One was left standing.

After a long, intense week, Clive’s Blake Cronin was still there when the dust had settled at the 36th IGA Match Play Championship hosted by Talons Golf in Ankeny.

Cronin (right), the #55 seed, into match play following a 75 (+3), which left him one shot clear of a playoff for the remaining spots in the bracket, worked his way through Cody Weaver (2&1), Alec Fuhs (4&2) Jon Olson (19 holes) and Owen Sawyer (1 up) to reach the final against Des Moines’ Ethan Mechling, who earned the #36 seed.

Mechling’s path to the finals included victories over Hogan Hansen (1 up), Wade Pettitt (3&2), Sam Vertanen (6&4), Grant Smith (5&3), and Trent Lindenman (1 up).

The final match between the two saw a back-and-forth tilt, with either Cronin or Mechling winning 9 of the first 12 holes. But that was the end of anyone gaining ground, as the last nine holes of the match were tied.

With wins on holes 10-11, Cronin grabbed a 2 up lead midway through the match. While Mechling would win the 12th hole with a par, putting him 1 down, that’s as close as he’d get as birdie efforts failed to find the bottom of the cup. Both players would make pars the rest of the way, leaving Cronin with a 1 up victory after 18 holes.

“I tried to stay in it the whole time and not worry about making the big number,” Cronin said. “I tried to make as many birdies out there as possible. With match play, I try not to worry too much, I just imagine I am on the range and hit the best shot possible.”

Cronin, who admitted the putter had been bulky for him lately, found a little magic on the greens during the week, and that was the difference.

“My putting hasn’t been the greatest, but I have been working on it,” Cronin said. “It was nice to see that come through this week. This means a lot for sure (to win this event).”

Talons Golf was a venue Cronin, now the youngest winner (16 years old) in the event’s history, thought he might have some success at after a look at it prior to the stroke play portion of the championship.

“I played a practice round and played pretty well, which gave me some confidence coming in. Ethan would never give up (in our match). He made some nice putts and I tried to keep fighting back and do my best.”

Anna Jensen likes Talons Golf, and it shows.

Jensen, the 2022 IGA Match Play Champion and 2021 Runner-up, added a second career title at the event at this year’s event. Jensen, the #2 seed after posting a stroke play round of 74 (+1), would draw a bye in the opening round of the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play. Following wins over Lindsay Burry (5&4), Addison Berg (2&1), and a dominant effort over Fiona Watson (7&6), Jensen met Amber Henson, the medalist and #1 seed, in the final match.

“I love this course and it’s awesome we are able to play here,” Jensen said. “I like the way it sets up for my game and my strong suit is my putting. If you can putt these greens well, you can score well. That really benefitted me today (putting well).”

The benefits were positive to say the least for Jensen – in the tune of a 5&4 victory over Henson, which saw wins on holes 5-9, to give Jensen a 4 up lead at the turn.

“In the qualifying round, my driver actually broke,”Jensen said. “I was able to get a new one and after that my driver was working well, along with my putting. My wedges were really good in the final match, which helped. I was able to control them. It helped to have a cushion (after a fast start on the front nine). It’s match play, anything can happen. I can always come back and so can my opponent. I am super excited for the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur and will take this momentum into that tournament. Sunnyside Country Club is a tough test and it’ll be fun.”

With ever-changing weather, she commented that each day was a challenge for Jensen (right).

“The changes in weather throughout the week, for me, was a matter of sticking to my routine and simplifying everything,” Jensen admitted. “Everyone was playing in the same conditions. You just have to accept the results and move on at times. You have to be able to restart your mind if you have a bad hole in match play. Every hole is a new hole, regardless if I am up or down (in the match).”

At the end of the day, Jensen was spent, but she said she’d do it all over again without hesitation.

“The days are long, but I love playing with all these women,” Jensen said. “They are all awesome people. It doesn’t feel like work when you get to play with friends. I can’t thank everyone who supports me out here enough.”

All comes down to two matches.

Talons Golf in Ankeny, home of the 36th IGA Match Play started with 130 players. After the cut 64 players into match play were left, now just four players remain. Among the players left, two of them are some of the highest seeded players.

After shooting 71 (-1) in qualifying, Trent Lindenman from New Sharon was seeded 17th. In the first wave of matches Lindenman took down Colby Creger 6&4 along with breezing past Tanner Wachtl 8&6. During yesterday’s matches Lindenman defeated defending champion Zach May 2&1 along with Cale Leonard 1 up. In the semifinals he will face Ethan Mechling.

Des Moines’ Mechling is one of the two highest seeded players still left as well. After shooting 74 (+2) during qualifying and being seeded 36th, Mechling has not looked back. In the first two matches Mechling took down Hogan Hansen 1 up and Wade Pettitt 3&1. During yesterday’s matches Mechling still showed no signs of slowing down blowing past Sam Vertanen 6&4 and Grant Smith 5&3.

Clive’s Blake Cronin, was seeded 55th after the qualifying carding 75 (+3). Along the way Cronin took down Cody Weaver 2&1 and Alec Fuhs 4&2 in the first two matches. During yesterday’s matches Jon Olson put up a fight but Cronin ultimately won in 19 holes. Cronin later took down Ben Pettitt 2 up to advance to the semifinals where he will face Owen Sawyer.

Seeded 11th after shooting 71 (-1) Cedar Falls resident Owen Sawyer has played steady and is ready for the semifinals. Along the way Sawyer defeated Josh Janeczko 3&2 along with Jack Winkel 1 up. Yesterday’s matches Sawyer still kept his foot on the gas taking down Jackson Overton 8&7 and Preston Billy 1 up.

In the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play the field started with 25 players and now four remain. Among the four players is past champion Anna Jensen (’22) who is looking for her second IGA Match Play title.

Stroke play medalist and top seed Amber Henson from Marshalltown carded a 71 (-1) in qualifying and has not looked back since. Along the way Henson has gotten a bye, taking down Chase Donald 7&5 along with Leanne Smith 5&4. Henson will face Annkia Powell in the semifinals.

Annkia Powell from Alta shot an 84 (+11) and is seeded 12th is still fighting her way to a spot in the finals. Powell has defeated Laura Leszczynski 6&5, Yoo min Archer 2&1, and Maura Peters in an exciting 20 holes.

Anna Jensen from Dubuqe was seeded 2nd after carding a 73 (+1) in qualifying. Jensen Match Play Champion in 2022 is quite familiar with the semifinals. Jensen has gotten a bye, defeated Lindsay Burry 5&4, along with Addison Berg 2&1. Jensen will face Fiona Watson in the semifinals.

Des Moines’ Fiona Watson is competing for her first IGA Match Play crown. Watson is the #6 seed after carding a 78 (+5). Along the way Watson has topped Tatum Depudyt along with Erika Holmberg 3&2.

Following the Semifinal matches the finals will be played and a champion both on the Mens’ along with the Womens’ side will be crowned.

Then there were sixteen.

Players have persevered through the heat and wind during the first two rounds of matches at the 36th IGA Match Play held at Talons Golf in Ankeny.

A couple familiar names still remain, but do not count the “old timers” out so soon. Ethan Mechling, who hales from Des Moines, battled it out and came out victorious over University of Iowa’s Hogan Hansen 1 up and Wade Pettitt 3 & 1.

Still standing at the top is the defending champion and current Iowa State University golfer Zach May. May breezed right through his first two matches defeating Lincoln Beckett 4 & 3, along with Jack Rogers 3 & 1. The field also includes past champions Nate McCoy (’22) Jon Olson (’11 and ’19) along with Grant Smith, who is chasing his first IGA Match Play title.

In the 13th IGA Women’s Match Play Chase Donald from Waterloo battled her way to claim the victory over Geri Huser in 21 holes. While Paige Hoffman from West Des Moines won her match against Marsha Arnes in dominating 10 & 8 fashion. 

Tatum Depuydt won over Jeanne Swenson 6 & 5,  Molly Wenthold beat Taylor Sedivic 4 & 3, Chloe Bolte beat Michelle Klein 7 & 5, Lindsay Burry came out victorious over Marley Richter 2 & 1. Annika Patton beat Laura Leszczynski 6 & 5 and Lauren Brown defeated Kelly Nelson 4 & 3.

Men’s Bracket Results

Women’s Bracket Results