Category: Championships

118th Iowa Amateur heads to Davenport Country Club

July 23, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

The 118th Iowa Amateur Championship will be contested at Davenport Country Club (pictured above) on July 27-29. This will mark the sixth time the Iowa Amateur will be held at the club. The last time Davenport Country Club hosted the Iowa Amateur was in 2008, when eventual champion Mike Oimeon, of Clear Lake, won in a playoff. Davenport Country Club first played host to the Iowa Amateur in 1927 when Sioux City’s Lee Herron won the trophy.

The golf course has recently received a major facelift. In 2014, the club embarked on a renovation seeking to restore the course to its original design as well as uncover several hidden features that were once covered up by trees. In total, more than 500 trees were removed during the renovation, opening up new sightlines and lines of play. Davenport Country Club has since received national recognition for being one of the best courses in Iowa according to Golf Digest and currently sits at #159 in the recent GolfWeek list of top 200 Classic Courses.

There are a number of past champions in this year’s field, including 2006 & 2019 Iowa Amateur Champion Jon Brown, who will look to defend his title in 2020. Three-time Iowa Amateur Champions Nate Dunn and Gene Elliott are seeking their fourth victories. Dunn’s most recent victory came in 2016 at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, with Elliott’s being in 2013 at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames. 2012 Iowa Amateur Champion Jon Olson and 2003 Iowa Amateur Champion Scott Hart will also be in the field.

The 2020 Player of the Year race is well underway, and several top contenders will be teeing it up next week in Davenport. Andrew Huseman, of Ankeny, 2020 IGA Match Play Champion Connor Peck, of Ankeny, and the previously mentioned Brown, of Adel, are currently in the top 5 in the POTY standings. They will be looking to make up ground on Ankeny’s Nate McCoy, who is leading the race with 690 points.

Click here to view Round One Tee Times

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Vance takes control at Waterloo Open, wins by nine shots

July 20, 20200 commentsChampionships, News

Nate Vance (pictured right) took control on Sunday afternoon, posting a final round of 67 (-5) at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course to capture the title at the 2020 Waterloo Open. The Marshalltown native opened with a round of 67 (-5) at South Hills Golf Course on Friday, followed by a second round of 65 (-7) at Gates Park Golf Course on Saturday, before running away with the lead during Sunday’s final round to finish with a 54-hole total of 199 (-17). 

Nate McCoy, of Ankeny, fired a bogey-free round of 66 (-6) on Sunday to earn himself a runner-up finish with a 54-hole total of 208 (-8). Rounding out the podium was Manchester’s Clayton Larsen, who carded rounds of 65-72-72 for a 54-hole tally of 209 (-7) to finish in third place. 

In the Senior Division, Dunlap’s Jeff Ott separated himself from the field on Sunday, posting a final round of 70 (-2) to win the title by three strokes at a 54-hole total of 208 (-8). Close behind was Joe Bates, of Albia, who posted rounds of 70-67-74 on his way to a runner-up finish with a final tally of 211 (-5).

Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, successfully defended his 2018 and 2019 titles in the Super Senior Division, posting rounds of 73-76-74 to win his third consecutive Waterloo Open with a 54-hole total of 223 (+7). Gorbell was Co-Champion of the event in 2018 and Champion in 2019. 

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Hoffman & Carey win 10th IGA Women’s Four-Ball title; Kubesheski, Grady take Senior Division

July 18, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

The team of Paige Hoffman & Kylie Carey (pictured above) put on a show this week at Ellis Golf Course in Cedar Rapids. The pair carded rounds of 67 (-5) and 70 (-2) on their way to a four-shot victory with a 36-hole tally of 137 (-7) in the 10th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship. Both shared positive remarks about the four-ball format of the event.

“It was a lot of fun, we just tried to stay positive,” Carey said. 

The duo acknowledged that the format altered their mindset, allowing them to take more chances than they would in stroke play.

“If we were both on the green and had looks at birdie it was definitely more aggressive putting,” said Hoffman. 

Finishing runner-up was the pair of Ellie Braksiek and Sarah Nacos, who posted consecutive subpar rounds of 71 (-1) and 70 (-2) for a two-day total of 141 (-3). Finishing in a tie for third were the sides of Julie Buerman and Karli Kerrigan, along with Hannah Bermel and Sydney Eaton. Both sides finished with a 36-hole total of 142 (-2). 

In the Senior Division, Margene Grady and Rose Kubesheski (pictured right) earned their third IGA Women’s Four-Ball title, posting rounds of 71 (E) and 72 (+1) to win by a two-stroke margin. The pair won the event back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018. 

Kelly Grimes and Sue Harmon made a strong push on the final day, putting together an even par round of 71 to follow up Thursday’s 74 (+3) to finish runner-up.

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Several in the hunt at 10th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship

July 17, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

Several former IGA Champions are in the mix after the opening round of the 10th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship, being contested at Ellis Golf Course in Cedar Rapids. 

2019 Iowa Women’s Amateur Champion Paige Hoffman, along with her playing partner Kylie Carey, both of West Des Moines, will have a one-stroke advantage heading into Friday’s final round. They put together a strong round of 67 (-5), which included four birdies on the back nine. 

2018 IGA Women’s Match Play Champion Sydney Eaton, of Mason City, alongside teammate Hannah Bermel, of Cedar Falls, carded a 68 (-4) and will be looking to make a move during Friday’s final round. The duo of IGA veteran Julie Buerman, of Cedar Rapids, alongside 2016 and 2017 IGA Four-Ball Champion Karli Kerrigan, of Ankeny, will be in contention tomorrow after putting together a solid round of 69 (-3). 

In the Senior Division, the pair of Laura Leszczynski and Nancy Lorenzini, of Saint Mary’s and Cedar Rapids respectively, hold the lead after an opening round of 70 (-1). One behind is the team of Cedar Falls’ Margene Grady & Rosalie Kubesheski, of Dubuque, who carded an even par opening round of 71.

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Jahn wins 83rd Iowa Masters by six shots

July 13, 20200 commentsChampionships, News

When Sperry’s Charles Jahn (pictured left with John Nervig) took the lead in the 83rd Iowa Masters, he didn’t look back. Jahn began Sunday’s final round at 6-under par, holding a two-stroke advantage over reigning champion Nate McCoy, of Ankeny.

After top 5 finishes in last year’s 117th Iowa Amateur Championship and 70th Herman Sani Tournament, this was Jahn’s time to shine. He executed with near perfection on Sunday, carding five birdies, an eagle, and a mere bogey on his way to a round of 66 (-6) and grand total of 204 (-12). McCoy played steady on Sunday, posting a round of 70 (-2) for a final total of 210 (-6) to finish runner-up. Nate Vance, of Marshalltown, finished in third place with a three-day total of 213 (-3).

Joe Palmer (pictured right with John Nervig), of West Des Moines, clinched the title in the Senior Division, finishing 11-shots clear of the field with rounds of 70-74-71 for a total of 215 (-1). Winterset’s Kirk Macumber finished runner-up with a final tally of 226 (+10).

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan mounted a final round comeback, carding a round of 73 (+1) to finish two shots clear of Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls. Ryan posted rounds of 73-82-73 for a total of 228 (+12).

Clive’s Jake Calhoun rose to the top in the Cyclone Flight, posting rounds of 84-74-72 for a 230 (+14) total

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Kubesheski, Grady claim IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series victory

July 13, 20200 commentsChampionships, News

The second event this year in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series took place this past weekend, July 11, at Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa. This year’s tournament format was a modified alternate shot which saw Rose Kubesheski and Margene Grady (pictured above) shoot 69 (-1) to claim the title. The duo carded a front-9 36 that featured 8 pars and just a single bogey.

As they made the turn, Kubesheski and Grady started to find a groove, which featured back to back birdies on holes 12 and 13. After making two bogies, the pair went on to finish their final three holes in two-under par to claim a seven-stroke victory over Nancy Lorenzini and Laura Leszczynski.

In the Net Division, Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman (pictured above) took home the title after a round of two-over 72. They beat out Janece Schwartzkopf and Kathy Fortune, who also shot 72, in a scorecard playoff.

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The third and final event in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series will take place on Saturday August 22nd at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. Tournament information and registration can be found here.

Joy Chou makes birdie on last hole, wins 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur

July 8, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Ames’ Joy Chou (pictured above) didn’t know where she stood on the leaderboard most of the day in the final round of the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur, but the person she was locked in a duel with she knew all too well.

Joy, along with sister and Iowa State University teammate YiTing (Ruby) Chou, battled back and forth all day long. Truth be told, Joy was just happy to be back out on the course and playing in a tournament.

“After three months of quarantine at home this was my first tournament,” Joy Chou said. “I am just trying to get myself back on track. I was just trying to come out (here) and have fun.”

Ruby, who would take the lead midway through the round, put herself in position for the title following a 32 (-3) on the front nine at Elmwood Country Club.

After an uncharacteristic double-bogey on #11, Joy buckled down and would make seven straight pars to leave her just one shot back of Ruby, who made a lengthy birdie putt on #17, heading into the final hole.

“I wasn’t really paying attention to the scoreboard,” Joy Chou said. “I didn’t want to think too much. I knew Ruby, my sister, was playing well today.”

Ruby’s long birdie putt on #17 looked to maybe be the difference, but after a wayward tee shot she found herself scrambling to make par. Meanwhile Joy hit a drive to just short of the green and chipped to almost tap-in distance.

When Ruby’s par attempt came up short, Joy calmly rolled in her birdie putt for a two-shot swing on the final hole and the win. Ruby’s 68  (-2) was the low round of the tournament, but just one shot shy overall of taking her sister into a playoff for the title.

Joy, who was T2nd last year in this event, finished with scores of 71-76-70 – 217 (+7) on a golf course that didn’t give up good scores easily.

“This is pretty cool,” Joy Chou said. “I was guessing we were close (going into #18). I had to be aggressive and maybe have a chip to make a birdie to win the tournament. The course is really nice, tough, but it was fun (to play).”

Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (3rd) and Taglao Jeeravivitaporn (T4th) joined the Chou sisters in the top five of the event. All four are teammates at ISU. Sydney Eaton, of Mason City and Dana Lerner, of Iowa City, also finished T4th place.

In the Open Division, Rockwell City’s Kathy Fortune (pictured left) outdistanced Kelly Grimes, of Indianola, by five shots for the victory. Fortune posted rounds of 86-78-82 246 (+36).

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Joy Chou takes lead into final round of 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Elmwood CC

July 7, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Joy Chou (pictured above), of Ames, began the day one back at the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur. She regrouped after a few early bogies in the second round, rallying on the backside and capturing the lead with a birdie on the par-4 18th at Elmwood Country Club, which brought her to 7-over par for the tournament with a 36-hole total of 147 (+7). She will have a one-stroke advantage heading into Wednesday’s final round.

Ames’ Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, the opening round leader, remains in the hunt and is only one stroke back after a few late bogies led her to settle for a round of 78 (+8) and a 148 (+8) total. YiTing Chou, of Ames, will begin the final round in a tie for third with Ames’ Taglao Jeeravivitaporn at a tally of 150 (+10). All four ladies from Ames are members of the women’s golf team at Iowa State University.

The low round of the day went to IGA veteran Karli Kerrigan, of Ankeny, who posted a round of 73 (+3) which included three birdies to work her way into the top 10.

In the Open Division Kathy Fortune, of Rockwell City, took advantage of moving day, propelling herself forward six spots to the top of the leaderboard with her round of 78 (+8) for a 36-hole total of 164 (+24). She carries a four-stroke advantage over 2019 IGA Women’s Senior Player of the Year Kelly Grimes heading into Wednesday.

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Mehmet-Grohn leads 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Elmwood CC

July 6, 20200 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, of Ames, finished T2nd in last year’s Iowa Women’s Amateur. This year she is looking to improve on that result.

Mehmet-Grohn (pictured right), the 2019 Iowa Women’s Player of the Year, got off to a nice start to accomplish that goal at Elmwood Country Club on Monday during the opening round of the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur. An even par round of 70 leaves Mehmet-Grohn a shot ahead of Iowa State University teammate Joy Chou, of Ames. Mehmet-Grohn offset four bogeys with four birdies during the opening round.

Joy Chou, who like Mehmet-Grohn finished T2nd in last years event, finished with a round of 71 (+1) on Monday that included a healthy dose of pars (13). Mason City’s Sydney Eaton and Ames’ YiTing (Ruby) Chou both sit just three shots off the lead after posting rounds of 73 (+3).

Defending champion Paige Hoffman, of West Des Moines, shot 80 (+10) and will look to make a move in tomorrow’s second round.

In the Open Division Carroll Dethrow, of Nevada, leads following a round of 80 (+10). A trio of players sit just four shots back at 84 (+14).

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Smith wins second consecutive IGA Women’s Match Play title

July 2, 20200 commentsChampionships, Wmn's Match Play

Indianola’s Leanne Smith (right) was in familiar territory entering Thursday’s semifinal match at the 9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship.

Smith, who won the title last year at Tournament Club of Iowa, was in the hunt for another title in 2020 at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny. Following a 5&3 up victory over Ankeny’s Karli Kerrigan, Smith met 2018 IGA Women’s Match Play Champion Sydney Eaton, of Mason City.

Eaton, who prevailed in her morning semifinal match against Samantha Knight (3&2) got off to a quick 2 up advantage early in the final match. Smith, who admitted she was ‘searching’ for her game most of the week leading into Thursday’s play, rallied to win three of the last holes on the front nine to take a 1 up lead and command of the match.

“I didn’t really find my game until today,” Smith admitted. “The greens are quick and the rough was thick – I was all over the place. I knew if I stuck with it, I could make some things happen.”

Smith, who won 7 of the last 9 holes of the match before closing out Eaton 4&3, commented she wished more events were match play – they seem to suit her well.

“You always know you have the next hole (in match play),” Smith said. “I try not to get too down or up emotionally. You can have a blow-up hole and still get the next one. As long as you keep yourself together you can come back.”

With the win, Smith hopes her success will continued into next week’s Iowa Women’s Amateur being held at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

“I have played there a few times,” Smith said. “They have narrow fairways and lots of trees, so I need to get some work in on the range.”

Click here to view Smith’s post-round interview

Click here to review the complete
9th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship bracket

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