Category: Championships

IGA All-Time Wins Ranking

iowagolfMarch 17, 20200 commentsChampionships

From Left: John Jacobs, Mike McCoy, Jon Brown, Gene Elliott, Joe Brown

You can now view a ranking of all the player’s who have won at least two IGA sanctioned point events.

IGA Hall of Fame Committee chair Jon Brown and IGA staff worked throughout the winter to put together this comprehensive ranking. Mike McCoy leads with 35 total victories. Gene Elliott is second with 26 and Jon Brown third with 24. View the complete ranking here.

The IGA Player of the Year award started in 1960. Based on research, it was clear that five events stood out as the most important prior to 1960 – the Iowa Amateur, Iowa Masters, Northwest Amateur, Iowa Open and Herman Sani Tournament – therefore, for the purposes of the ranking, those events are counted from their inception. Since 1960, a win was only counted as a point event win if it took place in a year in which the event was recognized as a point event. For instance, the Tournament of Champions in Atlantic was a recognized point event from 1960 to 1983 then again from 1985 to 1989, therefore the 1984 event and from 1990 onward are not counted.

For events that included both professionals and amateurs, only the overall champion was awarded with a win for the purposes of the rankings. “Low Amateur” designation was not a win, expect that special circumstances were needed for the Waterloo Open because the Pro Division and the Amateur Division have truly been two separate tournaments throughout the years. The pros played exclusively on Irv Warren Golf Course and the amateurs playing a mix of South Hills GC, Gardner GC, and Irv Warren GC. Additionally, for many years, the pros played only 36 holes while the amateurs were playing 54. Therefore, only the winners of the Amateur Division were considered to have won a Point Event because that is what the IGA recognized.

We are still working to include every player who has won just one IGA point event. We hope to have that done by the end of March.

2019 IGA Annual Awards Banquet Recap and Photos

iowagolfDecember 18, 2019Comments OffChampionships, News, Uncategorized

The 2019 IGA Annual Awards Banquet took place Friday, December 13th at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk. It was a wonderful night with many deserving honorees in various categories.

See the 2019 IGA Annual Awards Banquet Photo Gallery

The following individuals and courses were honored –

PGA Pro of the Year – Aaron Krueger, Wakonda Club

Club Manager of the Year – John Dinnebier, Briarwood Golf Club

9-Hole Superintendent – Kory Brown, Ballard Golf and Country Club

18-Hole Superintendent – Ryan Lux, Echo Valley Country Club

9-Hole Course of the Year – Holstein Country Club

18-Hole Course of the Year – Cedar Rapids Country Club

Phil Josleyn Inspriational Player of the Year – Jim Campbell, Albia

Click here to read more about these Annual Award winners

Player of the Year – Tripp Kinney, Des Moines

Senior Player of the Year – Gene Elliott, West Des Moines

Super Senior Player of the Year – Jim Campbell, Albia

Women’s Player of the Year – Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, Ames

Senior Women’s Player of the Year – Kelly Grimes, Indianola

Junior Girls’ Player of the Year – Paige Hoffman, West Des Moines

Junior Boys’ Player of the Year – Matthew Garside, Bettendorf

2020 IGA Schedule, USGA Qualifying venues announced

iowagolfNovember 22, 20190 commentsChampionships, News, USGA

We are excited to release the 2020 IGA Championship schedule. Many great venues will be featured this year across the state. A link at the bottom of the page will allow you to view the entire schedule, including USGA Qualifiers.

In 2020, the Iowa Amateur makes its return to Davenport Country Club (pictured above), July 27-29. This coming year will mark the sixth time the Iowa Amateur will be held at the club. The last time Davenport Country Club hosted was in 2008 when eventual champion Mike Oimeon of Clear Lake won in a playoff. Since then the golf course underwent a major renovation beginning in 2014. The goal was to restore the course to its original design as well as uncover some of the hidden features that were once covered up by trees. Davenport Country Club has received national notoriety for being one of the best courses in Iowa according to Golf Digest and currently sites at #159 in the recent GolfWeek list of top 200 Classic Courses.

The Iowa Women’s Amateur will be hosted by Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown, July 6-8. Elmwood Country Club last hosted the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 2004, when eventual champion Jennie Arsenault won her first of three consecutive Iowa Women’s Amateur titles. Along with hosting the Iowa Women’s Amateur, Elmwood CC has also hosted an Iowa Amateur, IGA Women’s Club Team Championship, Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur and Iowa Mid-Amateur.

Talons of Tuscany in Ankeny, will host the men’s and women’s IGA Match Play Championship, June 29-July 2. Talons of Tuscany, is a privately owned course routed between beautiful rock walled streams and covered bridges. In recent years the course has been lengthened to more than 6,400 yards making it a formidable but fair test. The opportunity to compete for a championship at this unique venue doesn’t happen every day.

The Herman Sani Tournament, presented by Coppola Enterprises, will be played at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston, August 7-9. The championship features professional and amateur golfers with proceeds from the tournament going to support the IGA Foundation Scholarship Fund.

The 2020 Iowa Senior Amateur will be contested at Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport. The dates of the championship are Monday-Wednesday, August 24-26. This will mark the first year that the Iowa Senior Amateur will be contested at Crow Valley GC and first year ever that this championship will be played in the Quad Cities.

The Iowa Wife-Husband Championship will return to Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo. The championship is set for Sept. 18-20. The tournament will remain a 3-day format in which couples choose to play their two rounds on Friday & Saturday, Friday & Sunday or Saturday & Sunday.

In addition to those championships already listed, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Sunnyside CC (Iowa Mid-Amateur), Whispering Creek GC (IGA Four-Ball), Veenker Memorial GC (IGA Senior Match Play), Urbandale G&CC (Iowa Forever 39 Match Play), Jester Park GC in Granger (Father/Son, Parent/Child), Spirit Hollow GC (Iowa Junior & Girls’ Junior Amateur), Carroll CC (Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur), Jones GC (IGA Women’s Four-Ball), Elmcrest CC (Women’s Club Team) and Hyperion FC (IGA Club Team).

IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series events and IGA Member Play Days will be scheduled and announced at a later time.

The IGA will also conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2020. Those are as follows:

Beaver Hills Country Club, Cedar Falls – U.S. Open Local Qualifying
Coldwater Golf Links, Ames – S. Senior Open Qualifier
Finkbine Golf Course, Iowa City – U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying
Lake Panorama National Golf Course, Panora – U.S. Amateur Qualifying
Lake Panorama National Golf Course, Panora – U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
Wakonda Club, Des Moines – U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying
Otter Creek Golf Course, Ankeny – U.S. Mid-Amateur
Firethorn Country Club, Lincoln, Nebraska (Nebraska Golf Assoc.) – U.S. Four-Ball Qualifying.

Entries to all IGA Championships and Member Play Days (TBD) will be available on March 3, 2020. Entries will be available for USGA Championships at a later date, which will be determined by the USGA and announced on their website.

Click here to view the entire schedule, including USGA Qualifiers

Rain washes out singles matches, Iowa Section PGA retains cup

iowagolfSeptember 27, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Cup Matches

Due to heavy rain Friday morning’s Singles Matches of the Iowa Cup were canceled. With the score knotted at 10-10 after yesterday’s Four-Ball and Foursome play, as winners of last year’s event the Iowa PGA Section retains the Iowa Cup. This is the fourth year in a row the ‘Pros’ have won the Iowa Cup.

Click here for full results from play at Crow Valley Golf Club

52nd Iowa Cup Matches tied going into singles

iowagolfSeptember 26, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Cup Matches

After morning Four-Ball and afternoon Foursome play the 52nd Iowa Cup Matches, between the Iowa Golf Association and Iowa Section PGA, are deadlocked at 10 points a piece.

A trio of players for the IGA side were part of two winning points, including Jay Thornbrugh, Ben Epperly and Dusty Drenth. Brian Johnson, Chris Black, Jeff Schmid and James Henry were all part of wins in both the morning and afternoon for the Iowa Section PGA.

Singles matches will be contested in the morning at Davenport’s Crow Valley Golf Club with pairings being posted online soon.

Click here for a full recap of today’s action.

59th Iowa Wife-Husband Second Round cancelled

iowagolfSeptember 22, 20190 commentsChampionships, Wife-Husband

After consultation with the course superintendent we have determined that the golf course is unplayable due to the amount of rain the course received overnight. It would not be possible to allow golf carts on the course without causing extensive damage during Sunday’s round.

We were fortunate that we were able to have everyone complete Round 1. Results may be viewed online by clicking here (Flighted results will indicate shop credit earned).

If you earned shop credit, you may redeem that at the Sunnyside Country Club Professional Shop any time prior to next year’s tournament.

For those players who were supposed to play their second round on Sunday, you have two options available to you:

– Schedule a comped round of golf anytime between now and the start of the event next year (Available for both husband and wife). If you plan on scheduling another round of golf, please make that arrangement with the Sunnyside Country Club Professional Shop by calling (319) 234-1707.

– You may receive a $40 refund. If you do want a refund, please let IGA staff know by September 29th, 2019.

Crow Valley Golf Club to host 52nd Iowa Cup Matches, Lonnie Nielsen honored

iowagolfSeptember 20, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Cup Matches

The year was 1968 and the Iowa Cup was born that fall. In what was then a stroke play event, both the Iowa Section PGA and Iowa Golf Association met at newly-minted Des Moines Golf & Country Club. The amateurs would capture the cup that year – by the margin of one stroke.

Fast forward to 2019 – the Iowa Cup continues for the 52nd time and is now a match play, Ryder Cup style event. It will be contested this fall at Davenport’s Crow Valley Golf Club (pictured above) on Sept. 26-27. The Iowa Golf Association and Iowa PGA Section, winners of the last three matches, named honorary captains for their teams – Bill Eby (IGA) and Mark Lemon (Iowa PGA), who both have served their respective associations in many ways. Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member Lonnie Nielsen (Class of 2010), a tremendous amateur and professional golfer originally from Belle Plaine, will serve as an overall honoree of the matches.

Eby is the current Vice President of the IGA and has worked as a volunteer course rater for nearly a decade. He currently chairs the IGA’s Handicap Committee and was awarded the Sean Flanders IGA Volunteer of the Year award in 2014.

Lemon has been a member of the PGA for over 36 years. He was the longtime PGA professional and owner of Airport National Golf Course in Cedar Rapids and is a veteran Iowa Cup Matches participant. Mark has served on various Iowa PGA committees throughout the years. He has also served on the IGA’s Herman Sani Scholarship selection committee for numerous years.

“Many of us IPGA Pros developed our tournament skills and passion for golf while playing in the fun and competitive IGA events as amateurs before turning pro,” Lemon said. “Both organizations promote and grow golf through many ‘golf related programs & tournaments’.

Nielsen grew up playing on sand greens and went on to attend the University of Iowa. He won several amateur events in Iowa, including the 1975 Iowa Amateur, and was named Iowa Player of the Year that year. He turned pro in 1976 and competed for a brief time on the PGA Tour highlighted by two top ten finishes before pursuing a career as a club pro. Nielsen was a dominant player in the Western New York Section PGA winning its Section Championship nine times and the Match Play Championship 10 times from 1984 through 2002

Nielsen played the PGA Champions Tour full time beginning in 2006 winning two titles and has amassed almost $5 million in winnings. Nielsen’s best year was 2008 when he finished 11th on the money list with over $1.2 million in cash.

Nielsen will be unable to attend the matches this year was quite thrilled when hearing of the honor.

“Fifty-two years of the Iowa Cup Matches – wow,” Nielsen said. “That says something right there. I am very humbled to be chosen as the overall honoree of the 2019 Matches.”

Nielsen commented that Iowa will always be special to him.

“Even though we left Iowa in 1984, Iowa has never left my heart,” Nielsen said. “When people ask me where I’m from, I still proudly say Iowa! Sometimes I think of playing on sand greens at the Belle Plaine Country Club – never dreaming I would win twice on the Champions Tour. I want to wish both teams good luck. The Iowa Cup Matches represent the best of what golf is about.”

Eby, who will lead the charge for the IGA and is from Davenport, said he is looking forward to welcoming players and staff from both sides to his side of the state.

“I feel fortunate to represent the IGA in this event as Captain,” Eby said. “I am excited to welcome the IPGA And IGA representatives to Eastern Iowa. We appreciate everyone making the trip and I look forward to visiting the players and staff from both sides.”

The Iowa Cup Matches’ schedule will be as follows:
-Thursday (Sept 26) morning – Four-Ball Matches
-Thursday afternoon – Foursome Matches
-Thursday evening – Player’s dinner
-Friday (Sept 27) – Singles matches
-The Cup will be presented to the winning team following play on Friday

IGA Team
Aaron OBrien
Andrew Huseman
Ben Epperly
Dusty Drenth
Dusty Stewart
Ethan Mechling
J.D. Anderson
Jay Thornbrugh
Jon Brown
Jon Olson
Jordan Even
Nate McCoy
Matthew Weeks
Sam Zoske
Scot Cook
Sterling McIlravey
Bret Taylor (Senior)
Joe Bates (Senior
Ron Peterson (Senior)
Terry Cook (Senior)

IPGA Team
Aaron Krueger
Ben Montgomery
Brian Johnson
Brian Lorenz
Chad Callan
Chad Proehl
Chris Black
Darin Fisher
Davis Sutton
Jay Giannetto
John Panek
Judd Gibb
Matt Erger
Michael Scott
Ryan McClintock
Tracy Vest
Bryan Luedtke (Senior)
Jeff Schmid (Senior)
Jeff Smith (Senior)
Jim Henry (Senior)

Follow the 2019 Iowa Cup Matches online here: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2200196

Schulte / Dunn catch fire on back nine, win 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship

iowagolfSeptember 7, 20190 commentsIGA Four-Ball

After going out in 37 (+1) in the final round of the 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship at Pella’s Bos Landen, Justin Schulte and Nate Dunn (pictured above) knew they needed to get going if they wanted any chance at the trophy.

Get going they did – In the tune of a back nine of 29 (-7) to win the championship by a shot over the hard-charging side of Jamie Faidley / Patrick Breitbach, who shot a nifty 65 (-7) of their own on Saturday. Schulte / Dunn made birdies on #10-14 and #16-17.

“We finally started getting looks (on the back nine),” Dunn said. “We had a couple on the front we didn’t make. Justin made a nice 15-footer on #12. We just started hitting them close.”

Schulte commented the putt on #16 that put them back into the lead was a good one as well. Schulte / Dunn would finish the two-day event at a 133 (-11).

“I made about a 40-footer there,” Schulte said. “We didn’t know (at the time) where we were (in relation to the lead).

A trio of teams would finish three shots back at 136 (-8).

In the Senior Division, Gene Elliott / Todd Rose (above) put together a round of 65 (-7) on Saturday to win by four shots over the side of Terry Cook / Joe Palmer and Jay Slings / Andy Burton. Elliott / Rose posted rounds of 66-65 – 131 (-11) in victory.

“That’s all we needed,” Elliott said after Rose made his par putt on their last hole.

By way of a playoff that ultimately lasted three holes, the side of Jim Butler / Rob Christensen (above) outlasted Dave Sergeant / John Peters and Jim Campbell / Richard Gorbell. All three teams finished at 141 (-3) for the championship. Christensen’s par on the third playoff hole proved to be the difference. Campbell / Gorbell were eliminated after the first playoff hole when they failed to make par.

Click here to see a full recap of scoring

Westrum/Bishop, Schulte/Dunn lead 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship

iowagolfSeptember 6, 20190 commentsChampionships, IGA Four-Ball

The sides of Jesse Westrum / Ryan Bishop and Justin Schulte / Nate Dunn lead the way after the first round of the 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship at Bos Landen Golf Club with rounds of 67 (-5). The two-day event was rescheduled from the spring due to weather. Players were welcomed to better conditions today than earlier in May, with the sun breaking out later in the morning and into the afternoon.

Both leading sides made seven birdies on the against a pair of bogeys. A trio of sides sit just a shot back of the lead, which includes Jon Brown / Sam Zoske, David Combs / Ethan Mechling and Dusty Stewart / Jeff Collett.

In the Senior Division Gene Elliott / Todd Rose, who posted 66 (-6) lead by a stroke over Andy Burton / Jay Slings. A pair of sides are two shots back of the lead and will look to make a move in tomorrow’s final round.

The Super Senior Division is led by the side of Dave Sergeant / John Peters, who posted 69 (-3), with Jim Campbell / Richard Gorbell in pursuit two shots back.

Tomorrow final round will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Click here for a recap of scoring

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

iowagolfAugust 18, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

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.

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