Category: Championships

Race to the finish at 14th IGA Women’s Four-Ball

June 12, 20240 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

From left – Michelle Klein, Laura Leszczynski, Ximena Benites and Maura Peters.

The final round of the 14th Women’s Four-Ball Championship was a race to the finish in the Championship Flight with Maura Peters and Ximena Benites coming out victorious. After Peters and Benites opened with an even par round of 71, the two of them took that as a learning experience before going into round two. 

“Yesterday we learned a lot about the golf course, where you can and can not hit the ball, the greens are tricky, and there are definitely sides of the hole where you do not want to be on,” Peters said. 

Making notes of all that, Peters and Benites capitalized on their mistakes and tallied up an impressive seven birdies shooting 64 (-7) on the day. Coming in runner-up Kaitlyn Hanna and Shannyn Volger shooting two of rounds 69 (-2) and 70 (-1). Leaving third to Erika Holmberg and Tatum Depuydt posting a pair of rounds of 69 (-2) and an even par 71.

In the First Flight Julianna Burkholder and Kendra Henningsen walked away with the win of rounds 74 (+3) and 70 (-1). Coming in second was Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe with rounds of 75 (+4) and 72 (+1). There was a tie for third between the sides of Erin Schaffer/Leanne Smith with rounds of 76 (+5) and 74 (+3) and Ava Lohrbach/Eden Lohrbach shooting 75 (+4) both days.

In the Second Flight the Delong sisters (Meghan and Rebecca) battled their way back to secure the win shooting 78 (+7) and 73 (+2). Runner-up was Courtney Hany and Jennie Jackson going 78 (+7) and 77 (+6). Coming in a clean third was Amy Haldeman and Lynn Mawe with rounds of 79 (+9) and 83 (+12).

Within the Championship Net Division Kelly Nelson and Lindsay Burry combined for a two day net score of -13. Coming in runner-up was Molly Ratchford and Natalie Henson with (-9), and there was a tie for third at -8.

In the Senior Division, defending champions Laura Leszczynski and Michelle Klein snacked their way to claim yet another victory. 

“We pre-planned our snacks better, loaded up with caffeine, and Advil as needed; as it was critical on the day,” said Leszczynski. 

After opening with 75 (+4) Leszczynski/Klein did not let up, shooting a 73 (+2). 

“There was not a lot of strategy but there was a lot of energy between the two of us,” Klein said. “We did not take our foot off the pedal at all.” 

There was a tie for runner-up between Carroll Dethrow/Janece Schwartzkopf shooting 77 (+6) and 74 (+3) along with Margene Grady/Rosalie Kubesheski finishing the two days with 76 (+5) and 75 (+4).

In the First FlightCarolyn Flynn/Mary Howell would come out to win with scores of 83 (+12) and 79 (+8). Runner-up was Jackie Warrick/Shirly Rochelle with scores of 84 (+13) and (+10). In third was Kelly Grimes/Sue Harmon shooting 83 (+12) both days.

Holding onto the Senior Net Division Linda McCullum and Sherry Schafer won with a two day net score of -13. Coming in runner-up was Gaylene Hammer and Jan Sewright with (-9), and in third was Ila Gilbert and Janis Owens at (-4).  

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Brown holds on, wins 46th Iowa Senior Amateur

June 6, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

In the end it was enough.

Jon Brown (right), who posted a 217 (+1) total, held on for victory at the 46th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Bent Tree Golf Course. With an opening rough 65, Brown admitted that was the difference in Council Bluffs.

“The first day everything went right,” Brown said. “I didn’t make many mistakes the next day (round two), but today, it’s hard playing with the lead. The conditions were really challenging (today). I missed some short putts early and the set the tone.”

After opening with a 39 (+3) on the front nine in the final round, Brown knew he needed to get to work as Joe Palmer and Chris Kramer, who would tie for runner-up when the dust had settled, gave chase.

“I found myself just trying to hang on,” Brown said. “I didn’t look at the leaderboard until the 18th tee. I knew what my group was doing, but not really anyone else. I just tried to do my best. Today was just one bad break after another and nothing was going right. I knew I needed to buckle down. Today with the wind it was tougher to drive the ball. The course felt tighter than the first two days. If you get out of position, with the greens being so fast, you all of sudden you have a downhill chip running away from you.”

Driving the ball and finding the fairways at the links-style layout of Bent Tree GC was the key to success according to Brown.

“I was able to put myself in positions to be aggressive and my speed with the putter was good,” Brown said. “Today, I had 5-6 footers that you had to be careful with or you could have 6-7 feet coming back. It was one of those days (today), it’s a little bit embarrassing shooting 79 to win, but I am thrilled I had a cushion. Chris Kramer played well today and I’ve had some many battles with Joe. I was never comfortable until I hit the 18th green.”

In the Super Senior Division Dave Gaer chased down the lead thanks to a final round 73 (+1) that included four birdies, good enough for a 222 total and a one shot win over Dave Waugh. Gaer commented that Bent Tree GC was a layout that you had to pick you spots of when to be aggressive and when to throttle down.

“This golf course you can’t force it,” Gaer said. “I got off to a good start today, that helped. I hit a lot of greens on the back nine. The wind blew steady all day and this is a good golf course. You have to use all your clubs in the bag. You get so many more chances here if you drive the ball well. It was a lot of fun (this week).

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Smith wins 61st Women’s Forever 39 Match Play

June 5, 20240 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

Leanne Smith (Indianola) secured the victory at the 61st Iowa Women’s Forever Match Play Championship at Ankeny Golf & Country Club. Some may recall Smith also won the 59th Women’s Iowa Forever 39 Match Play at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club in 2021. After shooting 38 (+2) in the qualifying round, Smith was seeded fifth. Smith was determined to capitalize on the format of match play.

“I just feel like you’re always in it, whether you really have it all together. Something may happen, you have your own fate in your hand,” Smith said.

In the her first match Smith played against No. 4 seed Carroll Dethrow (Nevada). The two of them both played solidly; but Smith would win 1 up. In round two’s match Smith was up against No. 8 eight seed Kelly Nelson (Waterloo) who defeated defending champion and No. 1 seed Fiona Watson (Des Moines) in round one. Smith would end up defeating Watson 1 up. In the final match Smith went against No. 3 seed Geri Huser (Altoona), Smith would go on to defeat Huser 2&1 to claim the overall title. 

In the first flight No. 3 seeded Rosalie Kubesheski (Dubuque) secured the victory. Along the way Kubesheski defeated No. 6 seed Nicol Jones (Ankeny) 3&1, No. 2 seed Mary Howell (Ames) 1up, and No. 4 seed Erin Schaffer (Johnston) 2&1.

Janis Owens (Cresten) No. 3 seed would breeze her way to win the second flight. Along the way Ownes would defeat No. 6 seed Bonnie Jones (Cedar Rapids) 2 up, No. 2 seed Cindy Morrison (Indianola) 2&1, and No. 8 seed Laura Pierce (Ankeny) 4&3.

Smith commented about her mom (Janis Owens) winning the second flight.

“It is so fun sharing all of this with my mom, we play in a lot of the same stuff and get to hang out together,” she said.

No. 3 seed Shirly Rochelle (Council Bluffs) held on and captured the victory in the third flight. Along the way Rochelle would beat No. 6 seed Juile Hartman (Greenfield) 2&1 No. 2 seed Kelly Grimes (Des Moines) in 10 holes. Before the final match No. 1 seed Darci Duey (Johnston) and No. 4 seed Becky Schwiete (Ankeny) fought hard for 16 holes before Schwiete won on the 17th hole. In the final Schwiete fell to Rochelle 2&1.

No. 1 seed Fiona Watson (Des Moines) battled back in the consultation bracket finals and won. Watson took down No. 4 seed Carroll Dethrow (Nevada) 3&2 and No. 2 seed Kathy Fortune (Rockwell City) 2&1.

In the first flight consultation bracket No. 2 seed Michell Klein (Jesup) won in style. Kline took down No. 3 seed Nicol Jones (Ankeney) 3&2 and Jan Sewright (Ankeny) in 11 holes to capture the win.

No. 1 seed Jan Herke (Ankeny) would win the second consultation bracket. In the process Herke defeated No. 4 seed Leighann Larocca (Clive) 1 up and No. 2 seed Sue Harmon (Slater) 3&2.

Julie Hartma (Greenfield) No. 3 seed would take home the victory in the third consultation bracket. Hartman would defeat No. 2 seed Lora Winter (Walford) and Mary Nelson (Ankeny) 2&1. 

Brown takes seven shot lead into final round of 46th Iowa Senior Amateur

June 4, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

It’s not always easy.

Many say following up a sensational round of golf on top of playing with the lead, knowing there are plenty of good golfers chasing you, might be two of the toughest hurdles in golf.

Jon Brown (right), who sizzled around Bent Tree Golf Course in the opening round of the 46th Iowa Senior Amateur with 10 birdies, managed only a lone birdie on the card in the second round, grew his lead to seven shots over Joe Palmer and Chris Kramer.

Mission accomplished.

Brown, in a second round that saw him collect 15 pars, will look to add a Iowa Senior Amateur title to his Iowa Golf Hall of Fame resume heading into the final round on Wednesday.

A similar story can be found in the Super Senior Division.

Rob Christensen finds himself ahead by six over a trio of players, following a steady round that also included 15 pars. A late-round bogey and double bogey for Christensen were all that left the Marshalltown golfer even farther out in front looking ahead to the final round.

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Smith wins 2024 Southeast Iowa Amateur

June 3, 20240 commentsChampionships, News

The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, home of the Southeast Iowa Amateur crowned a winner this past weekend. In the Open Division, a familiar name stood on top of the leaderboard; Grant Smith of (West Des Moines) held the lead after Saturday’s round with shooting a 67 (-5).

Not too far behind was Roman Roth (Wayland) shooting a 68 (-4), Kelly Brown (Marshalltown) shooting 70 (-2), and Jake Weissenburger who just won the Lake Creek Am carded a 71 (-1). Will Simpson (Pella) and Jack Winkel (Ankeny) were tied for fifth shooting an even par of 72. Entering into Sunday’s round it was anybody’s tournament.

Winkel would play steady and 71 (-1) and Simpson would move up the leaderboard and card an impressive bogey free 65 (-7). Smith and Roth would shoot a pair of 66 (-6), but Smith would stay on top and was crowned Champion. Followed by Roth runner-up and Simpson in third.

In the Senior Division there was a close race. In this six-man field after round one, Tony Newkirk (Des Moines) and Matt Steddom (State Center) both opened up with even rounds of 72. Followed by a tie for second with a pair of 77s (+5) by Troy Underhill and Jon Weeks (Slater). In solo third was Eric Jensen (Hedrick) shooting a 78 (+6).

Round two proved to be a battle till the end. Jensen shot a 78 (+8) sitting in third, while Newkirk and Steddom were going back and forth. In the end Newkirk’s birdie on #18 sealed the win shooting a 71 (-1). Steddom would finish in second, shooting an even round of 72.

Only two Super Seniors were in the field, but both Mark Urbanek (Hudson) and Bill Corrick (Fairfield) were not willing to give up. Urbanek opened with an 81 (+9) and Corrick an 83 (+11). Round two both Urbanek and Corrick played solidly. Corrick was making up ground and shot a 78 (+6), but Urbanek would end up staying victorious shooting a 79 (+7).

Brown opens with 65, Christensen leads by two in Super Senior Division

June 3, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Early and often.

Jon Brown wasted little time climbing the leaderboard at the 46th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Bent Tree Golf Course, Council Bluffs. Brown, who was off early as one of the first handful of groups of the day, made a total of 10 birdies on the day, good enough for a 65 (-7) round.

Brown needed only 30 strokes on his back nine on Monday morning, including six birdies in those nine holes.

Joe Palmer finds himself chasing Brown after an up and down round of 71 (-1) of his own, while Sean Davis and Terry Cook posted 72s (E).

In the Super Senior Division, Rob Christensen (-1) leads by a pair of strokes over Dave Gaer and Tom Norton.

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Hoyle charges, wins 39th Iowa Mid-Amateur at Bos Landen GC

May 20, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Mid-Am

With a final round charge, Charlie Hoyle (right) won the 39th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship hosted by Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella. A closing 68 (-4) from Hoyle was enough for a one-shot victory over Nate McCoy. Hoyle admitted coming down the stretch it was anything for a walk in the park.

“There is no let up on the back nine once you get passed #13,” Hoyle said. “After that you really have to have control of your golf ball off the tee and into greens. Even once you get on the green, the job isn’t done. I made a nice par save on 16 and then made two good pars (on 17-18).”

Hoyle, who made six birdies in the final round, said he didn’t really look at the leaderboard at all throughout the day and honestly didn’t know where he stood until finishing his round.

“I didn’t look (at scores),” Hoyle said. “I am going to the same shots regardless. I thought -6 total would win it, the weather looked good. The first two rounds I putted pretty terribly, but my ball striking was solid all three days. I made a couple putts today and that was the difference. If you can make pars coming down the stretch here, you’re doing pretty well.”

Hoyle, who won the 2024 Iowa Amateur at Glen Oaks Country Club, hopes to keep his winning ways up as much as he is able to this summer.

“After winning the Iowa Amateur (last year), it got the competitive juices going again,” Hoyle said. “Getting the win (here) is awesome. To win it is an honor.”

Jon Olson, who got off to a hot start in the final round with an opening nine 31, shared third place with J.D. Anderson at -3 for the event. Trent Lindenman rounded out the top five at -2.

In the Senior Division, Jon Brown left no doubt – winning by nine shots over Terry Cook. Brown posted a 215 (-1) total for the event.

Dave Waugh captured the Super Senior Division crown with a 226 (+10) total, good enough got a two-shot advantage over Dave Baer.

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McCoy take two shot lead into final round of 39th Iowa Mid-Amateur

May 16, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Mid-Am

More of the same.

Nate McCoy (-5), following an opening round 68, followed up with a steady 71 on Thursday, to take a two shot advantage into the final round of the 39th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship hosted by Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella.

J.D. Anderson and Trent Lindenman both find themselves chasing McCoy at -3 through two rounds of play. Many players found the course holding its own all day on Thursday, including McCoy (pictured above).

“I felt the course played a little tougher today,” McCoy admitted after his round. “I three putted a couple times which also didn’t help. I am just going to try to keep hitting it in the fairway (tomorrow) and on the greens and see what happens. We have had a lovely week to play that’s for sure.”

Jon Brown leads by six shots in the Senior Division, following a crafty 70 (-2) in the second round. Brown’s round include four birdies, on a day when they were hard to come by for the field.

In the Super Senior Division Dave Gaer and Dave Waugh remain tied for the lead at 152 (+8) through two rounds. Keith Levi trails Gaer and Waugh by only two and will look to make a charge on Friday.

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McCoy opens with 68, leads 39th Iowa Mid-Amateur

May 15, 20240 commentsChampionships, Iowa Mid-Am

Nate McCoy (above), winner of the 2022 Iowa Mid-Amateur, opened with a nearly flawless round of 68 (-4), to lead the 39th edition of the event at Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella.

Five birdies against a lone bogey gives McCoy a one-stroke lead heading into the second round over Trent Lindenman. J.D. Anderson sits just two back of the lead, while Dennis Bull and Scott Hart posted rounds of 71 (-1) and are just three off the pace.

“I had a swing lesson last week, and it paid off,” McCoy said. “I felt I had a lot of control over the ball and gave myself a lot of looks. The conditions for scoring were good, so I knew I had to take advantage.”

McCoy knows all too well that there is a lot of golf left to be played in Pella and no shortage of good players looking to chase him down.

“I’m looking forward to playing two more rounds,” McCoy said with a smile. “There are a lot of good players in the mix, so it will be a lot of fun.”

In the Senior Division, Bill Matzdorff (-2) leads by two over Jon Brown, while Dave Waugh and Dave Gaer lead the Super Senior Division following opening rounds of 73 (+1).

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Bull / Allison lead from start to finish at 28th IGA Four-Ball Championship

May 6, 20240 commentsChampionships, IGA Four-Ball

Following an open round 61 (-9), the side of Dennis Bull and Brian Allison left nothing to chance in the final round of the 28th IGA Four-Ball Championship hosted by Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

While several groups tried to inch closer throughout the morning, Bull and Allison were simply too good. The duo would post a -13 score for two days.

“I made a boatload of putts (this week),” Bull said with a laugh. “It’s an easy game if you do that.”

Playing with the side of Jamie Faidley and Josh Janeczko both days, the eventual champions knew they couldn’t let up.

“We got off to a good start, and the group was great,” Bull said. “We figured out we birdied 15 of the 18 holes as a group in the first round. They pushed us, and we pushed them both days.”

While weather and scoring conditions were nearly perfect in the opening round, it was the complete opposite in round two – with players facing windy and much colder conditions on top of early morning rain that delayed the start of the day and ultimately led to a cut to the low 46 sides from round one scores.

“You had to layer up and survive the weather,” Allison said. “There were good hole locations out there, and with the tee back on #14, that was a golf hole.”

An opening hole birdie from Bull set the tone for the final round, as he and Allison would post 66 for a four-shot victory over Faidley/Janeczko and the side of J.D. Anderson and Ethan Mechling.

“I made a bomb on the first hole, so that helped the stress level early on,” Bull said. “We kind of knew we were in a good spot after the front nine. We made birdie on #8, and they made bogey. Then Brian made a nice putt on #9. I don’t think we looked at the scoreboard again until #16.”

Both Bull and Allison agreed starting off the year with a victory is always sweet.

“It’s always fun to share a win – absolutely,” Allison said.

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