Year: 2021

Ellis punches ticket to 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur

August 10, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

Gary Ellis (right) is headed to Detroit following his first attempt at qualifying for a U.S. Senior Amateur. The qualifier was held in Williamsburg at Stone Creek Golf Club and it played long, which suited the big-hitting 56-year-old of Norwalk.

Ellis fired a one-under round of 70 and tied with Jim Butler, of Fort Madison. The two competitors headed to the first tee box for a playoff to decide the who would qualify. Ellis pulled his drive to the left and Butler’s drive found the fairway, but left him with a long shot into the green.

“I had to lay up to about 30 yards after my tee shot and was able to make par,” Ellis said. “I shortened some holes today off the tee, which gave me a slight advantage.”

Butler managed a par and Ellis made birdie to came away with the medal. Though Butler missed the qualifying spot, he had an impressive round. Four of the six par threes resulted in birdies for Butler, and he finished as the first alternate.

The second alternate spot went to Ron Peterson who carded an even round of 71. Peterson played a solid round of golf and birdied the final hole to give himself a chance to join the playoff.

Gary Ellis will play at the Country Club of Detroit at the U.S. Senior Amateur beginning on August 28.

U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
1. *Gary Ellis -1 70 – Qualifier
2. Jim Butler -1 70 – 1st Alternate
3. Ron Peterson E 71 – 2nd Alternate
4. Chris Kramer +1 72
T5. Tom Norton +2 73
T5. Bret Taylor +2 73
*Won Playoff

Echo Valley CC, Elmcrest CC win titles at 60th IGA Women’s Club Team

August 9, 20210 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Club Team

Following a great day for scoring at Elmcrest Country Club by many teams, Echo Valley Country Club (pictured above) captured the Team Gross title at the 60th IGA Women’s Club Team Championship. Team members, who posted 214 (+4), of Echo Valley CC included Leanne Smith, Jordan Rose, Valerie Weis and Lauren Backer. Echo Valley CC was led by Leanne Smith, who was medalist of the Individual Gross Division, who fired four-under par 66.

Briarwood Golf Club, who also posted 214 (+4), finished runner-up via the tiebreaker. Briarwood Golf Club’s team included Mikayla Olson, Julie Davidson, Kesi Linden and Emily Wilson.

In the Team Net Division home course knowledge won out, as Elmcrest Country Club (above) won the title by one shot over Echo Valley CC. Elmcrest CC, who shot 205 (-5) in the net portion of the event, was led by Julie Buerman (69 net). The team from Elmcrest CC included Buerman, Bailey Hammerberg, Amy Worden and Mary Hoefle.

Earning medalist honors in the Individual Net Division was Joanie Steinmetz (above) of Des Moines Golf & Country Club. Steinmetz had a great day on the course, shooting five-under par 65, good for a one-shot victory over Cathy West, of Urbandale Country Club.

Team Gross Division
1. Echo Valley CC – 214*
2. Briarwood Golf Club – 214
3. Elmcrest CC – 220
4. Irv Waren Memorial Golf Course – 222
5. Sunnyside Country Club – 234
*Won tiebreaker

Individual Gross
1. Leanne Smith – 66
2. Julie Buerman – 70
3. Emily Wilson – 72
4. Mikayla Olson – 73
5. Geri Huser – 74

Team Net
1. Elmcrest CC – 205
2. Echo Valley CC – 206
3. Ankeny Golf & CC – 207
T4. Urbandale CC – 210
T4. Echo Valley CC – 210
T4. Irv Warren Memorial GC – 210

Individual Net
1. Joanie Steinmetz – 65
2. Cathy West – 66
3. Leanne Smith – 68
T4. Jordan Rose – 69
T4. Julie Buerman – 69
T4. Noreen Christians – 69
T4. Adrea Parmenter – 69
T4. Jennifer Corkrean – 69

Steffen makes Sunday charge, wins 72nd Herman Sani Tournament

August 8, 20210 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

He did it again.

Zach Steffen, of Des Moines, is now the owner of two (2018, 2021) Herman Sani Championships, both times his success has come at Hyperion Field Club. This year finishing at 18-under-par. Steffen fired rounds of 63, 71 and 64 and stayed one shot ahead of Iowa State University graduate, Tripp Kinney.

“I looked at the leaderboard on number seven and saw that the guys ahead of me were playing well,” Steffen said. “I knew I had to step on the pedal a little and keep making birdies. I would check it periodically and I looked on 16 tee and saw that I only had a one-shot lead. I was able to make a birdie on 17 and I knew par on 18 would get it done.”

Steffen’s second round score of 71 set him back a little, but he knew he could fire another low round on Sunday. With help from his first round of 63, Steffen was able to stay two shots off the lead following Saturday’s play.

“It is always hard to follow up a round of 63, like I had during Friday’s round,” Steffen said. “I lost my swing a little bit there, but I was able to find it last night and saw my swing on video and was able to see where I got off.”

Kinney’s runner-up place finish was nothing short of remarkable. Hunting pins seemed to be Kinney’s motto for the tournament. After 54-holes, Kinney only recorded three bogeys and filled the score card with 20 birdies.

Finishing in a tie for third with a final score of 14-under, Lachlan Barker (left) claimed the low-amateur honor this week after a three-player playoff. Barker, a fifth-year player at Iowa State, carded rounds of 64, 71 and 67 and was just four shots off the lead.

Anthony Ruthey, of Port Byron, also finished in a tie for third, but couldn’t save par on the first playoff hole. It came down to New Sharon’s Trent Lindenman and Barker for the low-amateur trophy. Barker stuck it close ,but missed his birdie putt on the second playoff hole. Lindenman had a chance to send it to extra holes but missed his parr putt.

There was a battle in the Senior Division between Jay Gregory (right), of Lineville, and Joe Palmer, of Norwalk. The. The two competitors ended up in a playoff and Gregory was able to win it on the first hole. Palmer, who has had one of his best seasons, could not get it going during his back nine.

Palmer started his day at five-under through his first eight holes, but two bogeys and two doubles placed him in a playoff with Gregory. Gregory continued to fight and made pars down the stretch to put himself in a position to win. The two battled, but Gregory came out with the victory.

A first-time winner, Bill Tank (left) of Bettendorf, took the Super Senior Division. Tank shot rounds of 74, 75 and 72 and won the playoff over Jim Madsen. Tank’s tee shot on the first playoff hole went left, but he stayed focused and was able to tie the hole.

“I actually gave myself a putt to win the match after that tee shot, but it didn’t go in,” Tank said. “I was able to win on the next hole after a good chip.”

Playoff matches in three of the four divisions means there was good golf being played. Zach Steffen, Lachlan Barker, Jay Gregory and Bill Tank will place their names in the rich history of this tournament.

Open Division (Overall)
1. Zach Steffen (p) 63-71-64-198
2. Tripp Kinney (p) 67-68-64-199
T3. Lachlan Barker 64-71-67-202*
T3. Anthony Ruthey 67-68-67-202
T3. Trent Lindenman 67-68-67-202
T3. Andrew Petersen (p) 65-67-70-202

*Won the playoff for the Low-Amateur

 

Senior Amateur Division
1. Jay Gregory 72-69-71-212*
2. Joe Palmer 68-71-73-212
3. Curtis Holck 75-69-69-213
4. Mike Gaul 73-68-75-216
T5. Bret Taylor 76-72-71-219
T5. Ron Peters 73-71-75-219

*Won the playoff

 

Super Senior Amateur Division
1. Bill Tank 74-75-72-221*
2. Jim Madsen 74-75-72-221
3. Pat Ryan 77-71-75-223
4. Scott Hornstein 76-75-75-226
5. Rob Christensen 76-75-76-227

*Won the playoff

Petersen takes lead into final round of 72nd Herman Sani Tournament

August 7, 20210 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

After two rounds at the 72nd Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises, Bondurant’s Andrew Petersen (above) holds the lead by two shots over Jon Brown, of Adel, and the 2018 Herman Sani Tournament Champion, Zach Steffen. Petersen has recorded only one bogey through his 36-holes, and he carded two eagles. Rounds of 65 and 67 put Petersen in the lead heading into the last round at Hyperion Field Club.

Brown is currently the low amateur at ten-under par. In his round today, Brown recorded ten birdies and finished at seven-under to rocket up the leaderboard. Steffen had a quiet round today, but his 63 in the first round has him sitting in a tie for second place.

Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, maintains the lead heading into the final round. Palmer fired back-to-back under-par rounds with a one-under, 71 today. Jay Gregory, of Lineville, was down four shots, but managed to get two shots back on Palmer. Gregory shot three-under and is tied with Mike Gaul who had the lowest round by any senior today. Gaul posted a four-under 68 and made up three shots today. 

In the Super Senior division, Jim Madsen keeps his lead after two rounds. Madsen shot an even 72 in his round today and increased his lead to two. Robert Johnson holds second place with rounds of 74 and 73. Pat Ryan, who leads the Super Senior Player of the Year race, sits in third place at four-over par. 

The final round will continue tomorrow morning with the first tee-time beginning at 7:30. You can follow the live leaderboard using this link. 

Open Division (Overall)
1. Andrew Petersen (p) 65-67-132
T2. Jon Brown 69-65-134
T2. Zach Steffen 63-71-134
T4. Anthony Ruthey 67-68-135
T4. Tripp Kinney (p) 67-68-135
T4. Trent Lindenman 67-68-135
T4. Lachlan Barker 64-71-135

Senior Amateur
1. Joe Palmer 68-71-139
T2. Jay Gregory 72-69-141
T2. Mike Gaul 73-68-141
T4. John Evans 75-69-144
T4. Ron Peterson 73-71-144
T4. Curtis Holck 75-69-144

Super Senior Amateur
1. Jim Madsen 73-72-145
2. Robert Johnson 74-73-147
3. Pat Ryan 77-71-148
T4. Bill Tank 74-75-149
T4. Jamie Blackburn 74-75-149

Past champ leads 72nd Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises

August 6, 20210 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

The first round of the 72nd Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises at Hyperion Field Club has concluded and low scores were to be had. 2018 Herman Sani Champion Zach Steffen, of West Des Moines, fired a low 63 that included nine birdies and a bogey free round. Steffen, who is in the professional division, carded a 32 on the front nine and a 31 on the back nine.

Sitting in second place is Iowa State Universoty’s fifth-year senior, Lachlan Barker. With three birdies right out the gate, you could say Barker got off to a hot start. Barker is leading all amateurs at eight-under par after posting a 64 that also included nine birdies. 

Andrew Peterson, of Bondurant, turned in a seven-under 65 today with five birdies and an eagle on the third hole. Another Iowa State Cyclone, Jake Slocum, has put himself in contention with a six-under 66 and holds fourth place alone. 

Norwalk’s, Joe Palmer, holds a four-shot lead over Kirk Macumber after firing the only under-par round for the Senior Division at four-under. Palmer, who won the IGA Match Play and the IGA Senior Match Play and will give it his all to win the Senior Division at the Herman Sani Tournament. 

Jim Madsen, of Carroll, has the lead by one over three Super Senior Division after carding a 73 today. Bill Tank, Jamie Blackburn and Robert Johnson all sit in a three-way tie for second place at two-over par. To add to the ties in the close race for the Super Senior division, fifth place is owned by five different players. 

Congratulations to our four Herman Sani scholars and our five Ann Griffel scholars. They have all worked hard and have earned these prestigious awards. Each were honored during a banquet held following the opening round of play.

Herman Sani Scholars
Luke Meyer
Jaci Webb
Paige Hoffman
Jack Dumas

Ann Griffel Scholars
Anna Nacos
Amara Lytle
Madeline Streicher
Hannah Fangmann
Isabelle Schneidermann

Open Division (Overall)
1. Zach Steffen (p) -9 63
2. Lachlan Barker -8 64
3. Andrew Petersen (p) -7 65
4. Jake Slocum -6 66
T5. Anthony Ruthey -5 67
T5. Tripp Kinney (p) -5 67
T5. Lukas Pany -5 67
T5. Trent Lindenman -5 67
T5. Tyler Smith (p) -5 67

Senior Amateur
1. Joe Palmer -4 68
T2. Kirk Macumber E 72
T2. Jay Gregory E 72
T4. Andy Burton +1 73
T4. Tom Schill +1 73
T4. Ron Peterson +1 73
T4. Tim McKnight +1 73
T4. Mike Gaul +1 73

Super Senior Amateur:
1. Jim Madsen +1 73
T2. Bill Tank +2 74
T2. Jamie Blackburn +2 74
T2. Robert Johnson +2 74
T5. Randy Studer +4 76
T5. John Brown +4 76
T5. John Matovina +4 76
T5. Scott Hornstein +4 76
T5. Rob Christensen +4 76

Long-time IGA board member, supporter Murray Hart passes away

August 5, 20211 commentNews

Long-time IGA Board Member Murray Hart, 74, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021. Hart was a resident of Spencer and was a member at Spencer Golf & Country Club.

Hart served a pivotal role as IGA President from 2001-2003, during which time the IGA and Iowa Section PGA transitioned into two separate offices.

A private family service will be held Monday, August 9, at the Warner Chapel in Spencer.

Online condolences can be left at https://warnerfuneralhome.com/obituary.php?view=3497.

 

Leszczynski shoots final round 70, wins 56th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur

August 3, 20210 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur

Laura Leszczynski (above right) fought off the ‘home course’ pressure and claims the 56th Iowa Senior Women’s Championship at Indianola Country Club. Leszczynski’s 78 in the first round, which set her back four shots going into the final round, but that did not rattle her. 

“I thought about how I was approaching it yesterday and I was getting way ahead of myself,” Leszczynski said. “I was looking at the scores, but today I promised myself I wouldn’t look at the scores. I hit one shot at a time and just get it on the green and then putt. Just one at a time.”

Leszczynski (right) knew how to win the championship after capturing the title at this event in 2018. She kept her cool the entire round and managed to birdie two par threes. Leszczynski only recorded only two bogeys throughout her final round and capped off a special week at her home course. 

“I thought if I couldn’t win here, I am not going to win it again,” Leszczynski said. “It felt good to win here and I am very proud to be able to do it here at my home course.”

Stuart’s Janece Schwartzkopf (above left) was the overall second place finisher but was the low Super Senior this week. Schwartzkopf carded a 76 in round one and a 73 in the final round to put herself into contention.

There was a tie for third place between Michelle Klein, of Jesup, and Noreen Christians, of Urbandale. Klein fired a 73 in her final round that consisted of five birdies. Christians posted a 75 in the first round and a 77 in her final round. Janis Owens, of Creston, claimed fifth place with rounds of 80 and 74.

56th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur
1. Laura Leszczynski 78-70-148
2. Janece Schwartzkopf 76-73-149
T3. Michelle Klein 79-73-152
T3. Noreen Christians 75-77-152
5. Janis Owens 80-74-154

Phillips rises up in Indianola, leads 56th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur

August 2, 20210 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur

After the first round of the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur at Indianola Country Club, Cedar Falls’ Carol Phillips leads at four-over par. Phillips, who has super senior status, played a consistent round of golf, recording only four bogeys and 14 pars in her round of 74.

Urbandale’s Noreen Christians fired a 75 and recorded four birdies. Christians got off to a hot start and carded three birdies in her first four holes. Janece Schwartzkopf holds the third-place spot alone after posing a 76 today.

Kathy Fortune’s round of 77 sits in fourth place. Fortune had a 39 on the front and a 38 on her back nine. St. Mary’s Laura Leszczynski and the 2020 defending champion, Rose Kubesheski of Dubuque, are in a tie for fifth place at eight-over (78).  

Christians leads in the Stroke Play Net division at three-under. Phillips is in second place at two under and Schwartzkopf and Fortune are tied for third place at one-over.  

The final round will begin tomorrow morning. You can follow our live leaderboard by clicking this link. 

56th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur
1. Carol Phillips 74
2. Noreen Christians 75
3. Janece Schwartzkopf 76
4. Kathy Fortune 77
T5. Laura Leszczynski 78
T5. Rose Kubesheski 78

Brown takes home Northwest Amateur title by one over Bull

August 2, 20210 commentsNews

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member, Jon Brown (right), won the Northwest Amateur by one shot over Norwalk’s Dennis Bull. Brown fired rounds of 63, 68, 71 and recorded a 36 in the final round. Brown had nine birdies in his first round and was sitting at 13-under after the qualifying rounds and ended the tournament at 14-under par. 

Bull had rounds of 69, 68, 69 and a low 33 in his final round. In his final round, Bull continued to fight into contention and was close to pulling it off. Ben Hicks, of Victoria, Minnesota, earned third place with rounds of 70, 67, 71 and a 33.

In the first flight, Andrew Arndorfer, of Livermore, finished at four-under and one shot ahead of Brett Benson, of Bird Island Minnesota. Arndorfer and Benson tied with 68’s in their final round, and Benson made three straight birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16 to get within one of Arndorfer.  

Cole Grandfield, Omaha, took first in the second flight over Van Meter’s Scot Cook. Okoboji native, Jackson Laven was the third flight winner over Joe Powell, of Alta, and carded a 32 on his final back nine. Aaron Ahrendsen was the fourth flight winner; Jim Rose was the fifth flight winner and Eric Wiemers was the sixth flight winner.  

Mike Root, of Omaha, collected the win the 60+ Senior Division with rounds of 72-79.

Championship Flight
1. Jon Brown 63-68-71-36-238
2. Dennis Bull 69-68-69-33-239
3. Ben Hicks 70-67-71-33-241
4. Ross Martens 64-73-75-32-244
5. Joe Hunter 67-66-77-35-245

Virginia’s Cole closes with 63, wins 88th Iowa Open

August 2, 20210 commentsChampionships, Iowa Open

Ryan Cole (top photo), of Glen Allen, Virginia, moved up five spots in the final round to win the 88th Iowa Open at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside. Cole carded rounds of 65, 69 and 63 and won by two shots over Matthew Meneghetti, of Schererville, Indiana. Meneghetti recorded five birdies on his back nine to put himself into contention, but Cole’s 63 was too much to overcome. 

“I just really loved being here,” Cole said. “I had a great time and played some really good golf. I finally broke through at a tournament that I have been coming to for a while. I just really enjoyed everything about this week.”

Marshalltown’s, Kade Brown, took third place after posting 16-under and firing rounds of 66, 65 and 69. There was a three-way tie for fourth place between Barrett Kelpin, Alex Schaake and the low amateur of the week, Nate McCoy (bottom photo). Kelpin, Schaake and McCoy all posted 15-under and Kelpin fired a 64 in his final round. 

McCoy, of Ankeny, was the low amateur by seven shots over Hogan Hansen, of Waverly. After carding rounds of 66, 65 and 70, McCoy earned his third win of the season. 

“I had a blast this week,” McCoy said. “I was pumped to come back and play another state open. It was a lot of fun this week.”

88th Iowa Open
1. Ryan Cole -19
2. Matthew Meneghetti -17
3. Kade Brown -16
T4. Barrett Kelpin -15
T4. Nate McCoy (a) -15
T4. Alex Schaake -15

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