2020 IGA Yearbook

to sign a liability waiver prior to starting and using their mobile devices for scoring rather than exchanging traditional paper scorecards. Players were asked to social distance, and traditional areas of commune, like around the scoreboard, were eliminated. Hand sanitizer and wipes were handed out to each participant and encouraged to be used often. Scores were shown on a monitor and verified verbally with the scoring official and members of the group. Lastly, players were instructed to leave promptly after they finished, which I can imagine was hard for those that like to replay every shot with whomever will listen. All kidding aside, we truly appreciate the respect the participants gave us by adhering to our policies. Other considerations were how to keep everyone safe during severe weather and how to handle access to and from the clubhouse. When considering the Rules of Golf, we had to make multiple committee decisions on how different aspects of the game would be handled, such as the flagstick, bunker rakes and hole liners. These local rules were added or removed on a tournament by tournament basis. Sometimes local ordinances or policies of the host club forced these to be altered in which we were happy to comply. A one person per cart policy was instituted this year, keeping with our goal to social distance as much as possible. This turned out to be one of the biggest hurdles we faced, as it was very important to the IGA staff that there would be enough carts for every contestant that requested one. Our staff managed this aspect very well and was able to find ways of ensuring everyone who wanted to ride had that opportunity. As the season progressed each event seemed to feel a little more normal than the one before. We were very fortunate to hold every IGA Championship on our calendar, including those that were postponed in May. The only exception to the schedule was the loss of our seven USGA Qualifiers. The USGA decided to cancel all of their 2020 men’s and women’s championships, except for the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Women’s Open. Rather than develop a plan to hold qualifying for those championships, the USGA created exemption categories. Although I have written much about the effect the pandemic has had on golf in our state. I don’t want that to detract from tremendous play we witnessed this year. I found it to be a real pleasure getting to watch Dennis Bull win wire to wire at the Iowa Amateur and Gene Elliott winning the Senior Amateur at Crow Valley and the Iowa Mid-Amateur at my home club at Sunnyside. I competed in both and don’t know how he made it look so easy! It also isn’t often you see siblings fighting it out for a win like what we saw at Elmwood Country Club for the Iowa Women’s Amateur. Joy Chou held off her younger sister Ruby on the final hole to secure her first IGA Championship. We also awarded seven individuals Player of the Year in their respective divisions. Congratulations to Connor Peck of Ankeny (Men’s), Joe Palmer of Norwalk (Senior), Rick Gorbell of Cedar Falls (Super Senior), Cale Leonard of Ottumwa (Junior), Leanne Smith of Indianola (Women’s), Rose Kubesheski of Dubuqu (Senior Women’s) and Rylee Heryford of Newton (Junior Girls’). We are very proud of what all of you accomplished, and although we had to postpone the Annual Awards Banquet in 2020, we are looking forward to formally recognizing you in 2021. Lastly, I would like to say how thankful I am for all of you. If it wasn’t for your support and patience during this trying year we never would have made it this far. Golf is in a great spot, let’s keep it that way. I will see you all next season! 2020 saw the addition of caddie bibs at IGA Championships