Author: iowagolf

Meneghetti wins playoff, takes home 91st Iowa Open title

Matthew Meneghetti (above) of Schererville, Indiana the 91st Iowa Open Champion presented by Riverside Casino and Golf Resort on Sunday, August 4 at Blue Top Ridge at Riverside. Meneghetti’s 3-day total was 71-65-69=205, 11-under-par. Meneghetti’s final round included birdies on holes 3, 4, 7, 9 and 17 including bogeys on holes 5 and 18. This is Meneghetti’s second Iowa Open having won in 2022.

Runner-up was Carter Dill of Tampa, Florida with a 3-day total of 64-70-71=205, 11-under-par. Meneghetti won with a par on 2nd playoff hole against Dill.

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McCoy makes pair of back nine eagles, wins 122nd Iowa Amateur

Mike McCoy won the 1996 Iowa Amateur at Finkbine Golf Course, six years after his son, Nate (above), was born. Mike rallied with a final-round 67 that included an eagle on the par-5 15th hole.

The 2023 Walker Cup captain rekindled those memories on Tuesday, this time as a caddy. Because it was his son, Nate, who accepted the 122nd Iowa Amateur trophy for the second time in his career after a closing 66 at Finkbine. A round that included an eagle on the 15th hole.

“This is the whole reason you compete,” said Nate, who also eagled the par-4 12th earlier in the final round. “You want to test yourself against the best.”

McCoy’s 54-hole score of 204, 12 under par, was three shots better than 2012 champion Jon Olson, Cale Leonard (right) and Maxwell Tjoa. Leonard started the day seven shots back, and his 66 matched McCoy for the lowest round of the day.

“I just wanted to go make birdies,” he said. “The course was still kind of soft from yesterday, and I knew it was going to be gettable. There was no pressure on me to try and hold the lead or anything. I was just trying to catch up.”

The victory also saved Nate a long drive north. He was scheduled to play in a U.S. Amateur qualifier Wednesday morning at Dacotah Ridge Golf Club in Morton, Minn., west of the Twin Cities. But this is the first year the sponsoring United States Golf Association has granted a U.S. Amateur exemption to all state amateur champions.

So Nate will be teeing it up at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., starting August 12.

“I was dreading that drive,” he said of the trip he gladly skipped. “Such a relief. Now I get to go home to my family with the trophy.”

Tuesday’s victory also made McCoy the front runner for a fourth consecutive Iowa Golf Association Iowa Amateur of the Year Award. Nate and his dad are the only players to win it three straight times.

The McCoys also became the first father-son tandem to both win multiple Iowa Amateur titles. Nate also won at Crow Valley in Bettendorf in 2022. Mike won six times (1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2010, 2015).

Nate had to play catch-up after a 71 on Sunday, five shots behind first-round leader J.D. Anderson. McCoy’s second-round 67 moved him into a tie for fourth, four shots behind leader Jake Weissenburger , two back of Dusty Drenth and one back of Anderson.

“I figured I’d need a 7-under round to have a chance,” McCoy said, who ran off four straight birdies starting at No. 5, only to have a bogey at No. 9 slow his charge.

Drenth (left), playing in the day’s final pairing, made a serious move to the top of the leaderboard. He also shot a front-nine 33 and added a birdie at the 11th to jump to 12 under par. McCoy, a pairing in front of Drenth, went to the par-4 12th hole, a 392-yard dogleg left, at 9 under par.

Everything changed with one swing of McCoy’s pitching wedge. He holed it from 113 yards out for eagle. It was an uphill shot, so no one immediately knew it went it. But Mike had an inkling.

“He thought it was in right away,” Nate said. “I was thinking, “Well, I hope it’s not over. We walked up there and I saw my pitch mark, but not the ball. My heart jumped a little bit. I thought it was probably over.”

But Olson, one of his playing partners, looked in the hole and smiled.

“He came over and gave me a fist pump,” Nate said. “That was pretty cool.”

Soon after McCoy hit the green at the par-3 13th hole, and Drenth hit his approach to the 12th green some 40 feet below the hole, sirens sounded and play was suspended because of an approaching storm.

When the championship resumed, 1 hour and 57 minutes later, Drenth lost his momentum.

He 3-putted the 12th for bogey. Uncertain about the speed of the greens after the rain, he left his birdie attempt short and power-lipped his par attempt.

Then at the 13th, his tee shot hit a cart path and found the water, and he made double bogey.

He hit a good shot into the 14th but settled for par. Then he stood and watched from a distance as McCoy eagled the 486-yard par-5 15th.

“And now I’m four down,” said Drenth, who tied for fifth with Chad McCarty after a closing 72. “It wasn’t my time. That’s what I’m going to tell myself. I played great all tournament.”

In 1996, Mike McCoy eagled the 15th when he made a downhill 20-foot eagle putt to get the lead for the first time.

Nate’s drive on that hole found the right rough, but he hit a 6-iron that reached the green, seemed to stop for a moment and then caught the slope that dissects the putting surface and stopped 5 feet above the hole. He made the dicey eagle putt and was on his way to victory.

After a scrambling par from a fairway bunker on the 16th and a bogey at the par-3 17th, Nate hit a perfect drive on the closing dogleg left par-4 hole. When he hit an 8-iron the 8 feet left of the cup, Olson was the first to congratulate him with another fist pump and a pat on the back.

And Mike thought back to 1996.

“This time, I didn’t have to hit a shot,” Mike said. “Nate was playing so well, I didn’t feel too much pressure. It’s pretty neat for him to win here.”

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Weissenburger remains hot, leads 122nd Iowa Amateur

After an hour rain delay this morning in Iowa City at Finkbine Golf Course, Clive’s Jake Weissenburger (above) kept the putter hot during round two of the 122nd Iowa Amateur.

Weissenburger carded another impressive 67 (-5) and is leading by two. He played the course almost mistake free even with the wet conditions.

“The course had a little softer greens, fairways, and the greens were rolling well considering the overnight rain,” Weissenburger said.

His focus was to play today’s round one shot at a time which helped him to card six birdies.

“I kept the mistakes to a minimum, other than the bad bogey on nine, I played really well and kept it to a shot at a time,” Weissenburger added.

Sitting two shots back in solo second is Dusty Drenth from Davenport. Drenth put together a sparkling bogey-free 66 (-6). He credited his round today to solid play.

“Honestly my game was solid. I made a few mistakes, drove the ball really well, and putted solid. My lag putting along with making the needed putts was there,” Drenth said.

With the heavy early morning rains, officials determined to play lift, clean, and place in the fairways. Drenth knew he could take advantage of that.

“I had to play aggressive today and make sure to hit the fairway so I could clean my ball,” Drenth added.

Going into the final round Drenth knows he has to make some birdies.

“Jake has played really solid today and yesterday and you know he is going to be making birdies tomorrow. So I will continue to play aggressive and make birdies,” Drenth said.

Sitting in solo third is first round leader J.D. Anderson from Johnston. Anderson was unable to capture the spark he had on day one, but still managed another under par round, with a 71 (-1). He sits three shots shy of the lead at -7 for 36 holes.

Going into the final round Anderson knows he has to make up some ground.

“I am going to have to be aggressive, nobody is going to back up and this course has a lot of birdie opportunities,” Anderson said.

Play for the final round will begin starting at 7:30 on #1 and #10 tee.

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Anderson starts out hot at 122nd Iowa Amateur

Finkbine Golf Course, located in Iowa City, is the host of the 122nd Iowa Amateur and the opening round of play was one for the book…and low scores

J.D. Anderson (above), of Johnston, fired a very impressive 66 (-6) and leads the field. Anderson credited his round to hitting fairways and making putts. 

“I drove the ball really well today and hit fairways, which helped me hit greens,” Anderson said.

Anderson had a bogey free round today and tallied up six birdies.

“I made a couple of 10-15 footers for birdie,” Anderson said. “You have to know where the right spot is to hit the ball on the greens. A 30 footer on the right spot is better than a 10 footer on the wrong spot.”

All carding 67s (-5) is a fierce group of four guys all wanting a piece of the lead. Among the four guys is LeClaire’s own Jack Dumas, West Des Moines’ Tanner Dinnebier, Clive resident Jake Weissenburger, and Bennett Berger from Lake Mills.

Jake Weissenburger has had a summer to remember already. The recent winner of the Des Moines Men’s City tournament contested at Waveland Golf Course, Weissenburger credited today’s round to his putter.

“I putted really well today, made a lot of putts and just kept giving myself looks,” Weissenburger said.

Weissenburger racked up a total of eight birdies on the day, five of which were on the back nine. Headed into tomorrow’s round Weissenburger wants to continue the same game he played today.

“I am going to try not to change anything with the putter and avoid the spots I put myself into that led to bogeys,” Weissenburger also added.

Lake Mills very own Bennett Berger kept his cool which led to five birdies and an eagle on the card today.

“I had some pretty poor shots in there, but I just kept my cool and got it back into position which led to getting it up and down on a couple,” Berger said.

Berger started on the back nine, but capitalized on a couple bad shots on the front nine which led to great things.

“I hit a bad chip on number two and made about an 18-footer for birdie up the hill,” he said. “I felt like that was the putt that kept the round going.”

Round two will continue Monday morning, with tee times starting at 7:30 off holes #1 and #10.

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Boatwright Interns Reflect on National Intern Day

July 25 is National Intern Day. At the IGA, we are fortunate to have four P.J. Boatwright Interns working with us this summer. Our interns are a part of the larger community of 201 Boatwright Interns that serve 57 Allied Golf Associations across the country. The Boatwright community is large, but each intern’s experience is unique. For National Intern Day our four interns would like to share their experiences thus far as Boatwrights.

Molly Baker – Championship Administration Intern (pictured right)

Working as a Boatwright Intern has been an amazing experience. I have had the opportunity to try new things, network, and meet people, all while gaining valuable experience for my future career. This summer has gone by so quickly and I cannot wait to learn more. Some of the best days have been the longest days but they go by so quickly when you are working with great people and enjoying what you are working on. All the tournaments, course markings, and office work have given me a deep looking into what goes into championships and has given me an appreciation for them. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this internship and have thoroughly enjoyed learning and working with the staff at the IGA!”

Charlie Gaer – Marketing & Communications Intern (pictured left)

“Being able to call myself a P.J. Boatwright Intern for the Iowa Golf Association is pretty special. Throughout the summer so far I have gotten to showcase my skills behind the drone, camera, and written articles all while growing at the same time. Working with this staff has produced memories that will last a lifetime from prepping for tournaments to days in the office. There is never a dull moment at Golf House Iowa. Since the start of my internship I never knew how much work actually goes into amateur golf tournaments across the State of Iowa. In the future I will have a greater appreciation for what the IGA tournament has to offer. I am very excited to see where this internship experience takes me in the future.”

Paige Hoffman – Golf House Iowa Intern (pictured right)

“It is difficult to summarize the profound impact the Boatwright Internship has had on my life. Through this internship I have learned job-specific skills such as operating GHIN, managing a tournament in Golf Genius, rating a golf course, and organizing a tournament. However, the biggest lesson I have learned from the IGA staff is how to truly care for the members and clubs we serve at the IGA. I find an abundance of joy in serving the Iowa golf community because I get to give back to the community that, in a way, raised me. The highlight of my Boatwright Internship this season is the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur. I got to serve on a committee for months leading up to the event, participate in the 100 competitive holes fundraiser, write some feature articles, and really see what it takes to run a high-level championship. After being a Boatwright Intern for the last two summers, I know that I want to pursue a career in golf administration when I graduate in May and I could not be more excited for the future.”

Max Naumann – Handicapping & Course Rating (pictured left)

“The experience has been amazing so far. My entire life I have worked in the golf industry so being able to learn the tournament side and course rating/handicapping side has been a blessing. I never really understood how much goes into each and every tournament. A notable moment for me is the IGA Match Play Championship. This was the first large event I helped work and it was very interesting seeing such a large event from the other side of the table.The three days I was at the match play event our shortest day was around 12 hours. This event helped me realize that the preparation we do in the office is very important in making the tournament days run very smoothly. The part that makes this internship great is the people. The IGA staff are some of the best people I have been able to work with. They are very patient and want us to learn all the little parts of running golf events. The IGA staff is also very caring. They ask us about our weekends and make sure that we are doing good on a personal level. It makes coming into work easy when you work with such kind people.”

Happy National Intern Day to Molly, Charlie, Paige, and Max! We are glad you are a part of the IGA team this summer.

Ullestad Crowned Champion

The Waterloo Open was once again a nailbiter finish as it was contested on July 19-21 at Gates Park Golf Course.

In the Professional Division Phoenix, AZ resident and Iowa native Trevor Ullestad (pictured right) captured the victory in style over Ottumwa native Matthew Walker in a three hole playoff. The two of them each carded an impressive 193 (-23) over the course of three rounds. Will Dickson out of Nashville, TN placed solo third at 194 (-22). Just one shot behind Dickson was former Iowa State University player Nick Voke.

In the Open Amateur Division, Mikey Takacs of Mason City fired the low round of the day to come from one behind to capture the title at 207 (-9). His margin of victory was just a single stroke over Jed Dirksen of Hampton. Brock Snyder, -7, and defending champion Owen Sawyer rounded out the top-four.

In the Senior Division there also was a tie for first between North Liberty resident Chad McCarty and Waterloo native KC Doland at 142 (-2). In solo third just one shot behind was Joe Bates from Albia.

In the Super Senior Division, George Gartelos from Marion captured the victory carding a 150 (+6). Also from Marion Todd Hingten finished five strokes behind, and there was a tie for third between Sam Aossey from Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls resident Brian Ott carding 157 (+13).

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Miranda Secures the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

It was a picture perfect finish to the 100th Women’s Iowa Amateur contested at Sunnyside Golf and Country Club in Waterloo.

Hawkeye golfer Paula Miranda (pictured right) sealed the deal as her birdie putt on 18 dropped in the center of the cup Wednesday evening. Miranda shot rounds of 74 (+2) and a pair of 72s for rounds two and three.

Miranda credited patience to her success after finishing round one over par.

“I wanted to take it one day at a time, I was three shots behind after the first round and knew I had to go out there and play better. I struggled with the greens the first day and I knew I had to fix that,” Miranda said.

Leading up to the 18th hole Miranda had a tester four footer for par on the par-3 17th and knew she had to make that.

“I knew it would be a big mistake to leave that putt short, so I just took a deep breath,” she said.

This marks back-to-back years the Iowa Women’s Amateur trophy will stay in Iowa City.

“Really proud I could make that happen. We were all proud of Kate last year, so it is pretty special we get to have it for another year,” Miranda also added.

Along with capturing the Fladoos Trophy, Miranda also received an exemption into the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Runner-up honors belong to Iowa State University player Keeley Marx (pictured right) shooting a respectable 221 (+5). Not the outcome Marx hoped for, but she was still proud of the way she fought.

“I struggled out there a little the last two days, but really happy with how I finished the last round. It was an amazing course and I am glad I got to go out there and play,” Marx said.

This tournament was an ultimate test for players and showed to be mentally draining.

“I thought this tournament was really mentally draining. It was tough getting up early, driving an hour and a half to get here, finishing at 8:30, but that is what you just have to do,” Marx added.

University of Northern Iowa’s own Anna Jensen (pictured left) climbed up the leaderboard during the final round as the only player to card an under par round. Jensen carded an impressive 69 (-3) for the day and it was credited to playing freely.

“Honestly I wanted to come out here and play the best I could and see what happens,” Jensen said.

Jensen saw herself taking it one shot at a time, hitting fairways, greens, and making putts.

“The goal for the day was to take it one shot at a time. First fairway, green, and then make the putt. That is what I did and everything just fell into place,” Jensen added.

Over the three rounds Jensen totaled for 223 (+7). Just one shot behind her finishing in fourth was no other than Drake University player Amber Henson. All four of Iowa’s major universities finished in the top four.

In the Open Division, going wire-to-wire, was none other than Waterloo’s very own Kelly Nelson (pictured right).

Nelson carded all three rounds of 78s’ finishing at 234 (+18). Nelson, as some may recall, has been crowned Champion in the Open-Division ‘13, ‘19, 21’, and now ‘24. Finishing in a tie for runner-up at 246 (+30) was Rosaline Kubesheski and Geri Huser.

Congratulations to both Marley Richter and Kim Fenstrman for getting a hole-in-one on the fourth hole during the second round of play!

 

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Weather delays second round, leaderboard packed at 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

Mother nature was not on the side of the competitors at the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur during round two’s afternoon wave. Tuesday saw a three-hour rain delay, which led to play being suspended due to darkness with several groups still left to finish their rounds. Round two play resumed Wednesday morning.

Heading into Wednesday’s final round it is anybody’s tournament.

University of Iowa’s Paula Miranda (above) played steady throughout the round and carded an even round of 72. Miranda has the solo lead sitting at 146 (+2) for 36 holes. North Liberty’s very own Bella Pettersen carded a 76 (+4) and is only one shot behind. Former Iowa State standout Ruby Chou stayed more patient and relaxed throughout round two carding an even round of 72. Chou sits behind Pettersen just by one shot.   

In the Open Division Waterloo’s very own Kelly Nelson cards another 78 (+6) leaving her in the solo lead by three. Sitting in second Amy Weiland shot 80 (+8) and is (+15) through 36 holes. There is a two way tie for third and 163 (+19) between Geri Huser and Rosalie Kubesheski.

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Pettersen fires 71 (-1), takes early lead at 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

Sunnyside Golf and Country Club, located in Waterloo, is where the Iowa Women’s Amateur started, and is this year’s host that marks the 100th playing of the event.

North Liberty’s very own Bella Pettersen (above) took charge in the opening round as she was the only player in the field to shoot under par. Pettersen carded a 71 (-1) and credited the round to her putting.

“I work tremendously hard on my putting and I don’t think I’ve ever seen more putts drop in my life that is for sure,” Pettersen said. 

Pettersen had a total of four birdies on the day and hopes to continue to keep that momentum going into the next two rounds.

“I will continue to focus on what went well and what I need to work on,” Pettersen also added.

Not too far behind in second, University of Iowa women golfer Paula Miranda, who shot a respectable 74 (+2). There is a three way tie for third at 75 (+3) between Ana Nacos, Ainsley Wilson, and Annika Patton.

In the Open Division it is anybody’s tournament. Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson sits at the top of the leaderboard after carding a 78 (+6). Only one shot behind is Amy Weiland shooting a 79 (+7), and there is a two-way tie for third between Geri Huser and Rosalie Kubesheski at 80 (+8).

New to the field this year was an 18-hole Professional Division. The field may have been small but each one of them were glad to have participated in the 100th Women’s Amateur. Taking home the victory was Cedar Falls’ very own Hannah Bermel (right) carding an 81 (+9). Runner-up shooting 83 (+11) was Chelsea Soda, and two shots behind her was Morgan McMillan. Tess Goudy had a smile on her face the whole round and brought it home carding a 97 (+25), good for fourth place overall.

Click here for Round One results

Featuring 100 Women: Successful Seven

Seven Past Champions

In the first ten years of the Iowa Women’s Amateur, Lucile Robinson dominated the championship. Capturing five titles in a six-year span, she was the player to beat. Had it not been for Dorothy Pardue of Sioux City, she would have collected six straight. Arriving at Cedar Rapids Country Club in 1930, all eyes were on Robinson and Pardue. Pardue was a household name across the nation and was the tenth-ranked female golfer in the entire United States. She wound up going toe to toe with the defending champion as the two worked their way through the tough country club track.

The two battled for each of the 36-hole final, often never leading by more than two holes. Many reported it was “the most spirited tournament ever engaged in by Iowa Women” and it showed. Momentum shifted quickly and often as the summer heat wore on. Steady iron play and an even steadier putter kept Pardue tight with the teenager from Des Moines. Pardue wasted little time making her presence known, beginning birdie-birdie jumping out to a quick two-up lead. Robinson battled back and overtook Pardue through the first nine holes, but as the dust settled on the first 18 holes, Pardue was back in the driver’s seat with a one-up lead. The pair continued to exchange wins throughout the afternoon round, but as they came to the 36th and final hole, Pardue made another routine par en route to her first Iowa Women’s Amateur title. She added to her already established resume of a Women’s Western Championship, Minnesota State Amateur, and Florida Open title.

The 1930’s had been dominated by teenage victories at the Iowa Women’s Amateur. 1938 was more of the same as a 17-year-old captured the title, but it wasn’t Dubuque’s Edith Estabrooks. Instead, it was a new champion in Ottumwa’s Ruth Smith. Even at 17, Smith wasn’t intimidated by the much older and experienced competition she faced. The championship match featured a head-to-head battle against Nelle Staats, more than twice Smith’s age. Smith stuck with Staats through the first 18 holes and found herself trailing by just one as the pair entered the final 18.

Smith flipped the switch and put the pedal down during the afternoon round, blazing through the first 14 holes. Shaving off four strokes on the front nine from the morning to afternoon, Smith was on a mission. Squaring the match on the 21st hole, the pair remained in a deadlock through 23 holes, Smith reeled off seven wins in the ensuing nine holes. Just a single loss and halve made up for the other two holes as Smith recorded a dominant 6 & 4 victory to raise the trophy. In just her second time teeing it up in the state’s top women’s event, Smith wrote her name in the record books on the short list of teenage champions.

The 1971 Iowa Women’s Amateur was a pivotal championship for the eventual winner, but also the runner-up. Melanie Schiller of Waterloo was just weeks away from moving to Chicago when she teed it up at Westwood Park Golf Course. Firing a final round of 77, Schiller took down the state’s top players, including the defending champion, Corkey Nydle. It also marked another close call for Nydle who still searched for the illusive successful title defense.

Strong iron play and swinging easy guided Schiller through each of the four rounds. Not looking at the leaderboard also aided the Waterloo native along the way. “I went out there for the final round with three things on my mind. I think I followed through” she would later say. Opening the final round with a 39 on the front nine, Schiller remained steady on the closing stretch where she posted 38. Saving her best for last, her approach shot came to rest just two feet from the hole for the closing birdie. In reflecting on her victory Schiller shared “I’m proud to be from Iowa and any tournament I win in the future, I’ll tell them I learned my golf in this state.”

Deb Lewis will never forget the 1984 Iowa Women’s Amateur. With the event being contested at one of the state’s top clubs, Des Moines Golf & Country Club, the field featured all of the best players. The Marshalltown resident was fresh off winning the Fort Dodge Eclectic title earlier in the week and kept the momentum rolling when arriving in Des Moines. After opening with a 78 and 81, she found herself trailing the leaders by six shots. Even with a large deficit, she never lost faith saying, “In the back of my mind I thought maybe I could catch them”.

The leaderboard was crowded early in the final round a plethora of players were within five strokes of the leaders. By the time play was finished, five different players either led or held a share of the lead during the final round. Lewis slowly plotted her way around the par-73 layout and saved her best for last. Birdies on two of the final four holes saw her jump into a share of the lead as her final putt dropped. Tied with Joan Fails, the 36-hole co-leader, the pair entered into a sudden-death playoff. Matching pars on the first playoff hole saw the duo head to the second hole where both were left with lengthy par putts. Neither would capitalize, but it would Lewis’ bogey that would capture the Fladoos trophy after an untimely miss from Fails to extend the playoff. Her final round 75 tied the low round of the day by an impressive three strokes.

Ann Slater entered the 1996 Iowa Women’s Amateur with plenty on her mind. Slater’s mother was in the hospital recovering from brain surgery the month prior during the first two rounds and had been released during the final round. Even with it on her mind, Slater kept her head down and focused on taking it one shot at a time. Opening up the championship with back-to-back rounds of 72, she took a one-shot lead into the final round.

Just a year removed from being in the third flight, Slater teed off the final round in the last group with nothing to lose and no expectations. The only real prediction she had was that she would eagle the par-five 11th hole. After a high towering three wood found the putting surface, Slater rolled in the 20-foot putt to rejoin the lead with just seven holes to play. The following hole, she drained her second straight 20-foot putt, this time for par, to regain the solo lead of the championship. Her lead grew to three by the time she walked off the 16th green. Standing on the tee of the 18th hole, her lead was two shots and Slater admittedly had no idea where she was at on the leaderboard. Her final stroke of the day was a four-foot bogey putt that she calmly rolled in before finding the nearest phone to call her mom. Six-time champion Corkey Nydle presented Slater with her trophy saying “Now you can take this home and show it to her”.

If the 1999 Iowa Women’s Amateur were to be described with one word it would be dominant. M.C. Mullen roared past the rest of the field during her record-setting victory 25 years ago at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. Opening up the event with a four-under-par 68, the Peosta native led by six strokes. That was only the beginning as she followed it up with an even-par 72 to double her lead to 12 strokes entering the final round.

With the Fladoos trophy in sight and the rest of the field in the rearview, Mullen was focused on chasing down the Elmcrest course record of five-under 67. With birdies on 9 and 10, she was two-under with eight to play. Another birdie on the par-five 15th saw Mullen reach three-under and within striking distance of the record. Two late bogies derailed her chance at the course record but two other records were secured. She set both the largest margin of victory, 19 strokes, and the lowest 54-hole total. Her 54-hole total broke the previous record set by Iowa golf legend Jacque Fladoos of 219.

The 99th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City was a thrilling event, with the outcome undecided until the final hole. The leaderboard saw constant changes, with five players taking turns in the lead throughout the round. Ultimately, Hawkeye sophomore Kaitlyn Hanna emerged victorious on her home course to lift the Fladoos trophy. Hanna delivered a remarkable final round of one-under 71, matching the tournament’s lowest round, to overcome a four-stroke deficit and secure a one-stroke victory. Playing in the penultimate pairing, it was her dad who broke the exciting news to her.

The Hawkeye wasted no time cutting into the deficit, birdieing the second and fourth hole. Two bogies in a three-hole stretch brought her back to even on the day but she rebounded nicely with a birdie on the par-three 8th to turn in one under 35. She played consistently on the back nine with two birdies and two bogeys to take control of the championship after the 15th hole. With Finkbine known for its difficult closing stretch, Hanna finished with three straight pars to secure the win. It wasn’t without its drama, though.

Tied for the lead on the 18th, she short-sided herself in the right rough. A spot that had given many of her fellow competitors fits, her home course advantage aided her as she successfully got up and down for par. Waiting to see how the last group finished, Hanna watched as a late bogey from Marshalltown’s Amber Henson left her atop the leaderboard. Reflecting on her win after a productive summer with her coaches, Hanna said, “It was great to cap it off with a win.”

 

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