Author: iowagolf

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travel wholesalers, and bulk travel buyers, Affinity’s data center delivers real-time streaming of highly discounted, “unpublished” and exclusive rates on hotels and resort properties.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.

IGA Match Play, Women’s Match Play Championship begins

June 27, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play, Wmn's Match Play

The 30th IGA Match Play and 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championships is underway at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake. With a perfect blend of great golf and natural landscapes, the 7,000-yard course meanders through scenic prairie and oak savannas, and is Audubon-certified in recognition of its sustainable practices, The Preserve should provide competitors with an exceptional golfing experience during the championship.

A new champion will be crowned in both championships as the defending champion Tripp Kinney and Emily Snelling are not in the field this week.

Click here to follow the 30th IGA Match Play

Click here to follow the 7th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship

Doak, Peterson & Sergeant take home titles at Fort Dodge Amateur

June 25, 20180 commentsNews

Niel Doak (above left) and Ron Peterson (right in blue shirt) were sporting first-timer smiles after securing championships at the 70th Fort Dodge Amateur golf tournament here on Sunday.

And while Dave Sergeant may be an old hat at winning on his home Fort Dodge Country Club soil, the end of an eight-year drought in this event made the 73-year-old local attorney grin from ear-to-ear as well.

Doak earned the open division title by finishing at even-par 213, which was four strokes clear of defending champ Joe Urbanek and first-round leader Willis Gaer. Peterson prevailed in the senior standings by defeating Terry Cook and Dave Henry in a two-hole playoff, and Sergeant fought through iron trouble to come out on top in the super senior bracket.

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

Schwartzkopf prevails at Women’s Forever 39 Match Play

June 19, 20180 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

Due to severe storms hitting Mason City and producing over 1.5 inches of rain overnight the front nine was closed for day two of the 55th annual Women’s Forever 39 Match Play.  Luckily the back nine was playable and used for the last two rounds of the tournament.

After nine holes Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson (above left) was 3 up with only two holes to go against Nancy Olberding, good enough to advance her to the final match against Janece Schwartzkopf (Stuart).  Schwartzkopf (above right) took the lead early on and never looked back, winning 2 & 1.

The first flight championship match included Jennifer Corkrean of Ankeny versus Carroll Dethrow of Nevada, who was the 2012 Forever 39 Match Play champion.  Corkrean ultimately prevailed, winning 2 up through nine.

Nicki Clayton and Becky Schwiete battled it out in the second flight bracket.  Never losing a hole, Clayton ended up winning 2 & 1 to be named champion of the second flight.

Iowa Junior Amateurs POSTPONED to Aug 7 & 8

June 18, 20180 commentsChampionships, Girls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

JUNE 19, 2018

The 2018 Iowa Junior Amateurs, originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, June 20 & 21, has been postponed to August 7th & 8th.

We have worked out new dates with the Coldwater staff.  The 2018 Iowa Junior Amateur Championships (boys & girls) will be held Tuesday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 8.  Here is the complete schedule:

  • Tuesday, August 7
    • 11 and under boys & girls play 9 holes
    • 12 to 13 boys & girls play 18 holes
    • 14 to 15 and 16 to 18 boys and girls play their first round (18 holes)
  • Wednesday, August 8
    • 14 to 15 and 16 to 18 boys and girls play their final round (18 holes)

We expect the tee time setup to be the same as originally scheduled, with times ranging from 8 a.m. to about 10 a.m. off both #1 and #10 tees, if that helps in your planning.

In establishing these dates we took into account a wide array of factors including Coldwater’s schedule, the IGA schedule, the Iowa PGA Junior Tour schedule and thinking about High School (4A boys golf in particular) sports and school.  In weighing pros and cons of various dates and how they conflict with all of those things, Aug 7 & 8 stood out as our best option.

Having said that we know that this will not work for everyone.  If you need to withdraw, we will issue a FULL REFUND.  Please just reply to this email or give us a call (515-207-1062) if you need to WD.

Finally, with this date change, we will open entries back up to the public.  If you know of anyone who would like to play on these new dates, please pass the word along.  Entries will remain open through July 30th.

Thank you for your patience as we deal with Mother Nature.

 

 

JUNE 18, 2018

The 2018 Iowa Junior Amateurs, originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, June 20 & 21, have been postponed.

Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, the host for 2018, was had flooding over many of their holes late last week.  The water stood for a good portion of two days, finally receding late yesterday.  Unfortunately, it left behind lots of mud and silt which is currently in the process of being cleared off.

After looking at course conditions throughout the day today the IGA and our hosts at Coldwater have determined that opening their golf course on Wednesday and Thursday this week just wasn’t possible.  In fact, the Superintendent has informed us that they are “hopeful” the front 9 would be open by Friday at the earliest.

The holes hit the hardest were 5, 6, 7 & 8 and 14 & 15.  Parts of many other holes were also affected in some fashion.  Thankfully the greens are untouched and in great condition.  

The grounds crew at CW has been hard at work all weekend and throughout today to get things cleaned up as best they can.  But the reality is that there is still a lot to do, including pumping some standing water out of low-lying areas.

We will be working with our hosts throughout the day tomorrow (June 19) to establish new dates for the championship.  We are hopeful to have those set by the end of the day tomorrow and will email/text them ASAP. 

Once these new dates are established, anyone who wishes/needs to withdraw will be issued a full refund.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work with our hosts.  We are looking forward to presenting an excellent 2018 Iowa Junior Amateur at Coldwater Golf Links later this summer.

Scroll to top