The Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) was established to preserve the game and develop more programs to promote the future of golf in Iowa, which is why we offer two scholarships, The Ann Griffel Scholarship and The Herman Sani Scholarship, granted to graduating high school seniors.

The Ann Griffel Scholarship was named after long-time IWGA President, Ann Griffel. During her 23-year term, Griffel started many women’s’ championships that are still played today. She was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 to honor her contributions to the game. The IGAF awards $2,000 Ann Griffel Scholarships to Iowa High School senior girls who intend to further their education at an Iowa institution of higher learning, whether a college, university, or trade school.

Herman Sani was the first director of the Iowa Golf Association and served the organization for over 30 years. He was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 1989, and the scholarship was established in 1959 after Sani’s death to honor his love for the game and the young kids who played it. Each recipient receives $8,000 ($2,000 per year) over a consecutive four-year period as long as the student is making reasonable academic progress. Scholarships are awarded and recipients are selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and leadership qualities, not on golf accomplishments or ability.

The deadline to apply for these scholarships is Friday, March 17, 2017.

Click here to apply and learn more about both IGAF Scholarships.

Former Sani Scholar Josh Manske posted rounds of 67-71-71-73 – 282 (-6) at Asian Tour Q-School Final Stage. Manske tied for 99th place. This finish gives Manske developmental status on tour. He is currently in Malaysia now and will be playing in a golf tournament under that status.

A total of 223 hopefuls were vying for the much-sought after Asian Tour cards at the all-important Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

Players from 30 countries teed up at the Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club and they include nationalities from as far as Venezuela, Poland, Colombia and the United States.

Click here to see a recap of scoring from the event.

For the second consecutive year the National Senior-Junior hosted by The Dye Preserve (click link to read recap in Global Golf Post) went to a playoff. In the playoff the duo of Mike McCoy and John Engler were able to outlast the team of Arnold Cutrell and Darin Kowalski on the second playoff hole.

McCoy, the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur winner, and Engel started the final day one-stroke behind but used a final round 64 in the closing day Scramble to reach the 199 number that put them into the playoff. McCoy and Engel started the week with a Best-Ball 68 and a Pinehurst Format 67.

Calendars are flipped, resolutions are made and one goal is the focus for tens of thousands of competitors from more than 75 countries around the globe: to qualify for, contend in and, ultimately, win a USGA championship. The 2017 season promises enticing drama as players aim to be in peak form for the most comprehensive tests in the game. Here’s a preview of what you need to know.

Click here for a preview of what you need to know.

Welcome to the new iowagolf.org. The new website is mobile friendly and, we think, has a terrific new look and feel.  Please take some time to click around and see the new site.

Start by hovering over the menu at the top and finding an area to dive into.  Most pages on the new site are built with ‘scrolling’ in mind – in other words, simply scroll to find more and more information when you are on a page.  This is done so that the web pages are easily scalable when looking at it on a mobile device.  In fact, you should do just that – try navigating the new iowagolf.org using your phone or tablet.  We think you’ll find a much better experience.

We appreciate any feedback on the new design.  If you have any thoughts, please send them to us at [email protected].

Thank you and we hope you enjoy!

Elliott claims fourth IGA POTY
For the second year in a row and fourth overall, West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott is the IGA Player of the Year.

Elliott, who edged out Urbandale’s Jon Brown by 37.5 points (1,156.76 – 1,119.17) thanks to earning his way into match play the U.S. Mid-Amateur, had another banner year in 2016. Elliott had top five finishes at the Stocker Cup, Coleman Invitational, Iowa Mid-Amateur and Iowa Masters to go along with wins at the IGA Four-Ball (with partner Mike McCoy) and the Briarwood Amateur. Elliott also qualified for the previously mentioned U.S. Mid-Amateur to earn bonus points towards his winning total this year.

Brown, who fell just short of his third IGA POTY title, had a solid year himself earning a win at the Iowa Mid-Amateur to go along with low amateur at the Herman Sani Tournament and Iowa Open. Brown also partnered with Jon Olson to qualify for match play at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball this year.

Rounding out the top five in this year’s race were J.D. Anderson, Jon Olson and McCoy.

Elliott wins second IGA Senior POTY
With the help of two wins and bonus points at two USGA events in 2016, Gene Elliott (1,435 points) outdistanced Ron Peterson (1122.5 points) for the 2016 IGA Senior Player of the Year crown. This is the second IGA Senior Player of the Year award for Elliott (2012).

Elliott won the IGA Senior Match Play and the Iowa Senior Amateur Championship and added in points for qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open and for making match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Elliott qualified for the U.S. Senior Open by earning co-medalist honors with a 68 at Vista Valley Country Club in Vista, CA. He joined fellow Iowan and close friend Mike McCoy at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, OH. McCoy was exempt into the event from being low amateur at the Senior Open in 2015.

Peterson, who gave a great effort in chasing the Senior POTY title this year, amassed three wins and two runner-up finishes in 2016. He won the Senior Division of the Iowa Mid-Amateur, Carroll Amateur and Northwest Amateur and was runner-up in the Senior Division at the Iowa Masters and Iowa Open.

Finishing just behind Elliott and Peterson were Terry Cook (3rd), Joe Bates (4th) and Curtis Holck (5th).

Epperly comes out on top of IGA Junior points list
Two wins and qualifying for the match play portion of the U.S. Junior Amateur this summer vaulted Ben Epperly to the top of the IGA Junior Player of the Year Points list.

Epperly, who accumulated a total of 1,270 points, was victorious at the Class 4A Iowa High School State Championship and the Midwest Junior Championship held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. The highlight of his summer was his performance at the U.S. Junior Amateur at The Honors Course in Tennessee. He opened with a 1-under par 71 in qualifying and ultimately earned the #53 seed in the match play draw. He lost a tightly contested match 1 up in his opening round.

Following close behind Epperly, was Chris Cooksley who posted win at the 1A Iowa High School State Championship and the IPGA Junior Tour Championship.

Garret Jensen, who won the 2016 Iowa Masters, finished third in the standings.