2021 IGA Yearbook

As the championship match began, Palmer went up against the winner of the late Jerry Johnson's side of the bracket. Johnson is also an Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member who passed away recently. Iowa State's Nate Vance was the winner of that side after taking down Willis Gaer in the semis. Palmer knew Vance was going to be longer off the tee, so he stuck to his game plan that he used all week and that was enough to earn the victory. "Vance uses the ground just like PGA Tour golfer Justin Thomas," stated Palmer. "Vance can hit it places that many people can't, and I knew that. I just stuck with my game and limited my mistakes." Vance played tremendous golf all week long, knocking off players like Willis Gaer, Scott Hart and Scot Cook. Vance's morning match against Gaer finished on the 17th hole where Vance made a clutch up-and-down to seal it and advance to the final match. In the final match Vance and Palmer continued to knock down the flag. As the match came down the wire, Palmer started to gain the edge. Heading to the 17th hole tied, Palmer drove into the fairway and Vance was forced to punch out after hitting his tee shot into the right rough. Vance could not make the up-and-down for par, but it wouldn't have mattered because Palmer drilled a birdie putt. The two competitors started to head to the 18th tee and Palmer was now one up. Vance knew he needed to make something happen, so he pulled out his driver and bombed his shot inside 50 yards on the 380 yard par-4. Palmer's tee shot landed in the fairway, giving himself a good look into the green. Palmer went first and his ball landed in the center of the green. Vance knew he had to get it close and make a birdie. After a short pitch onto the green, Vance gave himself a birdie opportunity to send the match to the famous 19th hole at Talons Golf. Vance's putt was tracking the center of the hole, but turned a little at the last second and lipped out. The match was over after Palmer two putted from the middle of the green and the 58-year-old was crowned the 2021 IGA Match Play Champion. 1 Wade Pettitt Waukee -6 66 2 Jon Olson Ankeny -5 67 3 Frank Lindwall Cedar Rapids -5 67 4 Nate Vance Marshalltown -4 68 5 J.D. Anderson Johnston -3 69 6 Cody Holck Ankeny -3 69 7 Willis Gaer Des Moines -3 69 8 Connor Peck Ankeny -3 69 9 Jon Brown Adel -3 69 10 Andrew Huseman Ankeny -3 69 11 Nate McCoy Ankeny -2 70 12 Scot Cook Van Meter -2 70 13 Scott Hart WDM -2 70 14 Dennis Bull Norwalk -1 71 15 Ben Epperly WDM -1 71 16 Cole Davis Marshalltown -1 71 17 Tony Birmingham Norwalk -1 71 18 Nick Pittman Urbandale -1 71 19 Jay Gregory Lineville -1 71 20 Brian Allison Norwalk E 72 21 Dusty Stewart Ottumwa E 72 22 Noah Hartman Slater E 72 23 Ben Pettitt WDM E 72 24 Gary Ellis Norwalk E 72 25 Chad Kimmelshue Ames E 72 26 Kaleb Hagge Morning Sun E 72 27 Ethan Mechling Des Moines E 72 28 Terry Cook Norwalk E 72 29 Evan Johnson Story City +1 73 30 Joe Palmer Norwalk +1 73 Name City R1___ Stroke Play Qualifying 77 (+5) qualified for the 64-person bracket The final match between Nate Vance (pictured) and Joe Palmer was a battle until the end. The lead changed hands a total of six times.