Category: Championships

Weather delays second round, leaderboard packed at 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

Mother nature was not on the side of the competitors at the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur during round two’s afternoon wave. Tuesday saw a three-hour rain delay, which led to play being suspended due to darkness with several groups still left to finish their rounds. Round two play resumed Wednesday morning.

Heading into Wednesday’s final round it is anybody’s tournament.

University of Iowa’s Paula Miranda (above) played steady throughout the round and carded an even round of 72. Miranda has the solo lead sitting at 146 (+2) for 36 holes. North Liberty’s very own Bella Pettersen carded a 76 (+4) and is only one shot behind. Former Iowa State standout Ruby Chou stayed more patient and relaxed throughout round two carding an even round of 72. Chou sits behind Pettersen just by one shot.   

In the Open Division Waterloo’s very own Kelly Nelson cards another 78 (+6) leaving her in the solo lead by three. Sitting in second Amy Weiland shot 80 (+8) and is (+15) through 36 holes. There is a two way tie for third and 163 (+19) between Geri Huser and Rosalie Kubesheski.

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Pettersen fires 71 (-1), takes early lead at 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur

Sunnyside Golf and Country Club, located in Waterloo, is where the Iowa Women’s Amateur started, and is this year’s host that marks the 100th playing of the event.

North Liberty’s very own Bella Pettersen (above) took charge in the opening round as she was the only player in the field to shoot under par. Pettersen carded a 71 (-1) and credited the round to her putting.

“I work tremendously hard on my putting and I don’t think I’ve ever seen more putts drop in my life that is for sure,” Pettersen said. 

Pettersen had a total of four birdies on the day and hopes to continue to keep that momentum going into the next two rounds.

“I will continue to focus on what went well and what I need to work on,” Pettersen also added.

Not too far behind in second, University of Iowa women golfer Paula Miranda, who shot a respectable 74 (+2). There is a three way tie for third at 75 (+3) between Ana Nacos, Ainsley Wilson, and Annika Patton.

In the Open Division it is anybody’s tournament. Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson sits at the top of the leaderboard after carding a 78 (+6). Only one shot behind is Amy Weiland shooting a 79 (+7), and there is a two-way tie for third between Geri Huser and Rosalie Kubesheski at 80 (+8).

New to the field this year was an 18-hole Professional Division. The field may have been small but each one of them were glad to have participated in the 100th Women’s Amateur. Taking home the victory was Cedar Falls’ very own Hannah Bermel (right) carding an 81 (+9). Runner-up shooting 83 (+11) was Chelsea Soda, and two shots behind her was Morgan McMillan. Tess Goudy had a smile on her face the whole round and brought it home carding a 97 (+25), good for fourth place overall.

Click here for Round One results

Scherf dominates at 87th Iowa Masters

Pleasant Hill resident Lucas Scherf (right in photo) got his revenge at the 87th Iowa Masters hosted by Veekner Memorial Golf Course in Ames over the warm temperatures this weekend.

Scherf placed third in 2023, but had no intentions on that this year. Scherf (-9 total) posted three impressive rounds under par, carding 70 (-2), 69 (-3), and 68 (-4) winning by two shots. There was a tie for second between Braeden Nelson and Jake Weissenburger at (-7).

In the Senior Division past Masters Champion Jon Brown (left in photo) of Adel (‘90, ‘04, ‘05, ‘10) obtained another win. Brown (-7 total) posted rounds of 68 (-4), 72 (E), and 69 (-3) winning by a staggering nine shots. Runner-up was Terry Cook shot 218 (+2) and in third was Bill Matzdorff.

Des Moines’ Dave Gaer (center in photo) won again this season in the Super Senior Division. Gaer carded rounds of 78 (+6), 71 (-1), and 73 (+1) to win by an impressive 13 strokes. Runner-up was Bob Brooks 235 (+19) and coming in third was Sam Horstein 237 (+21).

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Boothe/Watson leave no doubt at IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #2

From left – Kelly Nelson, Kelly Fosse, Tish Boothe and Fiona Watson.

The second event of the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series was played at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona over the weekend. This event, a shamble format, was played with two players to a team. Each player will hit a drive, the team will select the best drive, play their own ball from that drive until the end of the hole, and take the best score between them as their official team score.

The shamble format event was won by Des Moines’ Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe. The team swept the field by six shots shooting a gross score of 63 (-8). A trio of birdies on the front nine and six coming home helped propel Watson and Boothe to victory. Shooting 69 (-2) and finishing runner-up was Kelly Nelson and Kelly Fosse. In third place was Jody Neuhaus and Tracie Gutknechtch carding 70 (-1). 

The Net Division was won by Nelson and Fosse, who posted a 62 (-9) net score, over Watson/Boothe and Ardrae Pamenter/Noreen Christians by one stroke. 

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Cronin, Jensen left standing as IGA Match Play Champions

One was left standing.

After a long, intense week, Clive’s Blake Cronin was still there when the dust had settled at the 36th IGA Match Play Championship hosted by Talons Golf in Ankeny.

Cronin (right), the #55 seed, into match play following a 75 (+3), which left him one shot clear of a playoff for the remaining spots in the bracket, worked his way through Cody Weaver (2&1), Alec Fuhs (4&2) Jon Olson (19 holes) and Owen Sawyer (1 up) to reach the final against Des Moines’ Ethan Mechling, who earned the #36 seed.

Mechling’s path to the finals included victories over Hogan Hansen (1 up), Wade Pettitt (3&2), Sam Vertanen (6&4), Grant Smith (5&3), and Trent Lindenman (1 up).

The final match between the two saw a back-and-forth tilt, with either Cronin or Mechling winning 9 of the first 12 holes. But that was the end of anyone gaining ground, as the last nine holes of the match were tied.

With wins on holes 10-11, Cronin grabbed a 2 up lead midway through the match. While Mechling would win the 12th hole with a par, putting him 1 down, that’s as close as he’d get as birdie efforts failed to find the bottom of the cup. Both players would make pars the rest of the way, leaving Cronin with a 1 up victory after 18 holes.

“I tried to stay in it the whole time and not worry about making the big number,” Cronin said. “I tried to make as many birdies out there as possible. With match play, I try not to worry too much, I just imagine I am on the range and hit the best shot possible.”

Cronin, who admitted the putter had been bulky for him lately, found a little magic on the greens during the week, and that was the difference.

“My putting hasn’t been the greatest, but I have been working on it,” Cronin said. “It was nice to see that come through this week. This means a lot for sure (to win this event).”

Talons Golf was a venue Cronin, now the youngest winner (16 years old) in the event’s history, thought he might have some success at after a look at it prior to the stroke play portion of the championship.

“I played a practice round and played pretty well, which gave me some confidence coming in. Ethan would never give up (in our match). He made some nice putts and I tried to keep fighting back and do my best.”


Anna Jensen likes Talons Golf, and it shows.

Jensen, the 2022 IGA Match Play Champion and 2021 Runner-up, added a second career title at the event at this year’s event. Jensen, the #2 seed after posting a stroke play round of 74 (+1), would draw a bye in the opening round of the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play. Following wins over Lindsay Burry (5&4), Addison Berg (2&1), and a dominant effort over Fiona Watson (7&6), Jensen met Amber Henson, the medalist and #1 seed, in the final match.

“I love this course and it’s awesome we are able to play here,” Jensen said. “I like the way it sets up for my game and my strong suit is my putting. If you can putt these greens well, you can score well. That really benefitted me today (putting well).”

The benefits were positive to say the least for Jensen – in the tune of a 5&4 victory over Henson, which saw wins on holes 5-9, to give Jensen a 4 up lead at the turn.

“In the qualifying round, my driver actually broke,”Jensen said. “I was able to get a new one and after that my driver was working well, along with my putting. My wedges were really good in the final match, which helped. I was able to control them. It helped to have a cushion (after a fast start on the front nine). It’s match play, anything can happen. I can always come back and so can my opponent. I am super excited for the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur and will take this momentum into that tournament. Sunnyside Country Club is a tough test and it’ll be fun.”

With ever-changing weather, she commented that each day was a challenge for Jensen (right).

“The changes in weather throughout the week, for me, was a matter of sticking to my routine and simplifying everything,” Jensen admitted. “Everyone was playing in the same conditions. You just have to accept the results and move on at times. You have to be able to restart your mind if you have a bad hole in match play. Every hole is a new hole, regardless if I am up or down (in the match).”

At the end of the day, Jensen was spent, but she said she’d do it all over again without hesitation.

“The days are long, but I love playing with all these women,” Jensen said. “They are all awesome people. It doesn’t feel like work when you get to play with friends. I can’t thank everyone who supports me out here enough.”

Semifinals set at IGA Match Play Championships

All comes down to two matches.

Talons Golf in Ankeny, home of the 36th IGA Match Play started with 130 players. After the cut 64 players into match play were left, now just four players remain. Among the players left, two of them are some of the highest seeded players.

After shooting 71 (-1) in qualifying, Trent Lindenman from New Sharon was seeded 17th. In the first wave of matches Lindenman took down Colby Creger 6&4 along with breezing past Tanner Wachtl 8&6. During yesterday’s matches Lindenman defeated defending champion Zach May 2&1 along with Cale Leonard 1 up. In the semifinals he will face Ethan Mechling.

Des Moines’ Mechling is one of the two highest seeded players still left as well. After shooting 74 (+2) during qualifying and being seeded 36th, Mechling has not looked back. In the first two matches Mechling took down Hogan Hansen 1 up and Wade Pettitt 3&1. During yesterday’s matches Mechling still showed no signs of slowing down blowing past Sam Vertanen 6&4 and Grant Smith 5&3.

Clive’s Blake Cronin, was seeded 55th after the qualifying carding 75 (+3). Along the way Cronin took down Cody Weaver 2&1 and Alec Fuhs 4&2 in the first two matches. During yesterday’s matches Jon Olson put up a fight but Cronin ultimately won in 19 holes. Cronin later took down Ben Pettitt 2 up to advance to the semifinals where he will face Owen Sawyer.

Seeded 11th after shooting 71 (-1) Cedar Falls resident Owen Sawyer has played steady and is ready for the semifinals. Along the way Sawyer defeated Josh Janeczko 3&2 along with Jack Winkel 1 up. Yesterday’s matches Sawyer still kept his foot on the gas taking down Jackson Overton 8&7 and Preston Billy 1 up.

In the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play the field started with 25 players and now four remain. Among the four players is past champion Anna Jensen (’22) who is looking for her second IGA Match Play title.

Stroke play medalist and top seed Amber Henson from Marshalltown carded a 71 (-1) in qualifying and has not looked back since. Along the way Henson has gotten a bye, taking down Chase Donald 7&5 along with Leanne Smith 5&4. Henson will face Annkia Powell in the semifinals.

Annkia Powell from Alta shot an 84 (+11) and is seeded 12th is still fighting her way to a spot in the finals. Powell has defeated Laura Leszczynski 6&5, Yoo min Archer 2&1, and Maura Peters in an exciting 20 holes.

Anna Jensen from Dubuqe was seeded 2nd after carding a 73 (+1) in qualifying. Jensen Match Play Champion in 2022 is quite familiar with the semifinals. Jensen has gotten a bye, defeated Lindsay Burry 5&4, along with Addison Berg 2&1. Jensen will face Fiona Watson in the semifinals.

Des Moines’ Fiona Watson is competing for her first IGA Match Play crown. Watson is the #6 seed after carding a 78 (+5). Along the way Watson has topped Tatum Depudyt along with Erika Holmberg 3&2.

Following the Semifinal matches the finals will be played and a champion both on the Mens’ along with the Womens’ side will be crowned.

Players battle elements at IGA Match Play Championships

Then there were sixteen.

Players have persevered through the heat and wind during the first two rounds of matches at the 36th IGA Match Play held at Talons Golf in Ankeny.

A couple familiar names still remain, but do not count the “old timers” out so soon. Ethan Mechling, who hales from Des Moines, battled it out and came out victorious over University of Iowa’s Hogan Hansen 1 up and Wade Pettitt 3 & 1.

Still standing at the top is the defending champion and current Iowa State University golfer Zach May. May breezed right through his first two matches defeating Lincoln Beckett 4 & 3, along with Jack Rogers 3 & 1. The field also includes past champions Nate McCoy (’22) Jon Olson (’11 and ’19) along with Grant Smith, who is chasing his first IGA Match Play title.

In the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play Chase Donald from Waterloo battled her way to claim the victory over Geri Huser in 21 holes. While Paige Hoffman from West Des Moines won her match against Marsha Arnes in dominating 10 & 8 fashion. 

Tatum Depuydt won over Jeanne Swenson 6 & 5,  Molly Wenthold beat Taylor Sedivic 4 & 3, Chloe Bolte beat Michelle Klein 7 & 5, Lindsay Burry came out victorious over Marley Richter 2 & 1. Annika Patton beat Laura Leszczynski 6 & 5 and Lauren Brown defeated Kelly Nelson 4 & 3.

Men’s Bracket Results

Women’s Bracket Results

Henson leads the way, 13th IGA Women’s Match Play bracket set

Hot weather and unrelenting pressure wasn’t too much for Marshalltown’s Amber Henson during stroke play qualifying of the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship hosted by Talons Golf.

Henson, who shot 72 (-1), made a trio of birdies against only a pair of bogeys. Anna Jensen, of Dubuque, and Erika Holmberg, of Bettendorf, also posted respectful round of 74 (+1) during qualifying. All three women, including an additional four – as the top seven seeds, earned first round byes and will tee it up in the Round of 16 following morning matches.

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Defending champ earns fires 67, matches set for 36th IGA Match Play Championship

Zach May, defending champion of the IGA Match Play, didn’t waste any time continuing his success around Talons Golf, site of the 36th IGA Match Play Championship, during stroke play qualifying.

May posted 67 (-5) to earn medalist honors and the #1 seed into match play. May’s round was clean – three birdies, one eagle and not a single bogey. May will face Lincoln Beckett in his opening round match.

A total of seven players posted 69 (-3) during the stroke play portion of the event, while 76 (+4) played off for the final spots into the 64-man bracket.

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McCoy wins rain-shortened Fort Dodge Amateur

Nate McCoy (right) stands with FDCC pro Steve Fuller after winning the Fort Dodge Amateur Open Division.

In the 2024 Fort Dodge Amateur, the field was ready for play. Despite the first round being canceled due to weather, the players were eager to compete, and that’s exactly what they did. Nate McCoy (right), of Ankeny, posted an impressive 63 (-8), maintaining consistent performance throughout the round with eight birdies on the day to win the Open Division. Runner-up at tie at -5 included Spencer Clatt, of Gilbert, and Luke Pany, of Ames, both delivering strong performances at Fort Dodge Country Club.

In the Senior Division, Ron Peterson from Urbandale led the way, carding a 67 (-4). This was Peterson’s second win in the last two weeks. In solo second was Norwalk’s Terry Cook, who shot 72 (+1) and coming in third one stroke behind Cook was Tony Malizia of Palm City. 

The Super Senior and Legends Divisions also saw solid performances. Dave Gear clinched first place in the Super Seniors with an even-par 71. In the Legends Division, Fort Dodge’s own Terry Miller took the win, shooting 74 (+3).

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Click here to read coverage from the Fort Dodge Messenger

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