Category: Championships

Leszczynski, Duenow share lead 54th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur

August 5, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur


The first round of the 54th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur took place today at Oneota Golf and Country Club in Decorah. Perfect weather allowed for ideal scoring conditions as two women stand atop the leaderboard. Defending champion, Laura Leszczynski (pictured above), Saint Mary’s, and Beth Duenow, Saint Ansgar, each fired 4 over par 76’s. Leszczynski’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-4 8th, where she holed out from 100 yards.

In the Super Senior Division, Beth Duenow leads the way with a 76. Jeanette Frederickson, Cedar Falls, and Janis Owens, Creston, are close behind after carding first round 78’s. Duenow birdied the par-5 18th to extend her lead to two going into tomorrow. Frederickson also had an exciting finish of her own after making a birdie on both 17 and 18.

For complete scoring, click here. Round two will take place on Monday, with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Elliott finishes runner-up at British Senior Amateur, Palmer & McCoy tie for 19th

August 2, 20190 commentsChampionships

Iowa’s Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, Mike McCoy, of Norwalk, and Joe Palmer, of West Des Moines, all competed in the 2019 Senior Amateur Championship this week which began on Wednesday. The championship was held July 31-August 2 at the historic North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. The field of 144 played 18 holes both Wednesday and Thursday, with the low 60 players & ties advancing to the final round on Friday.

All three Iowans not only made the cut but finished well, with Elliott finishing runner-up after a three-hole playoff with eventual champion Craig Davis. Davis made birdie on the third playoff hole to win the title. Elliott posted rounds of 70-67-70 – 207 (-9). McCoy and Palmer both finished at 214 (-2) to tie for 19th place.

Elliott, Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Member, finished as the low amateur last week at the 2019 British Senior Open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s Golf Club. He has excelled in this event in prior years, finishing in third place in 2018 at Royal Porthcawl and as the Runner-Up in 2017 at Sunningdale. He has won the Iowa Men’s Player of the Year title four times, and the Senior Player of the Year title three times.

McCoy, 11-time Iowa Men’s Player of the Year, was the low-amateur at this year’s US Senior Open in South Bend, Ind. He is Iowa’s most decorated amateur, with his career highlights including his victory at the 2013 US Mid-Amateur Championship, competing in the 2014 Masters Tournament and earning a spot on the 2015 Walker Cup Team. He has won the Iowa Amateur Championship six times, and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

Palmer, 2018 Iowa Senior Player of the Year, competed in the Senior Amateur Championship for his first time. He placed third in the stroke play qualifying and advanced to the Round of 32 in the US Senior Amateur Championship in 2018 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore. He has won the Iowa Senior Amateur title three times and has made multiple USGA Championship appearances, including the 2006 US Mid-Amateur and the 2014 US Senior Open.

To see a recap of championship scoring click here.

Jon Brown wins 117th Iowa Amateur Championship on fourth playoff hole

July 28, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

It took four playoff holes, but Jon Brown (pictured right) weathered the storm and came out on top at the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship played at The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center. This is Brown’s second Iowa Amateur Championship, winning in 2006 as well.

After both finished at 208 (-5) for 54-holes, Jordan Even and Brown locked horns in a playoff duel. Both players made two-putt pars on the first playoff hole (#18) and then Even made an incredible up and down for par on the second playoff hole (#17), after hitting his drive into the right fescue. Brown had a putt for birdie after hitting it close, only to have it to slide by.

On the third playoff hole, both players missed the green, with Brown finding the bunker with an awkward stance. Neither was able get up and down for par, with Even’s par lipping out.

On the fourth playoff hole (#17) Brown’s par won the playoff against Even’s six. Even’s six included a two-stroke penalty for tapping down a pitch mark on the fringe that was on his line of play prior to playing his third shot from off the green.

“This gives me goosebumps,” Brown said following his playoff victory. “This means the world to me. I won the match play last year and I thought that might be the last ‘big’ one I win. These kids are so tough and it’s tough to win these. To win a second (Iowa Amateur), I am just thrilled.”

Even’s 68 (-3) in the final round tied for the low round of the day.  It included six birdies. Brown’s final round (71) featured three birdies to go against three bogeys. Charles Jahn, who held the 36-hole lead, finished in third place after a 73 (+2) in the final round to finish at 209 (-4), just a stroke out of the playoff.

Click here to see a full recap of scoring from the championship.

Jahn shoots 66 (-5) in second round, leads 117th Iowa Amateur Championship

July 27, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

Charles Jahn wasted little time climbing the leaderboard in the second round of the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship being played at The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center.

Jahn, who opened with 70 (-1) yesterday, posted a round of 66 (-5) this morning, which included a total of seven birdies.

“I was able to take advantage of the par 5s today,” Jahn said. “They are all pretty reachable for me. I hit my driver really well and I was getting 30-40 yards of roll out there. I was able to hit some approach shots close (as well). You can’t give yourself a lot of long putts, because these greens are so fast.”

Jon Brown, who won the Iowa Amateur in 2006 at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, sits just a shot back at -5 through two rounds. The Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member, Brown, birdied six holes in his second round.

“I made my share (of putts) today,” Brown said. “It was a different day, the greens were softer for me yesterday. I was happy with the way I played. It’s great to be in the final group. There are a lot of guys that are a shot or two back. I have no idea what it will take tomorrow. It will be a fun day.”

Logan Schweinefus and first round co-leader Cody Holck are three shots back of Jahn, at -3 through 36-holes.

Hot Round – Clive’s Hank Weresh put together a blistering round of his own with a 66 (-5), which included a total of eight birdies. Weresh is four shots back of Jahn’s lead.

“I was just trying to recover from yesterday’s round (74),” Weresh said. “I started making putts and not thinking too much today. I came in too focused yesterday, so I will keep it loose tomorrow (in the final round).”

A total of 60 players made the cut and will play the final round on Sunday.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Packed leaderboard at 117th Iowa Amateur Championship

July 26, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Amateur

With relatively moderate wind conditions for most of the day, The Ridge Golf Club was the sight of some good rounds of golf in the opening round of the 117th Iowa Amateur.

Nine players broke par on a day that was made for golf with sunny skies and the afore mentioned calm conditions, which are rare for The Ridge.  Leading the pack is Indianola’s Jake Marvelli and Grimes’ Cody Holck at 68 (-3).

Marvelli, who played in the morning wave, commented that he felt pretty good about his opening round.

“It was a successful day,” Marvelli said. “I struck the ball well and only missed 2 or 3 fairways. It seemed to go my way today. The greens are so fast, you can’t try and make 30-footers. Hitting fairways and greens will be key this week.”

Holck said he was very happy with his ball striking effort today.

“I’ve hit it really well this past week or so,” Holck said. “Making some putts (today) helped too. I hit it close on a couple holes, that make its easy. Anyone keeping it under par all three days will have a good shot (at winning this tournament).”

Jon Brown (Adel), Corey Matthey (Sergeant Bluff) and Ben Epperly (West Des Moines) sit just a shot back of the lead, after opening with 69 (-2).

“I was hitting my approach shots well today,” Epperly said. “I am going to try and relax (tonight) and come back at it tomorrow.”

Brown admitted he was overall pleased with his round in the morning.

“We were fortunate the wind wasn’t howling out there,” Brown said. “It normally can out here. I had a great day. The golf course and its condition is fantastic. It’s so much fun to play. I hit the ball solid, but made a couple silly mistakes. I was burning edges and then all of sudden birdied three (holes) in a row. It was a good start (going into the weekend).

Click here for a full recap of scoring from Round One.

Hoffman fires final round 68 (-3), wins 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur by four

July 24, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman (pictured right) left little to chance in the final round of the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship. Hoffman, who entered the final round at Otter Creek Golf Course, fired a 68 (-3) to pull away from the field and win by four shots.

“It was just one of those days when everything works out,” Hoffman said. “Actually on the front nine I was hitting my irons really well and missed a couple birdie putts (I should of made). I didn’t get mad, I was one under on the front and was still happy.”

Hoffman, who admitted she made some putts when she really needed to, especially on the back nine to keep her momentum going, made a total of five birdies on the day.

“The (birdie) putt on #10 got me to -2,” Hoffman said. “I was starting to think I could win this, but then I remembered I needed to just take it one shot at a time. It wasn’t time to think about winning. You can’t get ahead of yourself, that’s where the big numbers come from.”

A trio of players tied for runner-up, including defending champion Sierra Hargens (Cedar Rapids), Joy Chou (Ames) and Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (Ames), who all shot +1 for the three-day event.

In the Open Division, Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson (right) posted a final round 78 to finish two strokes ahead of Janece Schwartzkopf, of Stuart.

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Hoffman leads 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur, several give chase

July 23, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

Paige Hoffman had never played in the Iowa Women’s Amateur prior to this year. It didn’t take long for the rookie to in a groove – One she didn’t even expect.

Hoffman, following consecutive rounds of 71, leads the way at Otter Creek Golf Course in the 95th playing of the event.

“It was definitely a different of a 71 today,” Hoffman said compared to her round yesterday. “There was no wind practically through the whole round. I didn’t hit my irons as well today, so it was more of a scramble. I made a lot of longer putts. It was nice to have the wind die down.”

Hoffman said a win tomorrow would be mean a lot.

“I am just going to stay focused,” Hoffman said. “It would mean a lot (to win). I would be surprised as I wasn’t expecting to play this well. It would be an experience I would never forget.”

Sitting just a shot back of Hoffman’s lead is defending champion Sierra Hargens. Hargens, who shot 72 (+1) in the second round, said she is ready to go out and defend her title tomorrow in the final round. Ames’ Joy Chou is tied with Hargens and trails by just one stroke heading into the final round.

“I hit my irons really close yesterday and today I didn’t hit them as close,” Hargens said. “I had a lot more 15-footers. I managed to two-putt those and went on with my game. I knew it was playing hard out there. It was hard to club today, you didn’t know which way the wind was going at time, but I was able to manage (it). I am going to just keep chipping away and not put any results in my head. I know I can do this.”

In the Open Division, Kelly Nelson of Waterloo leads Janece Schwartzkopf of Stuart by four shots. Nelson posted a round of 73 (+2) on Tuesday, which included an eagle 2 on her opening hole.

Final round action will conclude tomorrow.

Click here for a full recap of 36-hole scores.

Hargens, Hoffman lead 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship

July 22, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

A pair of even par rounds lead the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship being held at Ankeny’s Otter Creek Golf Course.

Cedar Rapids’ Sierra Hargens and West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman posted 71 to take an early lead in this year’s championship. Both players admitted the wind was tough to handle during their round.

“I started off bogey-bogey,” Hargens said. “I hit a couple bad iron shots. I was tense and winning this event last year I felt (early on) like I had to play perfect. I settled down after a little bit. I tried to pay good attention to the wind. I actually clubbed down (on some holes). I just played my game.”

Hoffman also commented that wind was a factor in today’s play.

“You definitely had to think about (the wind) it on every shot,” Hoffman said. “The course played completely different that it normally does. It played longer today I thought. It seemed the holes that were already short, were downwind. I made some long putts and my lag putting was good.”

Ames’ Joy Chou sits just a shot off the lead, shooting 72 (+1) today.

Waterloo’s Kelly Nelson leads the Open Division following a round of 78 (+7). Janece Schwartzkopf, of Stuart, gives chase, just a shot back of Nelson in the three-day event.

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Bermel sisters win 9th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship, Leszczynski/Webb take Senior crown

July 14, 20190 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

Hailey and Hannah Bermel (pictured right) followed up their opening round 65 (-7) in the 9th IGA Women’s Four-Ball with a solid round of 68 (-4) at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course to win the title by nine shots. The Bermel’s father, John, is the Head Golf Professional at Pheasant Ridge GC, so the victory was extra sweet for the duo.

“It was fun getting to play together and bounce the energy off of each other,” Hailey said.

Hannah admitted the game plan for the second round was fairly simple.

“We wanted to hit them close and knock the putts in,” Hannah said with a smile. “(We just wanted) to find the fairways.”

Finishing runner-up was the side of Janelle Carter / Julie Buerman, who posted two solid rounds of golf (69-73) to finish under par for the championship (-2).

In the Senior Division Laura Leszczynski and Robin Webb (pictured right) teamed up for post scores of 70-67 (-7) for the two-day event and cruised to an eight shot win. Leszczynski commented the two meshed well together and complimented her partner’s play.

“I think our games and approach to playing are very similar,” Leszczynski said. “Robin is an aggressive and steady player. She’s brings out the best in my game. She also helped me with all my key putts. We each had a lot of birdies today and we took turns on scoring them fortunately. To top it all, we had a lot of fun together. She’s a great player and a person, that combination makes these kind of events so much fun.”

The side of Kelly Grimes / Sue Harmon finished runner-up in the Senior Division, posted rounds of 74-71 (+1).

Click here for a full recap of scoring, including Net Division results

Bermels lead 9th IGA Women’s Four-Ball, Leszczynski/Webb pace Senior Division

July 12, 20190 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Four-Ball

Hannah and Hailey Bermel put on a show at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in the opening round of the 9th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship. The pair teamed up to shoot 65 (-7) to lead by four shots over the side of Janelle Carter / Julie Buerman.

“Hannah made a lot of putts,” Hailey Bermel said. “If her ball was on the green, it was going in the hole (today).”

Hannah, who shot an opening nine holes of 30 (-6) on her own ball, admitted the flatstick was working and knowing the course helped – Their dad, John, is the Head Golf Professional at Pheasant Ridge GC. Hannah was able to make a total of eight birdies on the day, finishing the round with a 69 (-3) on her own.

“Putting was huge (in my success),” Hannah Bermel said. “There were some tough pins out there, so it’s nice to know the course.”

In the Senior Division, the side of Laura Leszczynski / Robin Webb posted a round of 70 (-2) to lead by four strokes over four other teams.

The final round will conclude tomorrow, with tee times starting at 8 a.m.

Click here to see a full recap of scoring from Round One.

 

 

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