Jim Carney, originally from Centerville, began his dominance on the golf course in the early 1960s and continued to be a feared, yet well-respected opponent for decades.

Carney captured the 1964 Iowa High School Individual championship and added the Iowa Junior championship a year later in 1965. Carney also added his name to the national stage in 1965, advancing to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of California. Over a four-year period in high school, Carney was a medalist in 18 straight meets.

Three years later, following numerous wins around the state including a 1967 Northwest Amateur, the 19-year-old Carney won the 1968 Iowa Amateur at Dubuque Golf and Country Club. In 1970, as a member of the University of Iowa golf team, Carney qualified for the NCAA Championship and finished runner-up in the NCAA long drive contest (lost to Bobby Valentine – future PGA Tour player).

Carney was selected to play on the Army Golf Team in 1970, being one of six chosen. Those other five selected went on to play professionally on the PGA Tour. Carney served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. Following his service, Carney attended and graduated from Drake University Law School in 1975. From 1965-1975 Carney won over 100 one-day 27-hole ‘Minnow’ tournaments across the state.

“Jim’s playing record speaks for itself,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Ken Schall said. “The mere fact that he won a State High School Championship, a State Amateur and a State Junior puts him in rarified air.”

Not only was Carney’s playing resume excellent, his contributions off the course to the game of golf in Iowa continue to be nothing short of tremendous.

As an attorney, Carney has been crucial over the years surrounding legislative efforts and golf, such as tax issues and environmental restrictions. He has also been a main point of contact in development of an “Iowa Golf Day” at the statehouse.

“Jim committed everything he had into building a successful law practice and the time he used to spend golfing was spent in the law library preparing for trials,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Mike McCoy said. “His dedication and professionalism were yet another example of how life should be lived. I have no doubts that had Jim continued to commit his time to golf his impressive list of wins would be much longer.”

In 2020, Jim was an invaluable resource for clarifications on proclamations issued by the Governor surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not a stretch to say that from late March to late May 2020, the IGA, on behalf of the Iowa Golf Council, was on the phone with Carney three to four times a week gaining some clarification on how golf courses were allowed to operate. We know that he played a large part in keeping our sport up and operating when many other businesses were forced to shut down.

It is also worth noting that Jim has performed this work on behalf of the IGA and golf pro-bono, and even makes substantial contributions to many golf-related endeavors, in addition to his volunteer work. He has proven his dedication to the game of golf over and over again, and for that the game of golf in Iowa is much better off and extremely grateful.

“These are just some of the examples of Jim’s generosity and commitment to golf and his love of the game.,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Dave Sergeant said. “Jim has done these things quietly and without seeking any accolades or recognition. He’s been a humble giant in doing all this.”

• 1964 Iowa High School Individual Championship
• 1965 Iowa Junior Championship
• Advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of California in 1965
• Over a four-year period in high school, Carney was a medalist in 18 straight meets
• 1967 Northwest Amateur champion • 1968 Iowa Amateur champion at Dubuque Golf and Country Club
• 1970 was a member of the University of Iowa golf team, Carney qualified for the NCAA Championship and finished runner-up in the NCAA long drive contest (lost to Bobby Valentine – future PGA Tour player)
• Selected to play on the Army Golf Team in 1970, being one of six chosen. Those other five selected went on to play professionally on the PGA Tour
• From 1965-1975 Carney won over 100 one-day 27-hole ‘Minnow’ tournaments across the state • In 2020, Jim was an invaluable resource for clarifications on proclamations issued by the Governor surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic