Year: 2022

Familiar faces lead the pace at 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur

August 9, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur

Iowa’s three U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship qualifiers, Laura Leszczynski, Rose Kubesheski (above) and Michelle Klein are on top of the first-round leaderboard at the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. 

Defending champion, Leszczynski, tied Kubesheski for the lowest round of the day with a five over 77. With 13 pars on the day, Leszczynski’s consistent play might be enough to take down the current leader for the Senior Women’s Player of the Year, Kubesheski. 

Kubesheski is looking for her eighth Senior Women’s Amateur Championship title, and she set herself up well after round one. After a quick double bogey on the first hole, Kubesheski played the following 12 holes at even par. 

Klein snuck up on the leaders and will put the pressure on in the final round. Klein recorded 10 pars and one birdie to find the top-three on the leaderboard. Her round of 78 will be enough for Leszczynski and Kubesheski to keep an eye on. 

On the penultimate hole, Kelly Grimes knocked in a long birdie to place her inside the top-five.  Grimes finished with a par on the 18th hole to post an 82 and finds herself five shots behind the leaders, Leszczynski and Kubesheski. 

Kelly Grimes’ partner in crime, Sue Harmon, rounds out the top-five with an 11-over round. Harmon’s 40 on the back nine pushed her into contention and out of the two-way tie for sixth place.  

The final round of the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship will begin Tuesday morning. Follow the ladies using our live scoring feature to find out who will be crowned the Senior Women’s Champion.

Championship Division
T1. Laura Leszczynski +5 77
T1. Rose Kubesheski +5 77
3. Michelle Klein +6 78
4. Kelly Grimes +10 82
5. Sue Harmon +11 83

Net Division
1. Sue Harmon -2 70
T2. Kelly Grimes -1 71
T2. Rose Kubesheski -1 71
T2. Ardrae Parmenter E 72
5. Michelle Klein +1 73

Anderson claims 2022 Northwest Amateur, Brown & Muller take home wins

August 8, 20220 commentsChampionships, News

J.D. Anderson (above) grabbed his first win of the season at the 2022 Northwest Amateur Championship at Spencer Golf and Country Club over the weekend. Anderson had to go low to knock off the recent U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifier, Dennis Bull.

Through the first two rounds, Anderson recorded 17 birdies without a bogey on the card. With a four-shot lead going into the final 36-hole round, Anderson continued to make birdies and extend his lead. Bull closed in on Anderson’s lead after the front nine of their final 18 holes. However, Anderson caught fire on the back nine with five birdies in his final eight holes to win the championship.

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown, was victorious in the Senior Division. Brown fired rounds of 68 and 69 to claim his win over second place finishers, Terry Cook and Jay Gregory. With 141 tallies, Cook and Gregory finished four shots behind Brown.

Jay Muller was the Super Senior Division champion with rounds of 72 and 75. Muller ended with a two-shot lead over Bob Brummel, who posted rounds of 73 and 76 to earn a second-place finish.

The 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship begins today! Follow the ladies as they make their way around Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

Championship Division
1. J.D. Anderson -22 62-65-71-68=266
2. Dennis Bull -19 65-66-71-67=269
3. Samuel Storey -16 62-72-72-66=272
T4. Antoine Sale -13 66-68-72-69=275
T4. Jon Brown -13 68-69-68-70=275

Senior Division
1. Jon Brown -7 68-69=137
T2. Terry Cook -3 72-69=141
T2. Jay Gregory -3 71-70=141
Chris Kramer E 73-71=144
Brad Van Roekel +4 75-73=148

Super Senior Division
1. Jay Muller +3 72-75=147
2. Bob Brummel +5 73-76=149
T3. Ron Peterson +6 72-78=150
T3. Mark Gambaiana +6 72-78=150
T3. Bill Mathers +6 71-79=150

Canfield, Combs advance to 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur

August 2, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

David Combs (above left) and Michael Canfield (above right) are headed to a USGA Championship for the first time in their careers. After qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, hosted by Geneva Golf and Country Club, Combs and Canfield will travel to Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin come early September. 

Canfield had to sit and wait for the rest of the field to finish after turning in his three-under round of 68 early in the day. The wait was worth it, but there was still work to be done.

Canfield joined Combs and two others in a four-player playoff to decide the qualifiers and alternates. With a par on the first and second holes, Canfield and Combs shook hands and congratulated each other as first-time USGA Championship qualifiers. 

It was a special moment for the two qualifiers. Full of excitement, Canfield hopped into the cart, after taping in and called his family. 

“I made it,” Canfield said. 

The feeling of qualifying for a USGA Championship is like no other. Only 18-holes to qualify makes it important to get off to a strong start.

“I haven’t played in a qualifier in a while, so early in the round I had to put myself in the position to go get it,” said Combs. 

At the turn, Combs was sitting at even par and three shots back. Birdies on 10 and 11 put Combs one shot back of Canfield. Combs made a putt off the green on 17 for birdie to tie Canfield and sneak into the playoff. 

Tying Combs and Canfield at three-under, Ryan Horner earned 1st Alternate honors after making a bogey on the second playoff hole. Horner had it going early in his round, but a bogey on the 17th hole sent him into the playoff. 

The 2nd Alternate honors went to Charlie Hoyle, who rounded out the four-way tie for first place. Hoyle’s impressive four-under start through his first four holes gave him an early edge. Late bogeys on 15, 16 and the first playoff hole put Hoyle in the 2nd Alternate position. 

On August 8-9, the IGA is conducting the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora is hosting the historic championship. Use our live scoring feature to follow the leaderboard next week.

U.S. Mid-Am Qualifier
T1. Michael Canfield -3 68 *Qualifier*
T1. David Combs -3 68 *Qualifier*
3. Ryan Horner -3 68 *1st Alternate*
4. Charlie Hoyle -3 68 *2nd Alternate*

Chou keeps the title in the family, wins 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur

July 28, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

The final round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship concluded Wednesday afternoon at Cedar Rapids Country Club. Ruby Chou (right) tapped in for her par on the final hole and joined her sister, Joy Chou, as an Iowa Women’s Amateur Champion.

“I’m super excited to have my name right next to Joy on the trophy now,” Ruby said. “I know we both work hard every day to get to where we want to be, but golf is hard sometimes. I can’t believe I made it, and I can’t wait to show it to Joy and my parents.”

After each round, Joy gave Ruby pep talks over the phone to help keep her stay focused.

“Joy and I talked about what happened and she kept telling me to do my best and don’t think too much on the course,” Ruby said. “She told me to go out there and have fun playing the tournament.”

Joy mentioned to Ruby that she would be busy and wouldn’t be able to make it to the final round, but Ruby still had hope she might.

“She told me she was not going to be there,” Ruby said. “I had feeling that she would show up. I told myself to keep it up so that I could show her that I won the tournament.”

As the flag stick went back into the 18th hole, Ruby looked up to see her sister standing over the green.

Going into the final round, Ruby had a four-shot lead over fellow Iowa State Cyclone, Warda Amira Rawof. After the front nine, Chou was two-over and was holding on to a two-shot lead.

“I was two-over on the front nine, but I knew all of my bogeys were from three-putts,” Ruby said. “I just needed to calm down and play smart.”

After Chou made a double on 12 and a bogey on hole 13, the two teammates were tied.

“On the back nine I made double and then a bogey, which put me in a tie with Warda,” Ruby said. “I told myself it was going to be okay, and I needed to stay positive.”

Positivity was key for Chou. After sticking a wedge from 86 yards out, Chou tapped in her birdie and got back on track.

“After my birdie on 14, I told myself, ‘You got this’ and I finished strong,” Ruby said.

That she did. Chou parred the final four holes to close out the tournament and win by two-shots.

Eden Lohrbach pushed herself back into contention with the lowest final round score. Lohrbach fired a 72 to move back into third place and put the pressure on Rawof and Chou. Lohrbach has now finished inside the top-three in back-to-back Iowa Women’s Amateur Championships.

Amber Henson and Hannah Bermel tied for fourth place with 226, 54-hole tallies. Henson carded the second-lowest round of the day with a 73, and Bermel’s 76 secured a spot inside the top-five.

Rose Kubesheski won the Open Division in dominating fashion, as she earns her third victory of the season. With a final round 73, Kubesheski increased her two-shot lead into a 10-shot win over fellow U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship qualifiers, Michelle Klein and Laura Leszczynski (all pictured above).

Klein and Leszczynski tied for second with 240 tallies. Klein carded rounds of 78 and back-to-back 81’s and Leszczynski kept it consistent with three-straight rounds of 80. It was a strong week for these ladies as they head to the Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in two weeks.

Defending Open Division champion, Kelly Nelson, finished in fourth place with a 249 total. Nelson was two shots ahead of Kelly Grimes who posted the second-lowest final round total with a 75, to round out the top-five.

Next on the Iowa Golf Association’s schedule is the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora. Follow to see if Leszczynski will defend her title or will someone else hoist the trophy this year.

Championship Division
1. Ruby Chou +3 71-72-76=219
2. Warda Amira Rawof +5 71-76-74=221
3. Eden Lohrbach +8 72-80-72=224
T4. Hannah Bermel +10 75-75-76=226
T4. Amber Henson +10 72-81-73=226

Open Division
1. Rose Kubesheski +14 76-81-73=230
2. Michelle Klein +24 78-81-81=240
3. Laura Leszczynski +24 80-80-80=240
4. Kelly Nelson +33 82-84-83=249
5. Kelly Grimes +35 88-88-75=251

Chou takes lead into final round of 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur

July 27, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Ruby Chou (above) broke out of the first-place tie on Tuesday and leads the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship, held at Cedar Rapids Country Club. The Iowa State Cyclone carded an even round of 72 to give herself a four-shot advantage over fellow Cyclone, Warda Amira Rawof. 

“I made smarter decisions today,” Chou said. “I had quite a few birdies, which is pretty good. There are quite a few holes where I only have nine-irons left, which is pretty easy for me, but I didn’t hit it well, so I am going to keep working on it after today.”

Elite ball-striking is key at a Top-100 course in the nation. Chou has been sticking to hitting fairways and making smart decisions on the greens. 

“Putting the ball in the fairways first is important and having good speed for my putting is important too,” Chou said. “Some of the holes have some greens that have a lot of slope.”

The two Cyclones will be paired together in the final round, as they sit in the top-two positions. Rawof, who posted a 76 Tuesday afternoon, will look to get it going again tomorrow and make a run at her teammate. 

Coming into the clubhouse with the low round of the day, Tatum Depuydt raced up the leaderboard into third place. The 2021 Iowa Junior Girl’s Amateur Champion fired a one-under round of 71 to get back into contention.

Hannah Bermel and the current IGA Junior Girl’s Player of the Year leader, Bella Pettersen, round out the top-five in a tie for fourth place. Pettersen recorded three birdies en route to a 74 on the day. Bermel joins Pettersen with three birdies and posted a 75 to stay in contention.

Three U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship qualifiers are on top in the Open Division after two days. Rose Kubesheski remains the leader by two with Michelle Klein and Laura Leszczynski right behind. 

Kubesheski tied Klein with the second lowest round in the Open Division today. The two competitors were bested by Leszczynski by one shot today after posting an 80 in the second round. 

Kim Fensterman and defending Open Division champion, Kelly Nelson, are tied for fourth place going into the final round. Nelson carded an 84 during her round today, and Fensterman posted 87 for her round two total. 

The final round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship begins Wednesday morning. Follow the live scoring feature to see who will walk away with the Championship Division and Open Division titles.

Championship Division
1. Ruby Chou -1 71-72=143
2. Warda Amira Rawof +3 71-76=147
3. Tatum Depuydt +4 77-71=148
T4. Hannah Bermel +6 75-75=150
T4. Bella Pettersen +6 76-74=150

Open Division
1. Rose Kubesheski +13 76-81=157
2. Michelle Klein +15 78-81=159
3. Laura Leszczynski +16 80-80=160
T4. Kim Fensterman +22 79-87=166|
T4. Kelly Nelson +22 82-84=166

Three advance to U.S. Amateur from Davenport CC qualifier

July 26, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Dennis Bull (above right) did it again. Bull, a 2021 U.S. Amateur qualifier, repeated the same success this year at Davenport Country Club, a Golf Digest Top-100 course. Now heading to The Ridgewood Country Club and Arcola Country Club (New Jersey), Bull reflected on his rare accomplishment.

“Qualifying two-times in a row is awesome,” Bull said. “I’m old, I looked at Gary (Ellis) on the range today and said, ‘Is everyone getting younger or are we getting older’. It feels good, and I love this golf course.”

The former Iowa Amateur Champion fired a five-under 65 in round one and followed it up with a one-under 69 to conclude his day with a one-shot victory. Bull earned his 2020 Iowa Amateur title at this very course. Having many successful days in Davenport, Bull shares how he has managed to play this course at such a high level.

“Today was soft and gettable if you were in control of your ball,” Bull said. “You have to be precise when hitting the greens. I think it is a golf course that kind of separates good ball strikers. Ironically, I shot 65 and a 69 in the first two rounds during that Iowa Am.”

There are many emotions that you feel during a 36-hole day, and Notre Dame’s, Angelo Marcon (above middle) battled through them. The San Francisco native grabbed the second qualifier spot with a five-under tally.

“I wasn’t really feeling the same during that second round,” Marcon said. “I was a little off and kind of rushing things a little bit. Pops was on the bag, and he did everything he could to calm me down and say, ‘Hey you are still in this’.”

His father’s advice worked. The duo made birdie on 18 to get back into the race and proceeded to card a three-under back-nine to earn the second qualifying spot. The first-time USGA Championship qualifier had the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship marked on his calendar.

“I knew I would be there, I just had to prove it first,” Marcon said.  

Gunnar Broin (above left) will be joining Bull and Marcon in New Jersey after taking the third and final spot out of Davenport. Broin made a clutch birdie on his final hole to break out of a tie and earn the final spot alone.

Jack Dudeck was our first alternate with a three-under total. Dudek posted rounds of 68 and 69 to give himself a chance. Aksel Moe was our second alternate after winning the four-player playoff.

The 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship will be held at The Ridgewood Country Club and Arcola Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. The championship will take place August 15th through the 21st and will be available on Peacock and Golf Channel.

Check out the standings after the first round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship, held at Cedar Rapids Country Club. The race is close after round one, follow the rest of the championship on Tuesday and Wednesday using our live scoring feature.  

U.S. Amateur Qualifier
Dennis Bull -6 65-69=134 *Medalist*
Angelo Marcon -5 65-70=135 *Qualifier*
Gunnar Broin -4 65-71=136 *Qualifier*
Jack Dudeck -3 68-69=137 *1st Alternate*
Aksel Moe -2 68-70=138 *2nd Alternate*

Two tied for lead at 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur

July 25, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Two teammates lead the way after round one of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship. Warda Amira Rawof and Iowa State University teammate, Ruby Chou, carded one-under rounds to begin their title run at the top-notch Cedar Rapids Country Club (shown above). 

Rawof had the recently crowned Western Women’s Amateur Champion, Taglao Jeeravivitaporn, on the bag today as her caddie. The duo teamed up to record three birdies to only two bogeys and will look to break out of the tie with Chou.

Chou knocked in five birdies during her round today. Going into the last five-hole stretch on her front nine, Chou was two-over par and looking up at Rawof on the leaderboard. Chou fought back and went three-under on those holes. 

“After that double, I told myself to calm down because this course has lots of birdie chances that we can get,” Chou said. “Those next five holes to finish my front nine, I didn’t think too much, and I just played them.”

The 2022 IGA Women’s Match Play Champion, Anna Jensen is in a three-way tie with Eden Lohrbach and Amber Henson for third place. The three competitors sit one shot back of Rawof and Chou after even-par rounds. 

Rose Kubesheski continued her dominate play this season after a four-over round of 76 to begin her week in the Open Division. Kubesheski leads by two shots over Jesup’s Michelle Klein, who posted six-over 78. 

Kim Fensterman took third place with a 79 on the day. The Cedar Rapids native is in home field territory and will look to push the leaders all week. The 2021 IGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year, Laura Leszczynski, is not far behind after an eight-over round 80. 

Defending Open Division champion, Kelly Nelson, will head into round two in a tie for fifth place alongside Kim Kieckhaefer. The two competitors carded 10-over rounds of 82 and round out the top-five in the Open Division. 

The second round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship will take place Tuesday morning.

Championship Division
T1. Warda Amira Rawof -1 71
T1. Ruby Chou -1 71
T3. Anna Jensen E 72
T3. Eden Lohrbach E 72
T3. Amber Henson E 72

Open Division
1. Rose Kubesheski +4 76
2. Michelle Klein +6 78
3. Kim Fensterman +7 79
4. Laura Leszczynski +8 80
T5. Kelly Nelson +10 82
T5. Kim Kieckhaefer +10 82

McCoy wins 120th Iowa Amateur, continues incredible 2022 season

July 21, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

Nate McCoy’s historic season continued at Crow Valley Golf Club. McCoy (above) was crowned king of the valley after his impressive final round performance to win the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship. McCoy fired an inspiring 68 to break out of the tie and claim the title by seven shots. 

“I went into the tournament today, focused on myself,” McCoy said. “I knew I had to hit fairways and greens and with the wind being as tough as a it was, I just controlled what I had to control.”

Going into the final round, McCoy shared the lead with Nate Vance, a fellow Iowa State Cyclone. Knowing the skills Vance had, McCoy stuck to his game and let his confidence build on a course he could get after. 

“I think this course fit me well,” McCoy said. “I focused on hitting fairways, which after looking back I believe I only missed seven. Having a lot of wedge opportunities led to a lot of birdies looks.” 

McCoy’s race to the finish began with an early birdie on hole two. That birdie lit a fire under the 2021 IGA Player of the Year. Making the turn with a five-shot lead after carding a 33 on his opening nine, McCoy knew he couldn’t let off the gas. 

“I didn’t want to hold back and protect the lead; I wanted to continue to make birdies,” McCoy said. “I assumed the other guys in the field were making a run and I used that to fuel me to keep making pars and birdies.”

And that’s what he did. McCoy tacked on two more birdies on his back nine to seal the deal and claim one of the most prestigious amateur trophies in the nation. 

For the third time this year, McCoy has etched his name on a trophy his father, Mike McCoy, previously claimed.

“It is special,” McCoy said. “I have always known what he has accomplished, and it has always been in the back of my mind. I compare myself to his accomplishments and it is nice to make gradual steps towards what he has done in his career.”

McCoy is now the first player to win the IGA Mid-Amateur Championship, the IGA Match Play Championship and now the Iowa Amateur Championship in a single season.

“I’m not sure if it has set in yet. I didn’t even know that was a record that had to be broken,” McCoy said. “I assumed other people may have done it. I am grateful to be the first. Down the road I hope someone else will do it in the future.”

The 2020 Iowa Amateur Champion, Dennis Bull tied with the 2021 IGA Junior Boys’ Player of the Year, Cale Leonard, for third place at two-under par. Bull and Leonard put together an impressive performance on the course this week. 

After a first round 73, Bull was able to fight back into a tie for fourth place going into the final round. With two birdies and two bogeys, the former champion posted an even par round and finished eight back of McCoy. 

Currently in second place in the 2022 IGA Junior Boys’ Player of the Year Race, Leonard had his name near the top of the leaderboard all week. Posting a first round 69 placed him in a tie for nineth. Following his 69, Leonard carded back-to-back rounds of 71 to earn his highest finish in the Iowa Amateur. 

Samuel Storey takes the fifth-place position at one under par for the week. Storey began his tournament run with back-to-back rounds of 70 and finished with a final round 72 to round out the top-five. 

As the Iowa Golf Association wraps up the Iowa Amateur, the next event on the schedule is the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur. Starting Monday, July 25, you can follow the competitors as they make their way around Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Championship Division
1. Nate McCoy 67-68-68=203
2. Nate Vance 68-67-75=210
T3. Dennis Bull 73-67-71=211
T3. Cale Leonard 69-71-71=211
5. Samuel Storey 70-70-72=212
6. Kelly Brown 68-73-73=214
T7. Matthew Garside 74-73-68=215
T7. Willis Gaer 69-75-71=215
T9. Dylan Ellis 73-75-68=216
T9. Dusty Drenth 74-69-73=216

McCoy, Vance share lead at 120th Iowa Amateur, several give chase

July 20, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

One day remains at the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship. Nate McCoy (above) remains atop the leaderboard after round two at Crow Valley Golf Club, but once again, he is not alone.

Marshalltown’s, Nate Vance strung together five birdies to tie the lowest round of the day. The redshirt-senior out of Iowa State University compiled a four-under round to place him alongside McCoy at seven-under par for the week.

“My goal has been to hit the greens, and I am hitting the ball well,” Vance said. “I am not playing aggressive, and I am focusing on keeping it in the fairway.”

Hitting fairways is the key to great success and posting low rounds at Crow Valley Golf Club. McCoy, who is known for his consistent play off the tee, has had a similar feeling to Vance. 

“I’m playing well and feel like I am in control of my golf ball,” McCoy said. 

With both players in control of their game, the stage is set for an exciting ending to a historic championship. Vance knows that taking on the 2021 IGA Player of the Year will not be easy, but he has embraced the challenge.   

 “Tomorrow will be fun. Nate (McCoy) is a great player, but I don’t go down easy,” Vance said.

Levi Slings, first-round co-leader with McCoy, put together another impressive round. With winds swirling in all directions, the afternoon played difficult. Slings managed a one-over 72 and remains just four back of Vance and McCoy. 

The 2020 Iowa Amateur Championship, Dennis Bull, punched a ticket back into contention by tying Vance for the lowest round of the day. Bull recorded five birdies to his one bogey on hole three and finds himself in a three-way tie for fourth place.

Cale Leonard and Samuel Storey round out the top-five with Bull at two-under par for the tournament. You cannot count out these competitors as they can pile up birdies in a hurry. Leonard, Storey and Bull will look to make a late push for the title. 

The final round of the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship begins Wednesday morning with the first group teeing off at 7:00 a.m. Tune into the action to find out which Nate will bring home the title, or if another competitor races up to steal the show. 

Championship Division
T1. Nate Vance 68-67=135
T1. Nate McCoy 67-68=135
3. Levi Slings 67-72=139
T4. Cale Leonard 69-71=140
T4. Dennis Bull 73-67=140
T4. Samuel Storey 70-70=140
7. Kelly Brown 68-73=141
8. Ethan Mechling 71-71=142
T9. Dusty Drenth 74-69=143
T9. Jonny Douglas 68-75=143
T9. Trent Lindenman 73-70=143

McCoy, Slings lead at 120th Iowa Amateur Championship

July 19, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

Levi Slings, of Ankeny, fired a statement round at the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship at Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport. During the Ankeny natives impressive first round showing, he carded a four-under 67 to tie for first place heading into round two.

Slings put himself in a position to chase one of the most sought-after amateur trophies in the nation. After the conclusion of his round, Slings gave credit to one of his good friends, Curtis Holck, who he recently caddied for at the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.

“I caddied for Curtis Holck in the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier last week and watching him work his way around the course was the model I tried to copy.,” Slings said. “I hit the ball well and made most of the putts I should have. It was a fun day with a fun group.”

Holck went on to win the qualifier and earn a spot in the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

Another name sits alongside Slings at the top of the leaderboard in this prestigious championship, as Nate McCoy posted a four-under round of 67 to hold a similar lead to the one Slings built during the early wave.

With six birdies on the card, McCoy has his eyes set on his fifth win of the season. Already holding a commanding lead in the 2022 IGA Player of the Year race, McCoy’s work remains unfinished.

North Liberty’s, Coby Thompson, joins five other competitors in a six-way tie for third place. Thompson carded a bogey-free round of 68 to stay in contention going into the second round.

Right there with Thompson is Marshalltown’s, Nate Vance, the current Iowa State Cyclone. Vance got off to a slow start but birdied five of his last seven holes to sneak into that six-way tie for third place.

A rival of Vance and current Iowa Hawkeye, Garrett Tighe, was able to match Thompson and Vance at three-under par. Tighe put together a 68 that included six birdies to keep him in striking distance.

Logan Barnes, Jonathan Douglas and Kelly Brown round out the last three spots of the six-way tie for third place. Barnes made the turn at one-over par and caught fire on the back-nine, recording five birdies in his final nine holes.

Douglas posted five birdies and Brown tacked on four to his first day. Willis Gaer, Cale Leonard and the three-time Iowa Amateur Champion, Nate Dunn, rounded out the top-ten after the conclusion of the first round of the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship.

Round two of the 120th Iowa Amateur Championship will start Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m., with the first two groups going off holes one and 10. Follow the competitors as they make a charge at Slings and McCoy on moving day by using our live scoring feature.

Congratulations to Collin Rutherford (above) on making a hole-in-one on the par-three 11th during the first round of the Iowa Amateur Championship at Crow Valley Golf Club. Rutherford used a nine-iron from 178 yards out for his third career hole-in-one. 

Championship Division
T1. Levi Slings -4 67
T1. Nate McCoy -4 67
T3. Coby Thompson -3 68
T3. Nate Vance -3 68
T3. Garrett Tighe -3 68
T3. Logan Barnes -3 68
T3. Jonathan Douglas -3 68
T3. Kelly Brown -3 68
T9. Willis Gaer -2 69
T9. Cale Leonard -2 69
T9. Nate Dunn -2 69
T9. Samuel Storey -2 69

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