Author: iowagolf

Brown takes home third Briarwood Amateur title

August 26, 20190 commentsNews

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Jon Brown (pictured above) rewrote the history books on Sunday, becoming the first player to win the Briarwood Amateur three times.

Brown sat one back heading into Sunday, where he separated himself from the field with a round of 66 (-6) that included eight birdies. His weekend total of 136 (-8) was two clear of Runner-Up Scot Cook, of Van Meter, who posted back-to-back rounds of 69 (-3) to finish at 138 (-6). J.D. Anderson, of Johnston, was going for the three-peat, but finished third with a (-2) total of 142 for the tournament.

In the Senior Division, the tournament came down to the wire, with Greg Kramer, of Urbandale, defeating Curtis Holck, of Ankeny, in a sudden-death playoff.

Kramer went low on Saturday, posting a score of 69 (-3) to give him the lead going into Sunday. Kramer followed up his 69 with a round of 74 (+2). After a few hiccups on 10 and 11, Kramer finished his final 7 holes two-under in order to hang onto a share of the lead and force a playoff with Holck at 143 (-1). Holck followed up his 73 (+1) on Saturday with a round of 70 (-2) on Sunday, jumpstarted by his eagle on the fourth. Kirk Macumber, of Winterset, shot a weekend total of 144 (E) to finish in third place.

In the Super Senior Division, Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, and Jim Campbell, of Albia, duked it out in a playoff, with Christensen coming out on top.

Christensen played consistently, with a pair of 74’s that yielded him a 148 (+4) total. Campbell was the leader heading into Sunday after an even par round of 72, and ended up in a tie after his round of 76 tied Christensen’s 148 (+4) total. Stephen Larson, of Polk City, finished in third place and four back from the leaders with a weekend total of 152 (+8).

Click here for a full recap of scoring

U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur moves on to match play

August 26, 20190 commentsUSGA

Martha Leach, of Hebron, Ky., who is competing in her 71st USGA championship, shot a second-round 73 on Sunday for a 36-hole total of 1-under-par 143 to earn stroke-play medalist honors in the 58th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Cedar Rapids Country Club (pictured above).

Leach, 57, the 2009 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion, edged Ellen Port and Mary Ann Hayward of Canada by two strokes for the No. 1 seed in match play, which begins on Monday. Port, of St. Louis, Mo., a seven-time USGA champion, and Hayward, the 2005 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion, completed two rounds at 1-over 145. It was Leach’s first medalist honor in her 71 USGA championships—and while it’s a proud accomplishment, it’s sometimes seen as unlucky.

“I’m not low, am I?” Leach joked after she completed her round, in which she played with Hayward and 2002 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion Corey Weworski, who finished alone in fourth place at 2-over 146. “Nobody really wants it. My compadres today were hoping that I got it and they didn’t get it.”

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Iowa well represented at U.S. Senior Amateur Championship

August 23, 20190 commentsUSGA

The state of Iowa will have a total of four competitors at this year’s U.S. Senior Amateur to be played at Old Chatham Golf Club, Durham, NC (pictured above).

The 65th U.S. Senior Amateur Championship will be contested Aug. 24-29 at Old Chatham Golf Club, with 156 of the best players 55 years of age and older competing to have their named engraved on the Frederick L. Dold Trophy.

Representing Iowa will be Gene Elliot (West Des Moines), Joe Palmer (Norwalk), Mike McCoy (Norwalk) and Sam Billmeyer (Ankeny).

Click here to follow the action from North Carolina

Elliott captures fourth Iowa Senior Amateur title, Campbell wins Super Senior crown

August 18, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

With rounds of 66-68-71 (-11) West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott captured his fourth (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019) Iowa Senior Amateur title. Elliott made 16 birdies and an eagle over the 54-hole event staged at Mason City Country Club.

“I putted very well all week,” Elliott said. “These greens are small and difficult. They have a lot of slope on them. I wedged the ball really well. I hit wedges to a foot about six time this week. It’s a tight, tricky golf course. It’s a lot of fun to play. Today’s round was difficult, as the wind was blowing. I got off to a hot start the first two days and just tried to hang on from there.”

Lineville’s Jay Gregory, who would ultimately finish runner-up to Elliott, put up a good fight. Gregory posted rounds of 66-70-71 (-9) over the three days, including 13 birdies in 54 holes. Elliott praised Gregory for this play and determination.

“Jay is a great competitor,” Elliott said. “He’s a good friend (too) and he’s tough. I got up four (strokes) today and it didn’t phase him a bit. He fought right back and got within one with six holes to play. I love playing with him and you’ll be seeing a lot more of him.”

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer finished in third place at -6 for the championship.

“It felt like the FedEx Cup trying to chase these guys down,” Palmer said after the round with a smile.

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell (pictured right), of Albia, held off a charging Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, to win by four shots. Campbell posted rounds of 70-71-76 (+1) and made made a total of eight birdies and an eagle over his 54-hole victory.

Fort Dodge’s Dave Sergeant and Fort Madison’s Jim Butler tied for third place with a three-day total of 223 (+7).

Fine play – Jack Peacock, of Cedar Rapids, who is 79 years old, twice beat and shot his age once, shooting scores of 74-74-79 to finish in 7th place in the Super Senior set.

Click here for a full recap of scoring and flight results.

Elliott pulls into the lead at 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship

August 17, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, will take a two shot lead into tomorrow’s final round of the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Elliott, who captured the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Iowa Senior Amateur title, posted 68 (-4) today to enter the final round at -10, two clear of Jay Gregory (-8), of Lineville.

Gregory shot 70 (-2) in the second round and will look to chase down Elliott in the final round. Elliott’s second round included six birdies, featuring four in a row, and an eagle. Gregory and Elliott have locked horns in the past in the Iowa Senior Amateur – in 2014 at Ames Golf & CC won by Elliott as mentioned.

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer is in third, at -3 for the championship.

Hole in One – Polk City’s Brian Verduyn (right) made an ace on #5 during the second round. Verduyn’s 68 was one of the lower scores of the day (Boonville’s Bret Taylor shot 67).

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by six over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen. Campbell, who sits at -3 after 36 holes, made two birdies and an eagle in his second round at Mason City CC.

Click here for a full recap of scores

Elliott, Gregory set pace at 41st Iowa Senior Open with 66

August 16, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott and Lineville’s Jay Gregory set a torrid pace to begin the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Both players posted 66 (-6) in the opening round.

Gregory, who played in the morning wave, made eight birdied to go against two bogeys. Elliott, who played in the afternoon, made a total of seven birdies and only a lone bogey during this round. Jon Brown (69), of Adel, sits three shots back of the lead. Brown and Gregory were in the same group and provided plenty of fireworks throughout the day.

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by one over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen after a round of 70 (-2). Campbell’s round included four birdies.

The field will be cut to will be a cut to the low 60 and ties and include all those within 10 strokes of the lead after tomorrow’s round. The breakdown of the 60 and ties will be a ratio of entries between the two divisions.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Olson, Anderson earn spots into U.S. Mid-Amateur at Glen Oaks CC

August 15, 20190 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Jon Olson (right) and J.D. Anderson (left) earned the two qualifying spots at today’s U.S. Mid-Amateur Sectional Qualifier a Glen Oaks Country Club.

Olson put together a round of 69 (-2) to earn medalist honors. Olson made a total of seven birdies on the day. Anderson posted 71 (E) to secure the second qualifying spot by a shot over four other players.

“I played well and I made a really good putt on #1 to get started.,” Olson said. “I didn’t look where I stood until #17. The weather was great today and golf course was as good I has ever seen it. I had a good lesson with Mark Atchison last week that really helped me today.”

Scot Cook was earned 1st alternate and Topher Baron was 2nd alternate by way of a playoff following the qualifying round.

The 39th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship will be held at Colorado Golf Club, Parker, CO, September 14-19. CommonGround Golf Course, in Aurora, CO, will serve as the Stroke-Play Co-Host venue. Olson and Anderson will join Iowa’s Mike McCoy and Gene Elliott who are exempt into the event already.

“I went to college in Colorado, so this has been on my radar,” Olson said.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Des Moines Men’s City Tee Times & Results

August 14, 20190 commentsUncategorized

Sunday’s round will be a noon shotgun due to weather in the metro area

The 2019 Des Moines Men’s City Championship begins on Friday, August 16th at Waveland Golf Course.

Waveland Golf Course has been the host site since the inaugural event in 1903, making it one of the oldest championships in the country.

Tee times for Friday are expected to be released by the staff at Waveland sometime Wednesday evening (Aug 14).

The IGA does not run the Des Moines Men’s City Championship. It is administered by the staff at Waveland. Please refer all questions to them.

You can view pairings and follow the action here.

 

 

 

Rain doesn’t dampen great golf at 58th IGA Women’s Club Team

August 14, 20190 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Club Team

On Monday, a talented field of women from across the state (shown above) gathered at Coldwater Golf Links to compete in the 58th IGA Women’s Club Team Championship. This year was Coldwater’s first time hosting the Women’s Club Team, and the course along with the mixed in rain provided the ladies with a strong test.

The format for the championship includes teams of four ladies from IGA Member Clubs. Each club fields a team of 4 amateur golfers, with one golfer designated as a Team Captain. A club participates in both the net and gross divisions. Each golfer plays her own golf ball throughout the competition. A club records the best 3 of 4 scores on each hole for both the gross and net competition.

Low Gross Team – Echo Valley Country Club: Robin Webb, Leanne Smith, Valerie Weis and Laura Fulton.

Echo Valley Country Club, of Norwalk, were champions in the Gross Division for the second time, also winning in 2016. Echo Valley posted a 10-over 223 total, led by Leanne Smith’s even par-71 round that included five birdies. Laura Fulton and Valerie Weis finished with a pair of 81’s, and Robin Webb came in nicely with an 82.

Low Net Team – Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course: Mary Kroeger, Kelly Nelson, Margene Grady and Michelle Klein.

Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course, of Waterloo, sealed the victory in the Net Division for the second time, also winning in 2014. The team separated themselves from the field by posting 13-under net total. Irv Warren was led by Kelly Nelson who shot a four-over par 75 (net 70) and Michelle Klein who posted a 78 (net 72). Margene Grady and Mary Kroeger rounded out the squad with net scores of 71 and 78, respectively. LPGA Amateurs Golf Association came in second with an 11-under total, and Sunnyside Country Club and Urbandale Golf & CC tied for third with a 10-under total.

Briarwood Golf Club’s Hadley Morgan fired a 2-under 69 to win the Individual Gross Division. Hadley carded four birdies and played each nine under par on the day. Leanne Smith of Echo Valley was Runner-Up with an even par 71.

Noreen Christians of the LPGA Amateurs Golf Association and Renee Buckner of Ankeny Golf & Country Club tied for first in the Net Division, with both players playing well and finishing with 4-under par net totals of 67.

Low Gross Individual – Hadley Morgan, Briarwood Golf Club.

Low Net Individual – Noreen Christians, LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines.

Ricky Costello wins 70th Herman Sani Tournament on second playoff hole

August 12, 20190 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

Ames’ Ricky Costello (pictured above) knew after his opening nine holes in the final round of the 70th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises at Echo Valley Country Club he had nothing to lose.

Costello put together a bogey-free 33 (-3) on the back nine to get into a playoff with three others including Charles Jahn (Sperry), Frank Lindwall (Cedar Rapids) and Lachlan Barker (Ames), who all finished at 211 (-5) for the tournament. Costello, Lindwall and Barker are all teammates on the Iowa State men’s golf team.

Costello, who held the lead after the opening round with 68 (-4), admitted he wanted to play more aggressively in the final round. His aggressiveness paid dividends, after all four players made par on the first playoff hole (#18), as he almost drove the green on the second playoff hole (#11) and chipped up to tap-in range. His birdie was good enough to win and take home the title after birdie attempts failed from the other three players.

“The first day I had conservative approach to the course,” Costello said. “I made a lot of putts that day. Coming into today I told myself I am coming here to win. I wanted to play more aggressive than I had the first couple of days and I did. I tried to put confident swings on the ball. I figured I didn’t have much to lose (by hitting driver on #11 in the playoff).”

Costello, even after making a 25-foot birdie putt on #18 thought he was probably a shot or two short.

“I was able to make a couple birdies down the stretch to get it to -5,” Costello said. “I didn’t think it was going to be enough. I had a rough start (today) and was two-over par after seven holes. I was able to birdie #9 and I thought let’s see what we can do those last nine holes. I couldn’t of asked for anything more than that.”

In the Senior Division Gene Elliott (West Des Moines) put together rounds of 69-67-72 (-8) to win by three over Jon Brown (Adel). West Des Moines’ Joe Palmer and Terry Cook (-2) tied for third place.

Rob Christensen (Marshalltown) won his second Super Senior Division title in a row in this event with a five shot victory over Jim Campbell (Albia). Polk City’s Stephen Larson finished third, eight shots back of Christensen.

Jewell’s Trevor Ullestad (-3) finished at the low professional for the event.

Click here for a full recap of scores.

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