Author: iowagolf

Lindwall & Ott share medalist honors, Bull wins playoff for last U.S. Amateur qualifying spot

July 10, 20180 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

It was a marathon day at Beaver Hills Country Club during Monday’s U.S. Amateur Qualifier. Players battled high temperatures and fatigue over 36 holes of golf in Cedar Falls.

Harrison Ott (Brookfield, WI) and Cedar Rapids’ Frank Lindwall (pictured above – Ott on the left) would share medalist honors at 141 (-3). Both players shot 73 (+1) in the morning round and followed that back up with 68s (-4) in the afternoon. Scores were not as low as some, including Lindwall, predicted in the morning round

“I figured four or five-under on this course would be leading in the morning,” Lindwall said. “When I saw 70 was low, I thought if I could shoot a few under on the second round, I would have a chance. It feels good to qualify. I just tried to stay positive and patient. I felt a little off, I didn’t drive it real well. I was able to make some key putts in the second round. I’ve been playing well the last few months and knew I was good enough. I tried to control what I could control.”

Dennis Bull (right), of Norwalk, captured the final qualifying spot in the playoff over Dusty Drenth, of Davenport. Both players posted 142 (-2). A birdie on the first playoff hole would be the difference for Bull and punch his ticket to the U.S. Amateur. This year’s U.S. Amateur will be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California.

Bull admitted after his playoff victory he didn’t have his best stuff for most of the day.

“I was not playing well today, but just tried to hang on this morning,” Bull said. “It was manageable in the afternoon, I just didn’t make many putts. This day, you have to remember, is a shot here and a shot there. When I found out I was in the playoff it was energizing. I am exhausted, but it was awesome. It was a gritty day, I thought if I could shoot even in the morning, I might have a chance in the afternoon. A day like this is a marathon. I am not 20 anymore, I remember those days, you feel like you can run through a wall at that age.”

Drenth will be 1st alternate and Wes Buntenbach earned the 2nd alternate spot with his own playoff win over Sam Vincent.

Click here for a full recap of scores

Gradoville/Seiser lead Open Division; Kubesheski/Grady top Senior Division

July 9, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

The 8th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship began Sunday, July 8 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.  A total of 14 teams competed in the Open Division and 15 in the Senior Division.

Reigning champ, Karli Kerrigan (Ankeny) was back with new partner Sydney Eaton (Mason City).  Senior Division winners from last year, Rose Kubesheski (Dubuque)/Margene Grady (Cedar Falls), were also in action hoping to clinch another win.

After the first day of 18 holes the duo of Anne Gradoville (Des Moines)/Paige Seiser (Waukee) took the lead with a 64.  Madelyn Hawkins (Asbury)/Sarah Nacos (Washington) and Rachele Miller (Princeton)/Allison Miller (Princeton) are two strokes back with 66.

In the Senior Division after the first round Kubesheski/Grady were back at it firing a 3-under par, 68, putting them in the lead.  Nancy Olberding (Cedar Rapids)/Beth Duenow (Saint Ansgar) finished with a solid 72, for second place.

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Iowa Amateur Qualifiers Canceled

July 6, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

The qualifying events for the 116th Iowa Amateur Championship have been canceled.  All players originally enrolled in qualifying will be advanced to the championship proper at Tournament Club of Iowa on July 23 – 25.

The IGA accepted 139 entries through the deadline of July 5th.  We will accept up to 144 total entries before beginning a waitlist.  Those from the waitlist will be added to the field as other players withdraw.

Players who signed up for qualifying at the $85 fee are required to pay the remaining $65 fee to bring their entry fee to the full $150 amount.  They can do that by clicking here:  https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1271147

Groupings and Starting Times for the 116th Iowa Amateur will be released by Tuesday, July 17th.

U.S. Amateur Qualifying

July 5, 20180 commentsUncategorized

Follow the action on Monday, July 9th at Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls as 84 players vie for three (3) qualifying spots into the U.S. Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

The 84 players is the most at the Iowa U.S. Amateur qualifier since at least 2002.  In all, 7,463 players have entered the U.S. Amateur, including 43 of the top 50 amateurs in the current World Amateur Golf Rankings.  Iowa’s Mike McCoy is exempt from qualifying, thanks to his victory in the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

312 players will make the field at Pebble Beach where they will face 36-holes of stroke play to determine the low 64 players who will make up the match play draw.  The 36-hole championship match is scheduled for August 19th.  You can view the action Aug 15, 16 & 17 on Fox Sports 1 and August 18 and 19 on Fox.

Click here to follow the Iowa qualifier.

 

Brown wins record third IGA Match Play title

July 3, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play

Jon Brown (right) added another IGA Match Play title to his list of accomplishments. Truth be told, no one has ever won two of them and Brown has put his name on the match play trophy a total of three times.

Brown, the #10 seed following a qualifying round of 71 (-1), knocked off John Mey (5&4) and Cody Holck (3&2) in his first two matches of the week. Brown then went toe to toe with Gene Elliott, where he finally coming out on top after 19 holes.

As if 19 holes weren’t enough in the Round of 16, Brown defeated #2 seed Dennis Bull in 20 holes. Brown fought cramps during the round throughout his body, including his hands during the quarterfinal match against Bull.

“To be beat Gene and Denny (on Friday) that was so special,” Brown said. “It was such a boost of confidence. I did find a little something in my game these last couple weeks. I didn’t play any tournaments, I was just hitting balls. I was working hard on my game and something started to feel good.”

Brown would then meet Matthew Walker, who had only one of his matches reach the 14th hole during his own run to the semifinals. Brown would defeat Walker 4&3, thanks in part to a bushel basket of birdies. A lengthly birdie on the 15th hole would ultimately end the match and leave Walker scratching his head in defeat.

“I came in with some confidence,” Brown said. “But you never know what match play. It’s all about putting and my putting has been all over the place the last couple years. I putted well against Matthew in the morning (on Saturday).

In a back and forth final match, which looked to be anyone’s to win throughout the whole round, Brown would get past Frank Lindwall 1 up. Brown’s up and down for birdie on the Par 5 18th hole proved to be the difference. Lindwall, who defeated J.D. Anderson (5&4) in his semifinal match, gave Brown all he could handle in the finals.

“My speed (on the greens) was good and I was seeing the line today,” Brown said. “Conditions changed this afternoon (against Frank), I just wasn’t quite as on, but I was able to still be pretty good. Frank and I had a great match. I missed a short putt on #16 and wondered if I would get a chance like that again. Things just worked out in my favor.”

Click here for a full recap of scoring & matches.

Eaton wins 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship

July 3, 20180 commentsChampionships, Wmn's Match Play

Mason City’s Sydney Eaton (above), a sophomore at the University of Northern Iowa, made the trek south to The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, near Moravia, and left with the trophy from the 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Eaton, the #2 seed into match play following a qualifying score of 72 (E), defeated Michelle Klein (9&7) and Karli Kerrigan (19 holes) before dispatching Tenley Moretti in the finals, 3&2.

“I knew coming into this event there was such great competition,” Eaton said. “To win holes, you would have to make birdie. I felt good about all part of my game (coming into this week) and my putting has been as good as ever. I felt really conformable on this course, I never had to really scramble this week.”

Click here for a full recap of the event.

Iowa Golf Association Partners With Affinity Travel Benefits

July 3, 20180 commentsNews

Now Offering Massive Discounts On Hotel Lodging, Movies & More!

The Iowa Golf Association announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Affinity Travel Benefits, a leading edge, online travel aggregation platform providing exclusive discounts up to 70% off retail rates at hotels and resort properties.

Affinity has obtained heavily discounted rates that are not available to the public on travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Trivago, and Orbitz so your next hotel booking is guaranteed to be the lowest rate on the internet. As a member of IGA you will now have access, in addition to hotel price savings, other discounts include different theme and water parks across the country, movie tickets, sports and concert tickets, and, of course, hotel deals, both national and international.

“We are delighted that the International Association Of Golf Administrators put together an over-arching agreement allowing each State Association a simple and quick path for bringing travel discounts to members and players. Members of golf associations travel for many reasons. Offering a guaranteed low-price hotel room adds immense value to a growing association and its membership benefit programs. Our philosophy is to promote our client’s brand, deliver exceptional service, and share revenue to make this partnership win-win”, says Stephen Boyd, President of Affinity.

ABOUT THE IOWA GOLF ASSOCIATION
The Iowa Golf Association is the governing body for golf in the state of Iowa and exists as a non-profit organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the best interests and spirit of the game. As “caretakers” of the game we work to preserve the rich history of golf in our state and to provide numerous services that benefit all that play the game in Iowa.

ABOUT AFFINITY TRAVEL BENEFITS
Affinity Travel Benefits operates a leading-edge, online travel and entertainment aggregation platform with travel opportunities available to over 700,000 hotels and vacation rental properties globally. Leveraging a vast and established network of hospitality properties, travel wholesalers, and bulk travel buyers, Affinity’s data center delivers real-time streaming of highly discounted, “unpublished” and exclusive rates on hotels and resort properties. Affinity is a one-stop shop for its partners and members and always operates under a Lowest Rate Guarantee Policy.

Follow the 81st Iowa Masters

July 3, 20180 commentsUncategorized

One of Iowa’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments gets underway this weekend when Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames hosts the 81st Iowa Masters.  Gene Elliott will look to defend his title in the Open Division while Ron Peterson looks to win the Senior title for the second straight year.

Elliott’s 2017 title was his third overall in the Iowa Masters, all coming since 2009.  His 11-under par total of 205 was two shots clear of four-time champion Jon Brown.  Brown recently won the IGA Match Play for the third time in his career.  Both Elliott and Brown are members of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.

Peterson’s win in 2017 was a runaway.  He posted 5-under par 211 while his closest pursuers were 12 shots back.

The tournament kicks off with round 1 on Friday, July 6th and wraps up with the 3rd and final round on Sunday, July 8th.  There is a cut after 36 holes.

Follow all the action by clicking here.

Missouri wins 50th Girls’ 4-State Championship

July 2, 20180 commentsNews

ROUND 1

The 50th Junior Girls’ 4-State kicked off July 2, at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames.  The top five junior girls’ from the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska came together to play 36-holes of golf over a two-day period.  

The opening round brought beautiful weather and light wind, perfect for 18 holes.  Amber Wilson shot a 71, an even par and the lowest score of the day, to pave the way for Team Missouri. Danica Badura carried Team Nebraska with a 72. Abby Glyn shot a 74 to lead the way for Team Kansas along with Sarah Nacos for Team Iowa.

After the first day of team stroke play team Nebraska sits at the top of the leaderboard with +23 while team Kansas is only one stroke back, with +24.  Team Missouri is in third with +28 and Team Iowa has a +41.

ROUND 2

With a prompt tee off at 7:30 a.m., the second day of the Junior Girls’ 4-State tournament started early. 

Team Missouri and Team Kansas were neck and neck all day.  Ultimately Team Missouri pulled away for the win with a two-day score of 620, Team Kansas finished four strokes back with a 624.  Team Nebraska ended with a 630 and Team Iowa posted a 634.

Sarah Bell (Team Missouri) was the medalist of the tournament with a score of 144.  Bell’s round included an eagle and three birdies. Amber Wilson (Team Missouri) took second with a 148.

Brooke Boardman (Team Iowa) finished with a solid 149 to secure third place.  Sarah Nacos was not far behind with a 150. Paige Hoffman fired a 73 in the second round, 18 strokes better than her opening round score.

Team Missouri takes home the trophy for the first time since 2015.  The 2019 Girls 4-State Championship will be held next year in Nebraska.

Click here to see a recap of scoring

Snyder named to American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Golf Team

June 29, 20180 commentsNews

The 2017-18 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Girls Golf Teams were selected based on performance, level of competition and strength of schedule. Junior golf success was a secondary consideration, and those who did not compete regularly for their high school were not considered. Players from states that play in the fall or spring were eligible for selection.

Britta Snyder (pictured above – photo by Kelsey Kremer, The Register), a First Team selection, played 15 matches for Gilbert High School this spring and won them all, including a runaway victory at the Iowa Class 3A state tournament where her 2-under-par 142 left her 13 shots clear of the field. The No. 50-ranked player in the country by the American Junior Golf Association, she also won the Iowa Women’s Amateur last summer by 13 strokes.

Youth is served on this year’s team with five sophomores, including repeat ALL-USA Golfer of the Year Rachel Heck from Tennessee, and two freshmen dotting the teams.

North Carolina is the only state with multiple members, including three-time selection Jenny Chang. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey and Washington also are represented on the team.

Click here to read more.

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