Category: Championships

Jahn makes final round charge, wins 119th Iowa Amateur

The 119th Iowa Amateur came to an end after an electric finish at Wakonda Club. Charles Jahn (above) and Nate McCoy battled until the very end, giving the gallery an unforgettable finish. At the 2019 Iowa Amateur, Jahn fell short by one shot, but that experience assisted Jahn during his final holes today. 

“A couple of years ago I was tied for the lead going into the last hole and I three putted,” Jahn said. “I knew the last four or five holes I needed to finish strong instead of coasting in. I bogeyed 16 and that kind of woke me up. I wanted to finish out with pars and was able to do that. I learned from what happened two years ago and applied it to today.”

Jahn’s weapon of choice this week was the driver (shown right), and Wakonda Club wasn’t prepared. On the first hole during Jahn’s final round, he was able to get within 50 yards of the green by hitting over the trees lining the left side of the hole. That was not the only corners he was cutting today, Jahn drove the 11th hole, which played at about 400 yards on the day, setting himself up for an eagle putt. 

“I have been hitting my driver well lately,” Jahn said. “The practice round this week allowed me to determine what holes I was going to hit driver. On hole five, most players had 260 going into that hole and today I had 180. My driver was my key club this week.”

Finding the trees on 18, Jahn was able to secure the win over McCoy with a clutch up-and-down to win the championship by two shots. McCoy played amazing golf and only recorded two bogeys this week. After posting a one-over 37 on his front nine in the final round, McCoy was able to finish strong and card a 34 on his back nine, but it was not enough to overcome the hard-hitting Charles Jahn.

Six-time Iowa Amateur Champion and Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member, Mike McCoy, raced up the leaderboard after firing a red-hot 63, including a 29 on the back nine. Mike was the clubhouse leader at seven-under for a short period of time, but Mathew Garside snuck up behind him.

Garside carded a 66 with a 31 on his back nine. Ian Johnston also played tremendous golf this week, finishing in a tie for third place with Garside at eight-under. 

Defending champion, Dennis Bull, stayed close to the top all week firing a 209 and finished tied for fifth alongside the two Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, Mike McCoy and Jon Brown. Brown played two groups behind the final pairing and finished his tournament with a one-under 71.

A dramatic finish to a tournament filled with history is the only way to cap off this week. The field was filled with strong golfers from all across the state, but Charles Jahn was the man holding the trophy at the end of it all.

Sani connection – Charles Jahn, a 2016 Herman Sani Scholar joins Steve Spray, a 1969 Herman Sani Scholar, as the only two ‘scholars’ to win the Iowa Amateur. Spray won his Iowa Amateur in 1963 at Clinton Country Club.

 

119th Iowa Amateur Championship
1. Charles Jahn 67-70-67-204
2. Nate McCoy 67-68-71-206
T3. Mathew Garside 71-71-66-208
T3. Ian Johnston 70-67-71-208
T5. Mike McCoy 69-77-63-209
T5. Dennis Bull 71-70-68-209
T5. Jon Brown 69-69-71-209

McCoy takes lead into final round of 119th Iowa Amateur

He’s in familiar territory.

Heading to the final round of the Iowa Amateur Championship at Wakonda Club Nate McCoy (right) continues to pile on the birdies and leads. McCoy, who recently captured the 2021 Iowa Masters to bring his IGA career win total to 10, fired a four-under 68 today to add to his first round five-under total.

“Getting to 10-under was kind of my goal for today,” McCoy said. “The birdie on seven got me back to four-under on the day. I was thinking it would be nice to get one more and I gave myself a chance on eight, but it did not drop.”

Giving McCoy any sort of confidence going into the final round can lead to low scores, and he is filled with confidence right now.

“My game plan for tomorrow is to keep doing what I am doing,” McCoy said. “I have a really good swing thought right now and I am very comfortable with the golf course. I am comfortable being in the lead and I am just looking forward to going out there and playing with Sterling (McIlravy).”

The final pairing tomorrow will be McCoy and Sterling McIlravy, who carded a five-under 67 to get him within one shot of McCoy. The Solon native posted a first round 69 and knows how to fire a low round.

“I am going to trust the process and continue to play the game I have been playing all week,” said McIlravy. “I birdied all the par fives today which really helped my round and looking forward to bringing that into tomorrow’s round.”

Charles Jahn and Ian Johnston will play ahead of McCoy and McIlravy tomorrow. Jahn had many birdies and recorded an eagle, but bogeys continued to pop up on his scorecard. Johnston tied the low round of the day (67) and recorded a 31 on the back nine.

Jon Brown kept his name near the top of the leaderboard after back-to-back rounds of 69. Don’t count Brown out yet, the Iowa Golf Hall of Famer currently sits at six-under and knows how to fire a low final round.

The final round will begin at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning with groups of two teeing off on hole one. You can follow the live leaderboard by clicking this link.

119th Iowa Amateur Championship
1. Nate McCoy 67-68-135
2. Sterling McIlravy 69-67-136
T3. Charles Jahn 67-70-137
T3. Ian Johnston 70-67-137
5. Jon Brown 69-69-138

Gaer leads 119th Iowa Amateur, several within striking distance

Photo courtesy of Guy Cook

Scores were low today during the first round of the 119th Iowa Amateur Championship at Wakonda Club (pictured above). First-round leader, Willis Gaer (right) fired a round of six-under 66 that included a 30-yard hole-out for eagle on the 18th hole. Gaer maintained a bogey-free round at a course that is crowded with them.

Tied for second place heading into round two tomorrow is the recent Iowa Masters champion, Nate McCoy and Sperry’s long-hitting Charles Jahn. McCoy carded a bogey-free 67 and Jahn’s 67 included six total birdies. Setting yourself up during the first round is crucial in this environment, and that is exactly what McCoy and Jahn did. Kyle Yerington sits in fourth place alone following the opening round after posting a 4-under 68 with a 34 split. 

There is a four-way tie at three-under par between Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, Jon Brown and Mike McCoy, and Ross Johnson and Sterling Mcllravy. Mike McCoy, who just finished up at the U.S. Senior Open in Omaha over the weekend, recorded five birdies in his round today. Brown played consistent golf with four birdies. Johnson had four birdies and an eagle to help him get into contention and Mcllravy fired a 69 with a 33 on the back nine. 

The second round of the 119th Iowa Amateur Championship will begin tomorrow morning. Follow the live leaderboard by clicking here

119th Iowa Amateur Championship
1. Willis Gaer -6 66
T2. Nate McCoy -5 67
T2. Charles Jahn -5 67
Kyle Yerington -4 68
T5. Jon Brown -3 69
T5. Ross Johnson -3 69
T5. Mike McCoy -3 69
T5. Sterling Mcllravy -3 69

Defending champions repeat at 11th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship

The 11th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship concluded Friday afternoon at Sioux City Country Club in Sioux City. Defending champions, Paige Hoffman and Kylie Carey repeated the same success that they had in 2020. Hoffman and Carey fired rounds of 70 and 73 to claim first place over Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe by three shots.

Watson and Boothe were consistently at the top of the leaderboard for the entirety of the tournament. Two late bogeys in their final round put an end to their run at the Open Division. First timers, Allison and Morgan Nuss, came in third place after rounds of 77 and 75.

For the first time in IGA Four-Ball history, the defending champions in each division won again. Rosalie Kubesheski and Margene Grady fended off Kathy Fortune’s and Laura Leszczynski’s late final round charge. Kubesheski and Grady have now won this event four times together and this is Kubesheski’s fifth total time winning it.

Fortune and Leszczynski shot up the leaderboard in the final round after the team recorded a total of four birdies. The duo carded scores of 78 and 74 and missed a playoff by one shot. Kubesheski finished off a four-footer for par on the 18th hole to close out the tournament. Ila Gilbert and Janis Owens took third place with back-to-back rounds of 77.

Open Division
1. Kylie Carey / Paige Hoffman 70-73-143
2. Fiona Watson / Tish Boothe 71-75-146
3. Allison Nuss / Morgan Nuss 77-75-152

Open Net Division
1. Allison Nuss / Morgan Nuss 70-70-140
T2. Fiona Watson / Tish Boothe 71-76-147
T2. Kylie Carey / Paige Hoffman 72-75-147

Senior Division
1. Margene Grady / Rosalie Kubesheski 76-75-151
2. Kathy Fortune / Laura Leszczynski 78-74-152
3. Ila Gilbert / Janis Owens 77-77-154

Senior Net Division
1. Ila Gilbert / Janis Owens 66-68-134
2. Carroll Dethrow / Janece Schwartzkopf 70-68-138
T3. Jackie Warrick / Shirly Rochelle 64-75-139
T3. Kathy Fortune / Laura Leszczynski 71-68-139

Packed leaderboard at 11th IGA Women’s Four-Ball

After the first round of the 11th IGA Women’s Four-Ball hosted by Sioux City Country Club, Kylie Carey and Paige Hoffman are leading the Open Division at 2-under. In the Senior Division, Rosalie Kubesheski and Margene Grady are tied with Jackie Warrick and Shirly Rochelle at the top of the leaderboard.

Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe (Open Division) were the first group off this morning and posted a 1-under 71 to head into the final round in second place. Allison and Morgan Nuss currently sit in third place and are six shots back after carding a 77.

Ila Gilbert and Janis Owens (Senior Division) will play alongside Beth Duenow and Nancy Olberding in tomorrow’s final round after tying for third place. Gilbert and Owens recorded a 77 with a 36 on their front nine and Olberding and Duenow carded a 77 with a 38 on their back nine.

The final round will begin tomorrow with an 8:30 a.m. starting time off the first tee. You can follow our live leaderboard using this link.

Open Division
1. Kylie Carey / Paige Hoffman 70
2. Fiona Watson / Tish Boothe 71
3. Allison Nuss / Morgan Nuss 77

Senior Division
T1. Jackie Warrick / Shirly Rochelle 76
T1. Margene Grady / Rosalie Kubesheski 76
T3. Ila Gilbert / Janis Owens 77
T3. Beth Duenow / Nancy Olberding 77

Smith wins 10th Iowa Women’s Match Play, defends her crown

Leanne Smith (pictured above) did it again at the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Talons Golf in Ankeny. Smith has now won the last four IGA match play events she has entered (2019, IGA Women’s Match Play, 2020 IGA Women’s Match Play, 2021 Forever 39 Match Play and now the 2021 IGA Women’s Match Play).

“I really enjoy match play,” Smith said. “I know that I am going to mess up some holes and that I can recover on the next hole, so I just take it one hole at a time.”

The journey to back-to-back titles was not easy for Smith. In her earlier matches, she defeated Jolee Belzung, Kelly Grimes and Laura Leszczynski. Smith continued to dominate the competition as she made her way around the course.

Up next after dispatching Leszcynski on Thursday afternooon, Smith had to play two young competitors, Hannah Bermel and Anna Jensen, in her last two remaining matches. Smith was able to save par on the 18th hole to close out the match against Bermel in the morning after a back and forth battle.

“Hannah was so fun to play with and it is fun to watch her, and other players grow into who they are now,” Smith said.

After the match against Bermel, Smith knew would be playing Anna Jensen (right), who was the youngest player in the field (19). Jensen won her match against the No. 1 seed and stroke play medalist, Brooke Newell, and advanced to the final round.

The Smith and Jensen match started to heat up right away after Jensen won the first hole. This showed Smith that Jensen was there to compete, and that was exactly what she did. The two players battled back-and-forth all the way to the 16th hole where Smith made par to seal the victory and win her second straight IGA Women’s Match Play.

“Anna is super talented and will be a tough competitor for a long time and she is great for Iowa golf,” Smith said.

Smith’s match play record continues to grow in a positive manner, as she has added three new trophies to her collection in the last two years. However, her match play record is not the only thing growing as the Iowa Golf Association continues to host more and more talented women golfers.

Next up on the IGA schedule will be the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora This event will take place on Tuesday, July 6th with the IGA Women’s Four-Ball to follow.

Palmer wins 33rd IGA Match Play title, makes history in the process

Joe Palmer (pictured above) made history this week at the 33rd IGA Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny. Palmer became the first player in IGA history to win an IGA Senior Match Play Championship and an IGA Match Play Championship in the same year. Palmer, 58, also became the oldest IGA Match Play winner and the third player in IGA history to win the IGA Match Play more than once (Palmer won back in 2002).

“It is a great feeling (winning both IGA events); this was a terrific field and I got through some pretty good matches, Palmer said. “I played great and drove the ball terrific and that sets up your game and I took it from there.”

At the start of the event, Palmer came out of the stroke play portion as the No. 30 seed. Palmer, who was on the side of the bracket named after the late Jim Hasley, an Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member who passed away earlier this year, was faced with an uphill battle as he faced off against the No. 35 seed Henry Weresh in round one. His next opponent was not an easy test either, Palmer faced the No. 3 seed and two-time IGA Match Play winner, Jon Olson in round two.

“Match play is different,” Palmer said. “You have to play your competitor instead of the golf course at times and I knew this course was going to yield some birdies, so I tried to score when I could, and I took it one match at a time. If you don’t make a lot of bogeys, which has always been a strong point in my game, you start getting up in matches.”

Palmer’s next two opponents were the No. 14 seed, Dennis Bull, and the No 6 seed J.D. Anderson. The key to Palmer’s success was to limit the mistakes, and that is exactly what he did the entirety of the tournament.

On the final day, Palmer was faced with another grinding match against the red-hot Kelly Brown. Brown, who was the No. 39 seed, caught fire and was winning his matches by margins of three, four and six holes. Brown took Palmer to the 21st hole, where Palmer was able to gain the edge off the tee box and ultimately won hole by concession after Brown was unable to find his tee shot and provisional ball in the deep rough.

As the championship match began, Palmer and Nate Vance, who was on the side of the bracket named after the late Jerry Johnson, also an Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member who passed away recently, knew they would be fighting for the trophy. Palmer knew that Vance was going to be longer off the tee, so he stuck to his game plan and that seemed to be enough to earn the victory.

“Vance uses the ground just like PGA Tour golfer, Justin Thomas,” Palmer said. “Vance can hit in places that many people can’t, and I knew that. I just stuck with my game and limited my mistakes.”

Vance played tremendous golf all week long, knocking off players like Willis Gaer, Scott Hart and Scot Cook. Vance’s morning match on the final day against Gaer finished on the 17th hole where Vance made a clutch up-and-down to seal it and head to the final match.

In the final match, Vance (right) and Palmer continued to knock down the flag. As the match came closer to an end, Palmer started to gain the edge over Vance. Heading to the 17th hole, Palmer drove into the fairway and Vance was forced to punch out after hitting his tee shot to the right.

Vance could not make an up-and-down for par, but it wouldn’t have mattered because Palmer made a clutch birdie putt. Standing on the 18th tee box, Vance knew he needed to make something happen, so he pulled out his driver and hit it inside 50 yards.

After a short pitch onto the green, the birdie opportunity Vance had to tie the match and send it to the 19th hole lipped out and the match was over. Palmer made par after hitting yet another green in regulation and was able to two-putt from there. The two competitors shook hands, and the 58-year-old was crowned champion.

Next up on the schedule will be the 36-hole U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora. This event will take place on Tuesday, July 6th with the IGA Women’s Four-Ball to follow.

Semifinal matches set at 10th IGA Women’s Match Play, 33rd IGA Match Play Championship

 

Only four players are left at the IGA Women’s Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny. The stroke-play medalist’s chances are still alive in Brooke Newell, who defeated Niki Clayton and Ardrae Parmenter today.

Newell will face off against Anna Jensen who claimed victories over Janece Schwartzkopf and Tabitha Schumacher in the round of 16 and the quarterfinal round. Jensen, the No. 4 seed, had a back-and-forth with Schumacher, but made par on 18 to close out the match.

Defending Champion, Leanne Smith secured wins over Kelly Grimes and Laura Leszczynski today. Smith will have the opportunity to take on University of Northern Iowa’s fifth-year senior, Hannah Bermel. Bermel won her two matches over Renee Buckner and Mikayla Olson.

The final day of the IGA Women’s Match Play Championship will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Brooke Newell
Anna Jensen
Leanne Smith
Hannah Bermel


One day is left remaining at the IGA Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny. The round of 16 and quarterfinals concluded this afternoon, and four players remain. Nate Vance, the No. 5 seed, is the highest remaining seed left in the field.

Vance took down Scot Cook this morning and followed it up with a win over Scott Hart in the quarterfinal round. In both matches, Vance was down going into the back nine. He caught fire towards the end of both his matches and claimed two victories.

Willis Gaer will be Vance’s opponent tomorrow, after defeating Bret Taylor and Felipe Pedraza. Gaer, the No. 8 seed, got off to a quick start in both of his matches. This helped Gaer seal two victories and make his way into the semi-final round.

Kelly Brown, the No. 39 seed, will play this year’s Senior Match Play Champion and No. 30 seeded, Joe Palmer. Brown had to play a tough stretch of competitors to make it to the semi-final round. Brown knocked off the defending IGA Match Play Champion, Connor Peck in the round of 16, and followed it up with a win over the red-hot Ben Epperly in the quarterfinals.

Palmer is marching in uncharted territory as he has a chance to win the Senior Match Play and the IGA Match Play in the same season. Palmer defeated the No. 14 seeded Dennis Bull in the round of 16 and then had to face J.D. Anderson in the quarterfinals. Anderson’s last two matches went into extra holes with his match yesterday finishing on the 26th playoff hole.

The final day of the IGA Match Play Championship will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Willis Gaer
Nate Vance
Kelly Brown
Joe Palmer

33rd IGA Match Play, 10th IGA Women’s Match Play continues

Day two of the 33rd IGA Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny has concluded. During the first day of stroke play qualifying, Wade Pettitt took home the medal after firing a low round of 66 in the stroke play qualifying round. Pettitt earned the No. 1 seed, but fell to the University of Iowa’s, Charles Jahn, 3&2 in the afternoon.

In the second round, the defending champion, Connor Peck, defeated Tyler Sansgaard in a close match (3&2). Peck will have to play Ben Epperly in the third round on Thursday. Epperly took down Nick Pittman on the 19th hole.

IGA Senior Match Play champion, Joe Palmer defeated the No. 3 seed Jon Olson with a 10-footer on the 18th hole. Palmer will move on to play the No. 14 seeded, Dennis Bull. In the second round, Bull defeated Jay Gregory, 4&3.

Later in the second round, Ethan Mechling’s and J.D. Anderson’s match went to 26 holes, which was one of the longest matches in recent history. J.D. Anderson won the match on the eighth hole and will play the No. 11 seeded Nate McCoy tomorrow.

The quarterfinal round will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Charles Jahn
Felipe Pedraza
Willis Gaer
Bret Taylor
Frank Lindwall
Scott Hart
Nate Vance
Scot Cook
Connor Peck
Ben Epperly
Kelly Brown
Ben Pettitt
Joe Palmer
Dennis Bull
J.D. Anderson
Nate McCoy


Sixteen women are headed to day three after completing the first round of the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play. On the first day, Brooke Newell claimed the medalist honors in the stroke play qualifying round. Newell earned the No. 1 seed and won her first match over Marlene Williams and will advance to the second round.

Defending champion and No. 2 seed, Leanne Smith defeated Jolee Belzung, 8&7 and will take on Kelly Grimes in the second round. Grimes won a close match against Granger’s, Taylor Sedivec to earn a spot in the round of 16.

University of Northern Iowa senior, Hannah Bermel made her way into the second round after defeating Morgan Conn. Bermel will play Renee Buckner who won her match over Ila Gilbert after playing the 19th hole.

The second round will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Brooke Newell
Ardrae Parmenter
Rosalie Kubesheski
Niki Clayton
Anna Jensen
Janece Schwartzkopf
Tabitha Schumacher
Jan Sewright
Leanne Smith
Kelly Grimes
Laura Leszczynski
Lydia Steier
Hannah Bermel
Renee Buckner
Mikayla Olson
Kathy Fortune

Pettitt fires 66, Newell posts 75 to earn top seeds

Low scores flooded the leaderboard during the stroke play qualifying round of the 33rd IGA Match Play Championship at Talons Golf in Ankeny. Wade Pettitt, of Waukee, earned the medalist honors by one shot after firing a low round of 66 (-6).

Pettitt started his day off with a bogey on the first hole and caught fire after that. Going into his 15th hole, Pettitt made four-straight birdies to jump into the top spot over Ankeny’s, Jon Olson, and Frank Lindwall, of Cedar Rapids.

Olson and Lindwall carded rounds of 67 and Nate Vance took fourth place with a four-under round of 68. J.D. Anderson, Cody Holck, Willis Gaer, Connor Peck, Andrew Huseman and Jon Brown rounded out the top-five with rounds of 69. Peck will be the #2 seed in the match play bracket as the defending champion.

The 64-player cut finished at five-over par (score of 77).

Stroke Play Qualifying
1. Wade Pettitt -6 66
2. Jon Olson -5 67
3. Frank Lindwall -5 67
4. Nate Vance -4 68
T5. J.D. Anderson -3 69
T5. Cody Holck -3 69
T5. Willis Gaer -3 69
T5. Connor Peck -3 69
T5. Jon Brown -3 69
T5. Andrew Huseman -3 69


Anita’s Brooke Newell earned medalist honors at the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny after posting a round of 75.

Newell recorded a 37 on the front-nine and a 38 on her back-nine to win by one shot over Hannah Bermel, of Cedar Falls.

Bermel carded a four-over round of 76 and finished in second place by one shot over the defending champion, Leanne Smith, of Indianola and Anna Jensen, of Dubuque.

Smith and Jensen recorded rounds of 77 and Tabitha Schumacher, of Pella, earned fifth place honors with a seven-over 79. Smith received the #2 seed into match play as the defending champion.

Stroke Play Qualifying
1. Brooke Newell +3 75
2. Hannah Bermel +4 76
T3. Leanne Smith +5 77
T3. Anna Jensen +5 77
5. Tabitha Schumacher +7 79

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