Peck picks up emotional win at 32nd IGA Match Play Championship
Conner Peck (right) , of Ankeny, had a lot on his mind during the week.
With the help of support from his family and solid ball striking most of the week, Peck came out on top at the 32nd IGA Match Play Championship at Talons of Tuscany Golf Club in Ankeny. Peck defeated fellow Ankeny resident Andrew Huseman in the final match going away, 5&4.
“In match play you’re not playing against the whole field,” Peck said. “It’s a hole-by-hole deal. If you have one bad hole, it’s not the end of the world. It was a grind, but it was a lot of fun. I hit the ball really well (all week). This week was awesome.”
But before his afternoon match against Huseman, Peck, a 2012 Herman Sani Scholar, battled Tripp Kinney, of Des Moines, in a back and forth match for the ages. Peck, who won 1 up, had nothing but great things to say about Kinney.
“Tripp is a great player,” Peck said. “That was a fun match. If you are playing well, it’s nice to play a lot of golf quickly. My putter got better as the week went on.”
Huseman, who defeated J.D. Anderson, of Johnston, in the other semifinal match on Thursday morning, 1 up, simply could not keep up with Peck’s birdie (and eagle) barrage. Peck was -7 in the 14 holes he played, including back to back eagles on the 10th and 11th holes. A final birdie on the 14th hole was good enough for the win in what has been a whirlwind month, filled with mixed emotions, for Peck.
“This past month I moved back from Dallas to be closer to my family (following the loss of my brother),” Peck said. “To feel some happiness this week and to have a lot of family here is really important.”
