Month: September 2021

Gladson/Dunn, Brown/Mechling earn spots into 2022 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

From left – Nate Dunn, Marc Gladson, Jon Brown and Ethan Mechling.

Marc Gladson, of Cedar Rapids, and Nate Dunn, of Marion, took home the medalist honors and a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2022 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. Gladson and Dunn fired an impressive 12-under round of 60 at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course in Riverside and were medalists of qualifier by three shots on Monday. 

The duo started off red-hot with three birdies and an eagle in their first five holes. Dunn knocked in another eagle on the seventh hole, making the team seven-under through seven holes. With a birdie on the ninth hole, Gladson and Dunn closed out the front nine with an eight-under scorecard.

Another quick start for Gladson and Dunn began the back nine. Gladson’s birdie on the 11th hole gave him a boost of confidence and he made his second eagle of the day on the 12th hole. At this point, Gladson and Dunn were 11-under after 12 holes, but a cool stretch on holes 13 through 16 opened the door for the second-place finishers, Ethan Mechling (Des Moines) and Jon Brown (Adel) to make a run. 

Mechling and Brown made up three shots in that stretch of holes, but it was not enough to overcome Gladson and Dunn’s round. Although they did not earn medalist honors, Brown and Mechling still came away with the second qualifying spot into the 2022 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship. 

In a four-team playoff, Aaron Ahrendsen and Joshua Manske came away with first alternate honors after making eagle on the first playoff hole. Benton Weinberg and Jake Rowe will be the second alternate after birding the third playoff hole. 


U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying
1. Marc Gladson + Nate Dunn -12 60 *Qualifier
2. Ethan Mechling + Jon Brown -9 63 *Qualifier
T3. Aaron Ahrendsen + Joshua Manske -7 65 1st Alternate
T3. Benton Weinberg + Jake Rowe -7 65 2nd Alternate

ISPGA wins 54th Iowa Cup 24-16, fifth win since 2016 for ‘pros’

ISPGA Honorary Captain Mark Egly (left) and IGA Honorary Captain Bill Dickens (right) pose for a photo with the Iowa Cup.

The Iowa PGA Section claimed the win over the Iowa Golf Association in the 54th Edition of the Iowa Cup Matches. The Iowa PGA Section was firing on all cylinders this week at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

Yesterday, the Iowa PGA Section got off to a quick lead after the Four-Ball session of matches in the morning. The IGA was only able to score two points and the Iowa PGA Section was able to play with the lead for the remainder of the tournament. 

Connor Peck and Ryan Horner took down Chad Proehl, who is in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021, and John Shawver. Peck and Horner won the match 2 Up and tacked on the Iowa Golf Association’s first points. 

Elmwood Country Club members, Kelly Brown and Cole Davis, defeated Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, John Bermel and Sean McCarty. Brown and Davis claimed the match with a 1 Up victory and put the second point on the board for the IGA.

The IGA lost ground quickly and went into the Foursome session with a six-point deficit. Brian Allison and Trent Lindenman were able to get it going, winning their match 1 Up over Davis Sutton and John Shawver.

Jeff Collet and Dusty Stewart claimed a win over Matt Erger and Ben Montgomery to give the IGA another point. Dave Gaer and Ron Peterson knocked off Todd Fowler and Bryan Luedtke. Gary Ellis and Terry Cook gave Iowa their fourth point of the round, beating Jeff Smith and Dave Ranney. 

With an eight-point advantage going into the Singles Matches, the Iowa PGA Section’s confidence continued to grow. 

Jeff Smith, of the Iowa PGA Section, gave his team the first points of the day after knocking off Gary Ellis 5&4. The IGA continued their push and tacked on a point after Jamie Faidley defeated David Lawrence, 1 Up. 

Ryan Horner tied the Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, John Bermel and both sides added half of a point on to their totals. Dave Gaer took down Bryan Luedtke, 1 Up to give the IGA the lead in the Singles Matches total. 

The Iowa PGA Section kept their foot on the pedal and added two quick points with Todd Fowler’s win over Ron Peterson and the new Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Judd Gibb’s win over Brian Allison. 

Connor Peck was able to add a point after besting another Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Sean McCarty. Jeff Schmid took the match over Aaron O’Brien, but Terry Cook kept it going on the IGA’s side with a win over Dave Ranney. 

Needing to win the remainder of their matches, the IGA’s hopes of making the spectacular comeback were swept away with a big run by the Iowa PGA Section. Tracy Vest knocked off Jeff Collett and Matt Erger took down Cody Holck for two points.

Joe Palmer was able to interrupt their run with a win over Darin Fisher, but Davis Sutton and Jay Giannetto continued to score for the Iowa PGA Section. Sutton defeated Cole Davis and Giannetto claimed the win over Dusty Stewart. 

After the Iowa PGA Section’s run was completed, it was time for the IGA’s run. Four-straight points were added to the side of the IGA. Scot Cook won his match over John Shawver 2&1 and Ethan Mechling beat Chad Callan 2 Up in his match. 

Elmwood Country Club member, Kelly Brown, continued his good play and topped Mark Atchison in a match that ended 4&3. Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown, took the win over Chris Black for the fourth-straight IGA point. 

With two matches remaining, the Iowa PGA Section already had the win sealed up. Ben Montgomery added one more point to their total with a win over Trent Lindenman. The final match of the day between Luke Miller and Chad Proehl, who is in the 2021 Iowa Golf Hall of Fame class, ended in a tie. 

The IGA was able to match the Iowa PGA Section in the Singles Matches, but it wasn’t enough. The Iowa PGA Section’s outstanding performance yesterday was all they needed for the most part to claim the 54th Iowa Cup.


Score Summary
Iowa PGA Section: 24 points
Iowa Golf Association: 16 points

Four-Ball Matches
Jay Giannetto + Chad Callan def. Jon Brown + Scot Cook 3&2
Mark Atchison + Matt Erger def. Ethan Mechling + Trent Lindenman 1 Up
Davis Sutton + David Lawrence def. Dusty Stewart + Cody Holck 5&4
Judd Gibb + Darin Fisher def. Joe Palmer + Brian Allison 6&5
Connor Peck + Ryan Horner def. Chad Proehl + John Shawver 2 Up
Kelly Brown + Cole Davis def. John Bermel + Sean McCarty 1 Up
Tracy Vest + Chris Black def. Jeff Collett + Aaron O’Brien 3&1
Ben Montgomery + Jeff Schmid def. Luke Miller + Jamie Faidley 5&3
Todd Fowler + Dave Ranney def. Dave Gaer + Gary Ellis 4&3
Jeff Smith + Brian Luedtke def. Ron Peterson + Terry Cook 2&1

Foursome Matches
Chad Proehl + Judd Gibb def. Jon Brown + Ethan Mechling 2 Up
Mark Atchison + Chad Callan def. Jamie Faidley + Luke Miller 1 Up
Brian Allison + Trent Lindenman def. Davis Sutton + John Shawver 1 Up
Chris Black + Darin Fisher def. Scot Cook + Cole Davis 4&3
Jay Giannetto + Jeff Schmid def. Connor Peck + Kelly Brown 3&2
Tracey Vest + Sean McCarty def. Joe Palmer + Cody Holck 1 Up
Jeff Collett + Dusty Stewart def. Matt Erger + Ben Montgomery 2&1
David Lawrence + John Bermel def. Aaron O’Brien + Ryan Horner 2&1
Dave Gaer + Ron Peterson def. Todd Fowler + Brian Luedtke 2&1
Gary Ellis + Terry Cook def. Jeff Smith + Dave Ranney 3&2

Singles Matches
Jeff Smith def. Gary Ellis 5&4
Jamie Faidley def. David Lawrence 1 Up
Ryan Horner tied John Bermel
Dave Gaer def. Bryan Luedtke 1 Up
Todd Fowler def. Ron Peterson 1 Up
Judd Gibb def. Brian Allison 4&3
Connor Peck def. Sean McCarty 4&3
Jeff Schmid def. Aaron O’Brien 2&1
Terry Cook def. Dave Ranney 2&1
Tracy Vest def Jeff Collett 2 Up
Matt Erger def. Cody Holck 2&1
Joe Palmer def. Darin Fisher 4&3
Davis Sutton def. Cole Davis 6&4
Jay Giannetto def. Dusty Stewart 2 Up
Scot Cook def. John Shawver 2&1
Ethan Mechling def. Chad Callan 2 Up
Kelly Brown def. Mark Atchison 4&3
Jon Brown def. Chris Black 3&2
Ben Montgomery def. Trent Lindenman 2&1
Luke Miller tied Chad Proehl

Iowa PGA Section takes control at 54th Iowa Cup

Thursday marked the 54th Edition of the Iowa Cup Matches held at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. The Iowa PGA Section has been victorious more times than not recently, and they continued their dominance over the team representing the Iowa Golf Association today.

The Iowa Cup Matches consist of Four-Ball Matches, Foursome Matches and Singles Matches. In the morning round, the players competed in Four-Ball Matches after a shotgun start. The Iowa PGA Section earned eight points, while the IGA only totaled two.

Connor Peck and Ryan Horner took down Chad Proehl, who is in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021, and John Shawver. Peck and Horner won the match 2 up and tacked on the Iowa Golf Association’s first points.

Elmwood Country Club members, Kelly Brown and Cole Davis, defeated Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, John Bermel and Sean McCarty. Brown and Davis claimed the match with a 1 up victory and put the second point on the board for the IGA.

Heading into the Foursome Matches, the IGA was down eight to two and needed a spark. Brian Allison and Trent Lindenman were able to get it going, winning their match 1 up over Davis Sutton and John Shawver.

Jeff Collet and Dusty Stewart claimed a win over Matt Erger and Ben Montgomery to give the IGA another point. Dave Gaer and Ron Peterson knocked off Todd Fowler and Bryan Luedtke. Gary Ellis and Terry Cook gave Iowa their fourth point of the round, beating Jeff Smith and Dave Ranney.

With an eight-point advantage going into the singles matches, the Iowa PGA Section has confidence. The Iowa Golf Association will need to battle to get back into contention, but they too have confidence after totaling four points in the second round.

You can follow the final round of the 54th Iowa Cup Matches tomorrow. Will the Iowa Golf Association make the comeback, or will the Iowa PGA Section take yet another win? We shall see!


Ace Alert – John Bermel has a hole in one on #12 to start the afternoon foursome session on Thursday – He used a pitching wedge from 125 yards. This marked his 15th career ace.


Score Summary
Iowa PGA Section: 14.00
Iowa Golf Association: 6.00

Four-Ball Matches
Jay Giannetto + Chad Callan def. Jon Brown + Scot Cook 3&2
Mark Atchison + Matt Erger def. Ethan Mechling + Trent Lindenman 1 Up
Davis Sutton + David Lawrence def. Dusty Stewart + Cody Holck 5&4
Judd Gibb + Darin Fisher def. Joe Palmer + Brian Allison 6&5
Connor Peck + Ryan Horner def. Chad Proehl + John Shawver 2 Up
Kelly Brown + Cole Davis def. John Bermel + Sean McCarty 1 Up
Tracy Vest + Chris Black def. Jeff Collett + Aaron O’Brien 3&1
Ben Montgomery + Jeff Schmid def. Luke Miller + Jamie Faidley 5&3
Todd Fowler + Dave Ranney def. Dave Gaer + Gary Ellis 4&3
Jeff Smith + Brian Luedtke def. Ron Peterson + Terry Cook 2&1

Foursome Matches
Chad Proehl + Judd Gibb def. Jon Brown + Ethan Mechling 2 Up
Mark Atchison + Chad Callan def. Jamie Faidley + Luke Miller 1 Up
Brian Allison + Trent Lindenman def. Davis Sutton + John Shawver 1 Up
Chris Black + Darin Fisher def. Scot Cook + Cole Davis 4&3
Jay Giannetto + Jeff Schmid def. Connor Peck + Kelly Brown 3&2
Tracey Vest + Sean McCarty def. Joe Palmer + Cody Holck 1 Up
Jeff Collett + Dusty Stewart def. Matt Erger + Ben Montgomery 2&1
David Lawrence + John Bermel def. Aaron O’Brien + Ryan Horner 2&1
Dave Gaer + Ron Peterson def. Todd Fowler + Brian Luedtke 2&1
Gary Ellis + Terry Cook def. Jeff Smith + Dave Ranney 3&2

54th Iowa Cup set to go at Elmwood CC

The year was 1968 and the Iowa Cup was born that fall. In what was then a stroke play event, both the Iowa Section PGA and Iowa Golf Association met at newly-minted Des Moines Golf & Country Club. The amateurs would capture the cup that year – by the margin of one stroke.

Fast forward to 2021 – the Iowa Cup continues for the 54th time and is now a match play, Ryder Cup style event. It will be contested this fall at Elmwood Country Club (pictured above) in Marshalltown on Sept. 23-24. The Iowa Golf Association and Iowa PGA Section, winners of the last four matches, will name honorary captains for their teams.  Bill Dickens has been named the captain of the IGA squad while the Iowa PGA captain will be Mark Egly.

Dickens was the longtime Executive Director of the IGA, serving in that capacity from 2001 until 2016, where he transitioned into more of an advisory role until his full retirement at the end of 2020.

Egly is consistently ranked as one of the “Best Golf Instructors” in the Midwest and in the United States by all the major golf publications, including being Golf Digests #1 Ranked instructor in Iowa for a decade as well as earning the PGA of Iowa’s Teacher of the Year multiple times.

The Iowa Cup Matches’ schedule will be as follows
-Thursday (Sept 23) morning – Four-Ball Matches
-Thursday afternoon – Foursome Matches
-Thursday evening – Player’s dinner
-Friday (Sept 24) – Singles matches
-The Cup will be presented to the winning team following play on Friday

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SCORING


Team IGA
Jon Brown
Connor Peck
Ethan Mechling
Trent Lindenman
Kelly Brown
Scot Cook
Luke Miller
Brian Allison
Cody Holck
Jeff Collett
Joe Palmer
Cole Davis
Dusty Stewart
Aaron O’Brien
Jon Olson
Ryan Horner
Dave Gaer
Gary Ellis
Ron Peterson
Terry Cook

Team ISPGA
Mark Atchison
John Bermel
Chris Black
Chad Callan
Matt Erger
Darin Fisher
Jay Giannetto
Judd Gibb
David Lawrence
Sean McCarty
Ben Montgomery
Chad Proehl
Jeff Schmid
John Shawver
Davis Sutton
Tracy Vest
Todd Fowler
Bryan Luedtke
Dave Ranney
Jeff Smith

Buermans take 61st Iowa Wife-Husband Championship, two share Super Senior crown

Brian and Julie Buerman claimed the 61st Iowa Wife-Husband Championship at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo. After a first round 75 in the Open Division, the Buermans knew they had some ground to make up to win this year’s championship.

Starting their final round, Brian and Julie posted a 37 on their front nine. With their back nine remaining, they started to heat up. After making the turn, the couple went four-under in their first five holes on their final nine.

Their final round 69 was enough to edge the second-place finishers in the Open Division, Amanda and Ryan Lambert and Juliana and Reed Burckholder. The Lamberts and the Burckholders finished the weekend with a 147 tally.

In fourth place was Alan and Stephanie Johnson, who posted a two-round 149 total. Fifth place went to Betsy and Ryan Ratchford after carding a 152.

In the Super Senior Division, Cindy and Peter Reinersten tied for the championship with Mary Fran and Mike Stopulos for first place with a two-round total of 159. Mary and Mike were in the lead by one shot over Cindy and Peter after the first round, but one shot was not enough to take the win outright.

During Cindy’s and Peter’s final round, they carded an 81 to finish the championship in an overall tie. Mary and Mike finished before them and that gave Cindy and Peter a number to shoot for.

Doug and Nancy Witham finished in third place in the Super Senior Division with a 162 tally. Alone in fourth place was Betsy and Jerry Munn after carding a 163. Jeanette and Raymond Fredericksen tied with Al and Mary Rausch for fifth place.


Open Division
1. Brian & Julie Buerman 144
T2. Amanda & Ryan Lambert 147
T2. Julianna & Reed Burkholder 147
4. Alan & Stephanie Johnson 149
5. Betsy & Ryan Ratchford 152

Super Senior Division
T1. Cindy & Peter Reinersten 159
T1. Mary Fran & Mike Stopulos 159
3. Doug & Nancy Witham 162
4. Betsy & Jerry Munn 163
T5. Jeanette & Raymond Fredericksen 164
T5. Al & Mary Rausch 164

Click here for full results

Team Iowa finishes runner-up at 11th Director’s Cup

After a tough final-day fight at the 11th Director’s Cup, Team Iowa (above) finished runner-up to Team Nebraska at Dismal River Club in Mullen, Nebraska. Iowa concluded the two-day tournament with a 19.50-point tally. Nebraska, who finished with 23 points, didn’t slip up and claimed the outright victory down the stretch.

On Wednesday, Iowa got off to a quick start and took a half-point lead after the Four-Ball portion of the tournament. Gene Elliott and Jon Brown teamed up to take down Missouri’s Ryan Sullivan and Ryan Eckelkamp. Elliott and Brown scored three points for Team Iowa and gave them a push up the leaderboard.

During the Foursome portion, Nebraska took over . After winning every match they had, Nebraska added seven points to their total. Iowa did not quit, they tallied four points and remained in second place. Iowa’s Jon Brown and Ethan Mechling joined Nate McCoy and J.D. Anderson with tied matches.

Single matches began this morning and Team Iowa didn’t let up. Elliott tied his match to give Iowa an early 1.50 points. J.D. Anderson could not be stopped and won 11 of the 16 holes he played against Kansas’s Matt Lazzo. Anderson tacked on another three points to give Iowa the lead for the moment.

Nebraska’s Ryan Nietfeldt followed J.D. Anderson and put another three points onto the Nebraska scoreboard. After Nebraska regained the lead, Iowa’s Connor Peck decided to take it back after adding three points from his match against Missouri’s Curtis Brokenbrow.

The close race between Iowa and Nebraska continued.

Ethan Mechling fell to Missouri’s Brevin Giebler, but managed to sneak one point on to the side for Iowa. The final two matches Iowa were from the top-two in the IGA Men’s Player of the Year standings, Nate McCoy and Jon Brown.

McCoy took on one of Nebraska’s best, Andy Sajevic. It was a close match all the way through, and the two competitors ended the day in a tie. McCoy added 1.50 points to the Iowa total, but Nebraska’s lead was just too much.

Brown continued to fight for Team Iowa, but Nebraska’s Jay Moore gave it his all and won five holes to Brown’s one. It was a good run from Team Iowa, but Nebraska’s play in the final stretch was unmatchable.


Overall Totals
Nebraska: 23.00
Iowa: 19.50
Kansas: 16.50
Missouri: 13.00

 

Wednesday Matches
Totals

Nebraska: 12.00
Iowa: 9.50
Kansas: 7.50
Missouri: 7.00

Four-Ball Matches
Iowa (Nate McCoy/Connor Peck) 1 down/2&1/2 Up Kansas (Alex Springer/Doug Albers)
Iowa (Gene Elliott/Jon Brown) 2&1/2 Up/3&2 Missouri (Ryan Sullivan/Ryan Eckelkamp)
Iowa (Ethan Mechling/J.D. Anderson) Tied Nebraska (William Amundsen/Scott Tridle)

Foursome Matches
Iowa (Connor Peck/Gene Elliott) 3&2/2&1/3&2 Nebraska (Johnny Spellerberg/Ryan Nietfeldt)
Iowa (Jon Brown/Ethan Mechling) 3&1/3&2/Tied Kansas (Kit Grove/Brian Fehr)
Iowa (Nate McCoy/J.D. Anderson) 1 Up/1 Down/Tied Missouri (Brad Nurski/Chris Ferris)

 

Thursday Matches
Totals
Nebraska: 11.00
Iowa: 10.00
Kansas: 9.00
Missouri: 6.00

Singles
Iowa (Gene Elliott) 1 Down/1 Up/Tied Kansas (Pete Krsnich)
Iowa (J.D. Anderson) 5&3/4&2/8&7 Kansas (Matt Lazzo)
Iowa (Connor Peck) 3&2/1 Up/6&5 Missouri (Curtis Brokenbrow)
Iowa (Ethan Mechling) 4&2/1 Down/3&2 (Missouri (Brevin Giebler)
Iowa (Nate McCoy) Tied/Tied/Tied Nebraska (Andy Sajevic)
Iowa (Jon Brown) 2 Up/2&1/4&3 Nebraska (Jay Moore)

 

Team Iowa sits in 2nd place after day one of Director’s Cup

The day of matches at the 11th Director’s Cup wrapped up today and Team Iowa sits in second place going into tomorrow’s singles match portion of the event at Dismal River Club in Mullen, NE. The home team, Nebraska, leads the tournament with a total of 12.50 points. Iowa’s 9.50 points give them a two-point lead over Team Kansas who holds the third-place position. 

After the morning Four-Ball portion of the tournament, Team Iowa led the way with a 5.5-point total. Team Nebraska trailed by 0.5 points and went into the Foursome portion in second place. In third place was Team Kansas after a 4-point tally. Team Missouri finished the Four-Ball portion in last with a 3.5-point total, but not far behind.

Iowa’s first match to go off Wednesday morning was the Ankeny duo, Nate McCoy and Connor Peck. After a strong start on the front nine, McCoy and Peck were able to grab Iowa’s first point. Kansas’s Alex Springer and Doug Albers posted a 30 on the back nine, giving them the overall match victory and two points. 

Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, Jon Brown and Gene Elliott were up next. This powerhouse of a team won handily and only gave away two holes to Missouri’s Ryan Sullivan and Ryan Eckelkamp. Elliott and Brown didn’t let up and won the back nine, front nine and overall match to score three points for Team Iowa. 

The final Iowan pairing, Ethan Mechling and J.D. Anderson, had to take on Nebraska’s William Amundsen and Scott Tridle. Mechling and Anderson didn’t give Nebraska an easy match. The two teams battled and ended up in a tie for the overall match. Mechling and Anderson added 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

Switching to the Foursome portion in the afternoon, Team Iowa continued to add to their total. The side of Peck and Elliott fell to Nebraska’s Spellerberg and Nietfeldt. However, Peck and Elliott did add one point with their 2&1 win on the back nine.

Brown and Mechling took on Kansas’s Grove and Fehr and finished in a tie. Brown and Mechling won the front nine after winning five of the nine holes. The back nine had a different story and Brown and Mechling couldn’t get anything going. They added 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

In Team Iowa’s third match, McCoy and Anderson teamed up against Missouri’s Nurski and Ferris. McCoy and Anderson took an early lead and won the front nine on the last hole. They took another early lead into the back nine, but Nurski and Ferris battled back and won 1 Up. The two teams tied overall, and McCoy and Anderson added another 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

Heading into the final round, Team Iowa trails Nebraska by 2.50 points, but currently holds the second-place position. The final round will begin tomorrow morning. You can follow the Directors Cup and get updates and information about the final matches. 


Wednesday Matches
Totals
Nebraska: 12.00
Iowa: 9.50
Kansas: 7.50
Missouri: 7.00

Four-Ball Matches:
Iowa (Nate McCoy/Connor Peck) 1 down/2&1/2 Up Kansas (Alex Springer/Doug Albers)
Iowa (Gene Elliott/Jon Brown) 2&1/2 Up/3&2 Missouri (Ryan Sullivan/Ryan Eckelkamp)
Iowa (Ethan Mechling/J.D. Anderson) Tied Nebraska (William Amundsen/Scott Tridle)

Foursome Matches:
Iowa (Connor Peck/Gene Elliott) 3&2/2&1/3&2 Nebraska (Johnny Spellerberg/Ryan Nietfeldt)
Iowa (Jon Brown/Ethan Mechling) 3&1/3&2/Tied Kansas (Kit Grove/Brian Fehr)
Iowa (Nate McCoy/J.D. Anderson) 1 Up/1 Down/Tied Missouri (Brad Nurski/Chris Ferris)

Watson/Boothe collect title in Boone, Hansen/Parmenter grab net crown

From left – Soni Hansen, Ardrae Parmenter, Tish Boothe and Fiona Watson.

What a great way to cap off the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Events with a fun tournament over the weekend at Honey Creek Golf Club in Boone. Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe won their second Mid-Am Series Event of the season after carding a five-under 66 in Saturday’s round.

Boothe helped the team with a quick birdie on the first hole. Watson followed it up with another birdie on the fourth hole. On holes 6-10, Boothe was on a hot streak. She recorded three birdies and made four-straight pars after the 10th hole. 

Sitting at four-under with one hole remaining and the tournament locked up, Boothe continued to pour it on and made another birdie on the final hole. Watson and Boothe took the win by five shots. Watson carded a 74 and Boothe fired a 69 for a 66 total in four-ball format.

Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman tied with Michelle Klein and Kelly Nelson for second place. The two teams posted an even round of 71 but finished five shots behind the leaders. Mikayla Olson and Kelly Davidson tied with Carroll Dethrow and Janece Schwartzkopf for fourth place at one-over. 

In the Net Division, Soni Hansen and Ardrae Parmenter won off a card-back over Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman after posting an 11-under net round of 60. Hansen has now won back-to-back Women’s Mid-Am Series Events after her win at A.H. Blank in Des Moines. 

Carroll Dethrow and Janece Schwartzkopf took third place with an eight-under net round. Kathy Fortune and Laura Pierce posted seven-under to take fourth place. Rounding out the top-five are the Gross Division champions, Watson and Boothe. 


Gross Division
1. Fiona Watson/Tish Boothe -5 66
T2. Nicki Clayton/Julie Hartman E 71
T2. Michelle Klein/Kelly Nelson E 71
T4. Mikayla Olson/Julie Davidson +1 72
T4. Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf +1 72

Net Division
1. Soni Hansen/Ardrae Parmenter -11 60
2. Nicki Clayton/Julie Hartman -11 60
3. Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf -8 63
4. Kathy Fortune/Laura Pierce -7 64
5. Fiona Watson/Tish Boothe -6 65

Iowa’s Elliott wins 66th U.S. Senior Amateur at Country Club of Detroit

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

There’s still some golf left in the season, but what a way to potentially cap things off for 2021 for Gene Elliott. The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, of West Des Moines, rallied during the final two holes of the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and defeated Michigan’s Jerry Gunthorpe Thursday morning at the Country Club of Detroit. Elliott had started in 35 USGA Championships without a victory, but today was the day and his 36th start ended the drought.

“I’m relieved. I’m very proud. I didn’t do it by myself,” Elliott said. “I had a lot of help from a lot of different people, so it is a team win, really.”

At the beginning of the season, Elliott claimed the Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship in April at the PGA West Stadium Course. This win started the fire to the rest of Elliott’s season, including a win in May at Finkbine Golf Couse in Iowa City at the 36th Iowa Mid-Amateur (Mid-Am Division) as defending champion. He went on from there to post two second place finishes in the next four tournaments.

After a second-place finish at the George C Thomas Invitational, Elliott traveled to the R&A Senior Amateur Championship in Ganton, England. During his trip, he had to quarantine and remain in his hotel until his first round. All the nights in the hotel led Elliott to post a final round score of 70 and took the R&A Senior Amateur Championship trophy back home with him.

With the win at the R&A Senior Amateur Championship, Elliott was eligible for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex. The 59-year-old amateur made the cut and finished second in the low-amateur race. It was a successful trip out of the United States for Elliott, but it was also nice to be back home.

A couple weeks off refilled Elliott’s energy and he traveled to Talamore Golf Resort located in Southern Pines, South Carolina, to compete in the Golfweek Senior National Match Play Championship. A fifth-place finish in South Carolina helped Elliott find a second-place position in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Back in his home state, Elliott traveled to The Preserve on Lake Rathbun to try and win his sixth Iowa Senior Amateur. He earned a second-place finish and fell to a fellow Iowa Golf Hall of Famer and close friend, Mike McCoy. The two Iowa legends battled all week and little did they know, this wouldn’t be their last battle this summer.

The week after the Iowa Senior Amateur, seven Iowans qualified for the 66th U.S. Senior Open and Elliott transitioned his focus to the Country Club of Detroit. The format of the championship is like all the USGA events, stroke play and then a 64-player cut into a match play portion. Elliott knew it would be difficult, but once you get to match play anything can happen.

“It was tough, but match play is a tough format,” Elliott said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. You can shoot 75 and win and shoot 67 and lose. Like I said before, I just try to keep doing the things that I’ve had some success with. I don’t know how it worked out, but somehow it did.”

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

Elliott (right) finished stroke play tied for 28th place with rounds of 74 and 71 for a 141 tally. He claimed the #38 seed in the match play portion of the championship and faced off against the #27 seeded Randy Hicken in the first round.

A 3&2 win pushed Elliott into the round of 32, where he would have to go up against Iowa Golf Hall of Famer and a friend in McCoy. In the stroke play, McCoy finished in a tie for sixth place and earned the #6 seed. The two competitors knew what needed to be done and they put on a show.

With a quick start, Elliott went up two in the first three holes. McCoy fought back and tied the match after the seventh hole. The match was tied at the turn, but Elliott made a birdie on the 10th hole and went up one. Elliott remained one up after trading holes with McCoy on 12 and 13, but McCoy stuck it on the par 3 16th to tie the match.

On 17 and 18 the Iowa Golf Hall of Famers parred, including a nifty up and down for par from the bunker on the 18th hole for Elliott, and went into extra holes. It didn’t take long for a winner to appear as Elliott made birdie and claimed the match in 19 holes. A round of 16 appearance was on the horizon for Elliott and Joe Jaspers, who currently lives outside of Iowa, but was originally from Waverly.

Only two Iowans remained after the round of 32, and Jaspers ended up falling to the No. 46 seeded Tom Gieselman. Elliott’s match with Doug Hanzel was close, but Elliott went one up on the 13th hole. Hanzel and Elliott ended up matching each other on the remaining five holes and Elliott won the match.

In the quarterfinals match, Elliott (left)had to face off with Gieselman, who recently knocked off Jaspers. Elliott brought it to him early, winning the first three holes of the match, but his lead started to dwindle away. Their match went back-and-forth until Elliott sealed it with a win on the 17th hole.

Approaching the semi-final round you would think there would be some nerves kicking in, but not for Elliott. He handled Craig Davis and won the match 5&4, with five birdies and an eagle to move on to the championship match of the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

What a match this was, the No. 9 seeded Jerry Gunthorpe and Elliott (both right) gave the crowd what they wanted. They battled all morning and stayed close together with many pars and a sprinkle of birdies. Gunthorpe never gave Elliott a lead a majority of the way, but in the final two holes Elliott came through. Winning the last two holes gave Elliott a moment he had been waiting for.

“That match was so tough that I am not sure, did I win?” Elliott said. “I guess it just hasn’t sunk in yet. Just so much goes with that USGA title that maybe that’s why I haven’t won it in the past. It’s just so important and so meaningful to win a USGA championship.”

It was a week Elliott (right) will never forget. Whether or not he came out on top, Elliott was going to be sure he recognized his accomplishments this week.

“We both played well. We both should hold out heads high,” Elliott said. “I said to him earlier whether I won or lost I was probably going to cry. Just honored to be in the final.”

With the win, Elliott joins Paul Simson and Chip Lutz as the only three to have ever won the U.S. Senior Amateur, The R&A Senior Amateur and Canadian Men’s Senior Amateur in their career.

Next up for Elliott will be the 40th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, hosted by Sankaty Head Golf Club, Siasconset, Mass. and Miacomet Golf Course, Nantucket, Mass., Sept. 25-30.

Read recap from the USGA

Click here to view photos of the Championship Match

Click here to read feature in Golfweek


A look at how Elliott claimed the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship…

Finals
Gene Elliott def. Jerry Gunthorpe 1 up

Semifinals
Gene Elliott def. Craig Davis 5&4

Quarterfinals
Gene Elliott def. Tom Gieselman 2&1

Round of 16
Gene Elliott def. Doug Hanzel 1 up
Tom Gieselman def. Joe Jaspers 1 up

Round of 32
Gene Elliott def. Mike McCoy 19 Holes
Joe Jaspers def. Sean Knapp 2&1

Round of 64
Mike McCoy def. Jim Sweeney 5&4
Gene Elliott def. Randy Hicken 3&2
Joe Jaspers def. Rick Woulfe 7&6

Stroke Play Results (Iowans)
T6. Mike McCoy -3 69-72-141
T28. Gene Elliott +1 74-71-145
T28. Joe Jaspers +1 70-75-145
MC. Joe Palmer +5 73-76-149
MC. Jim Ihm +7 77-74-151
MC. Gary Ellis +10 79-75-154
MC. Scott Briggs +12 80-76-156


What the Champion Receives

  • A gold medal and custody of the Frederick L. Dold Trophy for one year
  • Exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships
  • Exemption into the 2022 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
  • Exemptions into the next two U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships (2021 and 2022)
  • Exemptions into the next two U.S. Amateur Championships (2022 and 2023)
  • Exemption into Final Qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open Championship

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

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