Category: Championships

2025 IGA schedule, USGA qualifying locations announced

DMG to host 123rd Iowa Amateur,
Wakonda Club selected for Iowa Women’s Amateur

The 2025 Championship schedule is here!

The schedule includes an abundance of great IGA Member Clubs that will serve as host sites for not only IGA Championships but also USGA Qualifiers next year. Without the gracious support from our hosts, as well as our players, none of this would be possible.

The 123rd Iowa Amateur will be played at Des Moines Golf & Country Club, July 28-30. This marks the twelfth time DMG has hosted the state’s biggest men’s amateur event, having previously hosted in ‘03, won by Scott Hart. Qualifying events will be held once again for the championship. In previous years a total of three qualifying sites were identified across the state, but an additional two more will be added in 2025. Players not already exempt will have a chance to qualify to be a part of the field that will compete. Dates and locations for those qualifiers are still being determined and will be posted online as soon as possible.

After the marvelous showing of the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur, contested at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, the 101st edition will be played at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. Partway through the 2023 season Wakonda underwent a massive course restoration which included taking out trees, redesigning greens, and adding in bunkers. After the 2024 Principal Charity Classic, Wakonda Club opened back up for member play along with hosting the 2024 IGA Men’s Club Team Championship. The 2025 edition of the Iowa Women’s Amateur will be played a little later than usual, on Mon-Wed., August 4-6. The Fladoos Trophy has had a home in Iowa City won by Hawkeye golfers Katlynn Hanna (‘23) and Paula Miranda (‘24). Will another Hawkeye player walk away with the win in 2025? Stay tuned in August to find out.

In 2024, Iowa narrowly missed the exemption criteria for the USGA Boys’ Junior Amateur, but that is no more. New to the 2025 season, the Iowa Junior Amateur joins the list of IGA events as USGA exemption events with the champion moving on to the equivalent USGA championship. The champions of Iowa Women’s Amateur, Iowa Amateur, Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur, and now the Boys’ Junior Amateur will receive an automatic bid into these USGA sanctioned events (U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Boys’/Girls’ Junior Amateur).

The IGA Men’s and Senior Men’s Four-Ball will once again be split up – similar to last year. Due to the popularity of the event, the IGA hosted a championship for the Open Division and then a separate championship for the Senior and Super-Senior Division. The IGA Four-Ball will be held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City May 1-2, while the Senior and Super-Senior event will be contested at Burlington Golf Club, September 19-20.

The IGA is excited to announce the inaugural Iowa Adaptive Open sponsored by Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino next year, to be held July 12-13, at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. This will be open to golfers of various classifications of disabilities, such as individuals with arm and leg impairments, amputations, blind golfers, and those with neurological and intellectual impairments. The Iowa Adaptive Open will not be limited to only Iowa residents and IGA members. It will be open to anyone from around the country to participate. Many other details still need to be determined, but the IGA is looking forward to being a part of this wonderful event.

Talons Golf, located in Ankeny, has accepted to be the host of the IGA Men’s and Women’s IGA Match Play for the sixth straight year. The event will take place June 24-27. In 2024, Blake Cronin at the age of 16 became the youngest individual to win in the championship history. Talons Golf which is privately-owned sits between uniquely placed holes and rock-walled streams has been home to nail-biter matches over the years.

The Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship will still continue the 54 hole tournament style allowing top finishers to receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points. This championship will be played at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, May 15-17.

The Herman Sani will make a return to Hyperion Field Club, in Johnston, August 8-10. Since the first playing of the Sani in 1950, this tournament not only showcases great golf, but also highlights great students that receive the Sani and Ann Griffel Scholarships during a ceremony held that week.

Growing in popularity the IGA Father-Son and Parent-Child will see a different layout in 2025. The championship will still be contested at Jester Park Golf Course, but will be held on Fri-Sat., June 13-14. Friday’s play will consist of a shotgun and Saturday’s play will have a morning shotgun and then an afternoon shotgun starts.

The Director’s Cup Matches will be back in Iowa better than ever! This championship will be contested next to Golf House Iowa at Echo Valley Country Club, Sept. 21-23.

Along with those championships listed above, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #1 May 10), Coldwater Golf Links (IGA Senior Amateur June 1-3), Grinnell College Golf Course (Women’s Forever 39 Match Play June 2-3), Prairie Links Golf Course (IGA Women’s Four-Ball June 16-17), Glynns Creek Golf Course, (Iowa Junior Amateur, Iowa Girls Junior Amateur June 9-11), Rice Lake Golf Course (Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur July 20-21), Bos Landen Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #2 July 26 & IGA Women’s Club Team Aug. 11) Veenker Golf Course (IGA Senior & Senior Women’s Match Play Aug. 14-16), Sunnyside Country Club (Wife-Husband Sept. 12-14), Short Hills Country Club, (IGA Club Team Championship Sept. 29) and Ames Golf & Country Club (Iowa Cup Matches Sept. 30-Oct. 1).

Additional IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series event dates and locations will be announced at a later time. Those updates can be found by checking back to the schedule page on the IGA website.

The IGA is set to also conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2025. Those events along with sites are:

  • Cedar Rapids Country Club, Cedar Rapids – U.S. Open Local Qualifier – May 12
  • Ames Golf & Country Club, Ames – U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier – June 23
  • Glen Oaks Country Club, West Des Moines – U.S. Amateur Qualifier (Final) – July 17
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Beaver Hills Country Club, Cedar Falls – U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier – Aug. 18
  • Spirit Hollow Golf Course, Burlington – U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier – Sept. 9

Entries open for IGA Championships March 3.

Entries will be available for USGA Championships at a later date, which will be determined by the USGA and announced on their website.

Jensen, Huser tough to beat in 2024; earn IGA Women’s Player of the Year

Anna Jensen, of Dubuque, has been named IGA Women’s Player of the Year. Jensen, who has cracked the top 10 the last two years’ finally got it done.

She has not only showed success throughout Iowa, but has also made a name for herself competing at the collegiate level for the University of Northern Iowa. Jensen finished in a T5 in the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Championship.

Once her season wrapped up at UNI, Jensen kept it rolling into summer tournaments. She started with the 14th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship at Glen Oaks Country Club, where she finished T5th with a score of 142 (E) with partner Anna Nacos, a teammate at UNI.

She then took on the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Talons Golf, Ankeny. Jensen was hoping to become a two-time champion as she won in 2020. Seeded second after qualifying, Jensen would play lights out and come out victorious defeating Amber Henson 5&4 in the final match.

Jensen would be familiar with the host of the 100th Women’s Amateur, at Sunnyside Country Club, Waterloo. Her 223 (+7) three round total would be good enough to finish 3rd for the championship.  

Before returning to UNI for her fifth-year, Jensen would participate in the 63rd IGA Women’s Club Team Championship, at Indianola Country Club. Representing Thunder Hills Country Club, she would card a 69 (-1) to share medalist honors and lead Thunder Hills CC to a 6th place team finish.

Anna Jensen has proved to Iowa golfers that she can compete and it showed during the 2024 season.


Proving she can compete, newcomer Geri Huser in the IGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year.

Huser, from Altoona, collected a pair of wins, runner-ups, and third place finishes throughout the season.

She started her summer at the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #1 at South Hills Golf Course, Waterloo. In this Stableford formatted tournament she finished 3rd with 51 points.

Huser would then travel to Ankeny Golf & Country Club, host for the 61st Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship. Seeded third after qualifying, Huser made the finals and just fell short to Leanne Smith 2&1, to finish runner-up.

That was just the beginning for her as she would tee it up in the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Sunnyside Country Club, in Waterloo, finishing T2 in the Open Division carding a three day score of 256 (+30).

Huser would keep momentum going at the 59th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Stone Creek Golf Club, Williamsburg. She would record a 36-hole score of 150 (+8) and finish 3rd overall.

Excited for an additional event, Huser didn’t waste the opportunity at the 1st IGA Senior Women’s Match Play Championship, hosted by Whispering Creek Golf Club, Sioux City, where she walked home with the win. Seeded second after qualifying, Huser took down Nicki Miller 3&2 in the final match.

While at the IGA Senior Women’s Match Play, Huser found out she was in the field for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur as an alternate to be contested at Broadmoor GC, in Seattle, Washington. Although she missed the cut it was the icing on the cake to a great season for Huser.

Huser without a doubt will be a force to be reckoned with come the 2025 season.

Nelson, Wilson claim 2024 IGA Junior Player of the Year honors

For the second year in a row Braeden Nelson of West Des Moines has been crowned Iowa Golf Association Junior Boys’ Player of the Year. Nelson has had a year to say the least, coming out on top over Parker Rodgers by 135 points.

As a freshman for Valley High School, Nelson finished runner-up at the 2023 IHSAA 4A Tournament at Otter Creek Golf Course, Ankeny. He carded +2 over the course of the two days.

Nelson finished T2 at the 87th rendition of the Iowa Masters in Ames carding 209 (-7) over three rounds and T50 in the 122nd Iowa Amateur hosted by Finkbine Golf Course with a three-round total of 220 (+4). In addition he also finished T3 in the U.S. Open Local Qualifying shooting 70 (-1) at Crow Valley Golf Club.

Nelson played in several American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) events throughout the summer with solid success.

At the Austin Minnesota Junior Championships presented by Hormel Foods Nelson finished T7 carding a 214 (-2) over three rounds contested at Austin Country Club, Austin MN.

He later competed in the Under Armour/Jordan Spieth Championship, at Brookhaven Country Club, Farmers Branch, TX finishing 216 (+3) T16.

In the Justin Thomas Junior Championship held at Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, KY, Nelson finished T12 carding 210 (-3).

Nelson played in the 91st Iowa Open hosted by the PGA of America at Blue Top Ridge, Riverside and finished solo 8th carding 221 (+5).

One would think obtaining another IGA Junior Player of the Year title will give him the confidence along with the momentum to excel in the 2025 season.


Ainsley Wilson may be only 14, but she showed everyone she can compete which led her to earn IGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year honors in 2024. Wison, of Iowa City, a rising high school freshman stood at the top of several leaderboards this summer.

Wilson not only competed in IGA tournaments, but also Iowa Junior PGA Junior Tour  and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments and racked up quite an impressive resumé.

Throughout the IGA schedule, Wilson was T2 at the Iowa Girls’ Junior at Coldwater Golf Links, carding a three round total of 216 (+3).

Later in the summer Wilson would showcase her length as a 14-year old at the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur, at Sunnyside Country Club, Waterloo. She would post a 54-hole total of 233 (+16) good enough for T16th.

Wilson also made a statement on the Iowa Junior PGA Tour racking up four top five finishes and a T6 finish. 

A highlight from her play was her win at the Spring Junior Open, contested at Elmwood Country Club, Marshalltown, and Ames Golf & Country Club. Her two-day total of 154 (+14) earned her the title. She also was runner-up at the John Deere Classic Junior, TPC Deere Run, Silvis IL.

In AJGA play Wilson walked away with two top-10 finishes from events that took place across the nation.

She placed 5th at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Quail Creek Presented by City of Robinson, Quail Creek Country Club & Resort, Robinson, IL. Wilson would have two rounds under par and rack up a three day total of 215 (-1).

Wilson would use this momentum and card a 218 (+5) to finish sixth at the AJAG Wichita Junior Championship presented by TGC Group, Terradyne Country Club, in Andover, KS.

Wilson placed fourth in the 2024 Midwest Junior Championship, Finkbine Golf Course, Iowa City carding 227 (+11). Along with a T10 finish shooting 81 (+9) in the U.S. Girls Qualifier hosted by Champions Run, Omaha.

Iowa Junior PGA of America:

  • 1st 154 (+14) Spring JR Open Elmwood CC, Marshalltown and Ames G&CC, Ames
  • T3 83 (+11) Principal Charity Classic Junior Open, Glen Oaks, WDM
  • Runner-up John Deere Classic JR, TPC Deere Run, Silvis IL
  • T6 148 (+8) 48th Iowa Girls Junior PGA Championship, Elmcrest CC, CR
  • T3 76 (+4) Junior Tour Midsummer Classic, Des Moines G&CC, WDM

American Junior Golf Association (AJGA):

  • Fifth 215 (-1) AJGA Junior All-Star At Quail Creek Presented by City of Robinson, Quail Creek Country Club & Resort, Robinson, IL
  • T12 226 (+13) UHY ST. Louis Junior, Franklin County CC, Washington, MO
  • Sixth 218 (+5) AJGA Wichita Junior Championship Presented by TGC Group, Terradyne CC Andover, KS

Other:

  • 4th 227 (+11) at 2024 Midwest Junior Championship, Finkbine Golf Course, Iowa City
  • T10 81 (+9) US Girls Qualifier Champions Run, Omaha   

Wilson has made her mark across multiple states in her freshman high school season and will be chasing a state title here come the spring of 2025.

Echo Valley CC wins 18th IGA Club Team, Veterans Memorial Golf Club takes Net title

From left – Tony Birmingham, Dennis Bull, Gary Ellis and Brian Allison.

Echo Valley Country Club now holds both men’s and women’s IGA Club Team titles as the men’s side took home the title at the 18th IGA Club Team Championship contested at newly renovated Wakonda Club in Des Moines.

Team Echo Valley CC (right) posted an impressive gross score of 209 (-7). Echo Valley CC was led by Brian Allison 66 (-6) and Dennis Bull 71 (-1). Not too far behind was Tony Birmingham 72 (E) and Gary Ellis 75 (+3). There was a tie for second at 215 (-1) between Des Moines Golf & Country Club and the 2023 champions Short Hills Country Club.

Veterans Memorial Golf Club (below), of Jason Floy, Adam Brinkman, Brent Tarr and Ryan Roske, claimed the Net Division title, winning at 207 (-9). Humboldt Country Club would finish in solo third.

From left – Brent Tarr, Ryan Roske, Jason Floy and Adam Brinkman.

 

 

Peters/Coppinger cruise to victory at IGA Senior Four-Ball, Norton/Waugh claim Super Senior crown

Ben Peters, of Bettendorf, and Chad Coppinger, of Blue Grass (above), coasted their way to a victory at the Senior Four-Ball Championship contested at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown. The duo teamed up for round of 64-67, good enough for a four-shot win.

“Fortunately we both were not in too much trouble on the same hole and we only made one bogey in 36-holes,” Peters said. “We were like ham and egg.”

Coppinger knew birdies would be needed.

“We did not really have a strategy, just make as many birdies as we could,” Coppinger said. 

The two of them did just that. Over the two rounds Peters/Coppinger dominated the field and racked up a staggering ten birdies to finish at 131 (-9).

Making a late charge in the final round, after posting 70 (even) on day one, to climb up the leaderboard and finish runner-up was Terry Cook, of Norwalk, and David Blink, of Spencer. Cook/Brink shot an impressive 65 (-5). There was a four-way tie for third at 137 (-3). 

In the Super Senior Division Muscatine’s Tom Norton and Dave Waugh, of Davenport, played their own game and it paid off.

“Historically we have not wanted to let each other down,  so you put more pressure on yourself than you should,” Norton said. “Our game plan was to play our own ball, do the best we could, not be discouraged and we did just that.”

Norton/Waugh played solid and carded a score of 69 (-1) both days to end at 138 (-2).  

“Tom came through, he was rock solid the last nine holes,” Waugh said.

Finishing runner-up were Marshalltown’s own Rob Christensen and Jim Madsen, of Carroll. Christensen/Madsen shot 139 (-1). Two shots behind them was Dan Dalziel, of Cedar Rapids, and Steve Kahler, of Marion.

The father-son duo, Pat and Jim Roan (right) still showed the field the two can still compete. Pat and Jim combined for an age of 157 and finished in the Super Senior Division in solo 13th at 158 (+18). 

Click here for full results

Elmwood CC plays tough, Peters/Coppinger find success at IGA Senior Four-Ball

The Senior Four-Ball was in full swing on a windy September day as it was contested at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.  

Despite the windy conditions Ben Peters/Chad Coppinger (above) played like it was a day for scoring. They are leading the pack at 64 (-6). Peters racked up four solo birdies on the day. Hot on their tails is a fierce four groups all tied at 68 (-2).

“We played well,” Peters said after the round. “It’s always fun when you play well.”

In the Super Senior Division Rob Chrisensen/Jim Madsen and Tom Norton/Dave Waugh shot a pair of 69s (-1) to lead. Sitting in solo third three shots back is Mark Hogenson/Kevin Backer.

A special moment for a father son duo as the pair embarks on another tournament together. Toledo residents Jim (92 years old) and Pat (65 years old) Roan (right) put on a show in round one. The two of them not only combine for an age of 157, but also shot a respectable 77 (+7) and sit in T9 in the Super Senior Division.

The final round will conclude today with tee times starting at 9 a.m.

Click here for full results

Catafort-Silva/Spence win 64th Iowa Wife-Husband Championship by two, Webb & Friedman collect titles

Margaux Catafort-Silva and Kyle Spence (right) of Coralville cruised by most of the competition at the 64th Wife-Husband Championship contested at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo over the weekend.

Catafort-Silva/Spence experienced some travel troubles, which forced them to take it slow and play a shot at a time they admitted. 

“I was on a work trip this last week and I was supposed to fly back Friday night, but last minute my flight got canceled,” Catafort-Silva said. “I did not get home till 1:30 a.m., and then we had to get up at 5:30 to drive over on Saturday for our round”.

Despite little sleep and delayed travel they shot 71 (-1)  in the opening round and finished it off on Sunday with a steady 72 (E) to finish at 143 (-1) in the tournament. 

“It was a lot of fun and a much more difficult format than we would have anticipated,” Spence added.

Coming in runner-up two shots behind was Heather and Brian Lepa from Waterloo. Sitting in solo third with a two day score of 148 (+4) was Waukee couple Juile and Aaron Stevens.

In the Senior Division (110 years combined) Clive residents Robin and Doug Webb walked away the winners with a score of 151 (+7). Runner-up, three shots behind, belonged to past winners Sondra and Curtis Holck of Ankeny. Sitting in solo third was Teresa and Steven Perrin of Osage finishing at 160 (+16).

In the Super-Senior Division (130 combined years) Waterloo couple Renea and Tom Friedman rose to the top and claimed the victory carding 154 (+10). Runner-up was Liisa and Kevin Baker of Ankeny shooting 161 (+17), and two shots behind them were Marla and Bryce Dahm of Clive.

Click here for complete results

Team IGA pulls away, takes home 2024 Iowa Cup

For the second year in a row Team IGA  (above) walked away with the Iowa Cup Matches against the Iowa PGA Section with a final score of 25.5 to 14.5. The 57th playing for the matches was hosted at Short Hills Country Club in East Moline, Illinois.

In the Single Matches a total of 20 points were up for grabs and Team IGA didn’t make it easy for IPGA to climb back into the match. Team IGA carried all the momentum over from day one and didn’t let up.

Team IGA was led by Indian Hills Community College freshman Roman Roth. Roth defeated Adam Miller 6&4. Roth carded four birdies in the match.

In addition to Roth’s impressive playing, IGA had an additional three key matches that were won 5&3. Matt Schlueter defeated IPGAs Matt Erger, Bill Matzdorff beat Andrew Kinney and Dusty Drenth got revenge on Zach Steffen so to speak. Steffen had beat Drenth in a tightly contested college match years ago and it was a loss that’s been eating at Drenth ever since.

“Win or lose I always enjoy getting together with all these guys,” Team IGA Captain Nate McCoy said. “There’s so much history with this event and it’s always a good competition.”

Additional Singles Matches:
Bennett Burger wins 2 up over Jacob Bermel
Ethan Mechling wins 4&2 over Chris Black
Ron Peterson lost 3&2 against Dave Ranney
Dave Waugh wins 2&1 over Ken Schall
Trent Lindenman wins 5&4 over Tracy Vest
Tony Newkirk lost 1 up against Todd Fowler
Aaron Obrien lost 1 up against Bryan Hass
Joe Bates tied Joe Butler
Isaiah Zoske wins 4&2 over Casey Harvey
Braeden Nelson wins 1 up over Kevin Trobaugh
Nate McCoy wins 1 up over Jay Giannetto
Sam Zoske lost 2 up against Bryan Luedtke
Kelly Brown lost 9&7 against Davis Sutton
Curtis Holck wins 4&3 over Paul DelVecchio
Ben Peters wins 3&1 over JR Millar
Josh Janeczko lost 2&1 against Mark Atchison

 

Click here for complete results

IGA takes Iowa Cup lead 12-8 after opening day

The 57th Iowa Cup Matches was in full swing on Thursday at Short Hills Country Club located in East Moline, Illinois.

In the morning Four-Ball matches, between Team IGA and Team Iowa PGA, a possible 10 points were up for grabs, and it was split dead even at five points a piece for each team.

Team IGA had a couple key matches that set the tone early. Aaron Obrien and Trent Lindenman put the hammer down on IPGA Pros Zach Steffen and Casey Harvey winning 4&3. Also sparking victory was Ron Peterson and Ben Peters winning 3&2 against Kevin Trobaugh and JR Miller.

After lunch Foursome matches were up and it was anyone’s ball game. Foursome matches were also out of 10 possible points and Team IGA came to play once again obtaining seven to the IPGAs three points.

Key matches in the afternoon were won by Nate McCoy and Trent Lindeman defeating IPGA players Zach Steffens and Davis Sutton 5&4. Dusty Drenth and Kelly Brown had their foot on the gas in the afternoon as well winning 4&3 against Tracy Vest and Dave Ranney.

Team IGA holds a slight four point lead over Iowa PGA, 12 to 8. Singles matches start at 8 a.m. with a total of 20 points up for grabs. 

Click here to follow Friday’s action

57th Iowa Cup set for Short Hills CC

The 57th Iowa Cup Matches is set to take place Thursday and Friday (September 12-13) at Short Hills Country Club in East Moline, IL. This annual competition is comprised of a Ryder Cup style format where the top Iowa Golf Association Amateurs play against the top Iowa Section PGA Professionals.

The first two rounds of team competition include Four-Ball and Foursome matches. The final round of the event will consist of singles matches.

The Honorary Captain for the Iowa Golf Association is Jim Campbell, of Albia.

In 2023 the Iowa Golf Association won the Iowa Cup, 22-18, at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.

TEAM IGA
Joe Bates
Bennett Berger
Kelly Brown
Dusty Drenth
Curtis Holck
Josh Janeczko
Trent Lindenman
Bill Matzdorff
Nate McCoy
Ethan Mechling
Braeden Nelson
Tony Newkirk
Aaron Obrien
Ben Peters
Ron Peterson
Roman Roth
Matt Schlueter
Dave Waugh
Isaiah Zoske
Sam Zoske

Click here to follow both days of action

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