2020 IGA Yearbook

IOWA MID-AMATEUR T he 35th Iowa Mid-Amateur at Sunnyside Country Club brought together Iowa’s top mid-amateur competitors. The tournament lived up to the hype. During the action-packed final round, as many as a dozen players had a legitimate opportunity to engrave their name on the trophy. Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, emerged from the pack to secure his fifth Iowa Mid-Amateur title. Elliott faced a four stroke deficit following an opening round of 75 (+3). He knew that if he was going to win, he was going to have to fire a low number on the final day. “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.” Elliott fired a stellar round of 67 (-5) to win the championship by a shot over Ankeny’s Andrew Huseman, who just turned 25 earlier this year. Elliott’s bogey-free round tied the lowest of the tournament and included five birdies. Competitors were forced to rely on their ability to get the ball up and down in the windy conditions. “It was windy early on today,” Elliott said. “I putted well and got it up and down a couple times.” Even Elliott, who is second on the IGA All-Time Wins List (27 total), admitted he was facing tall odds this week. “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 wonderful 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 SUNNYSIDE COUNTRY CLUB, WATERLOO SEPTEMBER 3-4, 2020 El l iott wins Iowa Mid-Amateur, didn’t expect the outcome Gene Elliott holds the Iowa Mid-Amateur trophy for the fifth time in his career.