Category: Iowa Senior Amateur

Peters joins father as Iowa Senior Amateur Champion, Norton plays steady in SS Division

Ben Peters (left) joins his father, John, as an Iowa Senior Amateur champion. John won titles in 1998, 2004 and 2007.

Ben Peters survived.

Both the hot conditions as well as the difficult challenge Dubuque Golf & CC offered during the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur. Closing with a pair of 68s, Peters admitted it was the birdies coming home in the opening round after a rocky start that was the key to the week for him.

“It was a rough start for me on the first day,” Peters said. “I settled down with the putter a little bit and ball striking got better each day. It was a fun, hot week. I didn’t expect my second round score (68) to leapfrog me up the leaderboard as much as it did. It was such a difficult day. Those birdies coming in on the first day made the difference.”

Peters, who knew he had to stay patient at Dubuque G&CC, played his final 41 holes of the championship at -7, good for a three shot victory.

“Sometimes good shots here don’t turn out as well as you might think they should,” Peters said. “You have to stay below the hole. It’s a fun, old golf course.”

The heat, reaching into the triple digits at times, was also a hurdle for the field.

“The first day was more of a shock to the system,” Peters said “I was a little more prepared the second day. You knew what you were going to face (with the weather).”

With a two-shot lead heading into the final round over Ron Peterson, Peters knew he wasn’t going to have the luxury of coasting to the finish line.

“It was a back and forth most of the day with Ron,” Peters said. “I was able to make a couple nice putts out there. I knew I was going to need to make a birdie to make sure it went my well and I was able to on 17.”

Peters now joins his father, John, as an Iowa Senior Amateur champion. John won the event a total of three times – in 1998, 2004 and 2007. Peters also becomes the first person not names Elliott, McCoy or Palmer to win the event going back to 2013.

“This is a special for both of us to have out name on the trophy,” Ben said when asked about adding his name to the trophy along this his father.

Ben’s daughter, Maura, added a victory early in the summer at the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur, so Ben might of been feeling a little pressure to have a spot for his own trophy at home.

“You never know what is around the corner,” Peters said.

In the Super Senior Division, Tom Norton (right) played steady – posting 71 all three days of the event, with was good for a four shot win over Dave Baer.

“With the heat and these greens are severe enough I was happy with my score,” Norton said.

The coursed was something that looked good to Norton’s eye and he took advantage.

“This course suites me well, it’s tight and not long,” Norton said. “I just tried to keep it in the fairway. I didn’t three putt a bunch. I had the good fortune of making a few birdies the first two days. None today, but I had 17 pars. I never felt stressed today, it got within shot, but I was comfortable making pars.”

Figuring out the tough greens at Dubuque G&CC was also a key for Norton.

“You have to read greens well to have success here. This is my first stroke play victory. I have been second to Gene (Elliott) a few times, which is nothing to hang your head about, but I was happy to get it done.”

Norton admitted he took special precaution with the heat during he week and didn’t show up unprepared for the conditions.

“About 10 years I had a heat stroke, so I have to be careful. I kept an ice cooler with me and stay hydrated enough. The body felt better during the last round (with the weather not being as hot).”

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Peters takes lead into final round at 45th Iowa Senior Amateur, Norton looks to close

One more day.

It’s a packed leaderboard at Dubuque Golf & CC after two days of play at the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur. Players battled steamy, unpleasant at times conditions again during the second round of play, but Bettendorf’s Ben Peters found a recipe for success – good enough for a 68 (-2) to vault him into the lead by one heading in the final round.

Opening round co-leader Chris Kramer sits just a shot back of Peters’ lead, as does Ron Peterson. Peterson turned in a fine second round score himself – 70 (E). Another five players find themselves all within no more than five shots off the pace, including opening round co-leader Bill Matzdorff, who will start the final round +5.

A pair of 71s from Tom Norton put him into the lead in the Super Senior Division. Norton leads by a pair of strokes over Dave Baer and Bob Brooks. Rob Pomerantz, who fired a spectacular 67 (-3) in the second round, is just four shots back of the lead and will look to make a move up the leaderboard in the final round.

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Kramer, Matzdorff lead at 45th Iowa Senior Amateur, Gaer paces Super Seniors

Bill Tank surveys his next shot during the opening round of the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Dubuque Golf & CC.

Battling the hot, at times unbearable conditions most of the day was the true test during the opening round of the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Dubuque Golf & CC.

West Des Moines’ Chris Kramer and Ankeny’s Bill Matzdorff found the most success posting rounds of 71 (+1). Kramer’s round included a pair of birdies to offset a trio of bogeys. Meanwhile, Matzdorff made three birdies aginst four bogeys on the day. Two players, Gary Ellis (Norwalk) and Dustin Hall (Monticello) sit just a shot back at +2. Three players give chase as well at +3.

In the Super Senior Division, Dave Gaer, of Des Moines, turned in the round of the day with 69 (-1). Gaer was able to make three birdies and only make a pair of bogeys during his round. Gaer commented he was pleased with his round and was glad to be inside and out of the heat after turning in his scorecard.

Muscatine’s Tom Norton fired 71 (+1) and is just a shot back of Gaer’s lead. Sam Aossey (Cedar Rapids) shot 72 (+2), while Bob Brooks (West Des Moines) and Mark Wessels (Dyersville) both finished with 73 (+3) and are well within reach of the lead.

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Palmer wins fourth career Iowa Senior Amateur, Brooks claims Super Senior title

The 2021 IGA Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer (above), broke through with his first IGA victory of the season. Palmer stormed up the leaderboard to claim the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship after a first round 73 set him back. 

“It is not easy with 36 holes when you are eight shots back,” Palmer said. “Sean (Davis), who put the 66 on there, is a really steady player. I did not think he was going to come back to us, but I had no choice but to try to dig in and get something done.”

That’s what Palmer did.

Back-to-back rounds of 66 put Palmer ahead of the second-round leaders, Sean Davis, of Council Bluffs, and Bret Taylor, of Booneville.

“Fortunately, on day two, I got it to where I was in striking distance,” said Palmer. “Today I got off to a good start and unfortunately for them they did not have their best ball striking days. Then it was a whole new ball game.”

Heading into the week of the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, Palmer did not shy away from teeing it up at this week. Now going into the prestigious championship, Palmer will have a boost of confidence.

“Fortunately, I won a few years back when we went to Eugene, Oregon for the U.S. Senior Amateur,” Palmer said. “I had won at Des Moines Golf and Country Club and flew out the next morning. I really wanted to go in playing, I like the competition. It is hard to replace that.”

Davis played his final round at three-over par, giving him a solo second place finish. Taylor carded a four-over 75 to take home third place with a two-under three-day tally.

Dave Gaer and the 2022 Herman Sani Tournament Senior Champion, Jay Gregory, played consistent golf this week and round out the top-five in the Senior Division. Gaer placed fourth at one-under par for the tournament and Gregory finished at one-over par. 

Bob Brooks (right) was able to hang on and claim the Super Senior Division title. Brooks was two-shots back after day one but flipped the switch and stayed away from the big numbers as he finished out his week.

“I stayed away from the big number, that was the key,” Brooks said. “Some of my poor shots, I recovered really well. If you hit a fairway, you had a good chance for a birdie. I hit a lot of fairways and only missed two greens today.”

Brooks was in a good spot with his game this week. Driving the ball well, hitting solid approach shots and making putts. It all seemed to flow.

“They say drive for show, putt for dough,” Brooks said. “I always say, ‘You can’t putt for dough if you don’t drive for show.’ A big part of my game is locating the pin from the tee box and trying to hit a specific area.”

Even though Brooks was playing with the leaders, he stayed focused on his own game. A couple mistakes resulted in dropped shots, but Brooks was able to battle back and recover. At the turn, Brooks started to feel the confidence rise. 

“I knew if I just hit the ball the way I did the last few days, I would be okay,” Brooks said. “I almost had a hole in one on my third hole. It was three inches from just past the pin. It got me into a comfortable zone. Once I made the turn, I peaked at the leaderboard and said to myself, ‘just keep hitting fairways,’ and that is what I did.”

Jim Butler and Rob Christensen tied for second place. Both Butler and Christensen had solid weeks after a pair of 215 totals. A three-way tie for fourth place concludes our top-five. Rick Gorbell, Joel Yunek and Steve Kahler posted four-over par for the week. 

You can follow Palmer as he takes on The Kittansett Club the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship with his fellow Iowans, Curtis Holck, Jon Brown, Gene Elliott and the 2023 Walker Cup Captain, Mike McCoy.


Senior Division
1. Joe Palmer 73-66-66=205
2. Sean Davis 65-71-74=210
3. Bret Taylor 70-66-75=211
4. Dave Gaer 72-71-69=212
5. Jay Gregory 71-71-72=214

Super Senior Division
Bob Brooks 72-69-70=211
T2. Jim Butler 74-70-71=215
T2. Rob Christensen 72-73-70=215
T4. Rick Gorbell 75-71-71=217
T4. Joel Yunek 71-72-74=217
T4. Steve Kahler 73-71-73=217

Taylor joins Davis at top of 44th Iowa Senior Amateur leaderboard, Brooks paces Super Seniors

Bret Taylor (above) joins the first-round leader, Sean Davis, at the top of the leaderboard. Taylor held a two-shot lead going into his last three holes, but an untimely tee shot on seven and a three putt on nine sent him back into a tie with Davis.

“It was a little disappointing to three-putt the last hole” Taylor said. “I also holed out from 72 yards, so I can’t complain.”

With five birdies and a hole-out for eagle on the day, Taylor was pleased with his round. 

“I have struggled this year, so it is nice to piece together some rounds and hit some good shots,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s first Iowa Senior Amateur Championship appearance came at Ames Golf and Country Club back in 2015. Having past experience along with a strong history of playing well in the Joe August tournament each year, Taylor is overflowing with confidence. 

“I play the Joe August every year,” Taylor said. “Ron Peterson and I have had a lot of success here. I know the course and I am confident on the course.”

Knowing the task ahead of him, Taylor does not want to get ahead of himself. 

“You can’t get ahead of yourself,” Taylor said. “That is probably the best way to play. I did a good job of not getting ahead of myself and I absolutely have to do that tomorrow.”

Davis carded an even round today to keep his name at the top. Three birdies and three bogeys kept Davis from increasing his first-round lead. 

The 2021 Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer, is back into contention after tying Taylor for the low round of the day. After a bogey on hole 12, Palmer caught fire. Going six-under in the following nine holes pushed Palmer into third place. 

Dave Cunningham was one shot away from joining Palmer and Taylor. Cunningham had a clean scorecard and knocked in four birdies to finish his day in fourth place. Jay Gregory and Jay Slings will go into the final round in a tie for fifth place at even-par.

Bob Brooks (right) takes the lead in the Super Senior Division after a two-under round of 69 Tuesday afternoon. Brooks began the day with two bogeys in his first three holes but turned it around quickly with back-to-back birdies on four and five. 

To finish the day, Brooks made birdie on 13 and 16 to close out his day two shots ahead of second place. Joel Yunek, of Mason City, finished in solo second after a one-over round of 72 during the morning wave. 

Steve Kahler and Jim Butler made moves today, getting back inside the top-three. Kahler ended his day at even par and Butler carded a one-under round. Rob Christensen rounded out the top-five with a 145 two-round tally. 

The final round of the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship will take place Wednesday morning. Find out which senior and super senior will be crowned the champion at Ames Golf and Country Club using our live scoring feature. 


Senior Division
T1. Bret Taylor 70-66=136
T1. Sean Davis 65-71=136
3. Joe Palmer 73-66=139
4. Dave Cunningham 73-67=140
T5. Jay Slings 67-75=142
T5. Jay Gregory 71-71=142

Super Senior Division
1. Bob Brooks 72-69=141
2. Joel Yunek 71-72=143
T3. Jim Butler 74-70=144
T3. Steve Kahler 73-71=144
T3. Rob Christensen 74-70=144

Davis sets the pace at 44th Iowa Senior Amateur, Miller leads Super Seniors

Sean Davis, of Council Bluffs is the round one leader at the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, held at Ames Golf and Country Club. Davis had it rolling in round one, knocking in seven birdies en route to a six-under round.

“I just played real solid all the way around,” said Davis. “As the day went on the greens got a little dryer and faster. They were in great shape and the staff did a great job.”

Going into moving day with a two-shot lead can be uncomfortable at times, but not for Davis. 

“This resembles the back nine at my home course Council Bluffs Country Club,” Davis said. “I feel real comfortable out here.”

Ankeny’s, Jay Slings, sits two-back of Davis after a four-under round of 67. Slings made five birdies to only one lone bogey. Currently, Slings holds second place by three-shots over Booneville’s, Bret Taylor. 

Taylor joined Davis and Slings as the only three players under-par in the Senior Division. Taylor tallied four birdies, but three bogeys set him back. Ron Peterson and the recent Herman Sani Tournament Senior Champion, Jay Gregory, finish the top-five at even-par. 

Terry Miller, of Fort Dodge, leads the way in the Super Senior Division with a one-shot lead over Mason City’s, Joel Yunek. Miller carded a one-under round of 70 that included four birdies to only three bogeys. 

Yunek holds on to solo second place after parring the course. Yunek’s consistent round places him in great position to chase the lead. Bob Brooks and Rob Christensen finished tied for third place at one-over par. 

Steve Kahler, David Studer and the Super Senior Match Play Champion, Tom Norton, round out the top-five at two-over par. The competitors in the three-way tie for fifth are only three-back from Miller.

The second round of the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship will start Tuesday morning morning. Follow the seniors using our live scoring feature as they look to put pressure on the leaders, Davis and Miller.


Senior Division
1. Sean Davis -6 65
2. Jay Slings -4 67
3. Bret Taylor -1 70
T4. Ron Peterson E 71
T4. Jay Gregory E 71

Super Senior Division
Terry Miller -1 70
Joel Yunek E 71
T3. Bob Brooks +1 72
T3. Rob Christensen +1 72
T5. Steve Kahler +2 73
T5. Tom Norton +2 73
T5. David Studer +2 73

Leszczynski defends title at LPN, Grady earns third Super Senior victory

Laura Leszczynski (above) will engrave her name on the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur trophy for the third time in her career after outlasting, Rose Kubesheski, at the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. 

As the two leaders, Leszczynski and Kubesheski, approached the final three-hole stretch, there seemed to be anyone’s title for the taking.

“We didn’t really know what the scores were,” Leszczynski said. “I thought I was down one. On the last few holes, my goal was just to make par all the way in.”

On hole 18, Kubesheski was inches away from holing out for birdie from just off the green. Leszczynski stood and watched Kubesheski tap in for her par, knowing that she was going to need her eight-foot par putt to drop.

“I thought my last putt was for a push to go into a play off,” Leszczynski said. “I put a lot a pressure on myself for that one, so it was a relief to make that one.”

Her putt caught the lip of the hole and fell. Little did she know that putt was for her second straight Senior Women’s Amateur Title, but Leszczynski couldn’t take all the credit. 

“Coming off of the USGA Event, I didn’t play well there,” Leszczynski said. “I was fortunate enough to have some time with my local head golf professional, Jason Marvelli. He fixed my swing, so I came in here with a brand-new swing. To know where the ball was going to go instead of wish where it was going to go was awesome.”

A new swing was just enough for Leszczynski to defeat the seven-time Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur champion, Kubesheski. 

“Rose played great,” Leszczynski said. “She makes me play better and keeps me focused. For me, I just need to stay calm and remind myself to stay in the game. To watch her play and play so evenly is always fun to watch, but I needed to play my own game and not play against her.”

As Leszczynski glanced at the trophy she worked so hard for, she could only share how much fun she had. 

“To win this one, in such a close way was fun,” Leszczynski said.

A two-time Super Senior Women’s Amateur Champion, Margene Grady, made it three with a playoff victory over Jeanette Fredericksen. 

The crowd of senior ladies were filled with anticipation as they followed Grady and Fredericksen back to the 10th tee. After Fredericksen left her approach just short of the putting surface, Grady stuck hers to the middle of the green. Fredericksen was unable to save par, and Grady two-putted.

With a par on that first playoff hole, Grady headed back to the clubhouse with a big smile and a third Super Senior Women’s Amateur title.

Fortune wins shootout
Congratulations to the IGA’s first ever IGA Senior Women’s Shoot-out champion, Kathy Fortune. Fortune felt the pressure she said but came through and defeated Janece Schwartzkopf in a late chip-off to win the ‘last-man standing’ style mini-game. 


Championship Division
1. Laura Leszczynski 77-77=154
2. Rose Kubesheski 77-78=155
3. Michelle Klein 78-86=164
4. Kathy Fortune 85-82=167
T5. Jeanette Fredericksen 87-82=169
T5. Margene Grady 86-83=169
T5. Kelly Grimes 82-87=169

Super Senior Division
1. Margene Grady 86-83=169 *Won Playoff*
2. Jeanette Fredericksen 87-82=169
T3. Janis Owens 91-84=175
T3. Jennifer Corkrean 88-87=175
Sue Harmon 83-93=176

McCoy pulls away for victory at 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur, Pomerantz takes Super Senior crown

The Iowa Golf Hall of Famer added another one to his resume. Norwalk’s Mike McCoy (above right) finished off the 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur Championship to win by a grand total of five shots over Curtis Holck, of Ankeny and a fellow Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines.

“We have a great field, I knew with Gene, Jon, Joe and Curtis and all these good players, I was going to have to play well (to win),” McCoy said. “It was definitely one that I wanted to win, being my first Iowa Senior Am (I’ve played in). I usually had a conflict this week in the past.”

The Preserve Golf Course on Rathbun Lake played difficult during the last two rounds. The wind started to kick up and made many players rethink their shots. McCoy, who didn’t play a practice round, took it slow and played it safe at the beginning.

“I played a little defensively, but I stayed patient,” McCoy said. “I felt a little freer yesterday and got off to a good start today and I was just going to keep playing aggressively. I only made one bogey the whole tournament, so I was pretty pleased with that.”

During the week, McCoy (left) recorded 12 birdies and one lone bogey in the first round. To maneuver your way around this golf course and with only one bogey is an outstanding achievement. Now to add to the already impressive resume, McCoy will take this win and confidence into the U.S. Senior Amateur.

Holck and Elliott, who finished in a tie for second place, played good golf all week long. Elliott was the leader after round one, shooting a four-under 68, but did not break 70 in his last two rounds. Holck fired back-to-back rounds of 71 to begin his tournament and followed them up with a 68 in the final round today.

A four-way tie to round out the top-five between Joe Palmer, Tim McKnight and another Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown. All three competitors finished the week at four-under-par with a 212 tally. McKnight was tied for first with Elliott after the first round, but as the conditions grew more difficult, the scores started to climb.

Palmer recorded rounds of 70, 72 and a 70 in the final round. Palmer was making noise all week, recording 11 birdies, but bogeys continued to pop up on his card. Brown was in second place after the first two rounds, but a double in each round hurt his chances at a first Senior Amateur. Brown made the most birdies out of any player this week (14) and even threw in an eagle during his second round.

In the Super Senior Division, Robert Pomerantz (above left) came back after being down two shots and defeated Rob Christensen. The course played tough, and the weather conditions did not help the players this week Pomerantz commented.

“Never having played the golf course until last Thursday when I came down here for a practice round,” Pomerantz said. “We had tornados, hail and rain during my practice round, but I got a look at the holes and what have you and obviously you want to stay out of the heathers. I did a good job, I only hit it in there one time and was able to find it and take an unplayable and proceed to not make a double bogey.”

Rob Pomerantz Rob Christensen trophy

Rob Pomerantz (right) hold the new permanent Super Senior Amateur trophy provided by a generous donation by Rob Christensen (left), in which the trophy is now named after.

Pomerantz (right) posted a two-over 74 in his first round but turned it up a notch and had back-to-back under-par rounds of 71 to finish off the tournament. Pomerantz made many birdies, but a cold putter would not end his chance this week.

“This is the first tournament that I have won, and I have won a few, that I haven’t putted well,” Pomerantz said. “I putted very poorly this tournament and I gave away untold shots on the green and I made two bogeys on par-five where you can toss the ball closer.”

Heading into the last three holes, Pomerantz was tied with Christensen. He knew he had to make something happen and ended the final three hole stretch at two-under-par with birdies on holes 16 and 17.

“I felt good coming off the golf course yesterday, score wise, and I said try not to mess up,” Pomerantz said. “I did early, but I got it back and then I was pretty good for a long stretch of holes. Playing in competition is so much different than just playing with your friends.”

Christensen may have finished in second place, but he had a great week of golf. Christensen carded two rounds of 75 and fired a 68 in the second round of the tournament, giving him a two-shot lead. A rough stretch of holes early for Christensen was the downfall for his round today. After a 40 on the front nine, Christensen was able to fight back and shot one-under on his back, but it was not enough to earn the victory.

Rick Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, and Jim Butler, of Fort Madison took third place at four-over par. The two finished with a 220 tally and stayed in contention all week long. Butler was the first-round leader, but as the wind picked up in the second round, bogeys started appearing on his card. Joe Ward rounds out the top-five coming in the fifth place position with a 221 tally.

The next Iowa Golf Association event on the schedule is the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #3 at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines.


Senior Division
1. Mike McCoy 70-67-68-205
T2. Curtis Holck 71-71-68-210
T2. Gene Elliott 68-72-70-210
T4. Joe Palmer 70-72-70-212
T4. Jon Brown 72-67-73-212
T4. Tim McKnight 68-71-73-212

Super Senior Division
1. Rob Pomerantz 74-71-71-216
2. Rob Christensen 75-68-75-218
T3. Rick Gorbell 74-74-72-220
T3. Jim Butler 69-78-73-220
5. Joe Ward 72-73-76-221

McCoy surges to the lead at 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur

Our second-round leader at the 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur Championship is Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Mike McCoy (above) of Norwalk. The conditions were tough for everyone, but the players seemed to be on point. In today’s windy round, McCoy put together a low round of 67, and managed to make five birdies. Out of 36 holes, McCoy has only recorded one bogey.

After a slow start to yesterday’s round, McCoy been seven-under in his last 28 holes at The Preserve on Lake Rathbun. McCoy, who leads the IGA in total career wins (35) has never held the Senior Amateur trophy. Tomorrow could be the day he takes the trophy home with him.

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown of Adel, is tied for second place alongside Indianola’s, Tim McKnight. Both McCoy and Brown fired rounds of 67 today and Brown is only two shots back. Neither Brown nor McCoy have won this event and doing so would just add to their already impressive resumes.

McKnight was tied for the lead after yesterday’s round, but three bogeys in the middle of today’s round slowed him up. A confidence booster of back-to-back birdies at the end of his round today should fire him up going into tomorrow’s round.

A man who has won this championship five times sits alone in fourth place. Gene Elliott, of Norwalk, was tied with McKnight for the lead after today’s round, but the wind played a factor for both players. Elliott had a rough patch in the beginning of his round, but a two-under back nine helped get his round back to even figures. Elliott knows what it takes to win this event, even if he is down three shots.

In the Super Senior Division, the leaderboard is shuffled, and Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen currently leads at one-under through 36 holes. Christensen was able to find success in today’s round, recording three birdies and an eagle on the final hole of the day. A round of 68 pushed Christensen into first place with a two-shot lead heading into the final round tomorrow.

Not far off the lead is Joe Ward, of Polk City, and Robert Pomerantz, of Des Moines. Ward and Pomerantz are tied for second place at one-over-par and are two shots back. Ward posted a 73 in today’s round and had two bogeys on his final holes. Pomerantz recorded four birdies today, but three bogeys set him back to one-under on the day.

In fourth place is Pete Kelly, of Marshalltown, who shot a 75 today. Kelly’s first round 71 put him in second place, but a 39 on the back nine today pushing him back. Not out of the race by any means, Kelly will still have some work to do to pick up three shots on Christensen.

Tied for fifth place is our overnight leader, Jim Butler and the current leader in Super Senior Player of the Year, Pat Ryan. Butler fired a 69 in the first round but made too many early mistakes today and carded a 78. Ryan started quick with two straight birdies, but those would be his final birdies of his round today. Both players. Are four shots back and will have to come out strong in the final round tomorrow.

You can follow the Seniors and the Super Seniors as they push for the 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur Championship title. Click this link to view the live leaderboard!


Senior Division
1. Mike McCoy 70-67-137
T2. Jon Brown 72-67-139
T2. Tim McKnight 68-71-139
4. Gene Elliott 68-72-140
T5. Curtis Holck 71-71-142
T5. Joe Palmer 70-72-142

Super Senior Division
1. Rob Christensen 75-68-143
T2. Joe Ward 72-73-145
T2. Robert Pomerantz. 74-71-145
4. Pete Kelly 71-75-146
T5. Jim Butler 69-78-147
T5. Pat Ryan 72-75-147

Elliott, McKnight set pace at 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur

Two rounds of 68 lead the first round at the 43rd Iowa Senior Amateur at The Preserve Golf Course on Rathbun Lake. Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines and Tim McKnight, of Indianola are the leaders heading into the second round.

Elliott was the first to post 68 and finished with a bogey-free scorecard. The key to success for Elliott was birdies on the par-fives. He played the par-fives at four-under par and missed his chance to birdie all of them with a putt on hole 18.

McKnight played his first nine at one-under par but stepped on the gas once he turned to the back-nine. Birdies on 11, 14 and 17 pushed McKnight into a tie with the Iowa Golf Hall of Famer and the two competitors will tee it up together in tomorrow’s second round.

In third place after day one is Tom Christensen, of Waterloo. Christensen posted a three-under round of 69 and sits one shot behind the leaders. Norwalk’s Mike McCoy and Joe Palmer will play together tomorrow after posting two-under ton Thursday afternoon.

Fort Madison’s, Jim Butler holds a two-shot lead heading into the second round of the Super Senior Division. The 69-year-old posted a round equal to his age today and recorded five birdies. Butler got off to a quick start with three birdies in his first four holes. An even 36 on his back nine kept him from running away with the tournament early.

Tied for second place is Dan Dalziel, of Cedar Rapids, and Pete Kelly, of Marshalltown. The two fired rounds of 71 and will play alongside Butler in tomorrow’s round. Dalziel was two-over through his first six holes but continued to fight and ended his round in red-figures. Kelly started making birdies quick after three in his first six holes, but three bogeys on the back-nine set him back two shots.

A four-way tie for fourth place round out the top-five between Sam Aossey, of Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan, Polk City’s Joe Ward and Bruce Neeley, of Independence. All four competitors carded rounds of 72 and sit three-shots back.


ACE ALERT – Lineville’s Jay Gregory (above) recorded a hole-in-one today on #13.


Senior Division
T1. Gene Elliott -4 68
T1. Tim McKnight -4 68
3. Tom Christensen -3 69
T4. Mike McCoy -2 70
T4. Joe Palmer -2 70

Super Senior Division
1. Jim Butler -3 69
T2. Dan Dalziel -1 71
T2. Pete Kelly -1 71
T4. Sam Aossey E 70
T4. Pat Ryan E 70
T4. Joe Ward E 70
T4. Bruce Neeley E 70

 

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