Career Highlights

• Won four Open Division IGA titles: 2002, 2021 IGA Match Play; 2004 IGA Four-Ball; 2004 Iowa Mid-Am
• Five-time IGA Senior Player of the Year (2014; 2018; 2020; 2021; 2023)
• Won five IGA Senior Match Play titles (2013; 2015; 2018; 2020; 2021)
• Won Iowa Senior Amateur in 2013; 2015; 2018; 2022
• Won Iowa Senior Mid-Amateur in 2017; 2021; 2023
• Played in six USGA Championships, including a quarterfinal finish in the 2023 U.S. Senior Amateur.

A fierce competitor, with an unmatched drive to win. That best describes Joe Palmer on the golf course.

“Joe has been, and continues to be, one of the best competitors I have ever seen in the state of Iowa,” 13-time IGA point-event winner Jon Olson said of Palmer. “His attitude, desire and perseverance in any round he competes is truly inspiring. He has made myself, and anyone who is attentive to his game, a better player. Joe simply never gives up.”

Palmer’s record is clearly hall of fame worthy. He’s won four open division IGA point events: the 2004 IGA Four-Ball, 2004 Iowa Mid-Amateur and the 2002 and 2021 IGA Match Play titles. He won the 2021 event as a senior. He also won the IGA Senior Match Play title that year, the first player to ever win both match-play events in the same golf season.

Palmer’s dominance on the course took over when he reached 50 years of age. He’s collected 27 Senior Division victories, highlighted by five IGA Senior Match Play crowns and four Senior Amateur triumphs. Palmer has also won three Senior Division titles in each of the Iowa Mid-Amateur, IGA Four-Ball, Herman Sani Tournament, Fort Dodge Amateur, Iowa Open and Iowa Masters.

“Joe has been a stalwart on the Iowa amateur golf scene and has a game that just keeps getting better over time, a rare feat for most accomplished players,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Ken Schall said. “Joe is still competitive among the younger competitors around the state, as evidenced by winning the IGA Match Play and the Iowa Senior Match Play title in the same year. His ball striking ability would compare to nearly any senior player, professional or amateur, even at the highest level.”

Palmer has also qualified for and played in six USGA Championships.