2023 IGA Yearbook

7 to tell you is that Bob won 8 out of the 12 tournaments he entered this year. That’s not a typo. Bob capped his season at the Briarwood Amateur in Ankeny by finishing at 18-under par with a thirteen-stroke margin of victory! On the Foundation front, most of you have already heard about Golf House Iowa. I’ll speak more about this amazing project in my IGA Foundation letter, but I want to personally thank everyone who has contributed to make this dream a reality. Golf House Iowa is a game changer for our state, and it’s going to open later this spring. When I tell you this facility is unique, I mean it’s truly unique. The Iowa Turfgrass Institute and the First Tee-Central Iowa will be joining us in GHI, and it’s going to provide opportunities for players of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds from around our state to get more involved in the game. Chad and I sat in a golf cart just over 3 years ago at Hyperion Field Club and talked about resurrecting this idea in concept, originally thought of years ago by Bill Dickens and others. Today, we’re a few short months away from the entire project being completed. Thank you for helping us change the future of golf in our great state!!! Since this is my last letter as president, I want to acknowledge a few people that are critical to the success of this amazing association. To our Board of Directors, our Boatwright Interns, our committee members and the countless volunteers that take the time to help make our events successful…thanks for everything you do. Second, thank you to the amazing IGA staff. I’ve told you all since the beginning…you’re the best in the business. Karli – I’m so proud to see how far you’ve come since the first time we met. You were an incredibly deserving Sani Scholar, and we’re so lucky to have you permanently on this staff. Clint – the work you’re doing for the IGA has continued to show the state why we’re special. I love Greenside, and I’m incredibly thankful for all the work you do to spread our mission to the masses. Nate – you’re a pretty good golfer. Ok…you’re a really good golfer. But I’m prouder of how much you’ve developed your knowledge about the other aspects of our association. I remember when we drove to Kansas City to take our first rules test. I won’t share our scores with the masses, but I’m truly impressed with how much you have broadened your knowledge since that day! Katelynn – you’re simply the best at what you do. There’s no other way to say it. The state of Iowa is incredibly fortunate to have you supporting the IGA. Your appointment as a rules official at this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur is a direct reflection of the dedication and hard work you’ve done. And it’s incredibly well deserved. Chad – you’re directly responsible for assembling this amazing staff, and that’s the greatest compliment I can give you as a leader. Everyone I talk to…the players at our events, our partner golf associations, PGA professionals across the state…they all say the same thing. We’re so incredibly lucky to have you serving at the helm of the IGA. The last couple years, you’ve effectively worked two jobs with your responsibilities to the IGA and your work on Golf House Iowa. Somehow, you’ve managed to execute them both flawlessly. Thanks for everything you do. To my successor, Mike Purcell. I hope you’ll enjoy this role as much as I have. Serving as the president of this board during one of the most exciting times in the 120+ year history of the Iowa Golf Association has been one of the true thrills of my professional career. I hope to see you all at the course in 2024! (L to R) Cllint Brown, Karli Kerrigan, Katelynn Hogenson, Nate McCoy and Chad Pitts at Wakonda Club.