Several players took advantage of moving day at the 71st Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppolla Enterprises, being held at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.

Ben Pettitt, of West Des Moines, separated himself from the field by posting a bogey-free round of 66 (-6) for a 36-hole total of 135 (-9). Pettitt will be seeking his second Herman Sani Tournament title on Sunday, with his first victory coming back in 2001. One behind Pettitt is professional Sean McCarty, of Solon. McCarty carded a second round of 69 (-3) and is well positioned to make a run at his fifth Herman Sani Tournament title on Sunday. Nate McCoy, of Ankeny, is two back after a steady round of 70 (-2).

Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, continued his steady play in the Senior Division, posting a second round of 71 (-1) for a 36-hole total of 140 (-4). Palmer will carry a four-stroke advantage into the final round. Norwalk’s Gary Ellis is in second place after carding a second round of 71 (-1) and will be looking to make things interesting on Sunday.

West Des Moines’ David Studer found his rhythm on Saturday, making six birdies en route to shooting a round of 69 (-3) for a 36-hole total of 142 (-2). Two-time defending Super Senior Champion Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, is seated five strokes back after a second round of 77 (+5).

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The leaderboard is jam-packed at Hyperion Field Club (pictured above) after the first day of play at the 71st Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises. Friday’s opening round yielded over a dozen subpar rounds, and several IGA veterans are in the mix heading into the weekend.

There is a five-way tie at the top with the following players carding rounds of 67 (-5): J.D. Anderson (Johnston), Jack Dumas (Le Claire), Sani Scholar Charles Jahn (Sperry), PGA professional Sean McCarty (Solon), and Nate McCoy (Ankeny). McCarty is seeking his fifth Herman Sani Tournament title, with his most recent victory coming in 2016. McCoy is looking for a hat trick after capturing two Herman Sani Tournament titles in 2011 & 2015.

2020 Herman Sani Scholarship recipient Cole Davis, of Marshalltown, fired a three-under par round of 69 (-3) to place himself inside the top 10. Davis’ fine play earned him the Frohwein Award, which is presented to the low-Sani Scholar after the first round of play. All scholarship recipients were honored at a dinner following Friday’s round.

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer leads the way in the Senior Division after posting a round of 69 (-3). Palmer is looking for his second senior title of the summer after capturing a victory at the IGA Senior Match Play Championship back in May. Two-behind Palmer is 2020 Fort Dodge Senior Amateur Champion Terry Cook, of Norwalk.

IGA veteran Rob Christensen put together a solid round of 70 (-2) to earn a three-stroke advantage in the Super Senior Division. West Des Moines’ David Studer sits in second place.

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The 71st Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises is set for August 7-9, at Hyperion Field Club (pictured above), Johnston. Ricky Costello, the 2019 champion at Echo Valley Country Club returns to the field, as does Zach Steffen, winner of the 2018 event played at Hyperion Field Club.

Uniquely enough, both Costello and Steffen won their respective titles in a playoff. The ‘Sani’ tournament field is once again full of accomplished golfers and those looking to break on to the scene with a win at one of the most prestigious events held in Iowa.

The ‘Sani’ has a long and storied history at Hyperion Field Club, as the event was held there every year from 1953 – 2012. The event now rotates between Echo Valley Country Club and Hyperion Field Club featuring the state’s best amateur and professional golfers vying for the trophy.

The Herman Sani Scholarship Program, the benefactor of the yearly event, was established in 1958. Herman Sani, a Hyperion Field Club member, had a passion for golf and young people. Sani was the first director of the Iowa Golf Association and served the organization for over 30 years. This scholarship was created in his memory with the purpose to assist Iowa students to further their education. As of 2020, 187 college-bound students have been awarded this four-year scholarship.

Most of the scholarship money comes from the generous donations by individuals and corporate sponsors. Since 2013 the Coppola family of Norwalk has contributed $250,000 to the Herman Sani Scholarship Fund. The Iowa Golf Association and point events from around the state also make significant contributions to the fund. For more information about the scholarship visit our website at www.iowagolf.org/scholarships.

Ames’ Ricky Costello (pictured above) knew after his opening nine holes in the final round of the 70th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises at Echo Valley Country Club he had nothing to lose.

Costello put together a bogey-free 33 (-3) on the back nine to get into a playoff with three others including Charles Jahn (Sperry), Frank Lindwall (Cedar Rapids) and Lachlan Barker (Ames), who all finished at 211 (-5) for the tournament. Costello, Lindwall and Barker are all teammates on the Iowa State men’s golf team.

Costello, who held the lead after the opening round with 68 (-4), admitted he wanted to play more aggressively in the final round. His aggressiveness paid dividends, after all four players made par on the first playoff hole (#18), as he almost drove the green on the second playoff hole (#11) and chipped up to tap-in range. His birdie was good enough to win and take home the title after birdie attempts failed from the other three players.

“The first day I had conservative approach to the course,” Costello said. “I made a lot of putts that day. Coming into today I told myself I am coming here to win. I wanted to play more aggressive than I had the first couple of days and I did. I tried to put confident swings on the ball. I figured I didn’t have much to lose (by hitting driver on #11 in the playoff).”

Costello, even after making a 25-foot birdie putt on #18 thought he was probably a shot or two short.

“I was able to make a couple birdies down the stretch to get it to -5,” Costello said. “I didn’t think it was going to be enough. I had a rough start (today) and was two-over par after seven holes. I was able to birdie #9 and I thought let’s see what we can do those last nine holes. I couldn’t of asked for anything more than that.”

In the Senior Division Gene Elliott (West Des Moines) put together rounds of 69-67-72 (-8) to win by three over Jon Brown (Adel). West Des Moines’ Joe Palmer and Terry Cook (-2) tied for third place.

Rob Christensen (Marshalltown) won his second Super Senior Division title in a row in this event with a five shot victory over Jim Campbell (Albia). Polk City’s Stephen Larson finished third, eight shots back of Christensen.

Jewell’s Trevor Ullestad (-3) finished at the low professional for the event.

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Sperry’s Charles Jahn, with rounds of 69-70 (-5), leads the 70th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises. Jahn, who leads by a shot over Lachlan Barker (Ames) and Frank Lindwall (Cedar Rapids), made four birdies to vault into the lead during the second round at Echo Valley Country Club.

Barker and Lindwall play golf for Iowa State University, while Jahn, a 2016 Herman Sani Scholar, is a men’s golf team member at Bradley University.

Opening round leader Ricky Castello (Ames), professional Trevor Ullestad (Jewell), and Nick Pittman (Urbandale) sit just two shots back of Jahn’s lead at -4. Pittman is a 2019 Herman Sani Scholar. Ullestad posted a bogey-free 67 (-5) in the second round.

In the Senior Division Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, fired a 67 (-5) that included eight birdies in his second round. Eillott sits at -8 for the tournament, one shot clear of Joe Palmer, of West Des Moines. Palmer shot 66 (-6) in the second round that included seven birdies against just a lone bogey. Jon Brown, Adel, sits at -2 through two rounds.

Rob Christensen (+3 overall), of Marshalltown, continues to lead the Super Senior Division following a second round of 76. Jim Campbell, of Albia, and Dave Sergeant, of Fort Dodge, are tied for second at +8, five shots off the lead.

The final round will will be played tomorrow with the field will be cut to the low 45 & ties in the Open Division, low 24 & ties in the Senior Division and low 9 & ties in the Super Senior Division after 36 holes.

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Ames’ Ricky Costello put together a fine round of golf, posting 68 (-4) to lead after the opening round of the 70th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises being played at Echo Valley Country Club. The Ridge and Creek rotation are being used for this year’s event.

Costello, who will be a junior on the Iowa State men’s golf team this fall, made five birdies to go against just a single bogey. Following closely behind Costello, just a shot off the pace, include amateurs Charles Jahn (Sperry), Nick Pittman (Urbandale), Dylan Ellis (Parkersburg), Cody Holck (Grimes) and professional Darin Fisher (Albia). A trio of players sit at -2, just two back of the lead.

Pittman, a 2019 Herman Sani Scholarship recipient, captured the Frohwein Award for the low score after the first round of the scholarship winners, who play as a group to start the tournament. All scholarship recipients were honored at a dinner following the opening round.

In the Senior Division, Terry Cook shot 68 (-4) to lead by a shot over Gene Elliott and Jon Brown by two shots.

Rob Christensen (Marshalltown) leads the Super Senior Division at -1, four shots ahead of Jim Campbell (Albia). John Kinsey (Alleman) is tied by Stephen Larson five strokes off the lead. Kinsey’s opening round included three eagles on the day.

Round two will be played tomorrow with the field will be cut to the low 45 & ties in the Open Division, low 24 & ties in the Senior Division and low 9 & ties in the Super Senior Division
after 36 holes.

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It came down to who was going to hit a great shot to capture the 69th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises.

Zach Steffen (pictured above), a professional from Des Moines, was the one who answered the bell, even though it didn’t look promising before he hit the shot of the tournament, which came in a playoff.

Steffen, who posted the low score of the day with 66 (-6) just to get into a playoff with Broc Everett and J.D. Anderson, hit a towering wedge shot from the rough under one tree, over another that nearly went in the hole on #18 at Hyperion Field Club.

Steffen’s ball would settle above the hole and he would convert the birdie after Everett’s chip from just short of the green narrowly missed and Anderson’s putt slid by the hole for birdie. Steffen commented after the round it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

“I knew I needed some help going into today,” Steffen said. “If Broc shoots 63 again I would have no chance. I knew I needed to keep making birdies and go as low as possible. Especially on the back nine, I knew I needed to keep the pressure on (Everett and Anderson).

Even tough his tee shot in the playoff, at first glance didn’t look ideal, he was in a position he felt comfortable with.

“In regulation I hit three wood and was too close to the green to spin it,” Steffen said. “In the playoff I hit hybrid and hooked it a little. I got break where I was at and could get under one tree and over the next. I have practiced that shot a lot and can hit a really high 60 degree (wedge). I had a good number and ball hit the front and almost went in they said. I was hoping it wasn’t six feet above the hole because I know how fast it is, but I was fortunate enough to make it.”

Steffen’s day included seven birdies, all in a 13-hole stretch, and just a lone bogey.

“I wanted to give myself as many chances as possible today,” Steffen said. “I love these greens. It gives me a lot of confidence. I have played well here in the past.”

In the Senior Division, Joe Palmer charged back with a 68 (-4) to finish two shots clear of Robert Dickerman. Palmer come home in 33 (-3), including a pair of birdies in the last four holes.

In the Super Senior Division (new in 2018), Rob Christensen won by four strokes over Dave Sergeant. Christensen shot rounds of 74-69-74 to finish at 217 (+1).

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A pair of Herman Sani Scholars lead the way at the 69th Herman Sani Tournament after two rounds at Hyperion Field Club.

Broc Everett (pictured above), a 2013 Sani Scholar, leads by a stroke over Charles Jahn, a 2016 Sani Scholar. Everett, now professional, fired a 63 (-9) in today’s second round after an opening round 70. Everett, the 2018 NCAA D1 Individual Champion, made nine birdies on the day and no bogeys.  Jahn also put together a ‘clean’ card on his way to 66 (-6), making six birdies and no bogeys.

J.D. Anderson, the 2017 IGA Player of the Year, didn’t let Everett or Jahn get out of his sights, as he posted a 65 (-7) of his own and sits just two back of the lead. A total of seven players are within five strokes of the lead and tomorrow’s final round should be nothing short of exciting.

In the Senior Division, Robert Dickerman still leads and will take a three shot lead over Andy Burton into tomorrow. Rob Christensen leads by two strokes over Dave Sergeant in the Super Senior Division.

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Judd Gibb (professional) leads the 69th Herman Sani Tournament after the opening round, following a masterful 66 (-6). Gibb’s day started with a bogey, but would quickly turnaround, thanks to a total of seven birdies on the day at Hyperion Field Club. Gibb won this event in 2004.

Two fellow pros give chase, as Zach Steffen and Tyler Christians both posted 67 (-5), as they to stay on the heels of Gibb going into tomorrow’s round. Jake Marvelli and Charles Jahn are tied at 68 (-4) for low amateur through one round.

In the Senior Division, Robert Dickerman put together a fine round of his own, 68 (-4), to lead Andy Burton by four strokes. Dave Gaer sits just five shots back, at 73 (+1). Tom Sandie, 73 (+1) leads the Super Senior Division by a stroke over Ron Christensen.

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You would expect a Cyclone to storm back.

New Zeland’s Nick Voke (pictured above), who just completed his eligibility at Iowa State University this spring, stormed back to win the 68th Herman Sani Tournament at Echo Valley Country Club.

Voke, who posted an impressive 66 (-5) in the final round,  shot 204 (-9) over the three-day event to win by three over former teammate Denzel Ieremia.

“I struck the ball pretty well all week,” Voke said. “I did a little bit of work before today’s round trying to get the speed of the greens.”

Voke admitted that he didn’t even play a practice round, let alone have any prior experience at EVCC.

“I walked the course before round one,” Voke said. “I had a good gameplan and was able to come away with (the win).”

Voke birdied three of the last four holes to pull away.

“I was able to make a nice putt on #17,” Voke said. “Then I made a seven-footer on #18 to finish.”

In the Senior Division Joe Palmer, who won the Senior Division in 2013, made birdie on the last hole to take home the title by a shot over Curtis Holck and Rob Dickerman.

Palmer finished at 210 (-3) for the event.

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