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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, will take a two shot lead into tomorrow’s final round of the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Elliott, who captured the 2014, 2016 and 2017 Iowa Senior Amateur title, posted 68 (-4) today to enter the final round at -10, two clear of Jay Gregory (-8), of Lineville.
Gregory shot 70 (-2) in the second round and will look to chase down Elliott in the final round. Elliott’s second round included six birdies, featuring four in a row, and an eagle. Gregory and Elliott have locked horns in the past in the Iowa Senior Amateur – in 2014 at Ames Golf & CC won by Elliott as mentioned.
Norwalk’s Joe Palmer is in third, at -3 for the championship.
Hole in One – Polk City’s Brian Verduyn (right) made an ace on #5 during the second round. Verduyn’s 68 was one of the lower scores of the day (Boonville’s Bret Taylor shot 67).
In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by six over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen. Campbell, who sits at -3 after 36 holes, made two birdies and an eagle in his second round at Mason City CC.
Click here for a full recap of scores
West Des Moines’ Gene Elliott and Lineville’s Jay Gregory set a torrid pace to begin the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship at Mason City Country Club (pictured above). Both players posted 66 (-6) in the opening round.
Gregory, who played in the morning wave, made eight birdied to go against two bogeys. Elliott, who played in the afternoon, made a total of seven birdies and only a lone bogey during this round. Jon Brown (69), of Adel, sits three shots back of the lead. Brown and Gregory were in the same group and provided plenty of fireworks throughout the day.
In the Super Senior Division Jim Campbell, of Albia, leads by one over Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen after a round of 70 (-2). Campbell’s round included four birdies.
The field will be cut to will be a cut to the low 60 and ties and include all those within 10 strokes of the lead after tomorrow’s round. The breakdown of the 60 and ties will be a ratio of entries between the two divisions.
Click here for a full recap of scoring.
On Monday, a talented field of women from across the state (shown above) gathered at Coldwater Golf Links to compete in the 58th IGA Women’s Club Team Championship. This year was Coldwater’s first time hosting the Women’s Club Team, and the course along with the mixed in rain provided the ladies with a strong test.
The format for the championship includes teams of four ladies from IGA Member Clubs. Each club fields a team of 4 amateur golfers, with one golfer designated as a Team Captain. A club participates in both the net and gross divisions. Each golfer plays her own golf ball throughout the competition. A club records the best 3 of 4 scores on each hole for both the gross and net competition.
Low Gross Team – Echo Valley Country Club: Robin Webb, Leanne Smith, Valerie Weis and Laura Fulton.
Echo Valley Country Club, of Norwalk, were champions in the Gross Division for the second time, also winning in 2016. Echo Valley posted a 10-over 223 total, led by Leanne Smith’s even par-71 round that included five birdies. Laura Fulton and Valerie Weis finished with a pair of 81’s, and Robin Webb came in nicely with an 82.
Low Net Team – Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course: Mary Kroeger, Kelly Nelson, Margene Grady and Michelle Klein.
Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course, of Waterloo, sealed the victory in the Net Division for the second time, also winning in 2014. The team separated themselves from the field by posting 13-under net total. Irv Warren was led by Kelly Nelson who shot a four-over par 75 (net 70) and Michelle Klein who posted a 78 (net 72). Margene Grady and Mary Kroeger rounded out the squad with net scores of 71 and 78, respectively. LPGA Amateurs Golf Association came in second with an 11-under total, and Sunnyside Country Club and Urbandale Golf & CC tied for third with a 10-under total.
Briarwood Golf Club’s Hadley Morgan fired a 2-under 69 to win the Individual Gross Division. Hadley carded four birdies and played each nine under par on the day. Leanne Smith of Echo Valley was Runner-Up with an even par 71.
Noreen Christians of the LPGA Amateurs Golf Association and Renee Buckner of Ankeny Golf & Country Club tied for first in the Net Division, with both players playing well and finishing with 4-under par net totals of 67.
Low Gross Individual – Hadley Morgan, Briarwood Golf Club.
Low Net Individual – Noreen Christians, LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines.