2023 IGA Yearbook

127 Iowa Senior Match Play title (his 5th) in the same year. His ball striking ability would compare to nearly any senior player, even at the highest level, professional or amateur.” Palmer has also competed in six USGA Championships and looks to add to that number in the future. Jim Curell Jim Curell, affectionately known as ‘The Legend’, was a household name on the Iowa golf scene for over 50 years. Curell, of Boone, who passed away in April of 2020, was described by Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Rick Brown as being a gentleman golfer in the truest sense of the word. He had a homemade swing that produced outstanding results. He was a three-time winner of the Lake Creek Amateur (1979, 1981, 1999), twice a champion at the Northwest Amateur (1982, 1988) and low amateur at the Iowa Open (1992). Curell also was victorious at the 1980 Tournament of Champions and 1987 Iowa Mid-Amateur. Curell earned IGA Player of the Year honors in 1979. Once Curell graduated to the Senior Division, he was still a force to be reckoned with – winning the 2005 IGA Four-Ball Senior Division with partner Bruce Gervais, 2011 Senior Match Play and was the 2014 Iowa Masters Senior Division champion. Curell was the IGA Senior Player of the Year in 2010 & 2011 and twice qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur (2010, 2011). Curell made an astonishing 18 career hole in ones, including one to end a match against Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jon Brown in the 2008 IGA Match Play Championship at Lake Panorama. “For over four decades he set the standard on how to play the game both as a competitor and a gentleman,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Dave Sergeant said. In addition to his wonderful playing record, Curell >> PICTURED (LEFT) - Joe Palmer was pumped after winning the last three holes of his Round-of-16 match against Randy Haag to make the final eight at Martis Camp. >> PICTURED (RIGHT) - "The Legend", Jim Curell.