2023 IGA Yearbook

82 U. S . AMATEUR Coldwater Golf Links, Ames July 10, 2023 West DesMoines’ Grant Smith andNorwalk's Dennis Bull qualified for the 123rd U.S. Amateur to be contested at Cherry Hills Country Club, Colorado. Smith qualified outright at (-3) 139 and Bull (-2) qualified after a four-way playoff which took three holes to be decided. The qualifier, contested at Coldwater Golf Links, Ames, featured golfers from numerous states. Whippy morning winds and firm conditions made for some of the most difficult play Coldwater has seen, evoking comparisons by a player to the Scottish links, and a grueling 36 holes tested competitors' stamina. Smith explained how he hit an 8 iron when 210 yards out on Hole 7 before subsequently hitting an 8 iron when 120 yards out on Hole 8. "Strategy was a big part [of my success]," he confided. Smith is excited to head to Colorado to compete in his first U.S. Amateur. On the other hand, this was not Dennis Bull's first rodeo. Having qualified for the U.S. Amateur the previous two years, his experience showed. Bull qualified decisively with a birdie on the third playoff hole. Bull joined Smith at Cherry Hills for his third straight U.S. Amateur. Grant Smith West Des Moines 139 Qualifier Dennis Bull Norwalk 140 Qualifier Cale Leonard Ottumwa 140 1st Alt Braeden Nelson West Des Moines 140 2nd Alt Name City Total U. S . MID-AMATEUR Beaver Hills Country Club, Cedar Falls July 31, 2023 Eden Prairie’s (MN) Ben Greve missed one green and still made birdie to go along with six others during U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying at Cedar Falls’ Beaver Hills Country Club. Greve admitted it was a boring day, yet rewarding. “I hit it really well,” Greve said of his medalist performance. “I was in control all day and putted pretty well. It was a low stress round really. There are some tee shots you have to hit it in spots. It’s always sweet (to qualify). I am excited to play in the U.S. Mid-Amateur.” Ankeny’s Jon Olson and Coralville’s Charlie Hoyle earned the other two qualifying spots, both posted rounds of 68 (-4). The 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur was played at Sleepy Hollow Country Club and Fenway Golf Club, in Scarsdale, N.Y., Sept. 9-14, 2023. QUAL I F I ER QUAL I F I ER Ben Greve Eden Prairie 65 Qualifier Jon Olson Ankeny 68 Qualifier Charlie Hoyle Coralville 68 Qualifier Brent Mrozinski Cedar Falls 69 1st Alt Jeff Gudenkauf Cedar Falls 69 2nd Alt Name City Total