Category: Championships

Champions crowned in 14-15, 16-18 Division of Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur

June 19, 20200 commentsChampionships, Girls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Hunter Johnson, of Ankeny, rose to the occasion to win the Boys’ 16-18 Division of the 2020 Iowa Junior Amateur Championship, held at Spirit Hollow Golf Club in Burlington.

First-round leader Clayton Phillips held the early lead through 15 holes, and then a few late bogies opened the door for Johnson, who sealed the deal in dramatic fashion with an eagle on the par-5 eighteenth. Johnson posted consistent rounds to the tune of 73-73 for a tally of 146 (+2). Matthew Briggs, of Burlington, was in contention all afternoon, and birdied the last for a two-day total of 75-73-148 (+4) to finish Runner-up. Phillips finished in third with a score of 149 (+5) for the week.

Newton’s Rylee Heryford outlasted the field to secure her victory in the Girls’ 16-18 Division. The day began with a crowded leaderboard, with Paige Hoffman, of West Des Moines, and Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, and Heryford all beginning the day within one stroke of another. Heryford birdied the last, finishing four ahead of the field with a 75-77-152 (+8) total. Hoffman and Nuss played tough, but a few setbacks on the back nine led them to shooting rounds of 81 & 80 respectively, settling into a tie for second at 156 (+12).

The action came down to the final hole in the Boys’ 14-15 Division, with Indianola’s Jackson Overton hanging on to win with a bogey on the eighteenth, finishing with rounds of 81 & 90 for a 36-hole total of 171 (+27). Finishing one behind was Calen Bishop, of Johnston, who posted rounds of 82 and 90 for a total of 172 (+28). Rounding out the podium was Knoxville’s Evan Smith, who finished up with a tally of 177 (+33).

The Girls’ 14-15 Division was a footrace on Thursday morning, with Meghan Delong, of Clear Lake, surviving a strong comeback bid from Katelyn Vaassen, of Dubuque, to win by one stroke. Delong managed to maintain her grip on the lead, posting rounds of 90 & 89 for a two-day total of 179 (+35). Vaassen rallied on Thursday, improving 14 strokes from her opening round, firing a round of 83 for a 36-hole total of 180 (+36). Burlington’s Lauren Briggs finished in third place after posting 89-98 for a tally of 187 (+43).

Click here for full results

See photos below of 16-18, 14-15 Divisions

2020 Iowa Junior Girls’ Champion Meghan Delong in the 14-15 Division.

2020 Iowa Junior Champion Jackson Overton (left) and runner-up Caleb Bishop (right) in the 14-15 Division.

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (16-18 Division) champion was Rylee Heryford. Tied for runner-up were Allison Nuss & Paige Hoffman. Pictured (from left to right) are Hoffman, Nuss and Heryford.

2020 Iowa Junior (16-18 Division) champion Hunter Johnson (right) and runner-up Matthew Briggs (left).

Opening day of 2020 Iowa Junior, Girls’ Junior Amateur sees good scoring

June 17, 20200 commentsChampionships, Girls' Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior

Clayton Phillips, of New London, sits atop a crowded leaderboard in the Boys’ 16-18 Division after shooting an even-par 72 in Wednesday’s opening round. Phillips overcame a double bogey on the first hole by making a flurry of pars, three birdies, and one bogey the rest of the way. Right behind Phillips is Ankeny’s Hunter Johnson, who made four birdies en route to posting a 1-over par round of 35-38-73. Sitting in a tie for third at 3-over par is Matthew Briggs, of Burlington, and Brandon McCarty, of North Liberty.

In the Girls’ 16-18 Division, Thursday is sure to be a shootout as West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman & Newton’s Rylee Heryford are deadlocked in a tie for first after opening rounds of 75 (+3). Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, is only one back heading into tomorrow’s final round. She carded three birdies on her way to posting a 4-over round of 76.

In the Boys’ 14-15 Division, Indianola’s Jackson Overton leads the pack following his round of 40-41 for a final tally of 81 (+9). One shot behind Overton is Calen Bishop, of Johnston, at 10-over par. In the Girls’ 14-15 Division, local player Lauren Briggs, of Burlington, has a one-stroke advantage heading into Thursday’s final round. Briggs posted a 43-46 round of 89 (+17), highlighted by a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole. Clear Lake’s Meghan DeLong is one back after a consistent 45-45 round of 90 (+18).

In the Boys’ 12-13 Division, Braeden Nelson, of West Des Moines, captured the title by two shots after his round of 82 (+10). In the Girls’ 12-13 Division, Saleah Vivanhvong came back from an early deficit to win the title with her round of 92 (+20).

In the Boys’ 11 & Under Division, Nevada’s Parker Rogers topped the leaderboard, firing an 8-over par round of 44. In the Girls’ 11 & Under Division, Rylee Brockhouse, of Muscatine, won the title with an 11-over round of 47.

See full results here

See photos below of 12-13, 11 & Under Divisions

2020 Iowa Junior Champion Braeden Nelson (left) in the Boys’ 12-13 Division, alongside Vaughn Roseman, Runner-up (right).

 

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (12-13 Divsion) – Saleah Vivanhvong, Champion (left) and Morgan Rupp, Runner-up (right).

 

2020 Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur (11 & Under Division) Champion (left) Rylee Brockhouse and Runner-up (right) Kirsten Nuss.

 

Pictured are 2020 Iowa Junior Amateur (11 & Under Division) Champion Parker Rodgers (left) and Runner-up Evan Graham.

Buerman Captures Third Forever 39 Title

June 16, 20200 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

For the second straight event, Julie Buerman (pictured above right) walked away victorious.  The Cedar Rapids resident collected her third Iowa Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship with a 2&1 over Nicol Jones of Ankeny after making birdie on two of her last three holes.  Last Saturday (June 6th), Buerman was the winner of the first Women’s Mid-Am series event of the year held at Irv Warren GC in Waterloo.

Buerman defeated Nancy Lorenzini 3 &1 to reach the finals while Jones defeated Creston’s Janis Owens 2 up in the morning match. An IGA ‘rookie’, Jones made the most of her championship debut as she defeated Creston’s Janis Owens 2 up to advance to the championship match.

In the first flight, Sue Harmon (pictured above second from right) defeated Kathy Fortune 3&2 in the finals to capture the bracket title. Harmon advanced to the finals via a 10-hole victory over Jesup’s Michelle Klein. Like Harmon, Fortune’s morning match featured extra holes as she secured an 11-hole victory over Nicki Clayton.

In the second flight, 2019 Forever 39 Champion, Kelly Grimes (pictured above second from left), won the bracket title after a 1 up victory over Noreen Christians. Grimes advanced to the flight finals after she defeated Urbandale’s Ardrae Parmenter 3&2. Christians posted one of the largest margins of victories in the morning matches as she posted a 5&3 decision over Laura Leszczynski.

In the third flight, Clive’s Leighann LaRocca (pictured above left) posted a 2&1 victory over Ankeny’s Becky Schwiete. LaRocca advanced to the finals following a 1 up win against Urbandale’s Cathy West. Schwiete posted a 2 up victory over Karol Hare during the morning matches.

Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson (right), who captured medalist honors during the stroke play qualifying round, defeated Ila Gilbert in her final match of the tournament.

Click here for full results

57th Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship underway

June 15, 20200 commentsChampionships, Forever 39 Match Play

The 57th Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship began Monday at Urbandale Golf and Country Club with nine holes of stroke play qualifying followed up by first round matches. Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson earned the #1 seed in the Champions Flight after she was the only competitor to shoot below par during the qualifying round. Her -1, 36 was highlighted by birdies on two of her last three holes. Janis Owens, of Creston, earned the #2 seed after she shot +1, 38 in qualifying.

One of the biggest upsets of the day came in the first match out as Nancy Lorenzini, #8 seed, beat #1 seed Kelly Nelson 3&1 in the Championship Flight. Two former Forever 39 Champions battled it out during the first round of match play as well, as Julie Buerman defeated Rose Kubesheski 2&1 to advance to the semi-finals. Buerman closed out the match with an eagle on the par-5 8th hole. Janis Owens and Nicol Jones also advanced to the semifinals of the championship with victories of 1 up and 2&1 respectively.

In the First Flight, Rockwell City’s Kathy Fortune advanced to the semifinals with a 1 up victory over Jennifer Corkrean of Ankeny. Fortune will face Greenfield’s Nicki Clayton, who defeated Jan Sewright 1 up. The other semifinal match-up with feature Michelle Klein, of Jesup, and Sue Harmon, of Slater, who won their matches 2&1 and 3&2 respectively.

The Second Flight bracket featured three run away victories: Urbandale’s Noreen Christians (5&3), Indianola’s Kelly Grimes (4&2), and Urbandale’s Ardrea Parmenter (3&2). Christian’s will face Laura Leszczynski in the first semifinal match while Grimes, the defending Forever 39 Champion, will face Parmenter.

The Third and final bracket will feature Urbandale’s Cathy West and Clive’s Leighann Larocca. Johnston’s Karole Hare, who won her first match 3&2, will face Ankeny’s Becky Schwiete who is coming off a 2&1 victory.

Day two gets underway tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. and live results can be found by clicking here.

O’Brien birdies final hole, wins 2020 Carroll Amateur

June 15, 20200 commentsChampionships

Andrew O’Brien, of Clive, and Nate McCoy, of Ankeny, were neck-and-neck down the stretch of the 2020 Carroll Amateur, with McCoy looking to defend his title after a 9-stroke victory in 2019. After navigating the wind all afternoon, the pair stood tied at 7-under heading into the final hole, where O’Brien seized victory with a birdie. O’Brien posted rounds of 67-69-69 for a three-round tally of 205 (-8).

Rounding out the podium was Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member Jon Brown, who finished with a three-round total of 208 (-5) and posted the low-round of the weekend with a 64 (-7) during the opening round.

In the Senior Division, Jeff Panek, of Johnston, ousted Gary Ellis, of Norwalk, in a playoff to capture the title after both posted 36-hole totals of 142 (E). Joe Palmer, of Norwalk, finished in third place after rounds of 70-74 for a total of 144 (+2).

In the Super Senior Division, Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, edged out James Blackburn, of Des Moines, for his second Super Senior victory of the summer after winning two short weeks ago at the IGA Senior Match Play. Gorbell rallied after an opening round of 80 to shoot a 75 on Sunday, which set him one shot clear atop the leaderboard at a total of 155 (+13). Blackburn posted rounds of 77-79 for a tally of 156 (+14).

Click here for full results

Ruthey wins 2020 Southeast Iowa Amateur; McCoy, Gorbell capture victory

June 8, 20200 commentsChampionships

Anthony Ruthey (above right), of Port Byron, IL, put together a pair of consistent rounds and survived a playoff with Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member and first round leader Jon Brown, of Adel, to win the 2020 Southeast Iowa Amateur. Ruthey, who made four birdies on  both Saturday and Sunday at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, shot rounds of 72-70 (-2) for the weekend.

Ottumwa’s Cale Leonard (73-70) made a Sunday charge to come within a shot of the playoff, but a lipped out birdie putt on his last hole left him just shy of joining Ruthey and Brown.

In the Senior Division, Norwalk’s Mike McCoy (right) pulled away from the field on Sunday to win by 10 shots over Dave Gaer, of Des Moines. McCoy, who posted rounds of 69-68 (-7) made only two bogeys on the weekend but was offset by a total of nine birdies.

Cedar Falls’ Richard Gorbell won the Super Senior Division with rounds of 73-74 (+3) to outdistance Randy Studer, of West Des Moines, who posted rounds of 85-84.

HOLE IN ONE – Evan Johnson made a Hole in One Saturday on #9 using a 9 iron.

Click here to view a recap of scoring

 

Buerman wins IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #1

June 8, 20200 commentsChampionships

For the second consecutive year, Julie Buerman (above left) started out her season with a victory. The Cedar Rapids resident successfully defended her title at the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #1 with a final score of 54 points. The stableford scoring event was played at Irv Warren Golf Course in Waterloo and featured 34 players from around the state.

Buerman’s round featured two birdies, worth four points each, to counterbalance two bogeys. She played flawless on the final nine holes, as she recorded eight pars and a lone birdie coming on the par 4 11th hole.

Rose Kubesheski, of Dubuque, and Janece Schwartzkopf, of Stuart, tied for second with 48 points each. Kelly Nelson, of Waterloo, and Kathy Fortune, of Rockwell City, rounded out the top-five as they tied for fourth with 46 points each.

In the net division, Janece Schwartzkopf (above right) captured first place with 59 points to finish four points ahead of Buermann, while Kathy Fortune finished in third place with 53 total points. Noreen Christians, of Urbandale, Sharon Delgado, of Urbandale, Soni Hansen, of Grimes, and Janis Owens, of Creston, finished in a four-way tie for fourth place at 52 points.

Click here for full results

Palmer wins fourth Senior Match Play, Gorbell captures Super Senior crown

May 31, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Senior Match Play
Richard Gorbell (left) and Joe Palmer took home the big honors at the Senior Match Play at Veenker on Saturday

MAY 30, 2020 – Joe Palmer, of West Des Moines, won his fourth IGA Senior Match Play Championship on Saturday afternoon after a 3 & 2 defeat of Tom Schill, of Gowrie, in the final match at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. Palmer joins Gene Elliott as the only four-time champions of the event.

Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls, won his first IGA Super-Senior championship when he defeated defending champion Steve Kahler, of Marion, in 19 holes.  Gorbell did it with a birdie on the first extra hole.

Palmer and Schill’s championship match got off to a fast start – fast as in time and not necessarily quality of golf. The two played the first 8 holes in 60 minutes before being slowed by some public groups of golfers on 9. Palmer had managed to secure a 1 up lead thru those fast first eight holes. 

“We were going too fast and I think our golf kind of suffered”, said Schill. 

When forced to take a bit of extra time is when Palmer took control. He won that 9th hole to go 2 up, then won 10 and 11 as well. His tee shot on the tough uphill par-3 11th was a thing of beauty. Palmer landed it just past the hole and it ran out to the back of edge of the green. That’s where the natural slope of the green took over and the ball slowly trickled back toward the hole, settling about 4 feet away for a birdie. 

Schill tried to swing the momentum with wins at 12 and 14, but another beautiful iron shot on the par-3 13th by Palmer threw a speed bump in the middle of Schill’s comeback plan. The back and forth across holes 11 thru 14 left Palmer at 3 up heading to the 15th tee. 

The two would tie the 15th after a nifty up and down from Palmer, then tie the 16th, giving Palmer his fourth crown. 

In the Super-Senior championship match defending champion Kahler nearly pulled off the repeat but Gorbell was just a bit too much down the stretch. 

Kahler held a 1 up lead thru 14 holes but Gorbell would birdie the difficult 15th and 16th holes to take a 1 up lead heading into 17. After a tie there the two went to the last where a subpar pitch shot from Gorbell led to Kahler’s par being enough to send it to extra holes. 

The two went to the back 9 for extra holes and it seemed as though Kahler would have the advantage after the tee shots because Gorbell’s ball settled in the right trees.  But a terrific recovery shot left Gorbell with about 50 yards into the hole which he would say later “was basically the same shot I just messed up on 18”. 

He didn’t mess it up this time. He flew his sand wedge to about 10 feet short of the hole, leaving a terrific look at birdie. After Kahler failed on his birdie chip Gorbell stepped up and drained it for the win.

In the President’s Bracket Brian Persson, of Elk Run Heights, defeated Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Mike McCoy, of Norwalk, 1 up.  Other flight winners included Tim Greteman, of West Des Moines, (First Flight), Greg Kramer, of Urbandale, (Second Flight) and Richard Jones, of Fort Dodge (Third Flight).

Click here to view complete results

IGA Championship Season, Senior Match Play set to go May 28th

May 14, 20200 commentsChampionships

The IGA Rules and Competitions Committee has recently approved moving forward with the IGA Senior Match Play Championship at Veenker Memorial Golf Course on the originally scheduled dates of May 28th thru 30th.  The format of the event will be modified slightly.

The altered format will include no shotgun starts.  All play will be started in tee times off the 1st hole. Stroke Play qualifying will be held on day 1 (May 28th), with matches being played on days 2 and 3 (May 29 & 30).  We will determine brackets (flights) of 16 rather than 32 in order to finish play on the originally scheduled dates. All players will play on day 1 and have a match on the morning of day 2.  All bracket play will be single elimination. 

Many other policies will be in place for the championship, in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specifics of those are being finalized and will be communicated to all players in days leading up to the championship.

We are excited to host the first event of 2020 and get things moving forward again.  If you are considering participating in the Senior Match Play we extended the entry deadline by one day, to Thursday, May 21st.  Click here to sign up.

 

IGA postpones events until May 28th

April 15, 20200 commentsChampionships, IGA Four-Ball, IGA Senior Match Play, Iowa Mid-Am

IGA postpones Mid-Amateur, Women’s Mid-Am series, Four-Ball events

The Classic also postponed

APRIL 15, 2020 – The IGA Executive Committee, upon recommendations from the Rules & Competitions Committee, recently determined to postpone the first three IGA events on the calendar – the Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship, the first Women’s Mid-Amateur Series, and the IGA Four-Ball Championship.  In addition, officials at Elmwood CC have determined to postpone The Classic, the first sanctioned point event of the year.

The IGA Senior Match Play, scheduled for May 28th thru 30th, was discussed but it was determined not to postpone this event at this time.  The committee will meet again on or around May 1st to determine if that event should be postponed.  This essentially means that IGA events have been postponed until May 28th.

The new dates for the postponed events are as follows:

  • Women’s Mid-Amateur Series event #1 (Irv Warren GC, Waterloo) – Sat, June 6th
  • IGA Four-Ball (Whispering Creek GC, Sioux City) – Wed, Thurs, Aug 19-20
  • Iowa Mid-Amateur (Sunnyside CC, Waterloo) – Thurs, Fri, Sept 3-4
  • The Classic (Elmwood CC, Marshalltown) – Sat, Sun, Sept 19-20

We are grateful for these host clubs and courses and their willingness to work with us to establish new dates for these championships.  They are tremendous supporters of our events and they have been wonderful to work with during these unusual times.

Anyone who has already entered any of these events and has determined that the new dates would not work for them will be issued a full refund.  Please email Nate McCoy at [email protected].  If you can still play or are not sure yet if you can still play on the new dates, we ask that you remain in the field until you determine for certain that you cannot play, at which point a full refund will be issued.

For those that have not yet entered, entries are open for all of these events.  We encourage you to get signed up to play at (click here to do so).

Finally, we hope that all of you and your families are doing well and staying healthy.  We very much look forward to seeing everyone on the golf course this summer.

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