Category: Championships

Bull stays patient, wins 34th Iowa Mid-Amateur at Briarwood Golf Club

May 11, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Mid-Am

Dennis Bull (pictured above), of Norwalk, had the mindset to stay patient and see where the chips fell at the end of the day. Thankfully for Bull the chips fell in his favor with the help of solid golf in the final round of the 32nd Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship at Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny. The victory marks Bull’s first ‘solo’ IGA title, as he paired up with Dusty Drenth to win the IGA Four-Ball last year.

Starting the day Bull was one shot behind opening round leader John Burgett (pictured right), of Waukee. Burgett’s lead grew to three strokes early on in the round, but as mentioned Bull stayed patient.

“This is going to be a long day I thought,” Bull said after the round. “I made a sloppy bogey on #1. John made a nice, long putt on #2, so right away I was in a hole. I didn’t birdie #3 or #4. I was playing ok, just wasn’t scoring. But then I birdied 5 and it was back and forth after that.

Fast forward to the 14th hole, where two fine shots left Burgett an eagle putt he would convert and take sole position of the lead by three strokes.

“John made eagle on #14, which was fantastic and then I fail to make birdie, so (once again) I am three (strokes) down, Bull said. “I didn’t think I was out of to after he made eagle. I had good looks on #16-18 for birdie, just didn’t make any of them and he made a couple bogeys coming in.”

Bull’s final round included a pair of birdies to offset his two bogeys, which was good enough by one stroke over Burgett and three over West Des Moines’ Ryan Bishop. Bull, who shot 145 (+1) for the championship, admitted with the cooler, windier weather in the final round, birdies wouldn’t be flying by any means.

“My mindset was trying to stay patient today,” Bull said. “I drove the ball so-so early on, but didn’t make many mistakes. Scores were a little higher due to the weather. There was a little bit of wind and it was cold. But it’s nice to win one of these, I have been trying for a while.”

In the Senior Division, West Des Moines’ Bob Brooks defeated Brian Verduyn, of Polk City, after both players finished with a two-round score of 143 (-1). Jim Butler, of Fort Madison, claimed the Super Senior Division title by a six shots over Dave Sergeant, of Fort Dodge. Butler also posted 143 (-1) over the two-day event.

Click here for full results

From left – Jim Butler (Super Senior Division Champion), Dennis Bull (Mid-Amateur Champion) and Bob Brooks (Senior Division Champion). Bull is shown above holding the Michael McCoy Mid-Amateur trophy.

Burgett leads 34th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship

May 10, 20190 commentsChampionships, Iowa Mid-Am

John Burgett, of Waukee, leads the 34th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship following an opening round 72 (E). Burgett, who is a member at Briarwood Golf Club, where the event is being contested, made three birdies to offset his three bogeys.

Hot on Burgett’s heels is a group of five who posted 73 (+1), which includes Aaron O’Brien, Dennis Bull, Scot Cook, Ben Stein and Brian Allison.

In the Senior Division Brian Verduyn, of Urbandale, put together a fine round of 68 (-4). Verduyn’s card was clear – four birdies against no bogeys. Not to be outdone, Bob Brooks, of West Des Moines, posted his own 68, which included two birdies and an eagle. Joe Bates, of Albia, is in third place at a round of 71 (-1).

In the Super Senior Division, Dan Dalziel, Cedar Rapids, and Jim Butler, of Fort Madison, both fired 72 (E) to co-lead by three of Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Rapids.

Click here for First Round results

Click here for Second Round Pairings/Tee Times

IGA adds Putt-Putt Tournament to Father/Son, Parent/Child Championship

April 29, 20190 commentsChampionships, Father-Son / Parent-Child, News

NEW in 2019 – PUTT-PUTT TOURNAMENT

In 2019, the IGA and our hosts at Jester Park GC will be holding an optional Putt-Putt Tournament on Sunday, June 16th during the IGA Father/Son-Parent/Child Championship.

The tournament costs $10 per team to play and all players will receive free ice cream.  Players of all ages are encouraged and welcomed.  The only requirement is that the team must be a parent and a child, in any combination (Father-Son, Mother-Son, Mother-Daughter or Father-Daughter).

Jester Park GC installed an 18-hole miniature golf course at the practice range facility in 2018.  Teams can play anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday (June 16th) and are NOT required to play in the regular Father/Son-Parent/Child Championship.  So if you have a young one who isn’t quite ready for the big course, this is a way you can bring them into the fold!

You can sign up in one of three ways:

NOTE: when signing up online, both players must have a Player Profile created with the IGA’s online signup program – click here for more info on creating those profiles

  1. When signing up online, you will have the option of adding the $10 entry fee for the Putt-Putt Tournament to your transaction.  Signup online
  2. If not playing in the regular championship, you can sign up only for the Putt-Putt tournament during the registration process.  You will see an option to pay for the “Putt Putt Tournament Only”. Signup online
  3. You can sign up at the IGA registration table that will be set up at  the clubhouse at Jester Park on Sunday, June 16.

The format will be alternate shot.  One player tees off first on the even numbered holes and the other player tees off first on the odd numbered holes, then you alternate strokes during the hole.  Teams will choose which person tees off on the even and odd holes before starting their round.

Once all play is finished, we will divide the field into flights based on their score.  The overall winners will receive trophies and flight winners will receive various prizes.  

If you have any questions about the Putt-Putt Tournament, or have any troubles signing up, please give us a call at (515) 207-1062.

2019 IGA Schedule, USGA Qualifying venues announced

November 14, 20180 commentsChampionships, News, USGA

Many great venues will be featured as part of the 2019 IGA Championship schedule. A link at the bottom of the page will allow you to view the entire schedule, including USGA Qualifiers.

In 2019, the Iowa Amateur will travel to the northwest part of the state and visit The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center, on July 26-28. The Ridge most recently hosted the 2018 IGA Club Team and the 2013 IGA Four-Ball Championship. The Ridge, the 2012 IGA 18-Hole Course of the Year, will offer a good test of golf, stretching to 7,200 yards as a par 71. Yet with generous fairways and green complexes The Ridge Golf Club is sure to be enjoyable.

The Iowa Women’s Amateur will be hosted by Ankeny’s Otter Creek Golf Course (pictured above). Otter Creek GC, named 2016 IGA 18-hole Course of the Year, is no stranger to IGA championships, having hosted several in recent years, as well as many USGA qualifiers in the state of Iowa.

Otter Creek GC features a links style course with multiple sets of tees at each hole, 44 bunkers, 17 ponds, and an abundance of tall grasses and mounding. Otter Creek was originally built in 1982 as a park style golf course and underwent a complete renovation of both the golf course and clubhouse in 2008, re-opening in 2009. The Iowa Women’s Amateur will take place on July 22-24.

Tournament Club of Iowa, Polk City, will host the men’s and women’s IGA Match Play Championship on June 24-27. TCI, host of the 2018 Iowa Amateur, has hosted the IGA Match Play three times (2006, 09, 15), 2017 Director’s Cup and the 2013 Iowa Senior Amateur. Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state of Iowa. In 2003, Arnold Palmer and his team created TCI’s beautiful course layout in the 500 acres that cuts through the dramatic bluffs and running ravines between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake.

The Herman Sani Tournament, presented by Coppola Enterprises, will be played at Echo Valley Country Club, Norwalk, in 2019. The tournament will be held on its traditional dates – Fri-Sun, August 9-11. The championship will feature professional and amateur golfers with proceeds from the tournament going to the IGA’s Herman Sani Scholarship Fund.

The 2019 Iowa Senior Amateur will he contested at Mason City Country Club over a weekend, Aug. 16-18. The course was built in 1915 and has hosted many major events over the years. It has been the host site of the Iowa Amateur seven times; the Iowa Senior Amateur six times; and the IGA Match Play in 1992. The Iowa Senior Amateur was held last in 2012 and the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 2013 at MCCC. Recently the club was the host of North Iowa Amateur, a sanctioned point event of the IGA beginning in 2018.

The Iowa Wife-Husband Championship will be held at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, after being held at Lake Panorama the last three years. The championship is set for Sept. 20-22. 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.

As in the past, the IGA will conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2019. Davenport Country Club will host U.S. Open Local Qualifying in early May, Spirit Hollow Golf Course, in Burlington, will host U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying in early June, while Wakonda Club will host U.S. Amateur Qualifying in early July. U.S. Senior Amateur and U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying will take place in late July, being play concurrently at Cedar Rapids Country Club. Rounding out the USGA Qualifying sites are Glen Oaks Country Club (U.S. Mid-Amateur) in mid-August and Des Moines Golf & Country Club (U.S. Four-Ball) in early September.

In addition to those championships and USGA qualifiers already listed, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Briarwood GC (Iowa Mid-Amateur), Bos Landen GC (IGA Four-Ball), Finkbine GC (IGA Senior Match Play), Grinnell College GC (Iowa Forever 39 Match Play), Jester Park GC in Granger (Father/Son, Parent/Child), Indianola CC (Iowa Junior & Girls’ Junior Amateur), Oneota G&CC (Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur), Pheasant Ridge GC (IGA Women’s Four-Ball), Coldwater GL (Women’s Club Team) and Oakwood CC (IGA Club Team).

IGA Member Play Days will be scheduled and announced at a later time.

Entries to all IGA Championships and Member Play Days will be available on March 1, 2019. Entries are 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

Landsmeer GC wins 13th IGA Club Team, two tied for Net Division title

October 2, 20180 commentsChampionships, IGA Club Team

The Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center hosted the 13th IGA Club Team. With cooler temperatures and misty conditions at times, the team from nearby Landsmeer Golf Club (pictured above) fired an impressive score of 212 (-1) to outdistance second place Fort Dodge Country Club by nine strokes in the Gross Division. TJ Korver (above right), of Landsmeer GC, led the way with his own 69 (-2) which was the low score of the day by one. The Gross Division is score by taking the low three scores of each team’s four players.

In the Net Division, which the low three (net) scores on each hole are counted for a team, two teams tied for the title. The Ridge Golf Club (#1) playing on home turf tied with Willow Run County Club at 205 (-8).

Click here to see a full recap of scoring.

Burkholders repeat at Iowa Wife-Husband, Dethrows win Super Senior Division for fourth time

September 18, 20180 commentsChampionships, Wife-Husband

It was familiar faces atop the leaderboard at the 58th Iowa Wife-Husband Championship this year. Reed and Julianna Burkholder (above) took home the title for the second year in a row. The Burkholders also shared the title in 2015. This year’s event was held again at Lake Panorama National Resort and couples played a modified alternate shot format in which both players would tee off, pick the preferred shot and then alternate from there.

The Burkholders opened with an impressive 68 (-4) in the opening round and followed that up with a 75 (+3) to finish the tournament under par at 143 (-1). Julie and Aaron Stevens were runners-up with rounds of 71-74 (+1). Rounding out the top five were Ryan/Amanda Lambert (+4), Brad/Kendra Henningsen (+4), Molly/Jeff Cleven (+7) and Robin/Doug Webb (+7).

In the Super Senior Division (combined age of 130 or more) Carroll and John Dethrow (right) outdistanced the field by three to win the division for the fourth time overall. The Dethrows, who shot 154 (+10) this year, captured the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Super Senior Division. Last year’s Super Senior champions, Jeanette and Raymond Fredericksen, finished in second place at 157 (+13), while John and Julie Lisle and Mike and Becki Wetter tied for third place at 171 (+27).

Flight winners included:
1st Flight – Kelli Koenigsberg / Kevin Koenigsberg (158)
2nd Flight – Andy Burton / Sheila Burton (159)
3rd Flight – Heidi Foster / Rodney Foster (169)
4th Flight – Eliza Ovrom / Mark Schuling (181)
5th Flight – Phyllis Connolly / Omar Connolly (190)
Super Senior 1st Flight – Tish Keltner / Job Keltner (178)

Click here to see a full recap of scoring.

Leszczynski wins 53rd Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur in playoff, Fortune captures Super Senior Division

August 28, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur

It was 9 a.m. and the ladies were off with a shotgun start for the final round of the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur. A short weather delay towards the end and a playoff made for an exciting end to the Championship.

Three birdies helped Robin Webb shoot the low round of 75 on the second day, which propelled her from tied for fifth to tied for first. Webb is no stranger to finishing at the top of IGA Women’s events, coming off of a win in the Open Division of this years Women’s Amateur.

Laura Leszcznski was also tied for first after round two. She was disappointed with her putting after the first day and thought it was a major contribution to her 84. She was determined to fix it in the final round.

“I had seven three putts and one four putt and knew I wanted to work on my short game. It really paid off today because I got up and down from all over the place and missed very few putts.”

During a 15-minute weather delay today Leszczynski heard that Robin Webb was playing well, but she wasn’t sure of an exact number since Webb was in the group behind her.

After finishing with a 76, Leszczynski put her clubs in her car and waited for results. Once she learned that she would be a in a playoff against Webb she rushed to her car and the nerves kicked in, luckily she had support.

“I was a little anxious so I grabbed Kathy Fortune (fellow competitor and low Super Senior) and said I just need you to come with me to talk to me. She just tried to distract me which is perfect and just what I needed.”

Webb was first to tee off on hole 18 for the playoff, hitting it on the fairway. Leszczynski’s shot went in the left rough, but with 113 yards to the hole, it turned out to be the perfect position. Her second shot left her with a 15 -foot putt for birdie from the fringe, putting pressure on Webb.

Webb’s second shot landed in a bunker, leaving her with an extremely difficult lie to get out of. After an unsuccessful attempt to get up and down Webb conceited the playoff, naming Laura Leszczynski champion of the 53rd Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur.

When asked about her general thoughts of the day she raved about Sunnyside Country Club.

“The course was in fabulous condition. It was one of the nicest golf courses I’ve played all summer and I’ve played a lot of courses outside of Iowa. It was fun to grind it out today on a really good golf course.”

Kathy Fortune posted an 83 for the day, naming her low Super Senior. Other top finishers included first flight winner Beth Duenow and second flight winner Bonnie Jones.  Click here to view full results.

Palmer serves up a winner at 40th Iowa Senior Amateur, Sergeant captures Super Senior Division

August 23, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

West Des Moines’ Joe Palmer (above) is used to serving up winners.

Palmer added his name to the Iowa Senior Amateur trophy on Wednesday afternoon for the third time. Palmer won the event in 2013 and 2015 prior to his recent victory.

Palmer, who was in a dogfight with Jon Brown most of the day in the final round, got off to a nice start. Both Palmer and Brown turned in 33 (-3) and Brown pulled ahead after Palmer found trouble on #13 and made double bogey.

Palmer needed something to happen and it did. Palmer birdied three of his last four holes, including back to back on #15 and #16, to outdistance Brown by two when the dust had settled.

“Those (the back to back birdies on #15-16) got the round salvaged,” Palmer said. “I didn’t make many mistakes (early today) and then I hooked it into the bushes on #13 and had to take an unplayable. That kind of derailed me a bit, but I just tried to stay in the moment. It was unfortunate that Jon had some trouble in the bunker (on #16).”

Stay in the moment he did and closed the door on Brown with a 25 foot birdie putt on #18 (pictured right) that looked good from the start. Palmer who will head to Oregon for the U.S. Senior Amateur on Thursday commented that this is an event that is very important to him.

“The bomb on #18 was awesome,” Palmer said. “It looked good about 10 feet out. I don’t want to ever miss this event if I can. I wanted to commit to our senior major (event). I have time to get to Oregon and I am excited to get there.”

Palmer said playing 54 holes and winning the 40th Iowa Senior Amateur is the best prep he could ask for heading into the U.S. Senior Amateur.

“This was as good of a warm up as any,” Palmer said. “One of the keys this week for me was only having to play six holes on the first day (due to weather delay), it was getting dicey out there. I used to consider myself a ‘mudder’, but maybe not so much anymore. It was nice to get a restart and play 30 holes on day two at one under. I was glad to get 54 holes in.”

In the Super Senior Division, Dave Sergeant (left) bettered his age (73) in both the second and third round to win by two strokes over a hard charging Jim Butler. Sergeant put together rounds of 75-72-71 (+2) for the event and admitted he didn’t really know where he stood coming down the stretch. Butler closed with a 33 (-3), including three birdies in his first four holes coming in on the back nine (Butler started on #10).

“I thought Jim was leading with all the birdies he was making,” Sergeant said. “I am really happy to win.”

Click here to see a full recap of scoring.

Kramer, Weresh lead 40th Iowa Senior Amateur, two tied for Super Senior top spot

August 21, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Following a lengthy day of golf, as some golfers had to finish their first round early this morning and continued right into their second round, a pair of Des Moines Golf & CC members lead the pack at the 40th Iowa Senior Amateur.

Matt Weresh, following a second round 70 (-2), is tied with Chris Kramer who posted the low round of the tournament with 68 (-4) of his own. Both players sit at 143 (-1) for the tournament being contested at Des Moines Golf & CC (pictured above). Joe Palmer and Jon Brown both are positioned just two back of the lead at 145 (+1).

After rain off and on most of the day yesterday, players were welcomed with much better weather conditions on Tuesday. All but one group was able to complete their second round and will return in the morning to finish two holes.

In the Super Senior Division John Peters and Dan Dalziel share the lead at 145 (+1). Both players matched scores the first two rounds with 73-72. Dave Sergeant is just two back of the lead at 147 (+3) and Jim Butler is at 148 (+4).

Click here for a full recap of scoring.

Click here for third round pairings

Round One of Iowa Senior Amateur to resume at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Tues.)

August 20, 20180 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Play was suspended for the day this afternoon due to over-saturation on the putting surfaces. At least six of the greens had too much casual water to continue. Consequently, due to radar that showed the rain would simply continue for the bulk of the afternoon/evening play was called for the day. The greens had reached a tipping point where they could not handle any more water today.

THOSE WHO NEED TO FINISH ROUND 1: We will re-start Round 1 at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Please be ready to play by 6:45 a.m. at which time we will make announcements and get you back into position.

ROUND TWO TEE TIMES: Round 2 tee times will be delayed by 2 hours. We will make the 2-hour adjustments to the website, which you can view by clicking here.

Players who are finishing round 1 in the morning will turn in their round 1 scorecards and then will have a very short break between starting their second round.

This will put our final tee time of the day at 4:20 p.m. If the weather cooperates, there is a small chance we can get back on schedule for Wednesday’s play. If we are unable to finish round two Tuesday, we may need to make a cut for Round 3. That will be determined based on the how things go tomorrow.

The two main bullet points you need to know for tomorrow are:

– 7:00 a.m. Restart time for Round 1

– Add two hours to your original Round 2 tee time (website has been updated to show the new tee times)

Thank you all for your patience today as we dealt with the weather. It seems that is the theme for IGA events this year, but hopefully, things will get much better over the next two days.

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