Category: Iowa Senior Amateur

Elliott wins fifth Iowa Senior Amateur title, Christensen takes SS Division by eight

It’s been said it can be tougher to win a golf tournament on your home course, because everyone expects you to win. To a certain extent, West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott (above left) knew that all too well this week at the 42nd Iowa Senior Amateur at Crow Valley Golf Club, a place he grew up playing.

“That’s what I told the members here at Crow Valley,” Elliott said. “But this isn’t my home golf course anymore. I have been over every inch of property at this golf course and probably have had every putt out there.”

Elliott (+5), who finished with rounds of 74-73-71 (218), got off to a quick start in Wednesday’s final round, with an opening nine holes in 32 (-3). A couple slight bumps in the road on holes 14-16 made things more interesting down the stretch, but with two pars to finish, Elliott won his fifth Iowa Senior Amateur title by a shot over Muscatine’s Tom Norton (+6), who posted his own final round 71 (E).

Elliott admitted, regardless of how many times you’ve played at Crow Valley GC one thing remains the same – the difficulty of the greens are nothing to lose sight of.

“These are some of the toughest greens in the midwest,” Elliott said. “It doesn’t matter how many times you have played here, the putts are still hard.”

Elliott, who recently played in the U.S. Amateur in Oregon, a tournament loaded with ‘kids’ much younger, said it’s good to be back competing against players over 50.

“It’s nice playing with my own age group,” Elliott said. “As long as I am still standing, we’ll go for a sixth (title) next year.”

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen (above right) outlasted fellow Marshalltown resident Pat Ryan by eight shots overall after a fine final round of 70 (-1), including a near hole-out to end his tournament on the par three 9th hole.

“That was a nice way to finish,” Christensen said. “I birdied a lot of par threes this week.”

Christensen commented that he was able to pick up a lot of ‘home course’ knowledge during his practice round and without a doubt that was the key to his success in the Quad Cities this week.

“I owe a lot to Bill Tank, a member here (at Crow Valley),” Christensen said. “He took us around during our practice round and told us where to hit, not to hit it. He said whatever you do, do not be above the hole. That was the key for me, I kept it below the hole all week.”

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Palmer leads 42nd Iowa Senior Amateur, Ryan paces Super Senior Division

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer is in familiar territory at the 42nd Iowa Senior Amateur Championship.

Palmer, who has captured three Iowa Senior Amateur crowns (2013, 2015, 2018), leads by two strokes heading into today’s final round at Crow Valley Golf Club. Palmer’s round of 70 (-1) in the second round included six birdies.

Sitting in second place, Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, has four Iowa Senior Amateur titles to his credit (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019) and will look to add a fifth title to the trophy case.

Not to be forgotten, Jeff Collett (Ottumwa) and Tom Norton (Muscatine) just three shots back of Palmer, while Dave Gaer (Des Moines) and Terry Cook (Norwalk) will look to make a move as they both sit just four shots off the pace.

In the Super Senior Division, Pat Ryan, of Marshalltown, leads Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, by a shot heading into today’s action. First round leader John Brown, of Urbandale, sits in third place, five off the lead.

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Verduyn leads at Crow Valley GC, Brown sets pace for Super Senior Division

Polk City’s Brian Verduyn set the pace in the opening round of the 42nd Iowa Senior Amateur, posting an even par round of 71. He leads by two at Crow Valley Golf Club, with a group of four sitting just two shots of his lead.

Defending champion Gene Elliott is in a tie for 6th place and is three shot back of Verduyn.

Urbandale’s John Brown also shot even par and leads the Super Senior Division by a pair over Pat Ryan of Marshalltown. Second rounds play begins Tuesday morning with the field being cut at the end of the day for Wednesday’s final round.

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Elliott captures fourth Iowa Senior Amateur title, Campbell wins Super Senior crown

With rounds of 66-68-71 (-11) West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott captured his fourth (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019) Iowa Senior Amateur title. Elliott made 16 birdies and an eagle over the 54-hole event staged at Mason City Country Club.

“I putted very well all week,” Elliott said. “These greens are small and difficult. They have a lot of slope on them. I wedged the ball really well. I hit wedges to a foot about six time this week. It’s a tight, tricky golf course. It’s a lot of fun to play. Today’s round was difficult, as the wind was blowing. I got off to a hot start the first two days and just tried to hang on from there.”

Lineville’s Jay Gregory, who would ultimately finish runner-up to Elliott, put up a good fight. Gregory posted rounds of 66-70-71 (-9) over the three days, including 13 birdies in 54 holes. Elliott praised Gregory for this play and determination.

“Jay is a great competitor,” Elliott said. “He’s a good friend (too) and he’s tough. I got up four (strokes) today and it didn’t phase him a bit. He fought right back and got within one with six holes to play. I love playing with him and you’ll be seeing a lot more of him.”

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer finished in third place at -6 for the championship.

“It felt like the FedEx Cup trying to chase these guys down,” Palmer said after the round with a smile.

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell (pictured right), of Albia, held off a charging Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, to win by four shots. Campbell posted rounds of 70-71-76 (+1) and made made a total of eight birdies and an eagle over his 54-hole victory.

Fort Dodge’s Dave Sergeant and Fort Madison’s Jim Butler tied for third place with a three-day total of 223 (+7).

Fine play – Jack Peacock, of Cedar Rapids, who is 79 years old, twice beat and shot his age once, shooting scores of 74-74-79 to finish in 7th place in the Super Senior set.

Click here for a full recap of scoring and flight results.

Elliott pulls into the lead at 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, will take a two shot lead into tomorrow’s final round of the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Elliott, who captured the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Iowa Senior Amateur title, posted 68 (-4) today to enter the final round at -10, two clear of Jay Gregory (-8), of Lineville.

Gregory shot 70 (-2) in the second round and will look to chase down Elliott in the final round. Elliott’s second round included six birdies, featuring four in a row, and an eagle. Gregory and Elliott have locked horns in the past in the Iowa Senior Amateur – in 2014 at Ames Golf & CC won by Elliott as mentioned.

Norwalk’s Joe Palmer is in third, at -3 for the championship.

Hole in One – Polk City’s Brian Verduyn (right) made an ace on #5 during the second round. Verduyn’s 68 was one of the lower scores of the day (Boonville’s Bret Taylor shot 67).

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by six over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen. Campbell, who sits at -3 after 36 holes, made two birdies and an eagle in his second round at Mason City CC.

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Elliott, Gregory set pace at 41st Iowa Senior Open with 66

West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott and Lineville’s Jay Gregory set a torrid pace to begin the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Both players posted 66 (-6) in the opening round.

Gregory, who played in the morning wave, made eight birdied to go against two bogeys. Elliott, who played in the afternoon, made a total of seven birdies and only a lone bogey during this round. Jon Brown (69), of Adel, sits three shots back of the lead. Brown and Gregory were in the same group and provided plenty of fireworks throughout the day.

In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by one over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen after a round of 70 (-2). Campbell’s round included four birdies.

The field will be cut to will be a cut to the low 60 and ties and include all those within 10 strokes of the lead after tomorrow’s round. The breakdown of the 60 and ties will be a ratio of entries between the two divisions.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Palmer serves up a winner at 40th Iowa Senior Amateur, Sergeant captures Super Senior Division

West Des Moines’ Joe Palmer (above) is used to serving up winners.

Palmer added his name to the Iowa Senior Amateur trophy on Wednesday afternoon for the third time. Palmer won the event in 2013 and 2015 prior to his recent victory.

Palmer, who was in a dogfight with Jon Brown most of the day in the final round, got off to a nice start. Both Palmer and Brown turned in 33 (-3) and Brown pulled ahead after Palmer found trouble on #13 and made double bogey.

Palmer needed something to happen and it did. Palmer birdied three of his last four holes, including back to back on #15 and #16, to outdistance Brown by two when the dust had settled.

“Those (the back to back birdies on #15-16) got the round salvaged,” Palmer said. “I didn’t make many mistakes (early today) and then I hooked it into the bushes on #13 and had to take an unplayable. That kind of derailed me a bit, but I just tried to stay in the moment. It was unfortunate that Jon had some trouble in the bunker (on #16).”

Stay in the moment he did and closed the door on Brown with a 25 foot birdie putt on #18 (pictured right) that looked good from the start. Palmer who will head to Oregon for the U.S. Senior Amateur on Thursday commented that this is an event that is very important to him.

“The bomb on #18 was awesome,” Palmer said. “It looked good about 10 feet out. I don’t want to ever miss this event if I can. I wanted to commit to our senior major (event). I have time to get to Oregon and I am excited to get there.”

Palmer said playing 54 holes and winning the 40th Iowa Senior Amateur is the best prep he could ask for heading into the U.S. Senior Amateur.

“This was as good of a warm up as any,” Palmer said. “One of the keys this week for me was only having to play six holes on the first day (due to weather delay), it was getting dicey out there. I used to consider myself a ‘mudder’, but maybe not so much anymore. It was nice to get a restart and play 30 holes on day two at one under. I was glad to get 54 holes in.”

In the Super Senior Division, Dave Sergeant (left) bettered his age (73) in both the second and third round to win by two strokes over a hard charging Jim Butler. Sergeant put together rounds of 75-72-71 (+2) for the event and admitted he didn’t really know where he stood coming down the stretch. Butler closed with a 33 (-3), including three birdies in his first four holes coming in on the back nine (Butler started on #10).

“I thought Jim was leading with all the birdies he was making,” Sergeant said. “I am really happy to win.”

Click here to see a full recap of scoring.

Kramer, Weresh lead 40th Iowa Senior Amateur, two tied for Super Senior top spot

Following a lengthy day of golf, as some golfers had to finish their first round early this morning and continued right into their second round, a pair of Des Moines Golf & CC members lead the pack at the 40th Iowa Senior Amateur.

Matt Weresh, following a second round 70 (-2), is tied with Chris Kramer who posted the low round of the tournament with 68 (-4) of his own. Both players sit at 143 (-1) for the tournament being contested at Des Moines Golf & CC (pictured above). Joe Palmer and Jon Brown both are positioned just two back of the lead at 145 (+1).

After rain off and on most of the day yesterday, players were welcomed with much better weather conditions on Tuesday. All but one group was able to complete their second round and will return in the morning to finish two holes.

In the Super Senior Division John Peters and Dan Dalziel share the lead at 145 (+1). Both players matched scores the first two rounds with 73-72. Dave Sergeant is just two back of the lead at 147 (+3) and Jim Butler is at 148 (+4).

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Click here for third round pairings

Round One of Iowa Senior Amateur to resume at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Tues.)

Play was suspended for the day this afternoon due to over-saturation on the putting surfaces. At least six of the greens had too much casual water to continue. Consequently, due to radar that showed the rain would simply continue for the bulk of the afternoon/evening play was called for the day. The greens had reached a tipping point where they could not handle any more water today.

THOSE WHO NEED TO FINISH ROUND 1: We will re-start Round 1 at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Please be ready to play by 6:45 a.m. at which time we will make announcements and get you back into position.

ROUND TWO TEE TIMES: Round 2 tee times will be delayed by 2 hours. We will make the 2-hour adjustments to the website, which you can view by clicking here.

Players who are finishing round 1 in the morning will turn in their round 1 scorecards and then will have a very short break between starting their second round.

This will put our final tee time of the day at 4:20 p.m. If the weather cooperates, there is a small chance we can get back on schedule for Wednesday’s play. If we are unable to finish round two Tuesday, we may need to make a cut for Round 3. That will be determined based on the how things go tomorrow.

The two main bullet points you need to know for tomorrow are:

– 7:00 a.m. Restart time for Round 1

– Add two hours to your original Round 2 tee time (website has been updated to show the new tee times)

Thank you all for your patience today as we dealt with the weather. It seems that is the theme for IGA events this year, but hopefully, things will get much better over the next two days.

Elliott posts final round 66, wins third Iowa Senior Am title overall

West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott (pictured above) got off to a hot start and never looked in the rear view mirror until late in the day in the final round of the 39th Iowa Senior Amateur. Elliott blistered Burlington Golf Club for a 66 (-6) to win by eight shots over Burlington’s Scott Briggs and Muscatine’s Tom Norton.

“I played very well today,” Elliott said. “I have played nine days in a row (counting rounds at the U.S. Senior Amateur in Minnesota). That’s a lot of golf for me. I am not a guy who does that, but that’s the way things worked out.”

Truth be told, Elliott, after being defeated in the round of 32 on Tuesday at the U.S. Senior Amateur, forgot he was actually still entered in the Iowa Senior Amateur, which began on Wednesday.

“I almost wasn’t here for several different reasons,” Elliott admitted. “I totally forgot it (Iowa Senior Amateur) after I got beat. I was so shellshocked from losing my match. If I would of won that match I wouldn’t of been here. My wife and a good friend John Harris told me to just come down here and get it out your system and forgot about what happened up in Minneapolis. Fortunately things worked out.”

The win marks a second consecutive victory, third overall for Elliott in this event.

“I felt good about my game all day,” Elliott said. “I missed a couple of birdie putts that I thought I made or made good putts on. I got on a roll and felt like I could birdie every hole, which was nice. I didn’t check the leaderboard until the 16th fairway. I saw a good lead and figured just stay upright and I would be ok.”

In the Super Senior Division Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen held off a charging Jim Butler (Ft. Madison) to win. Christensen posted a 73 (+1) in the final round to finish at 220 (+4) for the one stroke victory.

Click here for a recap of scoring

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