Author: iowagolf

Sutton, Moorman take spots at U.S. Amateur Qualifying

A pair of college golfers advanced to the U.S. Amateur on Monday at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City.

Alex Moorman of Centerville, who plays collegiately at Iowa, and Daniel Sutton, who is from England but plays at Kansas, each posted 36-hole totals of 6-under 138 to claim co-medalist honors and the only two spots into the field at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles in mid-August.  Sutton shot identical rounds of 69 while Moorman posted 71 in the morning 18 and then fired 5-under 67 in the afternoon.

Garrett May (Rock Island, IL) shot 4-under 140 (68-72) to earn 1st alternate status while Luke Miller of Clive (71-71) was at 2-under 142 and is the 2nd alternate.  May plays collegiately at Baylor while Miller is a mid-amateur.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL RESULTS

Heinz, Kerrigan Set Sights On A Second Victory

Jenny Heinz and Karli Kerrigan fired a 65 in the first round of the Iowa Women’s Four-Ball at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. Heinz and Kerrigan hold a four stroke lead in theC hampionship Division going into the second round tomorrow morning

The Heinz/Kerrigan side won the Iowa Women’s Four-Ball last year after tying for first in regulation and then winning after play was forced to extra holes. Though a back-to- back win by Heinz and Kerrigan may be in sight, with two teams hot on their heels in second, their work is not done yet.

Julie Buerman and Janelle Carter shot a 69 this afternoon, putting them in a second place tie with Kelly Nelson and Katie Hansen going into round two tomorrow. Buerman and Nelson went head-to- head in the final match at the Forever 39 Match-Play just last month. Buerman went five and three in her final match against Nelson to clench her Forever 39 champion title.

Rose Kubesheski and Margene Grady shot a 72 giving them a four stroke lead in the Senior Division. Behind them is Janis Owens and Ila Gilbert with a 76. Kubesheski won the Senior Women’s Amateur last weekend at Clarinda Country Club in Clarinda.

Round two tee times begin Monday at 7:30 a.m.

Click here for a recap of scores.

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member Betty Thye passes away

By Matt Levins
The Hawk Eye

Respect. Integrity. Sportsmanship. Those are three words that describe Betty Thye, well, to a ‘T.’

BGC member and BGC Men’s Championship and City Championship winner John O’Neill III described Thye best, calling her “Burlington’s First Lady of Golf.”

Thye is one of the biggest reasons why southeast Iowa churned out junior golfers who went on to play and excel at the game the rest of their lives.

Thye, who was inducted into the Iowa Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2009, died on Tuesday morning. She was 99. She would have turned 100 on July 22.

Thye leaves a legacy that dates back to the 1950s. Her influence on the game was felt from the Missouri River to the Mississippi, from the Minnesota border to the Missouri border.

But nowhere was her gentle touch and soft words of encouragement more felt than in Burlington and at Burlington Golf Club, where she was a longtime member and spent much of her time.

Thye’s passing leaves a void that will be impossible to fill.

“She was one of the most influential people on juniors, as well as Joe (BGC PGA professional Butler) and Jock (former BGC professional Olson),” said Jill Blackwood, longtime member at BGC and one of Thye’s closest friends. “She didn’t teach me how to swing the golf club, but I would never be the player I was able to become if not for her. She taught me how to play the game.”

In her letter nominating Thye, Blackwood, a former Iowa Women’s Golf Association President, stated that “Every woman golfer in Iowa has benefited from her efforts and they will continue to benefit in the years ahead.”

“It’s a sad day in Burlington,” Butler said. “She hadn’t missed a single day of junior golf in my first 24 years here until this year. She loved golf and she helped teach the rules of golf. She was a rules stickler, for sure. She leaves a tough void to fill, without a doubt.”

“I just went and saw her on Saturday and we had a good chat,” said Randy Trine, former golf coach at Burlington High School and a winner of the City Championship multiple times. “She was a great lady. She was really important to all of our young people. We had some really good people (at BHS) for a long time and she influenced a lot of them. Any time I needed help, she was always there to help. Sometimes we don’t appreciate someone until they aren’t there any more. She will be sorely missed.”

Thye served on the Iowa Women’s Golf Association Board of Directors for 25 years beginning in the 1960’s. During that time, she served as IWGA Vice-President from 1984-85 and President from 1985-1988. She was also the Chair of the Course Rating Committee (1970-77) and helped the USGA establish women’s course ratings throughout the state.

Thye was the director of the Iowa Wife-Husband Championship 1978-1985 when it was held in Okoboji and was the largest tournament of its kind played on one golf course — more than 500 players.

Her service to the game of golf didn’t stop with the IWGA. As a member at Burlington Golf Club, she contributed her time and talents to help the junior golf program. She has mentored several generations of junior golfers on the rules of golf and the values of the game.

Thye’s service to youth went far beyond the golf course. She spent countless days at Sunnyside Elementary School, where she would listen to first-graders read every week in Julie Swanson’s class. The last three years she spent time with the kindergartners in Christine Larkins’ and Nina Zaiser’s classes.

“Sometimes the kids wouldn’t read to her. They would just talk to her. She had quite a listening ear,” Swanson said. “Most of the time she would walk to Sunnyside from her house. When the weather was bad, she would still get in her car and drive over. We’ve lost a gem.”

In a letter supporting Thye’s nomination Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Olson said, “I first met Betty in 1976 when I became the head golf professional at Burlington Golf Club. Thirty-two years later, she is still one of the biggest promoters of the game that I have ever known. She is the greatest volunteer that I have ever known, as well as a very good player in her own right.”

“Forty-two years ago on my first day of junior golf she was there. She was very dedicated,” O’Neill said. “She mentored countless kids in golf. She was an advocate of golf all over, not just in Burlington. Many of the tournaments I played in she was out there helping to run it. That is so important. You have to know the rules. You’ve got to honor the rules and etiquette of golf. Even during her off time, she would be there to take kids out golfing. She just loved kids and she loved golf.”

“The kids all called her Miss Betty. But her nickname was B.T. That’s how everybody knew her,” said Stacey Stevens, whose sons, Mateo and Tomas Rascon, and daughter, Sela Rascon, were influenced by Thye, as was Stacey’s father. “She used to watch my dad play golf and she was always interested in how my kids were doing. She was always a stickler for the rules. If I ever had a question about the rules, I knew I could always ask Betty and she would know. She will be greatly missed.”

One of the final people Thye touched was Charles Jahn, who won the BGC Men’s Championship two weeks ago. Thye was in the hospital, but she made sure her PGA visor, with the signatures of numerous BGC champions on it, was delivered to BGC for Jahn to sign. That act of kindness did not go unnoticed by Jahn.

“I grew up at the Club with Betty running the junior program. Betty was always very interested in how I was doing in my golf tournaments and very encouraging, as well,” Jahn said. “She would send me cutouts of articles about me in The Hawk Eye. In fact, she sent me the cutout about a week ago on me winning the Club Championship, as well as a note, which says a lot about her, considering the shape she was in when she sent it. The name Betty Thye will always be synonymous with Burlington Golf Club.”

“She had such a true love for the game. She was such a big supporter of girls golf and women’s golf,” said Marianne Briggs, who took lessons from Thye when she was younger and whose children, Matt and Lauren, have been influenced by Thye. “Whenever I would see her at Sunnyside she would always ask about the kids. Golf was her life and the Burlington Golf Club. The people there were her family. They always took care of her.

“Betty was one of those people who had always been around and you just assumed she would be around forever. She was a great asset. She will be greatly missed.”

“She was a true inspiration for me,” said former Notre Dame-West Burlington high school and Luther College golfer Katie Gaudian. “She was always the first face you would see at junior golf. She was always very determined and she never let anything get in her way. She was always at the golf course ready to go.

“I think the thing about her was that her life was so full of love and adventure. I try to model my life after her’s. I always care about people and try to keep golf in my life. I am always looking for what next adventure I can take. She was always interested in us kids and what we were doing and where we were going. Just her personality is something I took away from her. She was always in a good mood. She saw life and had fun every day. She helps me remember when I am having a bad day on the course that we are out there to have fun, to enjoy nature, enjoy the sunshine and just have fun. She will definitely never be forgotten.”

Kubesheski wins 6th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur title, third in a row

When the dust had settled in Clarinda, a familiar face was still sheriff of the territory.

For the third year in a row and sixth time overall, Rose Kubesheski took home the trophy from the 52 Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur. Kubesheski fired a final round 73 (+4) to outdistance opening round leader Kathy Fortune by six strokes. Kubesheski made a total of three birdies to help her pull clear of the competition. Hitting it close with her short irons was the key for the champion.

“I hit some really good wedge shots today,” Kubesheski commented.

Another fine round was turned in by Janece Schwartzkopf (73) to capture low Super Senior (60 and older) honors, as well as finishing in 3rd place overall.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Iowa Masters to provide plenty of fireworks

This year marks the 80th Annual Iowa Masters Golf Tournament. The Iowa Masters is an invitational golf tournament sponsored by Veenker Memorial Golf Course and Facilities Planning and Management of Iowa State University. The Iowa Masters is one of the Iowa Golf Association’s “major” tournaments that determine the IGA Amateur, Senior Amateur and Super Senior Amateur of the Year awards. The Iowa Masters is also a World Amateur Golf Rankings event.

The tournament is scheduled to be contested over 54 holes with all competitors playing both Friday and Saturday. Following the second round, a cut is made to determine the field for the final round.

The Iowa Masters has historically been the standard by which other tournaments around the state pattern themselves. The committee that runs the Iowa Masters dedicates themselves to preserving the history of the tournament while continuing to improve it for the benefit of amateur golfers.

Click here to follow the action this weekend

Steady play key for Kinney all week, Snelling wins Women’s Match Play Championship set

The 29th IGA Match Play and 6th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship began on Monday, June 26, at The Harvester Golf Club, Rhodes. All players played an 18-hole qualifying round on Monday morning to determine seeding into match play.

On the Men’s side, Gene Elliott was medalist of the qualifying round with 66 (-6) and earned the #1 seed into match play on Tuesday morning. J.D. Anderson, playing along side Elliott on Monday, earned the #2 seed with a 67 (-5) of his own.

A total of 16 men will teed it up this morning (Wednesday) and those surviving into quarterfinal matches this afternoon are Jon Olson/Josh Black, Tripp Kinney/Sam Zoske, Charles Jahn/Jon Brown and Conner Koberg/Aaron Stevens.

Semifinals, which were played Thursday morning, saw Tripp Kinney (pictured above) come out on top against Josh Black (5&4). In the other semifinal, Conner Koberg outlasted Jon Brown (1 up). Both Kinney and Koberg, who squared off in the finals, play golf for Iowa State University. Black and Brown have long since exhausted their eligibility.

In the final match, Kinney used a quick start to race to a 3 up lead after only five holes. He made the turn 4 up and never looked back, cruising to a 6&5 victory over his good fiend and teammate.

“My goal this week to just stay steady through all my matches,” Kinney said. “I just wanted to make a ton of pars. I did a really good job sticking to my game plan. It’s a tough golf course and it got windy.”

Click here for complete brackets and starting times for the 29th IGA Match Play.

Snelling wins 6th IGA Women’s Match Play title

Jenny Heinz, last year’s runner-up, shot 80 (+8) to secure medalist in the qualifying portion of the women’s side and was the #1 seed into match play.

The finals of the 6th IGA Women’s Match Play featured Emily Snelling against Tenley Moretti. Snelling defeated Karli Karrigan on Wednesday morning, while Moretti dispatched defending champion Julie Buerman.

In the final match, Snelling (pictured right) outlasted Moretti (left) 3&2 in a hard-fought, back and forth match.

“I am glad I won the 15th hole (to win the match),” Snelling commented.

Click here for a complete recap brackets in the 6th IGA Women’s Match Play.

Team Iowa wins Junior Girls’ 4-State by 10 strokes

Pictured above (from left) Team Iowa – Casey Noble, Sarah Nacos, Hannah Bermel, Sydney Eaton, Paige Hoffman

WICHITA, KAN. – For the second year in a row Team Iowa closed out Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska to claim the Junior Girls’ 4-State Championship.

After the first round of play at Wichita Country Club Team Iowa combined for a 315 total led by Hannah Bermel with a 6-over par 77. Sarah Nacos and Paige Hoffman both carded a 79, while Sydney Eaton (80) and Casey Noble (85) rounded out the group.

Team Kansas posted a 313 total securing their place at the top of the leaderboard by two strokes. Team Nebraska joined together for a 323 and Missouri finished at a 339 to land in fourth place.

Team Iowa capitalized on perfect scoring conditions Thursday and improved on their team total by 12 strokes, finishing with a 618. Team Kansas took a step backwards with their 315 team total and finished at 628. Team Nebraska and Missouri also improved on their first round total, but it was not enough to move positions in the standings.

Julia Misemer of Overland Park, Kan. took medalist honors with a 77-74—151 total. Bermel, Eaton and Nacos all finished with a 152 total placing them in a 4-way tie for second.

This is the 13th time in 4-State history that Team Iowa will be engraved in the traveling trophy.

Iowa: 315-303–618
Kansas: 313-315–628
Nebraska: 323-311–634
Missouri: 339-318–657

Team Iowa
Hannah Bermel 77-75—152
Sydney Eaton 80-72—152
Sarah Nacos 79-73—152
Paige Hoffman 79-83—162
Casey Noble 85-85—170

The 4-State Junior Girls’ Championship is composed of a golf team from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Each team consists of five girls and two coaches from each state. The four low scores of each team are added each day and totaled after the second day to determine the winner. The medalist is determined by the low two day total score.

Click here for full results

Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur champions crowned

The 2017 Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur is concluded on Thursday at Ames’ Coldwater Golf Links. This two-round event featured the best players, both boys and girls, from across the state. Coldwater GL proved to be a firm, but fair, test for players as scores for those in divisions that played two days reflected the challenge.

Cole Davis (74-75) played steady golf to win the Boy’s 14-15 Division, defeating Conner Van Weelden (73-76) on the first playoff hole. Ashley DeLong outdistanced runner-up Grace Vandersee to win the Girls’ 14-15 division.

In a battle to the end, Andrew Wood battled back on day two to capture the Iowa Junior Amateur (Boy’s 16-18) title. Wood posted rounds of 75-74 to slip by first round leader Jake Marvelli (71-79) by a single shot. A total of 8 players finished with in four strokes off the lead. Brooke Boardman left no doubt in the Girls’ 16-18 Division, as she posted rounds of 82-78 to win the 2017 Junior Girls’ Amateur crown.

Check a full recap of scoring from all division by clicking here.

Boys’ 11 & Under, Girls’ 11 & Under Division
From left – Girls’ 11 & Under Champion Meghan DeLong,
Boys’ 11 & Under Champion Evan Smith and Runner-up Gavin Drake.
Girls’ 12-13 Division
From left – Girls’ 12-13 Champion Maura Peters
and Runner-up Rebecca DeLong.
Girls’ 14-15 DivisionFrom left – Girls’ 14-15 Champion Ashley DeLong
and Runner-up Grace Vandersee.
Girls’ 16-18 Division
From left – Girls’ 16-18 Champion Brooke Boardman,
Runner-up Casey Noble and Third Place Hanna Zikuda.
Boy’s 16-18 Division
From left – Boy’s 16-18 Champion Andrew Wood,
Runner-up Jake Marvelli and Third Place Brock Barnhart

Buerman Victorious Over Nelson in Final Match

WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA – Julie Buerman of Cedar Rapids won her final match against Kelly Nelson of Waterloo this afternoon, finishing first in the championship flight at the Forever 39 Match Play Championship at Stone Creek Golf Course in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Buerman shot a one over 37 in the stroke play round during the morning of the first day, putting her just one stroke behind the leader Nelson and giving her the second seed in the Championship Flight. That afternoon she went on to win her first match against Robin Webb of Clive with a two up finish after the ninth hole.

She continued to dominate on the second day and won her morning match against Rose Kubesheski of Dubuque with a one up finish on the ninth. Despite windy conditions in the afternoon, Buerman was able to win her match against Nelson five and three. Her final score was a four-under 32 and the course record at Stone Creek Golf Course. “I was making lots of putts. I could just see the line and have the distance on just about every green,” said Buerman.

Buerman, who also coaches the Girl’s Golf team at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids has won this event twice in the last three years. “I think it is a more relaxed tournament. There are a great group of ladies who play in this tournament and that always makes it fun,” said Buerman. “It is just a different atmosphere and it is great.”

Jennifer Corkrean of Ankeny, was the champion of the first flight after beating out Lora Winter of Walford in the final match two and one. Nicki Clayton of Greenfield won the second flight with a four and two final match against Mary Nelson of Ankeny.

“It was just a great course and kept well. I am really looking forward to coming back here,” said Buerman. Stone Creek Golf Course was a gracious host during this event and prove to be a great venue that fostered competitive play and a fantastic challenge for the field.

Forever 39 Play Starts off Strong

WILLIAMSBURG, IOWA – Kelly Nelson from Waterloo, Iowa fired a solid even par this morning to place her at the top of the leaderboard in the Iowa Golf Association’s Forever 39 stroke play qualifier. She finished the afternoon strong and won her match against Kathy Fortune from Rockwell City, Iowa.

The Forever 39 Match-Play event is being held at Stone Creek Golf Course in Williamsburg, Iowa. The nine-hole course was ranked Top 25 in the nation by Golf Digest in 2011. “The course is great! I wish it was in Waterloo! It is just so great to be out here and to play competitive matches with ladies who all really want to win,” said Nelson.

Kelly Nelson played at University of Northern Iowa from 1993 to 1997. “I’ve really been playing well all summer long. I have been focusing a lot on my short game and it just showed today.” said Nelson. She ended the day with only three bogeys.
Play will continue tomorrow with round two of match play in the morning and a final round of match play in the afternoon.

Forever 39 Match Play Homepage

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