Leanne Smith (Indianola) secured the victory at the 61st Iowa Women’s Forever Match Play Championship at Ankeny Golf & Country Club. Some may recall Smith also won the 59th Women’s Iowa Forever 39 Match Play at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club in 2021. After shooting 38 (+2) in the qualifying round, Smith was seeded fifth. Smith was determined to capitalize on the format of match play.

“I just feel like you’re always in it, whether you really have it all together. Something may happen, you have your own fate in your hand,” Smith said.

In the her first match Smith played against No. 4 seed Carroll Dethrow (Nevada). The two of them both played solidly; but Smith would win 1 up. In round two’s match Smith was up against No. 8 eight seed Kelly Nelson (Waterloo) who defeated defending champion and No. 1 seed Fiona Watson (Des Moines) in round one. Smith would end up defeating Watson 1 up. In the final match Smith went against No. 3 seed Geri Huser (Altoona), Smith would go on to defeat Huser 2&1 to claim the overall title. 

In the first flight No. 3 seeded Rosalie Kubesheski (Dubuque) secured the victory. Along the way Kubesheski defeated No. 6 seed Nicol Jones (Ankeny) 3&1, No. 2 seed Mary Howell (Ames) 1up, and No. 4 seed Erin Schaffer (Johnston) 2&1.

Janis Owens (Cresten) No. 3 seed would breeze her way to win the second flight. Along the way Ownes would defeat No. 6 seed Bonnie Jones (Cedar Rapids) 2 up, No. 2 seed Cindy Morrison (Indianola) 2&1, and No. 8 seed Laura Pierce (Ankeny) 4&3.

Smith commented about her mom (Janis Owens) winning the second flight.

“It is so fun sharing all of this with my mom, we play in a lot of the same stuff and get to hang out together,” she said.

No. 3 seed Shirly Rochelle (Council Bluffs) held on and captured the victory in the third flight. Along the way Rochelle would beat No. 6 seed Juile Hartman (Greenfield) 2&1 No. 2 seed Kelly Grimes (Des Moines) in 10 holes. Before the final match No. 1 seed Darci Duey (Johnston) and No. 4 seed Becky Schwiete (Ankeny) fought hard for 16 holes before Schwiete won on the 17th hole. In the final Schwiete fell to Rochelle 2&1.

No. 1 seed Fiona Watson (Des Moines) battled back in the consultation bracket finals and won. Watson took down No. 4 seed Carroll Dethrow (Nevada) 3&2 and No. 2 seed Kathy Fortune (Rockwell City) 2&1.

In the first flight consultation bracket No. 2 seed Michell Klein (Jesup) won in style. Kline took down No. 3 seed Nicol Jones (Ankeney) 3&2 and Jan Sewright (Ankeny) in 11 holes to capture the win.

No. 1 seed Jan Herke (Ankeny) would win the second consultation bracket. In the process Herke defeated No. 4 seed Leighann Larocca (Clive) 1 up and No. 2 seed Sue Harmon (Slater) 3&2.

Julie Hartma (Greenfield) No. 3 seed would take home the victory in the third consultation bracket. Hartman would defeat No. 2 seed Lora Winter (Walford) and Mary Nelson (Ankeny) 2&1.