Bates, of Albia, is in third place at a round of 71 (-1).
In the Super Senior Division, Dan Dalziel, Cedar Rapids, and Jim Butler, of Fort Madison, both fired72 (E) to co-lead by three of Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Rapids.
Davenport Country Club didn’t give up much during Monday’s U.S. Open Local Qualifier. Only four players were able to shoot par or better, with David Lawrence, of Moline, IL, being the only player to break par to earn medalist honors.
Lawrence (right), who admitted he has chased the professional golf dream all over the world, shot 69 (-1) on a day that saw many players struggling to find success.
“I thought anything around par was going to be a great score today,” Lawrence said. “I really thought par was 72 today, especially with the wind directions and hole locations. I made a nice, solid par on #1 which is a good way to get your day going. It’s a tough hole. I had a tap in birdie on #2 and slid one in on #4. When you see a couple go in and your pace is good it really sets the tone for the day nicely.”
Being from the Quad Cities area Lawrence admitted it was nice to be close to home for the qualifier and felt like he knew, to some degree, what to expect at Davenport CC.
“I have played out here occasionally over the years, but the course has changed over that time too,” Lawrence said. “I have only played it a couple times over the last three years or so. I am a huge fan of the course.”
The final two qualifying spots into U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying went to (pictured left) Sean McCarty, of Solon, and Frank Lindwall, of Cedar Rapids, via a three-way playoff along with Charles Jahn (1st Alternate), of Sperry, who all finished at 70 (E). Second alternate went to Broc Everett who posted 71 (+1).
Golf’s new World Handicap System, which is designed to bring the game of golf under a single set of Rules for handicapping and provide a more consistent measure of players’ ability between different regions of the world, remains on track for implementation starting in 2020.
Education has begun with events being held in Singapore, South Africa, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Continental Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and the USA.
A secure resource portal, accessible via whs.com, has also been launched to provide national associations with a library of materials that they can use to help support their own education efforts.
Coinciding with this release, the USGA and The R&A are launching a social media video campaign today to remind golfers of the eight key features of the new Rules of Handicapping and to reveal more details. These features include:
Minimum number of scores to establish a Handicap Index and maximum Handicap Index of 54.0
Basis of calculation of Handicap Index
Acceptability of scores for handicap purposes
Course Rating and Slope Rating
Calculation of a Playing Handicap
Maximum hole score for handicap purposes
Adjustments for abnormal playing conditions
Frequency of updating a Handicap Index
Significant progress has been made in preparation for the rollout of the new system, which includes building a library of education materials, finalizing the new Rules of Handicapping, release of the technical specifications and the continuation of testing. Many national associations around the world are busy ensuring that their golf courses are rated in accordance with the Course Rating System and working to update local software platforms so that they are ready to apply the new Rules of Handicapping.
While many countries will be ready to transition to the WHS early in 2020, given both the magnitude of the change for some jurisdictions and varying seasonality throughout the world, it is anticipated that some will need more time.
“The World Handicap System is the latest example of our work to make the game more welcoming,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Golfers throughout the world will be able to play equitably, measure their success and more fully enjoy and engage with the game. After working with national associations across the world on Course Rating throughout the past 30 years and now the World Handicap System, this monumental collaborative effort will benefit everyone in golf.”
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said, “There are many ways in which it is important for golf to modernize and become more appealing for people thinking of taking up the sport and handicapping is clearly one of them. The World Handicap System is a major new initiative for the sport which will establish a clearer and more consistent handicapping process for golfers throughout the world.
“We are working closely with national associations, as we do across all our core activities, to ensure they are fully prepared for the introduction of the new system as soon as possible after it becomes available for implementation.”
Since its conception, the development of the WHS has focused on three key goals: to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index; to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their Handicap Index to any course around the world and compete on a fair basis; and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.
The system has been devised following extensive consultation with the six existing handicapping authorities: Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA. The Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada have also been closely involved in developing the new system.
Widespread support for the WHS was expressed in an international survey of 52,000 golfers with 76% in favor of the new system and a further 22% saying they were willing to consider its benefits. Focus groups were also held in different regions of the world to elicit detailed feedback on the features of the new system, which have contributed to the finalized Rules of Handicapping.
The World Handicap System will unite the golf world under one single set of handicapping rules and will be governed by the USGA and The R&A, with support from the existing six handicap authorities.
As an extension of their support of the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has made a commitment to support The R&A’s and the USGA’s efforts to implement the World Handicap System.
In 2019, the IGA and our hosts at Jester Park GC will be holding an optional Putt-Putt Tournament on Sunday, June 16th during the IGA Father/Son-Parent/Child Championship.
The tournament costs $10 per team to play and all players will receive free ice cream.Players of all ages are encouraged and welcomed.The only requirement is that the team must be a parent and a child, in any combination (Father-Son, Mother-Son, Mother-Daughter or Father-Daughter).
Jester Park GC installed an 18-hole miniature golf course at the practice range facility in 2018.Teams can play anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday (June 16th) and are NOT required to play in the regular Father/Son-Parent/Child Championship. So if you have a young one who isn’t quite ready for the big course, this is a way you can bring them into the fold!
When signing up online, you will have the option of adding the $10 entry fee for the Putt-Putt Tournament to your transaction. Signup online
If not playing in the regular championship, you can sign up only for the Putt-Putt tournament during the registration process. You will see an option to pay for the “Putt Putt Tournament Only”. Signup online
You can sign up at the IGA registration table that will be set up atthe clubhouse at Jester Park on Sunday, June 16.
The format will be alternate shot.One player tees off first on the even numbered holes and the other player tees off first on the odd numbered holes, then you alternate strokes during the hole.Teams will choose which person tees off on the even and odd holes before starting their round.
Once all play is finished, we will divide the field into flights based on their score.The overall winners will receive trophies and flight winners will receive various prizes.
If you have any questions about the Putt-Putt Tournament, or have any troubles signing up, please give us a call at (515) 207-1062.
U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship | August 24-29, 2019
There are many volunteer options during the 2019 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur tournament at Cedar Rapids Country Club (CRCC). All volunteers are encouraged to register for 2-3 shifts plus one training session. The cost to volunteer is $50 and each volunteer will receive a golf shirt, golf hat, meal voucher, and one (1) free round of golf at CRCC (dates TBD by Head Golf Pro).
The USGA holds the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship annually in August, September or October. Approximately 500 of the best female golfers in the world, age 50 and above, seek to qualify for the Championship at sites across the United States in the late summer. From these regional qualifiers, 132 women will come to CRCC for two practice rounds on August 22 and 23, followed by two qualifying stroke play rounds on August 24 and 25. The top 64 finishers from the qualifying rounds will compete in a series of single elimination, match play rounds from August 26-29.
Steve Kahler (left) of Marion is the Super Senior bracket champion. Kahler outsted Mark Hogenson of Cedar Rapids in the championship match 2 & 1.
Matt Weresh (bottom right) of Clive earned the President’s Bracket title by defeating Brian Persson of Elk Run Heights by a 4 & 3 margin. Marty Goetz of Marion defeated Doug Bryant 6 & 5 to win the Vice President’s bracket.
