Month: June 2021

2021 Herman Sani Scholarship winners announced

iowagolfJune 8, 20210 commentsNews, Scholarships

Herman Sani (right) is seen talking with Gene Sarazen in August, 1950. Sani served as IGA President in 1929.

The recipients of the 2021 Herman Sani Scholarships, presented by the Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) have been announced. Paige Hoffman of West Des Moines, Jack Dumas of LeClaire, Jaci Webb of Ankeny and Luke Meyer of Waterloo, will receive a four-year scholarship of $2,000 per year ($8,000 total). Those individuals will be recognized at the Herman Sani Golf Tournament held at Hyperion Field Club, Johnston, Fri-Sun, Aug 6-8.

Paige Hoffman (right), the daughter of Brett and Lisa Hoffman, is a graduate of West Des Moines Valley High School and will be attending the University of South Dakota in the fall to play golf and study business administration.

“I will forever be grateful for the game of golf and all it has done in my life,” Hoffman said. “I truly have had many golf experiences. However, it is the people that I have met and the lessons that I have learned that I will carry with me through college and for the rest of my life.”

Jack Dumas (left), the son of Brian & Jenifer Dumas, is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and will be attending Drake University to study business and finance this fall.

“Whatever my future holds, golf has taught me life lessons that I can apply to all aspects of my future,” Dumas said. “Work ethic, dedication, integrity, honesty, and competitiveness are all values that I’ve found in golf and I know will serve me well in life.”

Jaci Webb (right), the daughter of Jeff and Traci Webb, is a graduate of Ankeny High School and will be studying political science on the pre-law track at William Jewell College (Liberty, Mo.) in the fall.

“The impact that golf has had on me is something that I have a hard time summarizing into words,” Webb said. “It has been one of the greatest things that have ever happened to me and I am looking forward to how it will continue to impact my life over the next 50-70 years.”

Luke Meyer (left), the son of Monte and Dyan Meyer, is a graduate of Cedar Falls High School and will attend Iowa State University in the fall to major in mechanical engineering.

“The game of golf has meant the world to me growing up,” Meyer said. “At first, I thought of golf as just a game that I could go play with my friends for fun. However, as I have grown up, I have realized how much more golf really is. I now see golf as an avenue to meet lifelong friends and as a pathway to create lifelong relationships and connections. I now use golf as my device to get my name into the world.”

The Herman Sani Scholarship Program was established in 1958. Herman Sani had a passion for golf and young people. Sani was the first director of the Iowa Golf Association and served the organization for over 30 years. This scholarship was created in his memory with the purpose to assist Iowa students to further their education. As of 2021, 191 college-bound students have been awarded this four-year scholarship.

Most of the scholarship money comes from the generous donations by individuals and corporate sponsors. Since 2013 the Coppola family of Norwalk has contributed $250,000 to the Herman Sani Scholarship Fund. The Iowa Golf Association and point events from around the state also make significant contributions to the fund. For more information about the scholarship visit our website at www.iowagolf.org/scholarships.

Johnson, Tjoa share medalist honors, advance to U.S. Junior Championship

iowagolfJune 8, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

The U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina is now in sight for Ankeny native, Hunter Johnson (above left) and Cedar Falls native, Maxwell Tjoa (above right). Johnson and Tjoa fired rounds of 71 to earn co-medalists at the U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier at Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny on Monday.

Johnson stuck to his game plan and played consistent, recording three birdies to only two bogeys. On his back nine, where he carded a 1-under 35, Johnson was bogey free with a lone birdie coming on hole 14.

“I knew I needed to hit fairways and attack pins when I could and just be cautious when I needed to be cautious,” Johnson said. “I know I am a pretty good ball striker, so I was able to hit through the strong winds in the afternoon.”

Tjoa had an early tee time and took advantage of it, going 4-under through his first 11 holes. A double on the tough 191-yard par-3 13th hole did not fluster Tjoa, he managed to keep his game right where it needed to be to advance to North Carolina.

“I just wanted to play my game and see how well I could play,” Tjoa said. “I wanted to play to my strengths, and I trusted my putting. I had an early tee time so throughout the entire round I played without wind, but towards the end of the round the wind started to pick up and made things a little tougher.”

North Carolina will bring some of the best golfers across the world and Johnson and Tjoa know that the experience will be unbeatable. They both have goals, but overall, they want to play the best they can against a strong field at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Jack Dumas, of LeClaire, recorded a birdie on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Owen Mullen, of Shortts Lake. Dumas earned the first alternate spot and Mullen will be the second alternate. Both players carded rounds of 72.

Co-Medalists:
Hunter Johnson – 71
Maxwell Tjoa – 71

1st Alternative:
Jack Dumas – 72

2nd Alternative:
Owen Mullen – 72

Stroke play qualifying, opening round matches complete at Women’s Forever 39

iowagolfJune 7, 20210 commentsUncategorized

The Iowa Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship at Hillcrest Country Club in Adel began Monday with a round of stroke play qualifying. Fiona Watson found her stride and went low to post a 3-under 33 to earn medalist honors.

Watson continued to play well and knocked off Robin Webb, 4&3, in the first round of the Championship Flight bracket. Laura Leszczynski defeated Jeanette Fredericksen, 3&2, and will play Watson in round two of the match play series. Leanne Smith and Rosalie Kubesheski will also face off after advancing from their round one matches.

In the First Flight bracket, the No. 1 seed, Noreen Christians took down Mary Nelson, 4&3. Christians will play Margene Grady in round two after Grady defeated Michelle Klein in 10 holes. Ann Slechta and Sue Harmon will advance to the second round of the championship.

In the Second Flight bracket, the No. 1 seeded Nancy Olberding knocked off Susan Mitchell in 10 holes and will play Lora Winter in round two. Jan Sewright defeated Donna Vroom, 4&2, and will face off against the No. 3 seed Carroll Dethrow in the second round.

The Third Flight bracket featured No. 1 seed Cathy West, who had a bye in round one, and the No. 2 seeded Jane Suiter defeated Sue Lambert 2&1. Suiter will now face Ardrae Parmenter and West will face off against Nancy Lorenzini.

The second and third round will take place tomorrow and you can follow our live scoring by clicking here.

Championship Flight Advancing:
Fiona Watson
Laura Leszczynski
Leanne Smith
Rosalie Kubesheski

First Flight Advancing:
Noreen Christians
Margene Grady
Ann Slechta
Sue Harmon

Second Flight Advancing:
Nancy Olberding
Lora Winter
Jan Sewright
Carroll Dethrow

Third Flight Advancing:
Cathy West
Nancy Lorenzini
Jane Suiter
Ardrae Parmenter

Anderson catches fire, wins 2021 Southeast Iowa Amateur

iowagolfJune 7, 20210 commentsChampionships

JD Anderson solo 2021 Southeast Johnston native, J.D. Anderson (left), fired a closing round 67 to win the Southeast Iowa Amateur Open Division at The Preserve at Lake Rathbun. In his final round, Anderson recorded six birdies and carded a 32 on his back nine to secure the tournament victory.

Going into the final round, Anderson was four shots behind the first-round leader, Gene Elliott, who posted a 5-under 67 on Saturday. Elliott finished the tournament in a four-way tie for third place, along with Nate McCoy, Ricky Costello and Jonny Douglas.

Jon Brown, from Adel, was the lone second place finisher this past weekend, after scoring back-to-back 70’s. Brown played consistent golf in his final round, recording three birdies to only one bogey, but was two shots shy of Anderson.

In the Senior Division, Bret Taylor (right), of Booneville, carded back-to-back rounds of 70 to claim the victory over Jeff Collett, of Ottumwa. Taylor was the leader by one shot after this first day and extended his lead to three during his final round.

Ankeny native, Curtis Holck, took third place honors after posting a two-round total of 144 with a 3-under 69 in his final round. Dave Gaer, of Des Moines, and Joe Bates, of Albia, tied for fourth place at 3-over par.

Bruce Neeley (pictured left with head professional Darin Fisher), of Independence, carded two rounds of 73 to finish in first place with a six-shot lead in the Super Senior Division. Neeley topped Hudson native, Mark Urbanek’s rounds of 74 and 78.

Senior Match Play Champion, Jim Butler, finished in third place with rounds of 81 and 72. Pat Ryan, of Marshalltown, earned fourth place honors after rounds of 79 and 75. Rick Gorbell and Rob Christensen finished in a tie for fifth place at 12-over par.

Click here for full results

Iowa golfers chase dreams at U.S. Open Final Qualifying

iowagolfJune 7, 20210 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

The greatest players in the world will gather next June at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Calif., for the 121st U.S. Open. (Fred Vuich/USGA)

Several players from or with connections to Iowa chased the dream of the U.S. Open. Players listed below competed over 36-holes with a chance to qualify for the 121st U.S. Open to be played at Torrey Pines Golf Course (pictured above), San Diego, Calif., June 17-20. Final qualifying results and links are listed below.

Atlanta, Ga. – Piedmont Driving Club
Luke Slaymaker, Marion
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2812281

Rockville, Md. – Woodmont Country Club (North Course)
Chris Baker, Iowa State University graduate – Qualified for U.S. Open
Brad Hopfinger, University of Iowa graduate
Andrew Petersen, Bondurant
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/7077185672418724749

Purchase, N.Y. – Century Country Club & Old Oaks Country Club
Rod Hamblin, Iowa State University graduate
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2791929

Columbus, Ohio – Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club
Matthew Walker, Ottumwa
Sam Meuret, West Des Moines
Tripp Kinney, Des Moines
Nate Yankovich, University of Iowa graduate
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2464349

Springfield, Ohio – Springfield Country Club
Carson Schaake, University of Iowa graduate – Qualified for U.S. Open (Medalist)
Troy Merritt, Osage (born) – Qualified for U.S. Open
https://www.miamivalleygolf.org/events/event-pages/usga/us-open-sectional/tee-times-7824.html

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jim Hasley passes away

iowagolfJune 2, 20210 commentsNews

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member James W. “Jim” Hasley, 87, of Davenport, died unexpectedly Monday, May 31, 2021. Hasley was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2010.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2021 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/stpauldisciples/. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport with the rosary at 3:30 p.m. that all are welcome to pray. There will be additional visitation at church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made First Tee, Quad Cities.

James William Hasley was born on January 7, 1934 in What Cheer, Iowa, a son of William “Bill” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Simmons) Hasley. Jim was raised in Williamsburg, Iowa and moved to Davenport with his family in 1947 after his father passed away.

In 1950, Jim began attending Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa where he ran track, but left after his junior year to go to work at Westinghouse Supply Company in Davenport. Taking up golf with a group from Westinghouse Supply, Jim, being a natural athlete, turned out to have a pretty decent swing. He began giving pro bono group lessons at Emeis in 1965. In 1968 he became Bob Fry’s assistant golf professional running Duck Creek Golf Course. In 1971, Jim became the head golf professional for the city of Davenport courses, running Emeis, Duck Creek and Credit Island Golf Courses. He retired in 2001 from Emeis and took over operations at Red Hawk Golf Course and Learning Center when the city of Davenport bought the course. In the summer of 2001, he helped launch the First Tee – Quad Cities Chapter. Jim’s greatest joy in his golf career was helping to shape young people’s love for the game of golf.

Read more from Hasley’s full obituary by clicking here.

Read a feature on Hasley’s impact on the community by clicking here.

Above – Hasley served as the Head Professional at Emeis Golf Course in Davenport for more than 30 years and stepped down from that position at the end of 2001. He stayed involved by taking over the 9-hole Red Hawk Golf Course in Davenport and was a key figure in the development of The First Tee Chapter of the Quad Cities at that location. Hasley’s love of the game shined through when he is on the lesson tee with the kids of The First Tee program.