Author: iowagolf

Team Iowa sits in 2nd place after day one of Director’s Cup

September 8, 20210 commentsNews

The day of matches at the 11th Director’s Cup wrapped up today and Team Iowa sits in second place going into tomorrow’s singles match portion of the event at Dismal River Club in Mullen, NE. The home team, Nebraska, leads the tournament with a total of 12.50 points. Iowa’s 9.50 points give them a two-point lead over Team Kansas who holds the third-place position. 

After the morning Four-Ball portion of the tournament, Team Iowa led the way with a 5.5-point total. Team Nebraska trailed by 0.5 points and went into the Foursome portion in second place. In third place was Team Kansas after a 4-point tally. Team Missouri finished the Four-Ball portion in last with a 3.5-point total, but not far behind.

Iowa’s first match to go off Wednesday morning was the Ankeny duo, Nate McCoy and Connor Peck. After a strong start on the front nine, McCoy and Peck were able to grab Iowa’s first point. Kansas’s Alex Springer and Doug Albers posted a 30 on the back nine, giving them the overall match victory and two points. 

Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, Jon Brown and Gene Elliott were up next. This powerhouse of a team won handily and only gave away two holes to Missouri’s Ryan Sullivan and Ryan Eckelkamp. Elliott and Brown didn’t let up and won the back nine, front nine and overall match to score three points for Team Iowa. 

The final Iowan pairing, Ethan Mechling and J.D. Anderson, had to take on Nebraska’s William Amundsen and Scott Tridle. Mechling and Anderson didn’t give Nebraska an easy match. The two teams battled and ended up in a tie for the overall match. Mechling and Anderson added 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

Switching to the Foursome portion in the afternoon, Team Iowa continued to add to their total. The side of Peck and Elliott fell to Nebraska’s Spellerberg and Nietfeldt. However, Peck and Elliott did add one point with their 2&1 win on the back nine.

Brown and Mechling took on Kansas’s Grove and Fehr and finished in a tie. Brown and Mechling won the front nine after winning five of the nine holes. The back nine had a different story and Brown and Mechling couldn’t get anything going. They added 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

In Team Iowa’s third match, McCoy and Anderson teamed up against Missouri’s Nurski and Ferris. McCoy and Anderson took an early lead and won the front nine on the last hole. They took another early lead into the back nine, but Nurski and Ferris battled back and won 1 Up. The two teams tied overall, and McCoy and Anderson added another 1.5 points to Team Iowa’s total. 

Heading into the final round, Team Iowa trails Nebraska by 2.50 points, but currently holds the second-place position. The final round will begin tomorrow morning. You can follow the Directors Cup and get updates and information about the final matches. 

Wednesday Matches
Totals
Nebraska: 12.00
Iowa: 9.50
Kansas: 7.50
Missouri: 7.00

Four-Ball Matches:
Iowa (Nate McCoy/Connor Peck) 1 down/2&1/2 Up Kansas (Alex Springer/Doug Albers)
Iowa (Gene Elliott/Jon Brown) 2&1/2 Up/3&2 Missouri (Ryan Sullivan/Ryan Eckelkamp)
Iowa (Ethan Mechling/J.D. Anderson) Tied Nebraska (William Amundsen/Scott Tridle)

Foursome Matches:
Iowa (Connor Peck/Gene Elliott) 3&2/2&1/3&2 Nebraska (Johnny Spellerberg/Ryan Nietfeldt)
Iowa (Jon Brown/Ethan Mechling) 3&1/3&2/Tied Kansas (Kit Grove/Brian Fehr)
Iowa (Nate McCoy/J.D. Anderson) 1 Up/1 Down/Tied Missouri (Brad Nurski/Chris Ferris)

Watson/Boothe collect title in Boone, Hansen/Parmenter grab net crown

September 7, 20210 commentsChampionships

From left – Soni Hansen, Ardrae Parmenter, Tish Boothe and Fiona Watson.

What a great way to cap off the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Events with a fun tournament over the weekend at Honey Creek Golf Club in Boone. Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe won their second Mid-Am Series Event of the season after carding a five-under 66 in Saturday’s round.

Boothe helped the team with a quick birdie on the first hole. Watson followed it up with another birdie on the fourth hole. On holes 6-10, Boothe was on a hot streak. She recorded three birdies and made four-straight pars after the 10th hole. 

Sitting at four-under with one hole remaining and the tournament locked up, Boothe continued to pour it on and made another birdie on the final hole. Watson and Boothe took the win by five shots. Watson carded a 74 and Boothe fired a 69 for a 66 total in four-ball format.

Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman tied with Michelle Klein and Kelly Nelson for second place. The two teams posted an even round of 71 but finished five shots behind the leaders. Mikayla Olson and Kelly Davidson tied with Carroll Dethrow and Janece Schwartzkopf for fourth place at one-over. 

In the Net Division, Soni Hansen and Ardrae Parmenter won off a card-back over Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman after posting an 11-under net round of 60. Hansen has now won back-to-back Women’s Mid-Am Series Events after her win at A.H. Blank in Des Moines. 

Carroll Dethrow and Janece Schwartzkopf took third place with an eight-under net round. Kathy Fortune and Laura Pierce posted seven-under to take fourth place. Rounding out the top-five are the Gross Division champions, Watson and Boothe. 

Gross Division
1. Fiona Watson/Tish Boothe -5 66
T2. Nicki Clayton/Julie Hartman E 71
T2. Michelle Klein/Kelly Nelson E 71
T4. Mikayla Olson/Julie Davidson +1 72
T4. Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf +1 72

Net Division
1. Soni Hansen/Ardrae Parmenter -11 60
2. Nicki Clayton/Julie Hartman -11 60
3. Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf -8 63
4. Kathy Fortune/Laura Pierce -7 64
5. Fiona Watson/Tish Boothe -6 65

Iowa’s Elliott wins 66th U.S. Senior Amateur at Country Club of Detroit

September 2, 20210 commentsUSGA

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

There’s still some golf left in the season, but what a way to potentially cap things off for 2021 for Gene Elliott. The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, of West Des Moines, rallied during the final two holes of the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and defeated Michigan’s Jerry Gunthorpe Thursday morning at the Country Club of Detroit. Elliott had started in 35 USGA Championships without a victory, but today was the day and his 36th start ended the drought.

“I’m relieved. I’m very proud. I didn’t do it by myself,” Elliott said. “I had a lot of help from a lot of different people, so it is a team win, really.”

At the beginning of the season, Elliott claimed the Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship in April at the PGA West Stadium Course. This win started the fire to the rest of Elliott’s season, including a win in May at Finkbine Golf Couse in Iowa City at the 36th Iowa Mid-Amateur (Mid-Am Division) as defending champion. He went on from there to post two second place finishes in the next four tournaments.

After a second-place finish at the George C Thomas Invitational, Elliott traveled to the R&A Senior Amateur Championship in Ganton, England. During his trip, he had to quarantine and remain in his hotel until his first round. All the nights in the hotel led Elliott to post a final round score of 70 and took the R&A Senior Amateur Championship trophy back home with him.

With the win at the R&A Senior Amateur Championship, Elliott was eligible for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex. The 59-year-old amateur made the cut and finished second in the low-amateur race. It was a successful trip out of the United States for Elliott, but it was also nice to be back home.

A couple weeks off refilled Elliott’s energy and he traveled to Talamore Golf Resort located in Southern Pines, South Carolina, to compete in the Golfweek Senior National Match Play Championship. A fifth-place finish in South Carolina helped Elliott find a second-place position in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Back in his home state, Elliott traveled to The Preserve on Lake Rathbun to try and win his sixth Iowa Senior Amateur. He earned a second-place finish and fell to a fellow Iowa Golf Hall of Famer and close friend, Mike McCoy. The two Iowa legends battled all week and little did they know, this wouldn’t be their last battle this summer.

The week after the Iowa Senior Amateur, seven Iowans qualified for the 66th U.S. Senior Open and Elliott transitioned his focus to the Country Club of Detroit. The format of the championship is like all the USGA events, stroke play and then a 64-player cut into a match play portion. Elliott knew it would be difficult, but once you get to match play anything can happen.

“It was tough, but match play is a tough format,” Elliott said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. You can shoot 75 and win and shoot 67 and lose. Like I said before, I just try to keep doing the things that I’ve had some success with. I don’t know how it worked out, but somehow it did.”

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

Elliott (right) finished stroke play tied for 28th place with rounds of 74 and 71 for a 141 tally. He claimed the #38 seed in the match play portion of the championship and faced off against the #27 seeded Randy Hicken in the first round.

A 3&2 win pushed Elliott into the round of 32, where he would have to go up against Iowa Golf Hall of Famer and a friend in McCoy. In the stroke play, McCoy finished in a tie for sixth place and earned the #6 seed. The two competitors knew what needed to be done and they put on a show.

With a quick start, Elliott went up two in the first three holes. McCoy fought back and tied the match after the seventh hole. The match was tied at the turn, but Elliott made a birdie on the 10th hole and went up one. Elliott remained one up after trading holes with McCoy on 12 and 13, but McCoy stuck it on the par 3 16th to tie the match.

On 17 and 18 the Iowa Golf Hall of Famers parred, including a nifty up and down for par from the bunker on the 18th hole for Elliott, and went into extra holes. It didn’t take long for a winner to appear as Elliott made birdie and claimed the match in 19 holes. A round of 16 appearance was on the horizon for Elliott and Joe Jaspers, who currently lives outside of Iowa, but was originally from Waverly.

Only two Iowans remained after the round of 32, and Jaspers ended up falling to the No. 46 seeded Tom Gieselman. Elliott’s match with Doug Hanzel was close, but Elliott went one up on the 13th hole. Hanzel and Elliott ended up matching each other on the remaining five holes and Elliott won the match.

In the quarterfinals match, Elliott (left)had to face off with Gieselman, who recently knocked off Jaspers. Elliott brought it to him early, winning the first three holes of the match, but his lead started to dwindle away. Their match went back-and-forth until Elliott sealed it with a win on the 17th hole.

Approaching the semi-final round you would think there would be some nerves kicking in, but not for Elliott. He handled Craig Davis and won the match 5&4, with five birdies and an eagle to move on to the championship match of the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

What a match this was, the No. 9 seeded Jerry Gunthorpe and Elliott (both right) gave the crowd what they wanted. They battled all morning and stayed close together with many pars and a sprinkle of birdies. Gunthorpe never gave Elliott a lead a majority of the way, but in the final two holes Elliott came through. Winning the last two holes gave Elliott a moment he had been waiting for.

“That match was so tough that I am not sure, did I win?” Elliott said. “I guess it just hasn’t sunk in yet. Just so much goes with that USGA title that maybe that’s why I haven’t won it in the past. It’s just so important and so meaningful to win a USGA championship.”

It was a week Elliott (right) will never forget. Whether or not he came out on top, Elliott was going to be sure he recognized his accomplishments this week.

“We both played well. We both should hold out heads high,” Elliott said. “I said to him earlier whether I won or lost I was probably going to cry. Just honored to be in the final.”

With the win, Elliott joins Paul Simson and Chip Lutz as the only three to have ever won the U.S. Senior Amateur, The R&A Senior Amateur and Canadian Men’s Senior Amateur in their career.

Next up for Elliott will be the 40th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, hosted by Sankaty Head Golf Club, Siasconset, Mass. and Miacomet Golf Course, Nantucket, Mass., Sept. 25-30.

Read recap from the USGA

Click here to view photos of the Championship Match

Click here to read feature in Golfweek

A look at how Elliott claimed the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship…

Finals
Gene Elliott def. Jerry Gunthorpe 1 up

Semifinals
Gene Elliott def. Craig Davis 5&4

Quarterfinals
Gene Elliott def. Tom Gieselman 2&1

Round of 16
Gene Elliott def. Doug Hanzel 1 up
Tom Gieselman def. Joe Jaspers 1 up

Round of 32
Gene Elliott def. Mike McCoy 19 Holes
Joe Jaspers def. Sean Knapp 2&1

Round of 64
Mike McCoy def. Jim Sweeney 5&4
Gene Elliott def. Randy Hicken 3&2
Joe Jaspers def. Rick Woulfe 7&6

Stroke Play Results (Iowans)
T6. Mike McCoy -3 69-72-141
T28. Gene Elliott +1 74-71-145
T28. Joe Jaspers +1 70-75-145
MC. Joe Palmer +5 73-76-149
MC. Jim Ihm +7 77-74-151
MC. Gary Ellis +10 79-75-154
MC. Scott Briggs +12 80-76-156

What the Champion Receives

  • A gold medal and custody of the Frederick L. Dold Trophy for one year
  • Exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Senior Amateur Championships
  • Exemption into the 2022 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
  • Exemptions into the next two U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships (2021 and 2022)
  • Exemptions into the next two U.S. Amateur Championships (2022 and 2023)
  • Exemption into Final Qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Open Championship

(Jeff Hayes/USGA)

Iowa’s Bull teams up with Price to qualify for U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

August 31, 20210 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Norwalk’s Dennis Bull (right) and Andrew Price (left), of Lake Bluff, Illinois, qualified for the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball earlier this week at Aurora Country Club in Aurora, Illinois. Bull and Price went low and fired a nine-under 63 to win the qualifier by one shot over Skylar Le Vine, of Morton Grove, Illinois, and Chicago’s Ben Johnson. 

Carding a three-under front nine, Bull and Price knew that they needed to go lower because Johnson and Le Vine were already five-under with an eagle on hole seven. A birdie on number 10 started their race up the leaderboard. On 12 and 13, they made birdies and were tied with Johnson and Le Vine. 

Johnson and Le Vine birdied hole 15 to take their lead back, but Bull and Price did not stop pilling on birdies. In the last three holes, Bull and Price made birdies on each hole and took over the tournament. The red-hot duo posted a six-under 30 on their back nine to earn medalist honors. 

The top-two spots qualify for the 2022 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, so we will see Johnson and Le Vine at the Country Club of Birmingham, Alabama alongside Price and Bull. There was a four-way tie for third place at seven-under par. Davenport’s Dusty Drenth teamed up with Michael Fastert, of Wheeling, Illinois, and scored a 65, but missed it by one shot.

The 2022 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship will take place in Alabama on May 14-18, and will be hosted by the Country Club of Birmingham. 

U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier:
1. Andrew Price/Dennis Bull -9 63 – Qualifier
2. Skylar Le Vine/Ben Johnson -8 64 – Qualifier
T3. Josh Kirkham/John Stillman -7 65 – 1st Alternate
T3. Dusty Drenth/Michael Fastert -7 65 – 2nd Alternate
T3. Andrew Kross/Josh Dupont -7 65
T3. Mike O’Connell/Ryan Anetsberger -7 65

Huseman chases down leader, wins 2021 Briarwood Amateur

August 30, 20210 commentsChampionships, News

Andrew Huseman (right), of Ankeny, went low at the 2021 Briarwood Amateur in Ankeny and he needed to in order to get his first win of the season. Huseman carded rounds of 66 and 67 for a 133 tally and won by two shots over Brian Fields. 

Huseman maintained his focus and recorded four-straight pars to finish out his final holes and give himself the victory. Although there was some noise being made by Fields, Huseman continued to play his game and only made two bogeys the entire weekend.

Fields went on a roll at the end of his round, recording six-straight birdies on holes 12 through 17 to get into contention. However, a final round 64 by Fields was not enough to catch Huseman.

In third place in the Open Division was Ankeny’s Connor Peck. He was our first-round leader, but a bumpy front nine through him off during his final round. Peck shot an even 72 after a first round 64 but made two eagles during the tournament.

Lucas Scherf finished in fourth place alone after back-to-back rounds of 69. A four-way tie for fifth between Cody Holck, Jon Brown, Nate McCoy and J.D. Anderson rounded out the top-five. All four players finished at four-under with a 140 total.

In the Senior Division, Bob Brooks and Curtis Holck tied after two rounds for first place at two-under. Brooks fired back-to-back rounds of 71 and Holck managed to get it back to two-under with a 70 in his final round. Brooks (right) would take home the title in a playoff over Holck.

Bill Johnson finished in third place with a 145 tally and rounds of 72 and 73. Johnson was three shots back and played the last two holes at four-over-par during the weekend. On the front nine Johnson was making some noise. He recorded six total birdies throughout the week on just the front nine.

Andy Burton and Troy Kopriva rounded out the top-five with a tie for fourth place. The two competitors finished at two-over and were four shots back of the leaders. Burton fired a final round 69 to jump into the top-five. 

John Kinsey was victorious in the Super Senior Division. He shot rounds of 71 and 68 and finished with a five-under total. Kinsey won the division by four shots over Scott Hornstein, who carded rounds of 73 and 70. 

John Brown earned third place after playing Briarwood at even-par during the weekend. Brown posted a 75 in the first round but followed it up with a 69 in the final round. The current leader in the Super Senior Player of the Year race, Pat Ryan, took fourth place honors. Ryan shot six-over and shot rounds of 76 and 74. Charlie Taylor and Randy Studer finished at nine-over and ended up in a tie for fifth place.

Open Division:
1. Andrew Huseman -11 66-67-133
2. Brian Fields -9 71-64-135
3. Connor Peck -8 64-72-136
4. Lucas Scherf -6 69-69-138
T5. Cody Holck -4 71-69-140
T5. Jon Brown -4 70-70-140
T5. Nate McCoy -4 70-70-140
T5. J.D. Anderson 69-71-140

Senior Division
1. Bob Brooks -2 71-71-142 **Won Playoff**
2. Curtis Holck -2 72-70-142
3. Bill Johnson +1 72-73-145
T4. Andy Burton +2 77-69-146
T4. Troy Kopriva +2 74-72-146

Super Senior Division
1. John Kinsey -5 71-68-139
2. Scott Hornstein -1 73-70-143
3. John Brown E 75-69-144
4. Pat Ryan +6 76-74-150
T5. Charlie Taylor +9 80-73-153
T5. Randy Studer +9 79-74-153

Schaffer, Smith take home IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series victory

August 30, 20210 commentsChampionships, News

From left – Leanne Smith, Erin Schaffer, Soni Hansen and Rebecca Schroeder.

The current leader in the IGA Women’s Player of the Year race, Leanne Smith and her partner Erin Schaffer took the win at the IGA Women’s Mid Am Series Event #3. Smith and Schaffer fired a two-under round of 70 in the four-ball format and won the tournament by two shots over Julie Davidson and Mikayla Olson. 

Smith and Schaffer are now back-to-back champions, but they had to earn it. For most of their round on Saturday, the duo was trailing Olson and Davidson, but Schaffer’s birdie on the 16th and Smith’s clutch birdie on the 18th gave the Echo Valley Country Club partners a three-shot lead. 

Jen List and Lauren Backer earned third place after carding a three-over round of 75. List holed out for eagle on the par-four 11th hole and brought their team closer to the lead. List and Backer ended up finishing five shots back of Schaffer and Smith. 

A tie for fourth place between the team of Laura Leszczynski and Cindy Morrison and Julie Buerman’s and Katie Wenthe’s duo. The two teams posted rounds of 76 and finished six shots back of Smith and Schaffer.

Soni Hansen and Rebecca Schroeder ended up winning the Net Division with a nine-under round of 63. Hansen and Schroeder finished one shot ahead of Jackie Warrick and Shirly Rochelle, who shot an eight-under 64. 

The IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #4 will be held on Saturday September 4, and will be held at Honey Creek Golf Club in Boone. You will be able to follow the ladies using the live leaderboard link on our website.

Team Gross Division
1. Leanne Smith/Erin Schaffer -2 70
2. Mikayla Olson/Julie Davidson +1 72
3. Lauren Backer/Jen List +3 75
T4. Katie Wenthe/Julie Buerman +4 76
T4. Laura Leszczynski/ Cindy Morrison +4 76

Team Net Division
Soni Hansen/Rebecca Schroeder -9 63
Jackie Warrick/Shirly Rochelle -8 64
T3. Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf -6 66
T3. Nicki Clayton/Julie Hartman -6 66
T3. Leanne Smith/Erin Schaffer -6 66
T3. Laura Leszczynski/Cindy Morrison -6 66

Seven from Iowa set to complete at 66th U.S. Senior Amateur

August 26, 20210 commentsUSGA

Photo courtesy of Fred Vuich/USGA

Iowa is taking over Michigan on August 28, at the Country Club of Detroit. A total of seven fellow Iowans (one now living in North Carolina) have qualified for the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and will be headed to Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. This is the first time in recent memory, if not ever, that seven Iowans have made it to the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. A few Iowans had to qualify for a chance to compete at the highest level for Senior Amateurs, while three others earned exemptions.

Gary Ellis, of Norwalk, qualified in Williamsburg at Stone Creek Golf Club for a spot in his first ever USGA Championship. Ellis defeated Jim Butler on the first hole of a playoff. With an advantage off the tee, the long-hitting Ellis took advantage of the par-five playoff hole and was on the green in two.

Peosta’s, Jim Ihm was the second qualifier out of Madison, Wisconsin. Ihm fired a 72 at Blackhawk Country Club and earned his place at the U.S. Senior Amateur by two shots. Ihm was one shot behind Jim Doing, of Verona, Wisconsin, but he will try to one-up Doing this week in Michigan.

Scott Briggs, of Burlington, traveled to Quincy, Illinois to battle for a trip to Michigan. Briggs missed the qualifying spot by two shots, but he earned first alternate honors after defeating Harry Roberts, of St. Joseph, Missouri, in a playoff.

Briggs and Roberts were unaware at the time, but that playoff hole was the deciding factor for an entry into the U.S. Senior Amateur. Briggs was able to punch his ticket into the field at the Country Club of Detroit as an alternate.

Originally from Waverly, Joe Jaspers, who now resides in Huntersville, NC, qualified in Charlotte, NC., earning co-medalist honors with 69 (-2). Jaspers , who was a four-time all-Iowa Conference performer for Central College (IA), made three birdies against a lone bogey in his qualifying round.

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, earned an exemption into the championship for being the No. 2 ranked Senior in the world according to World Amateur Golf Rankings. Elliott has two impressive wins under his belt this season and would like to add a third at the U.S. Senior Amateur.

The 59-year-old won the Golfweek Senior Amateur Championship at the PGA West Stadium Course back in April. He also made the field at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex after winning the R&A Senior Amateur Championship. More recently, Elliott finished in a tie for second place at the Iowa Senior Amateur.

Back in 2018, Norwalk’s, Mike McCoy was a U.S. Senior Amateur semifinalist. Coming in 10th on the World Amateur Golf Rankings for senior qualifications, McCoy has also had a remarkable season.

In the month of June, McCoy won the George C. Thomas Invitational – Senior at Los Angeles Country Club. McCoy was able to carry over some of that confidence into the U.S. Senior Open Championship. Making the cut and finishing in 62nd place, McCoy was the fourth lowest amateur that week.

After the U.S. Senior Open Championship, McCoy began his run at the Iowa Amateur Championship that he previously won six times. He was chasing the leaders at the start of the final round, but a low-round of 63 propelled him into a fifth-place finish. He carried over that confidence into the Iowa Senior Amateur championship, where he won by five shots.

A man who knows how to win, in match play specifically, is headed to Michigan as well. Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, has been known as the match play king this season. He was the first player in IGA history to win the IGA Senior Match Play and the IGA Match Play in one season.

Palmer doesn’t just know how to succeed in match play, he has two second place finishes at the Iowa Senior Masters and the Herman Sani Senior Tournament. He is also the current leader for Iowa Senior Player of the Year and has won almost every event he has played in Iowa.

These seven Iowans are capable of making some noise in Michigan. You can follow alongside these players and the rest of the field on Saturday August 28th up until the final day of match play on September 2nd. The low 64 scores following stroke play will compete in match play to determine the 66th U.S. Senior Amateur Champion.

From left – Gary Ellis, Mike McCoy, Gene Elliott and Joe Palmer.

Click here to view stroke play qualifying tee times

Past Herman Sani Scholarship Committee Chair, long-time IGA supporter Jim Mitchell passes away

August 25, 20211 commentNews, Scholarships

Jim Mitchell, who served the Iowa Golf Association in many capacities over the years, most notably for his many years as chairperson of the Herman Sani Scholarship Committee, passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Jim and his beloved wife of 63 years, Pat, had lived the last several years in Atlanta, Georgia, following a retirement stay in the Villages, Florida.

Mitchell, who also served on the Board of Directors of the IGA, was a prominent player on the course as well, capturing the 1968 Northwest Amateur, 1991 Iowa Senior Amateur and 2001 IGA Four-Ball (Senior Division) with partner Jim Bianco. Mitchell was the 1986, 1990 and 1991 IGA Senior Player of the Year and received the prestigious George Turner Distinguished Service Award in 2007 for his impact to the game of golf through years of volunteer service.

Mitchell’s true passion within his work with the IGA was his role as chairperson of the Herman Sani Scholarship Committee, a position he held for several years.

“Jim was an all-time great from my perspective,” Steve Jermier, 1996 Herman Sani Scholarship recipient and current IGA Vice President said. “Certain people stand out in your memories, and he was definitely one for me.”

Memorials in honor of Mitchell can be made to the Iowa Golf Association Foundation’s Herman Sani Scholarship Fund online by clicking here. Be sure to click the box that you are dedicating the donation in memory of Jim Mitchell.

Click here to read Jim Mitchell’s full obituary

Click here to make a donation to the IGA Foundation’s
Herman Scholarship Fund in memory of Jim Mitchell

McCoy pulls away for victory at 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur, Pomerantz takes Super Senior crown

August 21, 20210 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer added another one to his resume. Norwalk’s Mike McCoy (above right) finished off the 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur Championship to win by a grand total of five shots over Curtis Holck, of Ankeny and a fellow Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines.

“We have a great field, I knew with Gene, Jon, Joe and Curtis and all these good players, I was going to have to play well (to win),” McCoy said. “It was definitely one that I wanted to win, being my first Iowa Senior Am (I’ve played in). I usually had a conflict this week in the past.”

The Preserve Golf Course on Rathbun Lake played difficult during the last two rounds. The wind started to kick up and made many players rethink their shots. McCoy, who didn’t play a practice round, took it slow and played it safe at the beginning.

“I played a little defensively, but I stayed patient,” McCoy said. “I felt a little freer yesterday and got off to a good start today and I was just going to keep playing aggressively. I only made one bogey the whole tournament, so I was pretty pleased with that.”

During the week, McCoy (left) recorded 12 birdies and one lone bogey in the first round. To maneuver your way around this golf course and with only one bogey is an outstanding achievement. Now to add to the already impressive resume, McCoy will take this win and confidence into the U.S. Senior Amateur.

Holck and Elliott, who finished in a tie for second place, played good golf all week long. Elliott was the leader after round one, shooting a four-under 68, but did not break 70 in his last two rounds. Holck fired back-to-back rounds of 71 to begin his tournament and followed them up with a 68 in the final round today.

A four-way tie to round out the top-five between Joe Palmer, Tim McKnight and another Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown. All three competitors finished the week at four-under-par with a 212 tally. McKnight was tied for first with Elliott after the first round, but as the conditions grew more difficult, the scores started to climb.

Palmer recorded rounds of 70, 72 and a 70 in the final round. Palmer was making noise all week, recording 11 birdies, but bogeys continued to pop up on his card. Brown was in second place after the first two rounds, but a double in each round hurt his chances at a first Senior Amateur. Brown made the most birdies out of any player this week (14) and even threw in an eagle during his second round.

In the Super Senior Division, Robert Pomerantz (above left) came back after being down two shots and defeated Rob Christensen. The course played tough, and the weather conditions did not help the players this week Pomerantz commented.

“Never having played the golf course until last Thursday when I came down here for a practice round,” Pomerantz said. “We had tornados, hail and rain during my practice round, but I got a look at the holes and what have you and obviously you want to stay out of the heathers. I did a good job, I only hit it in there one time and was able to find it and take an unplayable and proceed to not make a double bogey.”

Rob Pomerantz Rob Christensen trophy

Rob Pomerantz (right) hold the new permanent Super Senior Amateur trophy provided by a generous donation by Rob Christensen (left), in which the trophy is now named after.

Pomerantz (right) posted a two-over 74 in his first round but turned it up a notch and had back-to-back under-par rounds of 71 to finish off the tournament. Pomerantz made many birdies, but a cold putter would not end his chance this week.

“This is the first tournament that I have won, and I have won a few, that I haven’t putted well,” Pomerantz said. “I putted very poorly this tournament and I gave away untold shots on the green and I made two bogeys on par-five where you can toss the ball closer.”

Heading into the last three holes, Pomerantz was tied with Christensen. He knew he had to make something happen and ended the final three hole stretch at two-under-par with birdies on holes 16 and 17.

“I felt good coming off the golf course yesterday, score wise, and I said try not to mess up,” Pomerantz said. “I did early, but I got it back and then I was pretty good for a long stretch of holes. Playing in competition is so much different than just playing with your friends.”

Christensen may have finished in second place, but he had a great week of golf. Christensen carded two rounds of 75 and fired a 68 in the second round of the tournament, giving him a two-shot lead. A rough stretch of holes early for Christensen was the downfall for his round today. After a 40 on the front nine, Christensen was able to fight back and shot one-under on his back, but it was not enough to earn the victory.

Rick Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, and Jim Butler, of Fort Madison took third place at four-over par. The two finished with a 220 tally and stayed in contention all week long. Butler was the first-round leader, but as the wind picked up in the second round, bogeys started appearing on his card. Joe Ward rounds out the top-five coming in the fifth place position with a 221 tally.

The next Iowa Golf Association event on the schedule is the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #3 at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines.

Senior Division
1. Mike McCoy 70-67-68-205
T2. Curtis Holck 71-71-68-210
T2. Gene Elliott 68-72-70-210
T4. Joe Palmer 70-72-70-212
T4. Jon Brown 72-67-73-212
T4. Tim McKnight 68-71-73-212

Super Senior Division
1. Rob Pomerantz 74-71-71-216
2. Rob Christensen 75-68-75-218
T3. Rick Gorbell 74-74-72-220
T3. Jim Butler 69-78-73-220
5. Joe Ward 72-73-76-221

Smith travels outside Iowa, grabs bid to U.S. Women’s Mid-Am

August 20, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

On Monday, August 16th, Leanne Smith (right), of Indianola, finished with medalist honors at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Am Qualifier held in St. Joseph, Missouri. Smith will now travel to Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton, South Carolina for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in September.

At the beginning of her round, Smith started slowing with a bogey and a double in her first four holes. Smith made a birdie on the eighth hole but followed it up with a double on nine. Sitting at four-over-par after her front nine, Smith got back on track and made four straight pars to start her back nine.

After recording par on hole 13, three-straight bogeys showed up and put Smith at seven-over. With two holes to play, Smith was on the outside looking in and knew she needed to make something happen. Two par-five remained, and Smith took advantage. She made birdie on 17 and she was now in a three-way tie for first place.

A short par-five was all that was left for Smith. She needed birdie to win and qualify for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Instead of making birdie, Smith ensured her victory and recorded an eagle on her final hole of the qualifier. Smith won by two shots over Susan Devoe, of Overland Park, Kansas, and Martha Linscott, of Mission Hills, Kansas.

Kathy Dearborn, of Anamosa, competed for her spot into the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in Waukegan, Illinois. Dearborn missed a qualifying position by one stroke, but earned the first alternate after defeating Madeline Bond in a playoff.

The tournament dates are September 25-30, at Berkeley Hall Club (North Course) in Bluffton, South Carolina.

St. Joseph, Mo. Qualifier
1. Leanne Smith 74 *Medalist*
2. Martha Linscott 77 *Qualified*
3. Susan Devoe 77 *Qualified*
4. Carmen Titus 79 *1st Alternate*
5. Carrie Bostar 80 *2nd Alternate*

Waukegan, Ill. Qualifier
1. Jacqueline Setas 72 *Medalist*
2. Hui Chong Dofflemeyer 73 *Qualified*
3. Nora Klein 74 *Qualified*
4. Elizabeth Payne 80 *Qualified*
5. Heather Penn 81 *Qualified*
6. Erin Varner 82 *Qualified*
7. Kathy Dearborn 83 *1st Alternate*
8. Madeline Bond 83 *2nd Alternate*

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