Year: 2020

Glen Oaks CC wins 14th IGA Club Team title, Ballard CC grabs Net Division

From left – Gene Elliott, Scot Cook, Scott Hart and Ryan Bishop.

The 14th IGA Club Team Championship could be described in one word this year – windy.

Players from 19 IGA member clubs battled breezy conditions all day at Hyperion Field Club on Monday. Glen Oaks CC (pictured above), who posted a score of 281 (+2) in the Gross Division (best 3 of 4 18-hole scores) took home the title this year over Geneva Golf & CC by three shots.

Glen Oaks, led by Scott Hart’s 70 (-2), made a back nine charge with six birdies and an eagle of the three scores that were used for the team competition. Echo Valley CC and Landsmeer Golf Club finished in a tie for third place at 225 (+9).

From left – Scott Hornstein, Wyatt Weeks and Jon Weeks. Not pictured – Kris Greenfield.

In the Net Division, Ballard CC (pictured above), posted a team score of -5 and pulled away from the field, with the help of 16 net birdies, to win by five shots over Geneva Golf & CC (E). The format in the Net Division is a best three of four net scores on each hole. Glen Oaks CC finished in third place (+1).

Click here for full results

Ames’ Snyder shines in college debut

It didn’t take long for Ames’ Britta Snyder to feel right at home in college golf. But then again, she’s no stranger to competing on the biggest of stages. The Baylor freshman made her college debut this week at the Schooner Fall Classic where she finished in a tie for third, at -1, 209.  Her tournament rounds of 67, 70, 72, which saw her amass 13 birdies and an eagle, helped Baylor capture their first team title of the season.

Snyder is continuing her strong play from the summer where she won her fourth AJGA title, at the D.A. Points Junior Open and finished runner-up at the AJGA Gateway First Bank Tulsa Junior. She was also slated to compete in her third USGA Women’s Amateur Four-Ball this spring, before the tournament was cancelled due to precautions surrounding COVID-19.

Baylor’s 54-hole score of -7, 833 set a new school record and set the tone for the remainder of the season. They compete next at the Betsy Rawls Invitational, October 10-11, at the University of Texas Golf Club.

Peck wins 2020 edition of ‘The Classic’ at Elmwood CC, sews up POTY honors

Connor Peck (above left), of Ankeny, capped off his exceptional 2020 IGA Player of the Year (POTY) campaign with a victory over the weekend in the third playing of ‘The Classic’ at Elmwood Country Club, in Marshalltown. Peck’s victory sews up the 2020 IGA POTY race, which has been a neck-and-neck footrace between several of the state’s top amateurs.

‘The Classic’ is played under a modified stableford format, in which players earn points per hole based on their score as follows:

  • Double Eagle: 12 points
  • Eagle: 8 points
  • Birdie: 4 points
  • Par: 2 points
  • Bogey: 1 point
  • Double Bogey or worse: 0 points

Peck posted rounds of 44 and 39 points respectively to post a 36-hole total of 83 points, two points clear of defending champion Jon Brown (81 points). Peck carded six birdies and an eagle on his way to the title. Andrew Huseman and Chad Kimmelshue finished in a tie for third place with a two-day total of 79 points.

In addition to his win at ‘The Classic,’ the Ankeny native secured victories at the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship, 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship, and the Briarwood Amateur. Peck also earned top-5 finishes in the 118th Iowa Amateur Championship and the 35th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship.

In the Senior Division, Bob Brooks put on a nearly flawless performance, posting a two-day total of 81 points to win by seven points. Brooks carded six birdies to offset only three bogies over the course of the weekend, in addition to making 27 pars. Tim McKnight, of Indianola, earned runner-up honors with a 36-hole tally of 74 points. Rounding out the podium was Ottumwa’s Jeff Collett (73 points).

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Ratchford’s fire final round 68 (-4), win 60th Iowa Wife-Husband Championship by five

Impressive it was.

Cedar Falls’ Betsy & Ryan Ratchford (pictured above), following an opening round 78 (+6), got it going in a big way in their final round of the 60th Iowa Wife-Husband Championship at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo.

The Cedar Falls couple fired a sizzling 68 (-4), that included five birdies, to win by five shots over Stephanie & Alan Johnson and Julianna & Reed Burkholder who both shot 151 (+7) for the championship.

Cooler temperatures and blustery wind conditions at times made scoring difficult for many participants in the field.

In the Super Senior Division Becki & Mike Wetter (pictured right) of Mason City claimed a two-shot victory over Joyce and Scott Hornstein, of Huxley. The Wetter’s posted consistent rounds of 84-81 – 165 (+21) to take home the title. Jeanette & Raymond Fredericksen finished in third place, just four shots off the pace at 169 (+25).

Flight winners included:
1st Flight – Brenda Samuelson / Greg Samuelson (165)
2nd Flight – Curtis Holck / Sondra Holck (169)
3rd Flight – Steven Perrin / Teresa Perrin (181)
Super Senior 1st Flight – Connie Miller / David Miller (177)
Super Senior 2nd Flight – Freda Pollock / Ken Pollock (192)

Click here for a full recap of scoring

UPDATE – IGAF Scholar Benefit moved to Davenport CC on Oct 12

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO PLAY AND HELP FUND THE IGAF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

The IGA Foundation and Davenport Country Club have come to an agreement to host the 2020 IGA Scholarship Benefit Tournament on Monday, October 12th.  The event was originally scheduled to be played Monday, September 14th at Cedar Rapids Country Club, but due to the damage sustained from the Aug 10th derecho weather event, CRCC was not able to host this year.  Thankfully, the tournament was able to be moved to another “Top 100 Classic Course” according to Golfweek magazine.  Davenport was recently honored as the #89 course in their rankings (CRCC is #80).

The tournament is played with a shamble format (all tee off, take the best drive and then play your own ball in the hole from there), which provides for a great experience for playing one of the state’s top courses.  We then count the best two scores made by the team of four on each hole.

Of course the aim of the event is to raise money for the IGA Scholarships (Ann Griffel Scholarship & Herman Sani Scholarship). Each year the IGA Foundation awards $42,000 in scholarship money between the two awards.

Davenport Country Club is a private member-owned club. Founded in 1924, the club features a course designed by renowned golf course architects Harry “Harry” Colt and Charles Hugh Alison, with Alison being the principal architect. The course makes dramatic use of the natural terrain and elevation, with two beautiful creeks coming into play on five holes. From the opening day, the reputation grew quickly, and it soon became known as one of the best courses in the Midwest. The course has always been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best in the state (3rd in the state as of 2019), and the famed 16th hole has twice been awarded national recognition as an “All American Golf Hole” by Sports Illustrated magazine.

In 2014, the golf course underwent renovations to continue the great golf tradition for years to come. The course had undergone several small-scale renovations over its 90-year history. However, the focus of this major renovation delivered by the renowned golf architects, Ron Forse and Jim Nagle of Forse Golf Design, was to restore the course to its original design and playing features. To achieve this, greens needed to be expanded, tees re-positioned and rebuilt to original locations and fairway bunkers brought back into play, among many other tasks. The renovation is now a few years in the past and the course is showing the magnificent outcome of the effort and dedication put in by the team to keep this course one of the best in the state.  That work has resulted in a steep rise in the Golfweek Classic Course rankings, moving up to #89 in the latest 2020 list.

We hope you can join us on October 12th and play this wonderful, “Top 100” golf course.  Click the link below to sign up as an individual or a full foursome.  If signing up as an individual we will team you up for the fun competitions.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO PLAY AND HELP FUND THE IGAF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Monday, October 12th
Davenport Country Club
25500 Valley Drive
Pleasant Valley, IA 52767
12:00 p.m. Shotgun start

We do require a minimum of 36 participants to host this event. If 35 or less sign up by Monday, October 5th we will cancel and all will be issued full refunds.

 

 

IGA announces pair of Fall Player’s Championship events

UPDATE — BOTH EVENTS CANCELED 

The IGA has announced a pair of 54-hole events this fall. While not exclusive to college golfers, we hope these will provide an additional playing opportunity for those that have lost their fall season due to the COVID pandemic. Both events will be held on (Sunday-Monday) October 18-19 at Coldwater Golf Links, Ames, and Crow Valley Golf Club, Davenport and both will be run similarly to college tournaments with 36-holes on the first day and 18-holes on the second day.

These two events are aimed at varsity Men’s and Women’s college golfers from the 2019-20 school year, those who are scheduled to be on a varsity roster in the 2020-21 school year, college age individual amateur golfers, and a limited number of non-college age amateurs. Prospective Student Athletes (PSA’s) are NOT eligible to compete in this event.

A total of 78 players will be allowed at each location. Assuming a field of 78, 52 spots will be open to male competitors and 26 spots will be open to female competitors. If one gender does not reach the maximum number of players, the field could be filled with the other gender to reach the maximum size of 78.

Entry fee for both events will be $150 per player (fees include golf, practice range balls and lunch for players on Sunday). Participants will be responsible for their own entry fee and any expenses they incur during the event. Collegiate varsity participants will not be allowed to represent their school in any way during the event, per NCAA guidelines.

For more information and to register today:

Coldwater Golf Links – https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2643009

Crow Valley Golf Club – https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2651997

Elliott wins Iowa Mid-Amateur for fifth time, didn’t expect the outcome

Expect anything less?

The 35th Iowa Mid-Amateur at Sunnyside Country Club lived up to the hype this week. Several, up to a dozen at one time on Friday, had their chance to put their name on the trophy. In the end a four-time winner added his name for the fifth time – but he even admitted he didn’t expect that outcome.

Gene Elliott (pictured above), 58, who won the Iowa Mid-Amateur in 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2013, needed a low round on Friday in the final round. He got one.

Elliott, of West Des Moines, fired the Mid-Am Division co-low round of the day with 67 (-5) to win the championship by a shot over Ankeny’s Andrew Huseman, who just turned 25 earlier this year. Elliott’s round included five birdies against not a single bogey – a clean card.

“I had a target score of 65, 66,” Elliott said. “I thought if I shot that today, I might have a chance. My round yesterday, 75, it was a tough day with the wind. I thought I was just a little too far back.”

Windy it was on Thursday, no doubt, but Friday’s round still presented some challenges according to Elliott.

“It was windy early on today,” Elliott said. “I putted well and got it up and down a couple times.”

Even with five Iowa Mid-Amateur titles to his credit, Elliott was the first to admit he didn’t expect the outcome.

“I wasn’t expecting this today,” Elliott said of his victory. “I can tell you that for sure. I knew I was close (to the lead today). I looked (at scores) after the 10th hole to see where I was. It was a logjam. There was a dozen guys who could win. I knew if I could make that putt (on #17), I had a chance.”

His putt, set up by a terrific tee shot on the 17th hole, was one of his best, ever, Elliott commented. When the dust had settled, it was a putt he needed.

“I tell you what, that putt is one of the best putts I have hit in my entire life,” Elliott said. “That putt was on such a good line. I couldn’t believe how good that putt looked the whole way. A lot of times you hit a putt like that and it doesn’t go in, but this one went right in the middle.”

A trio of players finished the championship at 144 (E), two shots behind Elliott. They included Ankey’s Connor Peck and Jon Olson, who both have had stellar 2020 campaigns, along with newly-minted mid-amateur Kacie Broeg, of Burlington.

In the Senior Division, Des Moines’ Tony Newkirk found a little something the final round as well, posting a 65 (-7) to win by three over West Des Moines’ Bob Brooks and Ankeny’s Curtis Holck. Newkirk’s round included six birdies, an eagle and only one bogey.

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan cruised to the victory by six shots, shooting 69 (-3) in the final round to outdistance runner-up Jim Butler. Butler turned a nice round himself on Friday, posting 68 (-4).

Click here for a recap of scoring

Allison posts 71 (-1), leads 35th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship

Pars were ideal at Sunnyside Country Club today during the opening round of the 35th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship. With the wind gusting for most of the day, the course was playing anything but a walk in the park.

Norwalk’s Brian Allison found the most success, posting a round of 71 (-1) to take a one-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round. Adel’s Jon Brown sits just a shot back at even par, following his round of 72. Allison’s round was highlighted by a pair birdies and an eagle.

A pair of golfers, Kevin Ault (Cedar Rapids) and Michael Schuchmann (Waterloo) both posted 73 (+1) and will look to make a move towards the top of the leaderboard tomorrow. No less than eight players sit at +2 following rounds of 74, including several in the IGA Player of the Year race.

In the Senior Division, Ankeny’s Curtis Holck leads by two shots over Tom Norton (Muscatine) and Bret Taylor (Booneville). Holck fired an even par round of 72 on Thursday. Sitting just three shots off the pace include Bob Brooks, West Des Moines, and Terry Cook, Norwalk.

Pat Ryan, of Marshalltown, leads by two shots over Fort Dodge’s Dave Sergeant in the Super Senior Division. Joel Yunek (Mason City), Kevin Pratt (Norwalk) and Sam Aossey (Cedar Rapids) are just three shots off the lead, after a first round score of 76.

Click here for recap of scores

Peck cruises to Briarwood Amateur title, Taylor & Studer collect wins

Connor Peck (pictured above left), of Ankeny, was in the driver’s seat all weekend, finishing four shots clear of the field to capture the 2020 Briarwood Amateur title.

Peck shot an opening round of 66 (-6) on Saturday and followed it up with a 4-under par round of 68 on Sunday to post a 36-hole total of 134 (-10). Peck has been a dominant force on the Iowa golf scene this summer, collecting victories at the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship, 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship, as well as a runner-up finish at the 119th Iowa Amateur Championship.

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Jon Brown, of Adel, looked to defend his 2019 Briarwood Amateur title this past weekend. Brown posted a final round of 68 (-4) to finish runner-up with a weekend tally of 138 (-6). New Sharon’s Trent Lindenman and Ankeny’s Nate McCoy finished in a tie for third with 36-hole totals of 141 (-3).

In the Senior Division, Bret Taylor (right), of Booneville, outlasted Norwalk’s Joe Palmer in a five-hole sudden death playoff to clinch the title.

Taylor found himself four off the lead heading into the final round, where he carded six birdies and an eagle on his way to firing a 6-under par round of 66 to force a playoff with Palmer. Terry Cook, of Norwalk, earned a third-place finish after posting two consecutive rounds of 70 (-2) to finish with a 140 (-4) total for the weekend.

In the Super Senior Division, West Des Moines’ David Studer (bottom right) finished one shot clear of the field to earn the title with a 36-hole total of 142 (-2).

Studer mounted a comeback on Sunday afternoon, carding four birdies on his final nine holes to secure his victory. Rick Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, and Greg Eckhardt, of Ankeny, tied for runner-up with 36-hole totals of 143 (-1).

Elliott wins fifth Iowa Senior Amateur title, Christensen takes SS Division by eight

It’s been said it can be tougher to win a golf tournament on your home course, because everyone expects you to win. To a certain extent, West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott (above left) knew that all too well this week at the 42nd Iowa Senior Amateur at Crow Valley Golf Club, a place he grew up playing.

“That’s what I told the members here at Crow Valley,” Elliott said. “But this isn’t my home golf course anymore. I have been over every inch of property at this golf course and probably have had every putt out there.”

Elliott (+5), who finished with rounds of 74-73-71 (218), got off to a quick start in Wednesday’s final round, with an opening nine holes in 32 (-3). A couple slight bumps in the road on holes 14-16 made things more interesting down the stretch, but with two pars to finish, Elliott won his fifth Iowa Senior Amateur title by a shot over Muscatine’s Tom Norton (+6), who posted his own final round 71 (E).

Elliott admitted, regardless of how many times you’ve played at Crow Valley GC one thing remains the same – the difficulty of the greens are nothing to lose sight of.

“These are some of the toughest greens in the midwest,” Elliott said. “It doesn’t matter how many times you have played here, the putts are still hard.”

Elliott, who recently played in the U.S. Amateur in Oregon, a tournament loaded with ‘kids’ much younger, said it’s good to be back competing against players over 50.

“It’s nice playing with my own age group,” Elliott said. “As long as I am still standing, we’ll go for a sixth (title) next year.”

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen (above right) outlasted fellow Marshalltown resident Pat Ryan by eight shots overall after a fine final round of 70 (-1), including a near hole-out to end his tournament on the par three 9th hole.

“That was a nice way to finish,” Christensen said. “I birdied a lot of par threes this week.”

Christensen commented that he was able to pick up a lot of ‘home course’ knowledge during his practice round and without a doubt that was the key to his success in the Quad Cities this week.

“I owe a lot to Bill Tank, a member here (at Crow Valley),” Christensen said. “He took us around during our practice round and told us where to hit, not to hit it. He said whatever you do, do not be above the hole. That was the key for me, I kept it below the hole all week.”

Click here for a recap of scoring

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