Author: iowagolf

Sixteen remain at IGA Match Play, Women’s Match Play Championship

June 30, 20220 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play, Wmn's Match Play

The Round 16 matches are set as day two wrapped up at the IGA Men’s and Women’s Match Play Championships. The No. 1 seeds, Dylan Ellis and Leanne Smith advanced to the Round of 16 with two victories on the day.

Ellis came into the championship with high levels of confidence and that has only continued to grow as he moves closer to the final round. After knocking off Gary Elli, 3&1, he defeated Shayne Allan, 3&2 and will face off against Chad Tracy tomorrow. 

Smith won her first match in dominating fashion over Rebecca Schroeder, 8&7. The three-time defending champion will move on to the round of 16 and take on Janece Schwartzkopf, who won her match over Des Moines, Kelly Grimes.  

The men’s championship will feature a rematch between defending champion, Joe Palmer and Jon Brown. Palmer bested Brown in the quarterfinal round at the Senior Match Play. The match went to the 19th hole where Palmer made par to take the victory. Brown looks to get his revenge over Palmer during tomorrow’s round. 

Connor Peck, the 2020 IGA Match Play Champion, advanced to the round of 16 where he will take on Sam Vertanen. Peck claimed wins over Cooper Hanson and Garrett Tighe to push him closer to another match play title. 

Last year’s runner-up, Anna Jensen, knocked off Carroll Dethrow to inch closer to that final round. Jensen will play Kathy Fortune, who defeated Jen Nemmers in a close match that was decided on the 17th hole.

The No. 3 seed Christi Imsland won her match over Jennifer Judge and is set to play Ann Slechta tomorrow. Coming off an NCAA Championship appearance, Ruby Chou advanced to the round of 16 with a win over Cindy Morrison. Chou is set to take on the No. 20 seed, Taylor Sedivec. 

Both men and women will be playing the Round of 16 and the quarterfinal rounds Thursday morning. You can follow the matches for the IGA Match Play Championship and the IGA Women’s Match Play Championship using our live scoring feature. 

Men’s, Women’s IGA Match Play bracket set

June 29, 20220 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play, Wmn's Match Play

The stroke play portion of the IGA Match Play Championship concluded Tuesday evening. One half his year’s Four-Ball Champion team, Dylan Ellis, took home medalist honors and the No. 1 seed for the match play tournament with a five-under round of 67.

Ellis recorded five birdies in his first nine holes. At the turn, Ellis made a double on the hole one, but that did not stop him. In his final eight holes, Ellis went two-under par to take a three-shot lead over the field. 

Defending champion Joe Palmer will receive the No. 2 seed. Connor Peck, the 2020 champion, will go into the 64-player bracket with the No. 3 seed. Christ James will take the No. 4 seed and Joshua Manske rounds out the top-five. 

Anna Jensen and Leanne Smith shared stroke play medalist honors after firing rounds of 77. Last year, Smith defeated Jensen in the final round to earn her third-straight IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Christi Imsland earned the No. 3 seed with a 79 and Ruby Chou grabbed the No. 4 seed. The 2021 IGA Girls’ Player of the Year, Paige Hoffman holds the No. 5 seed to finish the top-five. 

The men will play the round of 64 and the round of 32 on Wednesday. The women will only play their first round. Follow the matches at the IGA Match Play Championship and the IGA Women’s Match Play Championship using the live scoring feature. 

Men’s Stroke Play Medalist
Dylan Ellis -5 67

Women’s Stroke Play Medalist
Anna Jensen +5 77
Leanne Smith +5 77

Huseman wins third career Fort Dodge Amateur title, Davis & Madsen claim victory

June 27, 20220 commentsChampionships, News

Thanks to pristine play through the first 36 holes of the 74th annual Fort Dodge Amateur golf tournament, Andrew Huseman (right) found himself in a peculiar position for the event’s first-ever championship round on Sunday evening.

Leading by an almost-unfathomable 10 strokes, the ink was ostensibly drying on Huseman’s third title since 2019 in the Open division. Yet the grandson of Fort Dodge Senior High Hall of Fame icon Dutch Huseman and son of long-time Fort Dodge chiropractor Bill Huseman didn’t treat the final nine holes as a victory lap.

There was still a title to officially seal.

The Ankeny Centennial graduate kept his nose to the grindstone and did what he needed down the stretch, sealing a seven-shot win over Willis Gaer of Des Moines. Meanwhile, Sean Davis of Council Bluffs (Senior) and Carroll’s Jim Madsen (Super Senior) broke through with inaugural victories at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

Click here to read more from
Eric Pratt of the Fort Dodge Messenger

IGA Match Play, Women’s Match Play returns to Talons Golf

June 27, 20220 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play, Wmn's Match Play

The prestigious 34th IGA Match Play Championship begins this week at a venue like no other, Talons Golf located in Ankeny. This event is a place where many of the best amateur golfers in the state compete for one of the most sought-after titles in Iowa, to be named the IGA Match Play Champion. 

The event consists of an 18-hole stroke play portion on Tuesday to decide the 64-player field. The Round of 64 begins on Wednesday with the Round of 32 to follow. The Round of 16 and the Quarterfinal Matches are set to take place on Thursday, with the Semifinal and Championship Matches to be played on Friday. 

Many questions remain coming into this week. Will Joe Palmer defend his title? Does Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Jon Brown capture his fourth victory at this event? Can the 2021 IGA Player of the Year, Nate McCoy take home his first IGA Match Play trophy?

With one of the strongest fields the championship has ever seen, the 2022 IGA Match Play title could end up in anyone’s hands. To keep up with one of the best amateur competitions in the state, use our live scoring feature for the 34th IGA Match Play Championship. 

A strong field is set for the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play. Coming off an NCAA Championship appearance, YiTing (Ruby) Chou is a force to be reckoned with. Chou will be paired alongside the 2021 IGA Junior Girls’ Amateur Champion, Tatum Depuydt. The three-time IGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year, Paige Hoffman will also be competing this week, and she is searching for her first IGA Women’s Match Play title. 

The 2021 IGA Women’s Player of the Year, Leanne Smith is ready to make it four-straight IGA Women’s Match Play victories. Since 2019, Smith has yet to lose a match in the tournament. Last year, Smith defeated Anna Jensen to claim her third match play title, but Jensen is in the field again and is looking for redemption. 

Smith and Jensen have been paired together in the stroke play portion, along with the 2022 IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #1 winner, Fiona Watson. You can follow this powerful group and many other strong competitors using our live scoring feature during the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play. 

Defending IGA Match Play Champion
Joe Palmer

Defending IGA Women’s Match Play Champion
Leanne Smith

2022 Herman Sani Scholars announced

June 24, 20220 commentsNews, Scholarships

Herman Sani (right) is seen talking with Gene Sarazen in August, 1950.  Sani served as IGA President in 1929.

The recipients of the 2022 Herman Sani Scholarships, presented by the Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) have been announced. Nora Carlson, of Humboldt, John Cahalan, of West Des Moines, Derek Peng, of Ames and Ashton Martens, of Grundy Center, will receive a four-year scholarship of $2,000 per year ($8,000 total). Those individuals will be recognized at the Herman Sani Golf Tournament and Dinner held at Echo Valley Country Club, Norwalk, in August.

Nora Carlson, the daughter of Tom and Sara Carlson, is a graduate of Humboldt High School and will be attending Iowa State University in the fall to study Kinesiology on an Occupational Therapy track.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Herman Sani Scholarship. I am grateful to everyone who makes this scholarship possible. This scholarship aids financially helping me focus more on my coursework. I am thankful for the opportunities given to me through the game of golf and for the lessons which I have learned through the game. I hope to always be a representative of characteristics which embody the game of golf and the core values of the Herman Sani Scholarship; honesty, humility, and perseverance.”

John Cahalan, the son of Steve and Gabrielle Cahalan, is a graduate of Dowling Catholic High School and has been accepted to the University of Iowa, SMU, Luther and St. Olaf College and plans to double major in Business Administration and Music Performance.  

“To be selected as a Herman Sani Scholar is an incredible honor. It was impactful to see how many successful people have been chosen, whether it be a success in golf or a career. I am pretty blessed to be included in this remarkable history. Being a Sani Scholar will always tie me back to the great game of golf, a game that has led to lifelong friendships and memories are just as important as any accomplishments or successes. I am very thankful to be selected and am looking forward to hopefully adding to the incredible legacy of Herman Sani.”

Derek Peng, the son of Edward and Natalia Peng, is a graduate of Ames High School and has been accepted to Georgetown University, UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, NC State University, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa and plans to study economics or mechanical engineering. 

“Golf has been a huge part of my life since a very young age. Besides the challenge and the fun, I’ve learned that golf is a wonderful opportunity to have a positive impact in my community. I’m honored to receive the Herman Sani Scholarship and look forward to continuing to share my passions with the people around me.”

Ashton Martens, the son of Steven and Patti Martens, is a graduate of Grundy Center and will be attending Upper Iowa University in the fall to play golf and study business or marketing. 

“To be selected as a Herman Sani Scholar is truly a dream come true. Golf has always played a very important role in my life and will continue to play a role in my future. The game itself has taught me many life lessons, on and off the course. This scholarship will help me pursue my Marketing degree while playing golf at Upper Iowa University over the next four years. I am truly honored and blessed to be selected as a recipient of such a prestigious scholarship.”

The Herman Sani Scholarship Program was established in 1958. Herman Sani had a passion for golf and young people. Sani was the first director of the Iowa Golf Association and served the organization for over 30 years. This scholarship was created in his memory with the purpose to assist Iowa students to further their education. As of 2022, 195 college-bound students have been awarded this four-year scholarship. 

Most of the scholarship money comes from the generous donations by individuals and corporate sponsors. Since 2013 the Coppola family of Norwalk has contributed $250,000 to the Herman Sani Scholarship Fund. The Iowa Golf Association and point events from around the state also make significant contributions to the fund. For more information about the scholarship visit our website at www.iowagolf.org/scholarships. 

Bily makes final round charge, Pettersen leaves little doubt

June 22, 20220 commentsGirls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Preston Bily (above right) charged up the leaderboard to take the lead and the 2022 Iowa Junior Amateur Championship title. Bily came into the day five-shots behind Cale Leonard, but a final round 68 gave Bily a two-shot victory over Leonard. 

“Cale played some great golf all week,” Bily praised. “I had a five-shot deficit going into the final round, but it didn’t feel like I was playing to beat him.”

In his final round, Bily recorded five birdies and four of them came on the front nine. On the back nine, Bily birdied the 11th hole and finished with seven-straight pars to claim the Iowa Junior Amateur trophy.

“The shots just started coming,” Bily said. “I shot a 33 on the front nine and I made a lot of putts. I knew I just had to make pars at that point and it was a good week and hopefully I will keep playing well.”

Leonard, who led the way during the first two rounds, earned second place with rounds of 71, 69 and 75. During the week, Leonard recorded 13 total birdies with four of them coming from the final round, but bogeys found a way onto his card during the last day.

Cooper Hanson takes over third place with a commanding round of 67 that consisted of seven birdies. Coming into the final round, Hansen was 10-shots off the lead, and with a late push he finished only four back. 

Calen Bishop had a strong week, finishing in fourth place. Bishop posted rounds of 74, 72 and 73 for a 219 tally. Hayden Moore placed one shot behind Bishop and earned a top-five finish with a 220 total. 

Back-to-back dominating performances from the recently crowned IGA Four-Ball Champion, Bella Pettersen (above left), along with rounds of 77, 70 and 76, led to a run away win in the Iowa Junior Girls’ Championship. 

“I spent half an hour watching videos and working on my putting,” Pettersend said. “That helped me shoot my two-under in the second round. My ball striking helped me get in good places to make par and birdie. It was just a really good week.”

Coming into the final round, Pettersen had an eight-shot lead and felt comfortable and confident. That eight-shot lead turned into an 11-shot victory after a solid four-over round of 76 that consisted of three birdies. 

Lauren Briggs and Maura Peters tied for second place at 18-over par. Peters carded a 78 in her final round and Briggs posted a 77 to jump into the tie. Pettersen’s Four-Ball partner, Addison Berg, earned fourth place at 22-over par. Jane Petersen rounded out the top-five with an 81 in the last round and a 242 tally.

Next week the Iowa Golf Association hosts the 34th IGA Match Play Championship and the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Talons Golf in Ankeny.

Iowa Junior Amateur Championship
1. Preston Bily 73-72-68=213
2. Cale Leonard 71-69-75=215
3. Cooper Hansen 77-73-67=217
4. Calen Bishop 74-72-73=219
5. Hayden Moore 75-72-73=220

Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship
1. Bella Pettersen 77-70-76=223
T2. Maura Peters 80-76-78=234
T2. Lauren Briggs 82-75-77=234
4. Addison Berg 77-78-83=238
5. Jane Petersen 78-83-81=242

U.S. Senior Open to have Iowa flavor

June 22, 20220 commentsUSGA

From left – Jeffrey Schmid, Gene Elliott and Judd Gibb.

Three Iowans are set to compete in the 42nd U.S. Senior Open conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This prestigious championship is scheduled for June 23-26 and will be played at Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course in Bethlehem, Pa. 

Judd Gibb (right), of Fort Dodge, earned his spot into the championship with a one-over round of 73 at Dellwood Country Club, located in Minnesota. Gibb earned medalist honors and a place in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open. 

Mikkel Reese, of Okoboji, was the first alternate out of the Dellwood Country Club qualifier. Reese carded a 74 and finished second in the three-person playoff to decide the second qualifier.

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, was one of 77 exempt players after claiming the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship title last summer. Currently ranked as the No. 1 Senior Amateur in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), Elliott is no push over when it comes to the bright lights of USGA Championships. Elliott has competed in 36 total USGA events and recently won the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Detroit.  

Jeffrey Schmid, of Iowa City, punched his ticket to the U.S. Senior Open with a one-under round of 71 at the Mayetta, Kan. qualifier, held at Firekeeper Golf Course. Schmid finished as the runner-up by one shot and took the last remaining spot out of that qualifier. 

Ned Zachar, originally from Cedar Rapids, qualified earlier in May by grabbing one of the four spots at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, NY, shooting 68.

You can follow the Iowans and many legendary golfers as they compete to find out who will be crowned the 42nd U.S. Senior Open Champion on Sunday, June 26. Good luck to our fellow Iowan competitors. 

One round left at Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur

June 21, 20220 commentsGirls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Cale Leonard turned his one-shot lead into a five shot lead going into the final round of the Iowa Junior Amateur Championship, held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. Leonard sits at the top of the leaderboard at four-under par after a 69 in the second round.

“I have been hitting the ball well and hitting a lot of greens,” said Leonard. “Trying to stay below the hole as much as possible here and making a few putts. I am just playing well out here.”

Out of both division, Leonard (right) is currently the only player under par this week. With a five-shot cushion, Leonard is just going to try and continue his consistent play and hold his ground. 

“I am not going to try to change anything, just keep hitting fairways and making putts and make the best score I can,” shared Leonard. “It’s not terribly hard (here) off the tee, thee greens are definitely the toughest. You have to make sure you get the right number on your approach shot and keep it below the hole.”

Preston Bily, of Indianola, jumped up to second place after carding an even par round. Bily is five shots behind Leonard but ended his day going three-under in his last 11 holes. Calen Bishop and Owen Howe are tied for third place at two-over par. Hayden Moore rounds out the top-five after a 72 in today’s round. 

Everything is going right for Bella Pettersen (pictured at top of page) this week as she leads the Girls’ Division by eight shots. The Finkbine native carded a two-under 70 in the second round that included three birdies and only one bogey. 

“My ball striking has been working well for me this week. I have been working hard to get it back to where it was since my arthritis,” shared Pettersen. “My putting is probably my biggest downfall, but I really pulled it together today.”

Ball striking and putting are very important at Finkbine, and with a little home course advantage, Pettersen was able to take advantage of her opportunities. 

“This being my home course, I know how it plays each day and what pin locations you can go after and which ones you can’t. You just have to pick the spots that you really want to hit at and you know you can make those putts.” 

Addison Berg, who recently won the IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship with Pettersen, finds herself in second place at 11-over par. Berg got off to a slow start in round two, but was able to get it back with a two-under 34 on her back nine. 

The IGA Parent-Child Champion, Maura Peters, finished day two in third place after recording a four-over 76. Lauren Briggs, of Burlington, pushed herself into the top-five with a 75 in today’s round. Erika Holmberg holds fifth place going into the final day at 15-over par. 

The final round of the Iowa Junior Amateur Championship at Finkbine Golf Course will begin Wednesday morning.

Iowa Junior Amateur Championship
1. Cale Leonard 71-69=140
2. Preston Bily 73-72=145
T3. Owen Howe 73-73=146
T3 Calen Bishop 74-72=146
5. Hayden Moore 75-72=147

Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship
1. Bella Pettersen 77-70=147
2. Addison Berg 77-78=155
3. Maura Peters 80-76=156
4. Lauren Briggs 82-75=157
5. Erika Holmberg 80-79=159

 

Leonard leads Iowa Junior Amateur, two tied at the top of Girls’ Junior

June 21, 20220 commentsGirls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Cale Leonard is the first-round leader at the 2022 Iowa Junior Amateur Championship, held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. Leonard, of Ottumwa, carded the only under-par round of the day as he leads the field by one shot. The 2020 IGA Junior Player of the Year is looking to add an Iowa Junior Amateur title to an already impressive junior resume. 

Reid Hall, of Cedar Rapids, will head into the second round in second place. Hall, who is one-back of Leonard, recorded five birdies in his opening even-par round. Hall can make birdies quickly and will put the pressure on Leonard during tomorrow’s round. 

Preston Bily, of Indianola, and Owen Howe, of Des Moines, carded rounds of 73 and are tied for third place. A four-way tie for fifth place is between Braeden Nelson, Brock Seiser, Calen Bishop and Thomas Peters. These four players posted rounds of 74 and are four shots off the lead. 

Recently crowned IGA Women’s Four-Ball champions, Addison Berg and Bella Pettersen (pictured right) continue their hot-streak as they both sit at the top of the Girls’ Division. Berg, of Swisher, and Pettersen, of North Liberty, carded rounds of 77 and will head into the second round tied for the lead. 

Jane Petersen, out of Cedar Rapids, finds herself one shot off the lead with after a 78 in round one. The two Bettendorf natives, Erika Holmberg and Maura Peters finished in a tie for fourth place with rounds of 80. 

Follow the second round of the Iowa Junior Amateur Championship at Finkbine Golf Course Tuesday morning.

Iowa Junior Amateur Championship

1. Cale Leonard 71
2. Reid Hall 72
T3. Preston Bily 73
T3. Owen Howe 73
T5. Braeden Nelson 74
T5. Brock Seiser 74
T5 Calen Bishop 74
T5 Thomas Potter 74

 

Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship

T1. Addison Berg 77
T1. Bella Pettersen 77
3. Jane Petersen 78
T4. Erika Holmberg 80
T4. Maura Peters 80

Chiodo’s win 2022 IGA Father-Son Championship, Peters’ take Parent-Child crown

June 20, 20220 commentsFather-Son / Parent-Child

Many great moments and memories that will last a lifetime were made at the 2022 IGA Father-Son and Parent Child Championship, held at Jester Park in Granger.

Jeff and Gianni Chiodo were crowned the Father-Son Open Division Champions with a two-under round of 70 during Sunday’s round. The Chiodo’s carded three birdies with only one lone bogey to race to the top of a packed leaderboard.

Gary and Nash Bucher tied Jay and Robert Johnson for second place with even rounds of 72. Mike and Clayton Phillips finished in fourth with Curtis and Cody Holck at one-over par.

The Father-Son Young Adult Division came down to a card-back between the side of Scott and Jackson Anderson and Bo and Elijah Anderson. The two teams finished their rounds at eight-over par and Scott and Jackson took home the victory.

Ben and Maura Peters defend their 2021 Parent-Child Open Division title after firing a two-under round of 70. The duo followed up their one-over front nine with a clean, three-under back nine that included three birdies. Brett and Paige Hoffman placed second with a four-over tally and Tracy and Allison McArtor took home third place with a six-over total. 

On Jester Park’s Par-Three Course, Ben and Tate Pettitt finished at the top of the Father-Son Junior 9 & 10 Division. Jason and Griffin Sparks tied with David and Carter Combs in the Father-Son Junior 8 & Under Division. 

In the Parent-Child Junior Division, Pat and Jordin Wynja earned the 9 & 10 Division with a 14-over total. Justin and Jayden Chapman won the 8 & Under Division with a score of 71.

Tomorrow marks the first round of the Iowa Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur. The championship will be held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. You can follow the juniors as they make their way around Finkbine using our live scoring.

Father / Son – Open Division Champions

  1. Jeff & Gianni Chiodo -2 70

Father / Son – Young Adult Division Champions

  1. Scott & Jackson Anderson +8 80

Father / Son – Junior 9 & 10 Division Champions

  1. Ben & Tate Pettitt +2 56

Father / Son – Junior 8 & Under Division Champions

T1. Jason & Griffin Sparks +10 64

T1. David & Carter Combs +10 64

Parent / Child – Open Division Champions

  1. Ben & Maura Peters -2 70

Parent / Child – Junior 9 & 10 Division Champions

  1. Pat & Jordin Wynja +14 68

Parent / Child – Junior 8 & Under Division Champions

  1. Justin & Jayden Chapman +17 71
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