Year: 2020

Stewart earns medalist honors at 32nd IGA Match Play Championship

June 29, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play

Ottumwa’s Dusty Stewart set the pace during stroke play qualifying for the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship on Monday. Stewart blistered Talons of Tuscany Golf Club, in Ankeny, making six birdies on his way to a round of 67 (-5) in hot and windy conditions.

Defending champion Jon Olson, of Ankeny, posted a fine round himself – turning in a score of 68 (-4) to earn the #2 seed into match play. Truth be told, Olson would have been the #2 seed regardless as defending champion.

With the IGA’s COVID procedure of not holding a playoff and utilizing the USGA recommended tie-breaker procedure the cut into match play came at a score of 78 (+6) with two players, Bo McBee and Jon Brown, earning the final two spots. Brown won the event most recently in 2018 and three times overall.

Click here to view Tuesday’s Round of 64 matches

Huseman repeats at Fort Dodge Amateur; Cook, Yunek win divisions

June 29, 20200 commentsChampionships

Fort Dodge Amateur champions Andrew Huseman (left, Open Division) and Terry Cook (Senior Division) stand together after winning Sunday’s Fort Dodge Am titles. Joel Yunek (not pictured) was the Super Senior champ. (Photo provided by Eric Pratt/Fort Dodge Messenger)

Andrew Huseman’s father, Bill, likes to keep his distance during tense moments while following his son on the golf course.

When Andrew needs either advice or a word of encouragement, though, dad is always just a few steps away — ready and willing.

The 25-year-old Huseman held off Nate McCoy by a single stroke on Sunday to secure his second consecutive Fort Dodge Amateur championship in the Open Division. There were some tense moments down the stretch, and the former Ankeny Centennial standout — the grandson of the late Hall of Fame Fort Dodge Senior High coach and athletic director Dutch Huseman — had to do a little late scoreboard watching with McCoy right on his heels.

Click here to read more from Eric Pratt of the Fort Dodge Messenger

Junior Girls’ 4-State Team announced

June 22, 20200 commentsChampionships

Iowa will be represented by the following players at this year’s 4-State Junior Girls’ Championship, being held at Country Club of Missouri, Columbia, on June 30 – July 2. The 4-State Junior Girls’ Championship is composed of a golf team from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Each team consists of six girls and two coaches from each state. The format of the event is a “Ryder Cup Style” match play (Four-Ball, Foursomes, Singles).

Team Iowa
Britta Snyder, 18, Ames
– Heading to play at Baylor in August
– Finished t-12 at the AJGA Tournament of Champions (November 2019)
– Won the AJGA Randy Wise Junior Open (August 2019)
– Qualified for the 2020 USGA Women’s Four Ball Championship (October 2019)
– Won 2019 IGHSAU 3A State Tournament (May 2019)
– First time participant of Jr. Girls 4-State

Anna Nacos, 17, Washington
– Finished 2nd at Iowa PGA JT Fall Classic (September 2019)
– Finished t-4 at Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championship (July 2019)
– Finished 3rd 2019 IGHSAU 3A State Tournament (May 2019)
– First time participant of Jr. Girls 4-State

Rylee Heryford, 15, Newton
– Won Iowa PGA Junior Tour Mid-Summer Classic (July 2019)
– Won 14-15 age division Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (June 2019)
– Finished 3rd at 2019 IGHSAU 4A State Tournament (May 2019)
– First time participant of Jr. Girls 4-State

Anna Jensen, 19, Dubuque
– Heading to play at the University of Northern Iowa in August
– Finished 5th at the 44th Iowa Girls Jr. PGA Championship (June 2019)
– Finished t-3 at AJGA Preview at Meadowbrook (May 2019)
– Finished runner-up at 2019 IGHSAU 3A State Tournament (May 2019)
– Second time participating in Jr. Girls 4-State (2019)

Lauren Sease, 18, Ankeny
– Heading to play at Wartburg in August
– Finished runner-up at Iowa Junior Open (August 2019)
– Finished 4th at Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (June 2019)
– Finished 10th at 2019 IGHSAU 4A State Tournament (May 2019)
– First time participant of Jr. Girls 4-State

Ellie Braksiek, 18, Cedar Rapids
– Heading to play at Iowa State in August
– Finished T-18 at 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur (July 2019)
– Finished runner-up at AJGA Preview at Meadowbrook (May 2019)
– Finished 5th at 2019 IGHSAU 3A State Tournament (May 2019)
– First time participant of Jr. Girls 4-State

Great weather, great memories at IGA Father/Son & Parent/Child Championship

June 22, 20200 commentsChampionships, Father-Son / Parent-Child

It was all smiles at this year’s IGA Father/Son & Parent/Child held at Jester Park Golf Course, in Granger.

The pair of John & Tanner Dinnebier didn’t miss a beat on Saturday, winning the overall Father/Son title with their round of 69 (-3). One shot behind was Derek & Terry Hannah, who closed with three birdies on the back nine to finish runner up with their round of 70 (-2).

In the Father/Son – Young Adult Division, the duo of Rocky & A.J. Sposato were crowned champions following their round of 81 (+9). Finishing in a tie for second were the teams of Brad & Benjamin Krohn, and Chad & Henry Baker, who posted rounds of 82 (+10).

In the Parent/Child – Open Division, Rebecca & Troy Delong played steady golf on Saturday, claiming the title with their round of 77 (+5). On their tail was the team of Bo & Bob Anderson, who carded three birdies on the back nine en route to their round of 78 (+6). Nate & Allison Pettitt captured the Parent/Child – Young Adult Division title with their round of 88 (+16).

On the Jester Park GC Par 3 course several champions were also crowned. That list included Ben & Tate Pettitt in the Father/Son – Junior Division 8 & under with a score of 62 (+8), Jeff & Grant Osby in the Father/Son – Junior Division 9 & 10 years old with score of 59 (+5), Erik & Payton Bjorseth in the Parent/Child – Junior Division 8 & under with a score of 74 (+20) and Nick and Maicy Baker were repeat winners in the Parent/Child – Junior Division 9 & 10 years old with a score of 61 (+7).

Click here for full results

Champions crowned in 14-15, 16-18 Division of Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur

June 19, 20200 commentsChampionships, Girls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Hunter Johnson, of Ankeny, rose to the occasion to win the Boys’ 16-18 Division of the 2020 Iowa Junior Amateur Championship, held at Spirit Hollow Golf Club in Burlington.

First-round leader Clayton Phillips held the early lead through 15 holes, and then a few late bogies opened the door for Johnson, who sealed the deal in dramatic fashion with an eagle on the par-5 eighteenth. Johnson posted consistent rounds to the tune of 73-73 for a tally of 146 (+2). Matthew Briggs, of Burlington, was in contention all afternoon, and birdied the last for a two-day total of 75-73-148 (+4) to finish Runner-up. Phillips finished in third with a score of 149 (+5) for the week.

Newton’s Rylee Heryford outlasted the field to secure her victory in the Girls’ 16-18 Division. The day began with a crowded leaderboard, with Paige Hoffman, of West Des Moines, and Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, and Heryford all beginning the day within one stroke of another. Heryford birdied the last, finishing four ahead of the field with a 75-77-152 (+8) total. Hoffman and Nuss played tough, but a few setbacks on the back nine led them to shooting rounds of 81 & 80 respectively, settling into a tie for second at 156 (+12).

The action came down to the final hole in the Boys’ 14-15 Division, with Indianola’s Jackson Overton hanging on to win with a bogey on the eighteenth, finishing with rounds of 81 & 90 for a 36-hole total of 171 (+27). Finishing one behind was Calen Bishop, of Johnston, who posted rounds of 82 and 90 for a total of 172 (+28). Rounding out the podium was Knoxville’s Evan Smith, who finished up with a tally of 177 (+33).

The Girls’ 14-15 Division was a footrace on Thursday morning, with Meghan Delong, of Clear Lake, surviving a strong comeback bid from Katelyn Vaassen, of Dubuque, to win by one stroke. Delong managed to maintain her grip on the lead, posting rounds of 90 & 89 for a two-day total of 179 (+35). Vaassen rallied on Thursday, improving 14 strokes from her opening round, firing a round of 83 for a 36-hole total of 180 (+36). Burlington’s Lauren Briggs finished in third place after posting 89-98 for a tally of 187 (+43).

Click here for full results

See photos below of 16-18, 14-15 Divisions

2020 Iowa Junior Girls’ Champion Meghan Delong in the 14-15 Division.

2020 Iowa Junior Champion Jackson Overton (left) and runner-up Caleb Bishop (right) in the 14-15 Division.

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (16-18 Division) champion was Rylee Heryford. Tied for runner-up were Allison Nuss & Paige Hoffman. Pictured (from left to right) are Hoffman, Nuss and Heryford.

2020 Iowa Junior (16-18 Division) champion Hunter Johnson (right) and runner-up Matthew Briggs (left).

Barragy records ace on Par 4 at Veterans Memorial Golf Club

June 18, 20200 commentsNews

Jack Barragy, of Clear Lake, recorded his first career ace and the second at Veterans Memorial Golf Club this season on Monday, June 15. Jack recorded the ace on the sixth hole, which is a par 4 measuring 340 yards. Witnessing the shot was Beau Thompson and Matt Berry. Attorney Matt Berry was fortunate enough to be on the green when the amazing shot went in. This is the first hole-in-one on a par 4 in Veterans Memorial Golf Club history.

Opening day of 2020 Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur sees good scoring

June 17, 20200 commentsChampionships, Girls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Clayton Phillips, of New London, sits atop a crowded leaderboard in the Boys’ 16-18 Division after shooting an even-par 72 in Wednesday’s opening round. Phillips overcame a double bogey on the first hole by making a flurry of pars, three birdies, and one bogey the rest of the way. Right behind Phillips is Ankeny’s Hunter Johnson, who made four birdies en route to posting a 1-over par round of 35-38-73. Sitting in a tie for third at 3-over par is Matthew Briggs, of Burlington, and Brandon McCarty, of North Liberty.

In the Girls’ 16-18 Division, Thursday is sure to be a shootout as West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman & Newton’s Rylee Heryford are deadlocked in a tie for first after opening rounds of 75 (+3). Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, is only one back heading into tomorrow’s final round. She carded three birdies on her way to posting a 4-over round of 76.

In the Boys’ 14-15 Division, Indianola’s Jackson Overton leads the pack following his round of 40-41 for a final tally of 81 (+9). One shot behind Overton is Calen Bishop, of Johnston, at 10-over par. In the Girls’ 14-15 Division, local player Lauren Briggs, of Burlington, has a one-stroke advantage heading into Thursday’s final round. Briggs posted a 43-46 round of 89 (+17), highlighted by a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole. Clear Lake’s Meghan DeLong is one back after a consistent 45-45 round of 90 (+18).

In the Boys’ 12-13 Division, Braeden Nelson, of West Des Moines, captured the title by two shots after his round of 82 (+10). In the Girls’ 12-13 Division, Saleah Vivanhvong came back from an early deficit to win the title with her round of 92 (+20).

In the Boys’ 11 & Under Division, Nevada’s Parker Rogers topped the leaderboard, firing an 8-over par round of 44. In the Girls’ 11 & Under Division, Rylee Brockhouse, of Muscatine, won the title with an 11-over round of 47.

See full results here

See photos below of 12-13, 11 & Under Divisions

2020 Iowa Junior Champion Braeden Nelson (left) in the Boys’ 12-13 Division, alongside Vaughn Roseman, Runner-up (right).

 

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (12-13 Divsion) – Saleah Vivanhvong, Champion (left) and Morgan Rupp, Runner-up (right).

 

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (11 & Under Division) Champion (left) Rylee Brockhouse and Runner-up (right) Kirsten Nuss.

 

Pictured are 2020 Iowa Junior Amateur (11 & Under Division) Champion Parker Rodgers (left) and Runner-up Evan Graham.

Buerman Captures Third Forever 39 Title

June 16, 20200 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

For the second straight event, Julie Buerman (pictured above right) walked away victorious.  The Cedar Rapids resident collected her third Iowa Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship with a 2&1 over Nicol Jones of Ankeny after making birdie on two of her last three holes.  Last Saturday (June 6th), Buerman was the winner of the first Women’s Mid-Am series event of the year held at Irv Warren GC in Waterloo.

Buerman defeated Nancy Lorenzini 3 &1 to reach the finals while Jones defeated Creston’s Janis Owens 2 up in the morning match. An IGA ‘rookie’, Jones made the most of her championship debut as she defeated Creston’s Janis Owens 2 up to advance to the championship match.

In the first flight, Sue Harmon (pictured above second from right) defeated Kathy Fortune 3&2 in the finals to capture the bracket title. Harmon advanced to the finals via a 10-hole victory over Jesup’s Michelle Klein. Like Harmon, Fortune’s morning match featured extra holes as she secured an 11-hole victory over Nicki Clayton.

In the second flight, 2019 Forever 39 Champion, Kelly Grimes (pictured above second from left), won the bracket title after a 1 up victory over Noreen Christians. Grimes advanced to the flight finals after she defeated Urbandale’s Ardrae Parmenter 3&2. Christians posted one of the largest margins of victories in the morning matches as she posted a 5&3 decision over Laura Leszczynski.

In the third flight, Clive’s Leighann LaRocca (pictured above left) posted a 2&1 victory over Ankeny’s Becky Schwiete. LaRocca advanced to the finals following a 1 up win against Urbandale’s Cathy West. Schwiete posted a 2 up victory over Karol Hare during the morning matches.

Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson (right), who captured medalist honors during the stroke play qualifying round, defeated Ila Gilbert in her final match of the tournament.

Click here for full results

57th Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship underway

June 15, 20200 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

The 57th Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship began Monday at Urbandale Golf and Country Club with nine holes of stroke play qualifying followed up by first round matches. Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson earned the #1 seed in the Champions Flight after she was the only competitor to shoot below par during the qualifying round. Her -1, 36 was highlighted by birdies on two of her last three holes. Janis Owens, of Creston, earned the #2 seed after she shot +1, 38 in qualifying.

One of the biggest upsets of the day came in the first match out as Nancy Lorenzini, #8 seed, beat #1 seed Kelly Nelson 3&1 in the Championship Flight. Two former Forever 39 Champions battled it out during the first round of match play as well, as Julie Buerman defeated Rose Kubesheski 2&1 to advance to the semi-finals. Buerman closed out the match with an eagle on the par-5 8th hole. Janis Owens and Nicol Jones also advanced to the semifinals of the championship with victories of 1 up and 2&1 respectively.

In the First Flight, Rockwell City’s Kathy Fortune advanced to the semifinals with a 1 up victory over Jennifer Corkrean of Ankeny. Fortune will face Greenfield’s Nicki Clayton, who defeated Jan Sewright 1 up. The other semifinal match-up with feature Michelle Klein, of Jesup, and Sue Harmon, of Slater, who won their matches 2&1 and 3&2 respectively.

The Second Flight bracket featured three run away victories: Urbandale’s Noreen Christians (5&3), Indianola’s Kelly Grimes (4&2), and Urbandale’s Ardrea Parmenter (3&2). Christian’s will face Laura Leszczynski in the first semifinal match while Grimes, the defending Forever 39 Champion, will face Parmenter.

The Third and final bracket will feature Urbandale’s Cathy West and Clive’s Leighann Larocca. Johnston’s Karole Hare, who won her first match 3&2, will face Ankeny’s Becky Schwiete who is coming off a 2&1 victory.

Day two gets underway tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. and live results can be found by clicking here.

O’Brien birdies final hole, wins 2020 Carroll Amateur

June 15, 20200 commentsChampionships

Andrew O’Brien, of Clive, and Nate McCoy, of Ankeny, were neck-and-neck down the stretch of the 2020 Carroll Amateur, with McCoy looking to defend his title after a 9-stroke victory in 2019. After navigating the wind all afternoon, the pair stood tied at 7-under heading into the final hole, where O’Brien seized victory with a birdie. O’Brien posted rounds of 67-69-69 for a three-round tally of 205 (-8).

Rounding out the podium was Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member Jon Brown, who finished with a three-round total of 208 (-5) and posted the low-round of the weekend with a 64 (-7) during the opening round.

In the Senior Division, Jeff Panek, of Johnston, ousted Gary Ellis, of Norwalk, in a playoff to capture the title after both posted 36-hole totals of 142 (E). Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, finished in third place after rounds of 70-74 for a total of 144 (+2).

In the Super Senior Division, Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, edged out James Blackburn, of Des Moines, for his second Super Senior victory of the summer after winning two short weeks ago at the IGA Senior Match Play. Gorbell rallied after an opening round of 80 to shoot a 75 on Sunday, which set him one shot clear atop the leaderboard at a total of 155 (+13). Blackburn posted rounds of 77-79 for a tally of 156 (+14).

Click here for full results

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