Month: August 2026

Grant Smith Captures The Classic at Elmwood Country Club

iowagolfAugust 24, 20260 commentsNews

From left – Rob Christensen, Grant Smith and Mike McCoy.

Grant Smith turned in a dominant performance to win The Classic at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown, capturing the open division with 90 points in the two-day, 36-hole event.

Played using Modified Stableford scoring, The Classic rewarded aggressive play, and Smith took full advantage. He recorded nine birdies and an eagle over the two rounds to finish eight points clear of the field.

Case Ruckman finished runner-up in the open division with 82 points after making seven birdies and an eagle during the championship. Connor Peck finished third with 81 points, followed by Nate McCoy with 80 and Drew Munson with 79 to round out the top five.

Mike McCoy claimed the Senior Division title with 88 points, putting together an impressive two-day performance that included 13 birdies.

First-round leader Jeff Panek finished second with 79 points, while Troy Underhill placed third with 75 points.

Rob Christensen came out on top in the Super Senior Division, finishing with 70 points. Ron Peterson was the runner-up with 68 points, and Tim Peters took third with 67 points.

The Classic featured 36 holes of Modified Stableford competition at Elmwood Country Club, with players in each division battling throughout two rounds for the championship.

Complete Results

Irv Warren Memorial GC, Briarwood GC Claim Team Titles at 65th IGA Women’s Club Team

iowagolfAugust 18, 20260 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Club Team

The 65th IGA Women’s Club Team competition delivered a full day of outstanding golf at Ames Golf & Country Club, with rain staying away and ideal conditions providing the perfect backdrop for the annual event.

Irv Warren Memorial GC Takes Team Gross Title
Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course (above) captured the Team Gross championship with an even-par total of 213, finishing seven shots ahead of Golf Club of Iowa.

The winning team featured Kelly Nelson, Lindsay Burry, Rose Kubesheski and Chase Doland, who combined for a strong performance throughout the competition.

In the Individual Gross competition, Katie Riedeman of Ames Golf & Country Club and Leanne Smith of Echo Valley Country Club shared medalist honors. Both players carded even-par 71s.

Briarwood Wins Team Net
In the Team Net competition, Briarwood Golf Club came out on top with a 12-under-par 201, edging Indianola Golf Club by one shot.

Briarwood’s winning team (right) consisted of Ila Gilbert, Nicole Petersen, Jaci Hake and Julie Davidson.

Morgan Conn of Indianola Golf Club claimed Individual Net honors with a 6-under-par 65, finishing three shots ahead of Tara Dabney.

Under the IGA Women’s Club Team format, each club records its best three of four scores on each hole in both the gross and net competitions, making consistency across the entire team critical to success.

With beautiful weather holding throughout the day, the 65th IGA Women’s Club Team provided a memorable day of competition and camaraderie at Ames Golf & Country Club.

Complete Results

Charlie Taylor Named Honorary Captain for IGA Team at 2026 Iowa Cup

iowagolfAugust 17, 20260 commentsNews

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is proud to announce that Charlie Taylor (right) has been named the Honorary Captain of the Iowa Team for the 2026 Iowa Cup, to be contested at Des Moines Golf & Country Club, Sept. 29-30.

Taylor’s lifelong passion for golf and unwavering commitment to growing the sport in Iowa make him a fitting choice to represent the IGA Team during one of the state’s premier competitions.

Introduced to golf by his late father, Heinrich, in the mid-1960s, Taylor developed a love for the game that has only grown stronger over the past six decades. A fine player in his own right, Taylor has long been respected not only for his competitive ability but also for the way he carries himself on and off the golf course. A true gentleman of the game, he genuinely enjoys every opportunity to play, is always willing to encourage and support others, and consistently puts the best interests of Iowa golf ahead of his own. Fellow competitors and friends alike speak highly of his sportsmanship, integrity, and character, making him one of the most admired ambassadors for the game in the state.

In recognition of those contributions, Taylor was honored with the Iowa Golf Association’s George Turner Distinguished Service Award in 2023. Named after legendary Iowa golf ambassador George Turner, the award recognizes individuals whose exceptional service has made a lasting impact on the game in Iowa. Since its inception in 1985 and its renaming in 2003, it has become one of the Association’s highest honors.

Taylor has served the Iowa Golf Association Foundation for more than a decade and has played a key leadership role in advancing the vision of Golf House Iowa, helping turn the long-held dream of a dedicated home for Iowa golf into a reality.

The Iowa Golf Association is honored to recognize Charlie Taylor’s remarkable service, leadership, and love for the game by naming him the 2026 Iowa Cup Honorary Captain. His dedication to golf, commitment to serving others, and lasting impact on the Iowa golf community embody the values of the Iowa Cup, and the Association looks forward to celebrating his contributions during this year’s competition at Des Moines Golf & Country Club.

Smith Holds On for Open Title as Matzdorff, Malizia Claim Division Crowns

iowagolfAugust 9, 20260 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

Champions have been crowned at the Herman Sani Tournament held at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk this afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms early in the morning led to some unprecedented delays, but a few players persevered to earn the titles.

Winning the open overall division with a total of -11 (66-69-70) is Grant Smith (above) of West Des Moines.

“After coming up short in a lot of these tournaments, it feels really good to finally get the job done,” expressed Smith with a smile. “The golf course, staff, and membership were incredible out here. It was a fun weekend.”

Smith’s championship round was a rollercoaster. After opening with three birdies in his first five holes, Smith found trouble on the par-four seventh where he took a double-bogey, followed up by a pair of bogeys.

“It was rough out there for a little bit,” shared Smith. “But I was fortunate to have my dad on the bag today and that really helped keep me grounded.”

Smith fired two birdies in his final two holes to edge Bettendorf’s Ethan Blomme by a single stroke. Blomme also rattled off back-to-back birdies in his final few holes to give himself a chance at -10 (69-68-69), but it was ultimately Smith who sealed the deal. Arthur’s Axton Miller rounded out the podium at -9 (67-68-72)

In the Senior Division, Echo Valley Country Club member Bill Matzdorff (right), of Cumming, claimed his first IGA major title in his career after posting rounds of 68-70-68 (-10) to win by two.

“It was great getting to win on home soil this weekend,” Matzdorff expressed. “If you would have told me at the start of the week I would only make six bogeys and fire off 16 birdies I wouldn’t have believed you. It was a great weekend.”

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer and Johnston’s J.D. Anderson came in second and third place, respectively, at -8 for the weekend.

In the Super Senior Division, Humboldt’s Tony Malizia (left) secured his victory going +7 (78-73-72). Malizia’s final round 72 was the lowest 18-hole score in the division all weekend.

“I made a lot more putts today than I had the previous two days, so that helped a lot,” shared Malizia. “I can’t say enough good things about this place, it was excellent.”

Des Moines’ Mark Gambaiana and Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen rounded at the podium at +16.

Iowa City’s Steven Ihm secured the professional division title at -6 (75-66-69), followed by Albia’s Darin Fisher (-4) and Ankeny’s Zach Steffen (-1).

Special thank you to the staff and membership at Echo Valley Country Club for generously hosting this year’s Herman Sani Tournament.

Complete Results

Smith, Miller Share Lead After Two Rounds of 77th Herman Sani Tournament

iowagolfAugust 8, 20260 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

The second round of the 77th Herman Sani Tournament is officially in the books, and the leaderboard has tightened considerably heading into the final round at Echo Valley Country Club.

Grant Smith (above) of West Des Moines and Axton Miller now share the Open Division lead at 9-under-par 135 after two rounds. Smith carded a 3-under 69 on Friday, highlighted by five birdies, while Miller fired a 4-under 68 with five birdies of his own.

Just one shot back is Jake Weissenburger at 8-under 136 after an impressive 67 in Round 2. Ethan Bloome sits at 7-under 137, while Andrew Johannsen and AJ Sposato are both at 6-under 138. Four additional players are just one shot further back at 5-under.

With so many players still within striking distance, the Open Division remains wide open heading into the final round.

In the Senior Division, Echo Valley Country Club member Bill Matzdorff (right) continues to lead after posting a second-round 70. Matzdorff finished his day in style, making a pair of birdies to move to 6-under 138 for the tournament.

Fellow Echo Valley Country Club member Joe Palmer made the biggest move of the day in the Senior Division, firing a 4-under 68 to climb to 5-under 139 and within one shot of the lead. Johnston’s J.D. Anderson, who opened the tournament with a 66, sits at 4-under 140 following his second round.

The Super Senior Division is also tightly contested, with Rob Christensen and Tony Malizia sharing the lead at 7-over 151. Andy Burton sits just one shot back at 8-over 152.

With one final round remaining, the leaderboard is crowded and plenty of players remain within striking distance of a championship.

Complete Results

Strong Starts Highlight Opening Round of 77th Herman Sani Tournament

iowagolfAugust 7, 20260 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

The opening round of the Herman Sani Tournament held at Echo Valley Country Club is officially in the books. Nearly flawless playing conditions fared well for the field, and a few players took advantage to climb atop the leaderboard.

Sharing the Open Division lead with a pair of stellar 66’s (-6) is Calen Bishop (right) of Johnston and Grant Smith of West Des Moines. Bishop took a commanding lead early in his round, firing a 30 (-6) on the front nine alone.

“I really just tried to play like I was even-par on each hole today,” Bishop shared. “Heading into tomorrow I’m just going to keep hitting fairways and greens and continue to give myself good looks.”

Smith also got off to a hot start, rattling off four birdies on his front nine. After a string of pars on holes 10-14, Smith hopped back on the birdie train on the par-five 15th and the par-four 18th.

In the senior division, Johnston’s J.D. Anderson (left) leads the field after an opening 66 (-6) which was highlighted by seven birdies, four of which were made in his first five holes.

“I played pretty solid and steady most of the day,” mentioned Anderson. “I had some nice wedge shots that I stuck in close, so that was helpful.”

Following closely behind Anderson with a 68 (-4) is Echo Valley Country Club member Bill Matzdorff, of Cumming. Matzdorff scored five birdies on the day, which helped counter a lone bogey on the par-five ninth hole.

Leading the Super Senior Division with a 76 (+4) is Mark Gambaiana of Des Moines. After starting his opening nine with a 40 (+4), Gambaiana bounced back with an impressive 36 (E) on his second nine.

Following closely behind at +5 is the trio of Cedar Rapids’ Bill Sutton, Johnston’s Steve Jordan, and Gowrie’s Tom Schill.

With two more days of competition remaining, the tournament is still anyone’s game.

Complete Results

Honsa Ties Tournament Record, Wins 2026 Northwest Amateur by Nine Shots

iowagolfAugust 3, 20260 commentsChampionships, News

The 2026 Northwest Amateur concluded with a record-tying performance as Joe Honsa (above) of Mendota Heights, Minnesota captured the championship in dominant fashion. Honsa fired rounds of 63-66-67-70 to finish at 22-under-par 266, matching the tournament scoring record established by 2022 champion J.D. Anderson. His nine-stroke victory highlighted one of the finest performances in the event’s history. Honsa will begin his sophomore season this fall as a member of the University of Minnesota men’s golf team, and the Northwest Amateur is proud to add his name to its distinguished list of champions.

Finishing in a tie for second at 13-under-par 275 were Miles Bollinger of Woodbury, Minnesota, and Axton Miller of Arthur, Iowa, each posting outstanding four-round performances. Mick Herron of Excelsior, Minnesota claimed fourth at 12-under 276, while Ben Appelhof of Blaine, Minnesota rounded out the top five at 11-under 277.

The championship field showcased exceptional depth throughout the week. Simply qualifying for the Championship Flight—comprised of the tournament’s top 27 players—was a significant accomplishment, and scoring conditions reflected the high level of play, with all 20 golfers who finished in the top 20 ending the 72-hole championship under par.

The Championship Flight Top 20 finishers were:

Joe Honsa – Mendota Heights, MN (266)
Miles Bollinger – Woodbury, MN (275)
Axton Miller – Arthur, IA (275)
Mick Herron – Excelsior, MN (276)
Ben Appelhof – Blaine, MN (277)
Jack Mulligan – Clarendon Hills, IL (278)
Ben Hicks – Victoria, MN (279)
Dennis Bull – Norwalk, IA (279)
Jon Brown – Adel, IA (281)
Jackson Laven – Okoboji, IA (282)
Eddie Doyle – Fort Dodge, IA (282)
Drew Spooner – Cherokee, IA (283)
Carter Madison – Adel, IA (283)
Michael Clark – Spencer, IA (283)
Shane Barnes – Minnetrista, MN (283)
Jack Winkel – Ankeny, IA (284)
Judd Jirovsky – Grundy Center, IA (285)
James Preston – Lakeland, FL (285)
Joe Hunter – Altoona, IA (286)
Evan Smith – Knoxville, IA (287)

Congratulations also go to the winners of each flight:

1st Flight: Dominick Haskins (St. Paul, MN) – 211
2nd Flight: Patrick Herron (Deephaven, MN) – 215
3rd Flight: Cole Grandfield (Elkhorn, NE) – 215
4th Flight: Colin Mitchell (Dakota Dunes, SD) – 225 (won tiebreaker)
5th Flight: Jordan Oltman (Harrisburg, SD) – 224
6th Flight: AJ Stanley (Spencer, IA) – 227

Senior Division champions were also recognized:

Senior I (Ages 50–59): Jon Brown (Adel, IA) – 141 (won tiebreaker)
Senior II (Age 60+): Curtis Holck (Ankeny, IA) – 146

The Northwest Amateur extends its sincere thanks to all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who helped make another outstanding championship possible. We appreciate everyone who made the trip to Spencer and look forward to welcoming players back for the 2027 Northwest Amateur, July 29–August 1, as another chapter is written in the tournament’s storied history.