Month: July 2020

Experience THE FOURSOME Screening Tour

iowagolfJuly 15, 20200 commentsNews

Looking for something to do this weekend? Join Wavelength Productions in celebrating the great game of golf the heartwarming documentary short film THE FOURSOME! Following four forever friends – Herb, Gary, Darrel, and Bob – through the days leading up to their 50th year entering the Waukon Men’s Invitational, THE FOURSOME exemplifies the incredible ability of the sport to not only bring us together, but keep us together. Check out the trailer here!

Wavelength Productions is currently touring the film across Iowa! They are hosting COVID-safe screenings at various golf courses throughout the state. In addition to the screening, they are selling merchandise, holding a raffle, as well as hosting a Q+A after the film. Wavelength is so excited to be bringing THE FOURSOME across Iowa and you can find out all of the tour dates and more information here.

Jahn wins 83rd Iowa Masters by six shots

iowagolfJuly 13, 20200 commentsChampionships, News

When Sperry’s Charles Jahn (pictured left with John Nervig) took the lead in the 83rd Iowa Masters, he didn’t look back. Jahn began Sunday’s final round at 6-under par, holding a two-stroke advantage over reigning champion Nate McCoy, of Ankeny.

After top 5 finishes in last year’s 117th Iowa Amateur Championship and 70th Herman Sani Tournament, this was Jahn’s time to shine. He executed with near perfection on Sunday, carding five birdies, an eagle, and a mere bogey on his way to a round of 66 (-6) and grand total of 204 (-12). McCoy played steady on Sunday, posting a round of 70 (-2) for a final total of 210 (-6) to finish runner-up. Nate Vance, of Marshalltown, finished in third place with a three-day total of 213 (-3).

Joe Palmer (pictured right with John Nervig), of West Des Moines, clinched the title in the Senior Division, finishing 11-shots clear of the field with rounds of 70-74-71 for a total of 215 (-1). Winterset’s Kirk Macumber finished runner-up with a final tally of 226 (+10).

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan mounted a final round comeback, carding a round of 73 (+1) to finish two shots clear of Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls. Ryan posted rounds of 73-82-73 for a total of 228 (+12).

Clive’s Jake Calhoun rose to the top in the Cyclone Flight, posting rounds of 84-74-72 for a 230 (+14) total

Click here to see full results

Kubesheski, Grady claim IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series victory

iowagolfJuly 13, 20200 commentsChampionships, News

The second event this year in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series took place this past weekend, July 11, at Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa. This year’s tournament format was a modified alternate shot which saw Rose Kubesheski and Margene Grady (pictured above) shoot 69 (-1) to claim the title. The duo carded a front-9 36 that featured 8 pars and just a single bogey.

As they made the turn, Kubesheski and Grady started to find a groove, which featured back to back birdies on holes 12 and 13. After making two bogies, the pair went on to finish their final three holes in two-under par to claim a seven-stroke victory over Nancy Lorenzini and Laura Leszczynski.

In the Net Division, Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman (pictured above) took home the title after a round of two-over 72. They beat out Janece Schwartzkopf and Kathy Fortune, who also shot 72, in a scorecard playoff.

Click here for full results

The third and final event in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series will take place on Saturday August 22^nd at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. Tournament information and registration can be found here.

Joy Chou makes birdie on last hole, wins 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur

iowagolfJuly 8, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Ames’ Joy Chou (pictured above) didn’t know where she stood on the leaderboard most of the day in the final round of the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur, but the person she was locked in a duel with she knew all too well.

Joy, along with sister and Iowa State University teammate YiTing (Ruby) Chou, battled back and forth all day long. Truth be told, Joy was just happy to be back out on the course and playing in a tournament.

“After three months of quarantine at home this was my first tournament,” Joy Chou said. “I am just trying to get myself back on track. I was just trying to come out (here) and have fun.”

Ruby, who would take the lead midway through the round, put herself in position for the title following a 32 (-3) on the front nine at Elmwood Country Club.

After an uncharacteristic double-bogey on #11, Joy buckled down and would make seven straight pars to leave her just one shot back of Ruby, who made a lengthy birdie putt on #17, heading into the final hole.

“I wasn’t really paying attention to the scoreboard,” Joy Chou said. “I didn’t want to think too much. I knew Ruby, my sister, was playing well today.”

Ruby’s long birdie putt on #17 looked to maybe be the difference, but after a wayward tee shot she found herself scrambling to make par. Meanwhile Joy hit a drive to just short of the green and chipped to almost tap-in distance.

When Ruby’s par attempt came up short, Joy calmly rolled in her birdie putt for a two-shot swing on the final hole and the win. Ruby’s 68 (-2) was the low round of the tournament, but just one shot shy overall of taking her sister into a playoff for the title.

Joy, who was T2nd last year in this event, finished with scores of 71-76-70 – 217 (+7) on a golf course that didn’t give up good scores easily.

“This is pretty cool,” Joy Chou said. “I was guessing we were close (going into #18). I had to be aggressive and maybe have a chip to make a birdie to win the tournament. The course is really nice, tough, but it was fun (to play).”

Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (3rd) and Taglao Jeeravivitaporn (T4th) joined the Chou sisters in the top five of the event. All four are teammates at ISU. Sydney Eaton, of Mason City and Dana Lerner, of Iowa City, also finished T4th place.

In the Open Division, Rockwell City’s Kathy Fortune (pictured left) outdistanced Kelly Grimes, of Indianola, by five shots for the victory. Fortune posted rounds of 86-78-82 246 (+36).

Click here for a full results

Joy Chou takes lead into final round of 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Elmwood CC

iowagolfJuly 7, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Joy Chou (pictured above), of Ames, began the day one back at the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur. She regrouped after a few early bogies in the second round, rallying on the backside and capturing the lead with a birdie on the par-4 18th at Elmwood Country Club, which brought her to 7-over par for the tournament with a 36-hole total of 147 (+7). She will have a one-stroke advantage heading into Wednesday’s final round.

Ames’ Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, the opening round leader, remains in the hunt and is only one stroke back after a few late bogies led her to settle for a round of 78 (+8) and a 148 (+8) total. YiTing Chou, of Ames, will begin the final round in a tie for third with Ames’ Taglao Jeeravivitaporn at a tally of 150 (+10). All four ladies from Ames are members of the women’s golf team at Iowa State University.

The low round of the day went to IGA veteran Karli Kerrigan, of Ankeny, who posted a round of 73 (+3) which included three birdies to work her way into the top 10.

In the Open Division Kathy Fortune, of Rockwell City, took advantage of moving day, propelling herself forward six spots to the top of the leaderboard with her round of 78 (+8) for a 36-hole total of 164 (+24). She carries a four-stroke advantage over 2019 IGA Women’s Senior Player of the Year Kelly Grimes heading into Wednesday.

Click here to see a recap of scores

Mehmet-Grohn leads 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Elmwood CC

iowagolfJuly 6, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, of Ames, finished T2nd in last year’s Iowa Women’s Amateur. This year she is looking to improve on that result.

Mehmet-Grohn (pictured right), the 2019 Iowa Women’s Player of the Year, got off to a nice start to accomplish that goal at Elmwood Country Club on Monday during the opening round of the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur. An even par round of 70 leaves Mehmet-Grohn a shot ahead of Iowa State University teammate Joy Chou, of Ames. Mehmet-Grohn offset four bogeys with four birdies during the opening round.

Joy Chou, who like Mehmet-Grohn finished T2nd in last years event, finished with a round of 71 (+1) on Monday that included a healthy dose of pars (13). Mason City’s Sydney Eaton and Ames’ YiTing (Ruby) Chou both sit just three shots off the lead after posting rounds of 73 (+3).

Defending champion Paige Hoffman, of West Des Moines, shot 80 (+10) and will look to make a move in tomorrow’s second round.

In the Open Division Carroll Dethrow, of Nevada, leads following a round of 80 (+10). A trio of players sit just four shots back at 84 (+14).

Click here for recap of scores

Smith wins second consecutive IGA Women’s Match Play title

iowagolfJuly 2, 20200 commentsChampionships, Wmn's Match Play

Indianola’s Leanne Smith (right) was in familiar territory entering Thursday’s semifinal match at the 9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Smith, who won the title last year at Tournament Club of Iowa, was in the hunt for another title in 2020 at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny. Following a 5&3 up victory over Ankeny’s Karli Kerrigan, Smith met 2018 IGA Women’s Match Play Champion Sydney Eaton, of Mason City.

Eaton, who prevailed in her morning semifinal match against Samantha Knight (3&2) got off to a quick 2 up advantage early in the final match. Smith, who admitted she was ‘searching’ for her game most of the week leading into Thursday’s play, rallied to win three of the last holes on the front nine to take a 1 up lead and command of the match.

“I didn’t really find my game until today,” Smith admitted. “The greens are quick and the rough was thick – I was all over the place. I knew if I stuck with it, I could make some things happen.”

Smith, who won 7 of the last 9 holes of the match before closing out Eaton 4&3, commented she wished more events were match play – they seem to suit her well.

“You always know you have the next hole (in match play),” Smith said. “I try not to get too down or up emotionally. You can have a blow-up hole and still get the next one. As long as you keep yourself together you can come back.”

With the win, Smith hopes her success will continued into next week’s Iowa Women’s Amateur being held at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

“I have played there a few times,” Smith said. “They have narrow fairways and lots of trees, so I need to get some work in on the range.”

Click here to view Smith’s post-round interview

Click here to review the complete
9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship bracket

Peck picks up emotional win at 32nd IGA Match Play Championship

iowagolfJuly 2, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play

Conner Peck (right) , of Ankeny, had a lot on his mind during the week.

With the help of support from his family and solid ball striking most of the week, Peck came out on top at the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny. Peck defeated fellow Ankeny resident Andrew Huseman in the final match going away, 5&4.

“In match play you’re not playing against the whole field,” Peck said. “It’s a hole-by-hole deal. If you have one bad hole, it’s not the end of the world. It was a grind, but it was a lot of fun. I hit the ball really well (all week). This week was awesome.”

But before his afternoon match against Huseman, Peck, a 2012 Herman Sani Scholar, battled Tripp Kinney, of Des Moines, in a back and forth match for the ages. Peck, who won 1 up, had nothing but great things to say about Kinney.

“Tripp is a great player,” Peck said. “That was a fun match. If you are playing well, it’s nice to play a lot of golf quickly. My putter got better as the week went on.”

Huseman, who defeated J.D. Anderson, of Johnston, in the other semifinal match on Thursday morning, 1 up, simply could not keep up with Peck’s birdie (and eagle) barrage. Peck was -7 in the 14 holes he played, including back to back eagles on the 10th and 11th holes. A final birdie on the 14th hole was good enough for the win in what has been a whirlwind month, filled with mixed emotions, for Peck.

“This past month I moved back from Dallas to be closer to my family (following the loss of my brother),” Peck said. “To feel some happiness this week and to have a lot of family here is really important.”

Click here to view Peck’s post-round interview

Click here to review the complete 32nd IGA Match Play Championship bracket

Things move quick at 9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship, Semifinals set

iowagolfJuly 1, 20200 commentsChampionships, Wmn's Match Play

Things moved quick at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny on Wednesday as Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches took place in the 9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Mason City’s Sydney Eaton, who won this event in 2018, did the ‘quickest’ work on Wednesday as she defeated Carroll Dethrow, of Nevada, 6&5 and then dismantled Indianola’s Kelly Grimes 8&7 in the afternoon. Eaton, the #1 seed, will face Onawa’s Samantha Knight, the #5 seed, in the semifinals, who quickly defeated Ila Gilbert 9&8 and then bested Brooke Newell 1 up to move into Thursday’s semifinal.

The other semifinal match will see Indianola’s Leanne Smith, the defending champion, who defeated Margene Grady (7&5) and Nicki Clayton (2&1), face off against Karli Kerrigan, of Ankeny. Kerrigan took down Jan Sewright in the Round of 16 (5&4) and then battled Jordan Amelon, coming out on top after a marathon 22 hole fight in the afternoon. Smith earned the #2 seed as defending champion and Kerrigan earned the #3 seed following stroke play qualifying.

Click here to view the brackets

Four remain at 32nd IGA Match Play Championship

iowagolfJuly 1, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play

Four players remain after the third day of action at the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny.

In the George Turner Region, Ankeny local and #16 seed Connor Peck defeated #32 seed Ian Johnston 4 & 3 during the morning’s Round of 16 matches and followed it up with a victory over #8 seed Joe Palmer in 19 holes to secure his place in the semifinals. Peck will face off against #4 seed and 2017 IGA Match Play Champion Tripp Kinney, of Des Moines. Kinney bypassed #13 seed Brock Barnhart and #21 seed David Combs en route to the semifinals.

On the other side of the bracket in the Steve Spray Region, #34 seed Andrew Huseman is set to face off against four-time IGA Champion and #38 seed J.D. Anderson in Thursday’s semifinals. Huseman is hot off of a victory last weekend at the Fort Dodge Amateur and overtook #50 seed Brian Verduyn and #10 seed Anthony Ruthey to claim his spot in Thursday’s semifinal match. Anderson defeated #11 seed Cale Leonard in Wednesday’s Round of 16 match, and then closed out a 1 up victory over #19 seed Ben Epperly to advance to the semifinals.