The 63rd playing of the Iowa Women’s Forever 39 was contested at Ridge Stone Golf Club in Sheffield. Over two days, competitors battled pristine fairways and greens, along with thick, penalizing rough. In the end, one name rose to the top: Geri Huser (right) of Altoona.

Huser’s run to the title got off to a rocky start. She narrowly earned a spot in the Championship Flight, claiming the seventh seed with a score of 41. Julie Buerman and Fiona Watson shared co-medalist honors, shooting 36 (E). From that point on, however, Huser never looked back.

In her opening match, Huser defeated second-seeded and 2023 champion Fiona Watson, 3 & 2. Huser noted that her putter was hot throughout match play but emphasized its importance in her victory over Watson. She then edged third seed Nicki Miller, 1 up, in a back-and-forth semifinal match. The win over Miller earned Huser just her second appearance in the championship match, and this time she finished the job. Facing fifth seed Christi Imsland in the final, Huser relied on sharp putting and scrambling to secure the victory. The two competitors battled through 10 holes before Huser emerged as the champion.

In the First Flight, top seed Laura Leszczynski lived up to her seeding, defeating every opponent she faced. In the opening round, Leszczynski defeated eight seed Darcy Duey, 4 & 2. She was tested in the semifinals but prevailed over fourth seed Leighann LaRocca after 11 holes. In the championship match, Leszczynski defeated sixth seed Kelly Grimes, 2 & 1, to claim the flight title.

The Second Flight saw another top seed fulfill expectations, as Julie Hartman captured the title. Hartman received a first-round bye and then defeated fourth seed Nancy Olberding, 3 & 2, in the semifinals. In the final, Hartman battled third seed Ila Gilbert in a tightly contested match before securing a 1-up victory.

Thank you to Ridge Stone Golf Club for being wonderful hosts! Your facility is top-notch and the course was a great challenge for the players.

Complete Results