Click the image above to read a feature article on Elmcrest Country Club’s Larry Gladson (pictured above) by J.R. Ogden of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Gladson will be inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 19, at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines.
The Iowa Golf Association has partnered with a national organization that will benefit junior golfers as well as IGA member clubs. It is called Youth on Course and it was started in 2006 by the Northern California Golf Association. At its most basic level, it is a program that subsidizes rounds of golf for juniors at participating courses.
The concept is this: A junior age 6 to 18 can join Youth on Course for a $15 yearly fee. That gets them access to any participating Youth on Course facility (there are over 700 nationally) to play a round of golf for $5 or less. Then the participating course receives a subsidy for that round (usually another $5). Participating courses can put restrictions on days and times when the YOC rates are available, making it an opportunity for to help grow future golfers plus drive additional business during non-peak hours.
We see the program as a “link” between the Iowa PGA Swings with Kids (Golf in Schools) program and the competitive Iowa Junior Tour. It essentially eliminates the financial barrier for a junior player to play an actual round of golf. We are certain there will be kids who get introduced to the game through Golf in Schools, then utilize Youth on Course to start playing real rounds.
Kids can sign up now for the yearly membership. Simply click here to start that process.
One requirement for the juniors is that they complete an online life/course curriculum. It takes about 20 minutes to complete and it covers some basic FAQ’s, golf course etiquette and rules tips.
We are currently working to “on-board” participating courses. Some of you have already agreed to participate, and we are very grateful for that. If you have not yet heard about this but think it would be of interest to your facility, please give us a call and we can fill you in on more of the details. We would love to have a majority of Iowa courses offer this program.
Finally, this is a program that will be administered under the IGA Foundation, the 501(c)(3) arm of the IGA. For the first two golf seasons (2018 & 2019) the subsides to the golf courses will be paid by Youth on Course national. Beginning in 2020, the IGA Foundation will be paying those subsidies. Therefore, we are taking donations for this program. Usually, the subsidy to a course is $5 per round, so if you donate $100, you are paying for 20 rounds of golf for juniors. Click here to donate.
You can find complete information here or you can look for Youth on Course under the IGA Foundation menu item.
We have no doubt that the Youth on Course program will be a home run. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to support and grow the game. This program develops new golfers and that benefits everyone involved in the game of golf. It was a “no-brainer” for us.
The Iowa Golf Association has made some changes to it’s flagship event, beginning in 2018. The Iowa Amateur will hold two qualifiers to identify golfers who will join the exempt players into the final field at the Tournament Club of Iowa.
The payment structure has been adjusted to encourage more players to try to qualify. Those who enter a qualifying event will pay $85. The players that make it through qualifying to play in the championship proper will then pay an additional $65 fee ($150 total). Players who are exempt will enter the championship proper at TCI directly and will pay the full $150 entry fee at the time they enter.
Additionally, the field size at the championship proper at TCI will be reduced from 156 to 132 players. This was done to to insure adequate pace of play during the championship, allow for more flexibility with weather and also to insure the necessity of the qualifying events.
“In the past, when we would bring 156 players to the championship proper, we would schedule qualifiers and then either cancel because we only had 156 total players enter, or we would have 80-90% of those in the qualifiers making their way through to the championship, which seemed a bit silly,” stated IGA Executive Director Chad Pitts. “This would cause undue strain on the member courses that had agreed to host when we would cancel a qualifier. Sometimes, that meant they could have hosted another outing or event on those days.”
“Granted, we may still have to cancel or have a very high qualifying rate even with reducing the field to 132, but the chances of it happening are drastically reduced”, added Pitts.
The qualifying events will take place at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames on July 11 and Amana Colonies GC in Amana on July 13. The championship proper will be contested at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City from July 23-25. You can find entry information here.
Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today the establishment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, which will be held annually the week prior to the Masters and will culminate with the final round taking place at Augusta National (pictured above).
“Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf,” Ridley said. “The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game. Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energize those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National.”
The 54-hole, stroke play tournament will feature an international field of 72 players. Invitees will be determined by awarding winners of other recognized championships and using the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
In 2019, the first two rounds will take place at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. After a cut to the low 30 scores, the final competitive round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6, when an amateur champion will be crowned for the first time ever at the home of the Masters.
Des Moines Golf & Country Club (pictured above), Amana Colonies Golf Club and Glen Oaks Country Club will host IGA Member Play Days in 2018. The IGA is pleased again this year to organize the opportunity for our members to play these courses which are either not normally available to the public, or available for a reduced rate. The fee varies for each day but each time is less than the normal guest fee. These play days are not formal competitions and are open exclusively to IGA Members.
The first IGA Member Play Day will be held on Monday, May 7th, at DMGCC ($135 per person). Amana Colonies GC ($45 per person) will host the second IGA Member Play day on Monday, Aug. 27th and Glen Oaks CC ($105 per person) will host on Monday, Oct. 15. All play days include golf, cart, range and a box lunch.
As in the past, golfers are encouraged to bring their own foursome as pairing requests will be honored (as nearly as possible). We have reserved a block of morning tee times at these great facilities so all play will begin from the 1st tee. Just come, have fun and whatever “games” you want to play within your group or groups is totally up to you. Each event includes golf, range balls, & cart. Sign up early because once the tee time block is gone we will not allow any more entries.
As stated previously, the opportunity to play these prestigious clubs is an exclusive benefit only to IGA members. An IGA Member is anyone who has a membership number through their enrollment in the GHIN Handicap Service at an IGA Member club. If you are not already a member, simply sign up for the GHIN Handicap Service at an IGA Member Club or you can sign up online by clicking here. A complete list of member clubs is available under the “Member Clubs” tab at the top of the page.
Registration for the IGA Member Play Days is now open – Click here to register
During FOX Sports’ presentation of the U.S. Open from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (pictured above) in June, Rolex will present the final hour of coverage in this uninterrupted format and support a rich, interactive media history experience that will launch in April on usopen.com.
Innovative Broadcast Experience with Uninterrupted Coverage for Golf Fans Highlights Extended USGA-Rolex Partnership
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – Continuing a relationship that began in 1980, the USGA and Rolex have extended their partnership, assuring that together they will continue to steward some of golf’s greatest moments for the long term.
Through activation across broadcast, digital, social and emerging media, the USGA and Rolex will deliver new ways to promote and celebrate the game and its rich history.
“Rolex’s support through nearly four decades has been instrumental in helping us drive the game forward,” said Mike Davis, CEO/executive director of the USGA. “We are excited that the continuation of our partnership will expand our impact on golf around the world and elevate and celebrate our championships’ iconic venues, legendary champions and signature moments in innovative ways.”
This will be most clearly seen through the uninterrupted broadcast of multiple USGA championships. Beginning in 2018, Rolex will be the exclusive presenting partner of coverage for eight USGA championships on FOX Sports and FS1, including the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Amateur. Rolex’s commitment will ensure an uninterrupted broadcast of these events, providing golf fans hours of continuous live golf action as history unfolds.
“We are excited to further FOX Sports’ commitment to innovative and immersive viewing experiences for our audiences, as well as targeted messaging for our partners,” said Bruce Lefkowitz, executive VP of ad sales at Fox Networks Group. “These uninterrupted broadcasts give us the opportunity to innovate and differentiate our telecast, while capitalizing on the unique nature of the USGA championships to provide viewers with more live action and new perspectives on the golfers and championships.”
The innovative format will allow FOX Sports and the USGA to deliver more golf content to fans around the world, while providing Rolex the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the amateur and professional game. Features and video vignettes highlighting signature moments, legendary champions, and the iconic venues that make up these championships will be seamlessly integrated to further entertain, engage and educate the audience.
With involvement at all levels of competition, Rolex has a longstanding and enduring relationship with the game of golf.
“Our deep commitment for over 50 years to championing the great game of golf and fostering individual excellence have hallmarked our USGA partnership, which stands as one of the longest and widest reaching,” said Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex SA Director of Communication and Image. “We are proud to showcase the greatest moments in golf together and to foster our commitment to developing this great game for years to come.”
During FOX Sports’ presentation of the U.S. Open from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (pictured above) in June, Rolex will present the final hour of coverage in this uninterrupted format and support a rich, interactive media history experience that will launch in April on usopen.com. The innovative digital destination will honor the history and legends of the game and further the celebration of all U.S. Open champions and the grand stages that identified them as the world’s best players.
Rolex will also continue to serve as the lead partner for Rules of Golf content and remains committed to supporting the work being done to modernize the Rules of Golf globally.
The full USGA on FOX broadcast schedule, which will be released this spring, begins with coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship May 31-June 3.
“The winner in this partnership, ultimately, is the fan,” said Davis. “Uninterrupted live golf coverage across eight of our championships is unprecedented. We are excited for the viewer to see the creativity of FOX Sports and be inspired by the stories that unfold across our championships.”
About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
About Rolex
Rolex, the Swiss watch brand headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programmes.
Youth on Course — the non-profit providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships – partners with the Iowa Golf Association (IGA) to bring affordable junior golf to the Hawkeye state.
Members ages 6-18 in this territory will be able to join the Youth on Course national network and access unlimited golf for $5 or less per round at 700 facilities across 23 states. Having more than 200 member golf courses that stretch across the state, the IGA plans to announce the selection of participating courses in coming weeks.
“Iowa’s junior golf population is rapidly growing, and we believe affordable access will help take it to the next level,” says Adam Heieck, Youth on Course Executive Director. “As we continue adding partner courses, local juniors will have their pick of reasonably priced golf options.”
Having already partnered with four other golf associations in 2018 (Colorado Golf Association, Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia, Maryland State Golf Association), Youth on Course continues to gain momentum. Operating in every U.S. region, Youth on Course has upwards of 30,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have completed 650,000 rounds.
“We’ve been looking for ways to do more for our juniors and I have no doubt adding the Youth on Course program state-wide will be a home run,” says Chad Pitts, IGA Executive Director. “The benefits to the kids are first and foremost, but our member clubs will also experience increased traffic during non-peak hours.”
Support for Youth on Course drives the organization’s growth across America. Many view the initiative as a bridge between youth instruction and consistent play throughout adulthood, as well as an opportunity for junior golfers to interact outside of a competition setting.
In addition to promoting the game through affordable access to golf, nearly 200 individuals have benefited from Youth on Course scholarships totaling $1.2 million in financial support. The current college scholarship retention rate is 98 percent, with 46 students already graduated from a four-year university.
A list of participating IGA member courses will be announced in early April. Be sure to check back for more information.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide juniors with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members play hundreds of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the Caddie Academy and internship program, and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, nearly 650,000 rounds have been played by Youth on Course participants and more than $1.2 million has been raised for college scholarships. Currently, Youth on Course serves Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2020.
About the Iowa Golf Association (IGA)
The Iowa Golf Association serves as the governing body of golf for the state of Iowa. Run by amateur golfers the IGA provides a variety of programs and services that benefit everyone who plays the game. The IGA is an Allied Golf Association of the United States Golf Association.
The IGA’s most visible role is to conduct state championships for men, women and juniors, including the Iowa Amateur for more than 100 years. The IGA also conducts USGA qualifiers and offers a series of for-fun events called the “Member Play Days” which is open to IGA members of all skill levels.
The IGA provides services to nearly 200 member golf clubs and courses and over 20,000 individual members. The Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, the IGA Scholarship programs and Youth on Course programs are administered under the IGA Foundation, a 501 c3 non-profit entity.
For complete information on the IGA please visit www.iowagolf.org.
In an effort to let golfers know what courses are open (as always – weather dependent) this page will include and be updated with facilities that are open. Feel free to check back often!
Be sure to contact the course before heading out to play as the IGA doesn’t always know the conditions at every facility from day to day.
AH Blank Golf Course – Plan to open Wed., March 14th.
Burlington Golf Club – Will open Thurs., March 13th at 10 a.m.
Leon Golf & Country Club – Currently open. Walking only. Call for times 641-4464529.
Pleasant Valley Golf Course – Open for walkers and will remain open as weather permits. The best way to find out the day to day status is to check our website at www.pleasantvalleyic.com, just click on the “Course Info” tab. Shoulder Season rates will be in effect until we are able to mow everything. Tee times are available by calling 319-337-2622.
Muscatine Municipal Golf Course – Will be open starting March 3, 2018. Tee Times start at 10 a.m. Normal Rates. No Carts
Terrace Hills Golf Course – Tee times starting at 11 a.m. this weekend (3/3). Visit www.TerraceHillsGolf.com for more information.
The Legacy Golf Club – They will be open for the season on Wed., March 14. Shoulder rates will apply until April 12. Call the pro shop at 515-287-7885 Ext. 2 to schedule a tee time.
Oakland Acres Golf Club – The front 9 will open Saturday 3/3/18 at 10 a.m. Tee times are needed.
Spirit Hollow Golf Course – Will open Friday, March 16, 2018. First tee time is 10 a.m.
The Preserve on Rathbun Lake – Have carts available and will remain open (weather permitting) for the remainder of the season. Off-season rates apply as of now. Hours are 7:30 AM – 7 PM (through March). Call 641-724-1400 for tee times. For more info visit: www.honeycreekresort.com/golf.
Tournament Club of Iowa – The Golf Course will be opening this March 14th. Tee times will start at 11 a.m., call the pro shop 515-984-9440 or book your tee time online at tcofiowa.com.
Waveland Golf Course – Plan to open Friday, March 16th.
Westwood Golf Course – Will be open Saturday and Sunday. All 18 holes will be open with no cart restrictions. No tee times needed 1st come 1st serve to the tee. Will not open until 10 a.m. both days.
The Classic at Elmwood, the Joe August Match Play and the Mason City Amateur are now point events.
The Iowa Golf Association Board of Directors recently approved a recommendation of the Rules & Competitions Committee to sanction these new events for the annual Player of the Year races. They are categorized as an “Additional Sanctioned Point Event”.
The Classic at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown is a new event that will be played under the stableford format. It will be contested during the last weekend in April, making it the kick-off event for annual point races. Stableford is a format in which golfers play traditional stroke play, but earn points per hole based on their scores with the highest point total being declared the champion.
The Joe August Match Play began in 1948 in Marshalltown, but has been held annually at Ames Golf & Country Club since 1993. It is a Four-Ball Match Play event in which teams of two play a stroke play qualifying round and are then placed into a bracket based on their qualifying score. They play match play over the weekend until a champion is declared. The Joe August Match Play (named after the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member) will fall into the mid-July weekend where the retired Lake Creek Amateur once was held.
The third event added to the list of sanctioned point events is the Mason City Amateur. It will be held over Labor Day weekend, making it one of the final opportunities for players to earn points toward the respective Player of the Year races. The tournament has been played since 1951, moving around a bit on the calendar. Previously played as a 1-day, 27-hole tournament, now that it is a point event, the event will be staged over two days and 36 holes. Past champions of the Mason City Amateur include Iowa Golf Hall of Fame members John Jacobs and George Turner, and 2008 Iowa Senior Amateur champion Joel Yunek.
These events are additional to IGA conducted championships and USGA qualifiers, which are also point events for determining the Players of the Year. This brings the total of “Additional Point Events” to 13.
Entry applications will be available for The Classic at Elmwood on March 1st. The Joe August and Mason City Amateur entry applications will be available as soon as possible. You can view information on all Additional Sanctioned Point Events at this site.
The 2017 IGA Yearbook is now available. This extensive publication chronicles the activities of the Iowa Golf Association and IGA Foundation throughout the calendar year. Inside you will find recaps of championships, USGA qualifiers, committee reports, upcoming schedules and more.
As has become custom over the past few years, the book is available to view digitally free of charge, or you can order a printed copy of the book.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER A PRINTED COPY OF THE YEARBOOK – $30
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE YEARBOOK DIGITALLY
Click the image to view the 2017 Yearbook