Category: Championships

2024 IGA schedule, USGA qualifying locations announced

November 22, 20230 commentsChampionships, News

Sunnyside hosts 100th Women’s Amateur,
Finkbine site of Iowa Amateur and IGA Four-Ball sees change

The 2024 IGA Championship schedule is here! The schedule includes another year of wonderful IGA Member Clubs that will serve as host sites for IGA championships and USGA Qualifiers. Without the support of our member clubs this schedule would not be possible. We are thankful for all of our member clubs and especially those that step up and host events each year.

The Iowa Women’s Amateur returns to where it all started…sort of. The 100th edition will be held at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo for the tenth time in the history of the event.  The club hosted the first in 1922 but it was staged at the course now known as Red Carpet GC in Waterloo. Sunnyside CC constructed and opened the course where the club now operates in 1971. Sunnyside CC last hosted the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 2011, won by Kristin Paulson, Ottumwa, in record fashion. The 2024 edition will be played Mon-Wed., July 22-24. Special plans are being made to celebrate the 100th playing of the championship, including efforts to include former champions and other significant women who have impacted the game of golf in Iowa.  It will no doubt be a special week in Waterloo.

The Iowa Amateur will be held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City from July 28-30. This will be the sixth time Finkbine GC has hosted the state’s biggest men’s amateur event, having previously hosted in 2014 (won by Nate Dunn). Qualifying events will be held again for the Iowa Amateur Championship. There will be three sites across the state prior to the championship, similar to 2023, where players who are not exempt can attempt to qualify and make the field of 132 that will compete in Iowa City. Dates and locations of those qualifiers are still to be determined but will be posted online as soon as possible.

Beginning in 2024, the champions of the Iowa Women’s Amateur, Iowa Amateur and Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur will receive exemptions into the USGA’s respective championships (U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur). These are brand new exemptions for these USGA championships, including the U.S. Junior Amateur (boys). The 3-year WAGR Power Ranking of our state championship was used to determine if our state events would qualify for an exemption and, unfortunately, Iowa narrowly missed out on an exemption for the boys’ Junior Amateur.

The IGA Four-Ball (men’s) will see change in 2024.  In past years players would designate either Open, Senior, or Super-Senior Divisions to compete in.  Now, the IGA  will host a separate Four-Ball event for Seniors and Super-Seniors in the fall.  The IGA Four-Ball Championship will still be open to everyone, but will not have divisions. This was done to accommodate more players/teams due to the increasing popularity of the championship.  Elmwood CC in Marshalltown will be the site for both events – IGA Four-Ball on May 3-4 and the Senior/SS IGA Four-Ball on Sept 17-18.

Also seeing change in 2024 will be the Iowa Senior Amateur and the IGA Senior Match Play. The two events will essentially flip dates, with the Senior Amateur being conducted in early June and the Senior Match Play happening in September. This is being done to prepare for a potential future when the winner of the Senior Amateur may receive an exemption into the U.S. Senior Amateur. Moving the date of the Iowa Senior Amateur much earlier than the USGA championship allows for that exemption (should it come to fruition) to take place with the current year.

Talons Golf in Ankeny will be the home of the men’s and women’s IGA Match Play Championships for the fifth straight year. The event will take place June 25-28. Talons Golf is a privately-owned course routed between beautiful rock-walled streams and covered bridges. An always popular venue for this event, many players, both men and women, look forward to the championship each year.

The Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship, which expanded to 54 holes in 2023 allowing top finishers to receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points, will be held at Pella’s Bos Landen, May 15-17. Bos Landen last hosted the IGA Four-Ball in 2019.  Since then, many improvements have been made to the course including bunker and tree work.  Players will certainly experience several new looks to the course since it last hosted an IGA championship.

The Herman Sani Tournament will return August 9-11, to Norwalk’s Echo Valley Country Club. Since 2013 the event has rotated between Echo Valley CC and Hyperion Field Club and continues to feature the state’s best amateur and professional golfers vying for the trophy. Players and spectators will also be able to view the newly constructed Golf House Iowa, located adjacent to the Creek Course’s #9 green. Plans are being made for a special celebration of the facility during that week – so stay tuned.

The Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur will be played at Stone Creek Golf Club in Williamsburg on August 5-6 while the Iowa Senior Amateur (Men’s) is moving to an earlier date in the calendar, June 3-5, and will be played at Bent Tree Golf Club in Council Bluffs.

In addition to the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 2024, Sunnyside CC will once again serve host to the Iowa Wife-Husband Championship, Sept. 13-15, as well.

Along with those championships listed above, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Glen Oaks CC (IGA Women’s Four-Ball – June 11-12), Jester Park Golf Course (Father/Son, Parent/Child – June 15-16), Coldwater Golf Links (Iowa Junior Amateur, Iowa Junior Girls Amateur – June 17-19), Indianola CC (IGA Women’s Club Team – Aug. 12), Whispering Creek GC (IGA Senior Match Play – Sept. 3-5) and newly renovated Wakonda Club (IGA Club Team – Sept 30).

The Iowa Cup Matches, Iowa Women’s Forever 39 and Women’s Mid-Am Series events dates and locations will be announced at a later time. Those updates can be found by checking back to this release.

The IGA will also conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2023. The U.S. Amateur sees a big change in the qualifying structure in 2024, moving to two stages.  Iowa will host a Local qualifier in 2024 and then a Final qualifier in 2025. Here are the sites for this year’s qualifying events:
• Crow Valley Golf Club, Davenport – U.S. Open Local Qualifier – May 13
• Glen Oaks Country Club, West Des Moines – U.S. Amateur Local Qualifier – June 13
• Fort Dodge Country Club – U.S. Senior & Women’s Senior Amateur – July 25
• Elmcrest Country Club, Cedar Rapids – U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier – August 26

Again in 2024 the IGA will partner with Strackaline to provide options for tournament players to purchase detailed yardage books and green guides at a discounted rate.

Entries to all IGA Championships will be available in March.

Entries will be available for USGA Championships at a later date, which will be determined by the USGA and announced on their website.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Short Hills CC wins 17th IGA Club Team, Dyersville CC wins Net Division

October 3, 20230 commentsChampionships, IGA Club Team

Short Hills Country Club (above) claimed the top spot at the 17th IGA Club Team Championship hosted by Davenport Country Club. Short Hills, who posted 207 (-3) to win by six shots, was represented by Matt Schlueter, Ben Peters, Adam White and Ben Hanson. Schlueter (67) and Peters (68) finished first and second respectively in the individual portion of the event.

Finishing runner-up was the team of Geneva Golf & Country Club, who shot 213 (+3). Briarwood Golf Club and Elks Country Club tied for third with a 224 (+14) total.

Dyersville Country Club (right), led by Chance Maiers, Tyler Engelken, Mark Wessels and Rex Massey, won the Net Division (best three net scores on each hole) with a score of 201 (-9).

Click here for full results

Team IGA takes lead into Single matches at 56th Iowa Cup

September 28, 20230 commentsChampionships, Iowa Cup Matches

Team Iowa Golf Association took control following lunch on Thursday and will a five point lead, 12.5 – 7.5, into tomorrow Singles matches at the 56th Iowa Cup hosted by Hyperion Field Club.

Following a 5.5 – 4.5 lead by Team Iowa Section PGA after morning Four-Ball matches, the amateurs won a total of eight points, of a possible 10, in the afternoon Foursome session.

“It’s hard not to play well at Hyperion Field Club,” Ethan Mechling, who was on the winning side of both his matches on Thursday, said. “We (Team IGA) loves this place and it showed today, especially in the afternoon Foursomes session.”

Tee times will begin Friday morning at 8 a.m., with a total of 20 points up for grabs to decide the match.

Click here for full results

Fourth career Iowa Wife-Husband title for the Burkholders

September 18, 20230 commentsChampionships, Wife-Husband

For the fourth time Julianna and Reed Burkholder found themselves at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the Iowa Wife-Husband Championship. They had previously won the title in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

This time it took a final found 68 (-4) to pull into the lead and win by five with a 143 total (-1), to outdistance Christi and Luke Imsland. Burkholder’s final round was a clean one – four birdies and no bogeys.

“We made our putts,” Reed Burkholder said with a grin. “That’s what you have to do at this tournament.”

In the Senior Division (110 years combined) Sondra and Curtis Holck (right) were consistent – a pair of 77s around Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo was good for a six shot win over a trio of teams, which included Nancy and Dave Olberding, Laura and Tom Christensen and Stacey and Bob Ketcham. The Olberdings closed with a round of 74 (+2) to climb close to the lead, but in the end the Holcks were just too steady.

In the Super Senior Division (130 combined years) Vicki and Brian Rodenburg rose to the top with rounds of 78-75 (+9), good enough for a three shot victory over Carroll and John Dethrow.

Click here for full results (including Flight Winners)

Thompson takes The Classic after six hole playoff, Peterson & Gaer notch wins

September 18, 20230 commentsChampionships

North Liberty’s Coby Thompson (right) claimed victory at the The Classic, held at Elmwood Country Club following six hole playoff with Cedar Fall’s Luke Meyer. The 36-hole tournament was played with Modified Stableford scoring. Both Thompson and Meyer were challenged through the opening round with totals of 33 and 35 points. Meyer finished the first round ten points behind the leader, Gilman’s Cody Weaver (43), with Thompson only slightly better at eight points back.

But terrific final rounds with totals of 48 and 46, respectively, for Meyer and Thompson, more than closed the gap. Meyer and Thompson both finished with 81 points, four points ahead of Dustin Atkinson, of Marion, in third place.

In the Senior Division, Ron Peterson, of Urbandale, eked out a one point win over Adele’s Jon Brown with 72 points. A six-point lead after a first round 41 gave Peterson a comfortable cushion for his final round. Des Moines’ Tony Newkirk finished third with 69 points.

Dave Gaer, of Des Moines, held on to prevent Marshalltown’s Rob Christensen from defending his title in the Super Senior Division. Gaer’s 69 point finish was largely thanks to a strong opening round 41, enough to compensate for a lackluster final day 28. Gaer won totaled 69 points with Christensen on his heels with 68 points and Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan and Cedar Fall’s Sam Aoessy tied for third with 63 points.

Click here for full results

Follow the 2023 Directors Cup

September 18, 20230 commentsChampionships
Team Iowa
JD Anderson, Johnston
Trent Lindenman, New Sharon
Nate McCoy, Ankeny
Ethan Mechling, Des Moines
Jon Olson, Ankeny
Connor Peck, Ankeny
The 12th Director’s Cup Matches will take place September 18-19 at Firekeeper Golf Course in Mayetta, KS. This goodwill competition is staged every other year and consists of round-robin Four-Ball, Foursomes and Singles matches between teams from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

The Director’s Cup Matches are a team match play competition between the top amateur golfers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Prior to the event, each team assigns their players to a 1-6 position. They then compete in each match play session based on that numeric assignment with each golfer having the opportunity to play against each of the other teams and never with the same partner. The team match play sessions on day one consist of Four-Ball and Foursomes. Singles conclude the event on the final day. Each match uses Nassau scoring with one point awarded for each the front nine, back nine and 18-hole match. If a match is tied each team receives a 1/2 point. The team that wins the most points wins the trophy.

FOUR-BALL MATCH PLAY
In Four-Ball Match Play, sides of two partners compete, with each player playing their own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. A side wins a hole in the match by completing the hole in fewer strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes). A match is won when a side leads the opponent by more holes than remain to be played.

FOURSOMES MATCH PLAY
In Foursomes Match Play, two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. A side wins a hole in the match by completing the hole in fewer strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes). A match is won when a side leads the opponent by more holes than remain to be played.

SINGLES MATCH PLAY
In Singles Match Play, a player plays directly against an opponent in a head-to-head match. A player wins a hole in the match by completing the hole in fewer strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes). A match is won when a player leads the opponent by more holes than remain to be played.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES
Four-Ball Session
1 Iowa 1,2 vs. Kansas 1,2
2 Missouri 1,2 vs. Nebraska 1,2
3 Iowa 3,4 vs. Missouri 3,4
4 Kansas 3,4 vs. Nebraska 3,4
5 Iowa 5,6 vs. Nebraska 5,6
6 Kansas 5,6 vs. Missouri 5,6

Foursomes Session
1 Iowa 2,3 vs. Nebraska 2,3
2 Kansas 2,3 vs. Missouri 2,3
3 Iowa 4,5 vs. Kansas 4,5
4 Missouri 4,5 vs. Nebraska 4,5
5 Iowa 1,6 vs. Missouri 1,6
6 Kansas 1,6 vs. Nebraska 1,6

Singles Session
1 Iowa 3 vs. Kansas 3
2 Iowa 6 vs. Kansas 6
3 Missouri 3 vs. Nebraska 3
4 Missouri 6 vs. Nebraska 6
5 Iowa 2 vs. Missouri 2
6 Iowa 5 vs. Missouri 5
7 Kansas 2 vs. Nebraska 2
8 Kansas 5 vs. Nebraska 5
9 Iowa 1 vs. Nebraska 1
10 Iowa 4 vs. Nebraska 4
11 Kansas 1 vs. Missouri 1
12 Kansas 4 vs. Missouri 4

Huseman, Eddie take home Briarwood Am titles, Brooks leaves no doubt

August 30, 20230 commentsChampionships

Andrew Huseman (right) dug deep in the final round of the 2023 Briarwood Amateur at Briarwood Country Club, Ankeny to snatch his third career title at the event. The Ankeny native previously won in 2013 and in 2021.

His 69-66 (-9) 135 total earned him a four stroke win over Des Moines’ Ethan Mechling at (-5) 139. Ankeny’s Jon Olson, defending champion, finished third at (-3) 141.

In the Senior Division, Storm Lake’s Steve Eddie won in a playoff over Urbandale’s Ron Peterson after both players shot (-2) 142. A difficult final nine holes for Eddie, which he played 3-over par, including a bogey-bogey finish, resulted in the tie. At the same time, Peterson battled back with a -2 final nine to catch up with Eddie.

West Des Moines’ Bob Brooks absolutely obliterated the Super Senior Division. A 63-63 (-18) 126 secured his title by thirteen strokes over Des Moines’ Dave Gaer in second place. A bogey-free final round complete with seven birdies and an eagle comprises his unbelievable scorecard.

Click here for full results

Steve Eddie

Bob Brooks

Peters joins father as Iowa Senior Amateur Champion, Norton plays steady in SS Division

August 26, 20230 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Ben Peters (left) joins his father, John, as an Iowa Senior Amateur champion. John won titles in 1998, 2004 and 2007.

Ben Peters survived.

Both the hot conditions as well as the difficult challenge Dubuque Golf & CC offered during the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur. Closing with a pair of 68s, Peters admitted it was the birdies coming home in the opening round after a rocky start that was the key to the week for him.

“It was a rough start for me on the first day,” Peters said. “I settled down with the putter a little bit and ball striking got better each day. It was a fun, hot week. I didn’t expect my second round score (68) to leapfrog me up the leaderboard as much as it did. It was such a difficult day. Those birdies coming in on the first day made the difference.”

Peters, who knew he had to stay patient at Dubuque G&CC, played his final 41 holes of the championship at -7, good for a three shot victory.

“Sometimes good shots here don’t turn out as well as you might think they should,” Peters said. “You have to stay below the hole. It’s a fun, old golf course.”

The heat, reaching into the triple digits at times, was also a hurdle for the field.

“The first day was more of a shock to the system,” Peters said “I was a little more prepared the second day. You knew what you were going to face (with the weather).”

With a two-shot lead heading into the final round over Ron Peterson, Peters knew he wasn’t going to have the luxury of coasting to the finish line.

“It was a back and forth most of the day with Ron,” Peters said. “I was able to make a couple nice putts out there. I knew I was going to need to make a birdie to make sure it went my well and I was able to on 17.”

Peters now joins his father, John, as an Iowa Senior Amateur champion. John won the event a total of three times – in 1998, 2004 and 2007. Peters also becomes the first person not names Elliott, McCoy or Palmer to win the event going back to 2013.

“This is a special for both of us to have out name on the trophy,” Ben said when asked about adding his name to the trophy along this his father.

Ben’s daughter, Maura, added a victory early in the summer at the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur, so Ben might of been feeling a little pressure to have a spot for his own trophy at home.

“You never know what is around the corner,” Peters said.

In the Super Senior Division, Tom Norton (right) played steady – posting 71 all three days of the event, with was good for a four shot win over Dave Baer.

“With the heat and these greens are severe enough I was happy with my score,” Norton said.

The coursed was something that looked good to Norton’s eye and he took advantage.

“This course suites me well, it’s tight and not long,” Norton said. “I just tried to keep it in the fairway. I didn’t three putt a bunch. I had the good fortune of making a few birdies the first two days. None today, but I had 17 pars. I never felt stressed today, it got within shot, but I was comfortable making pars.”

Figuring out the tough greens at Dubuque G&CC was also a key for Norton.

“You have to read greens well to have success here. This is my first stroke play victory. I have been second to Gene (Elliott) a few times, which is nothing to hang your head about, but I was happy to get it done.”

Norton admitted he took special precaution with the heat during he week and didn’t show up unprepared for the conditions.

“About 10 years I had a heat stroke, so I have to be careful. I kept an ice cooler with me and stay hydrated enough. The body felt better during the last round (with the weather not being as hot).”

Click here for full results

Peters takes lead into final round at 45th Iowa Senior Amateur, Norton looks to close

August 25, 20230 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

One more day.

It’s a packed leaderboard at Dubuque Golf & CC after two days of play at the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur. Players battled steamy, unpleasant at times conditions again during the second round of play, but Bettendorf’s Ben Peters found a recipe for success – good enough for a 68 (-2) to vault him into the lead by one heading in the final round.

Opening round co-leader Chris Kramer sits just a shot back of Peters’ lead, as does Ron Peterson. Peterson turned in a fine second round score himself – 70 (E). Another five players find themselves all within no more than five shots off the pace, including opening round co-leader Bill Matzdorff, who will start the final round +5.

A pair of 71s from Tom Norton put him into the lead in the Super Senior Division. Norton leads by a pair of strokes over Dave Baer and Bob Brooks. Rob Pomerantz, who fired a spectacular 67 (-3) in the second round, is just four shots back of the lead and will look to make a move up the leaderboard in the final round.

Click here for full results

Kramer, Matzdorff lead at 45th Iowa Senior Amateur, Gaer paces Super Seniors

August 24, 20230 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Bill Tank surveys his next shot during the opening round of the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Dubuque Golf & CC.

Battling the hot, at times unbearable conditions most of the day was the true test during the opening round of the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur hosted by Dubuque Golf & CC.

West Des Moines’ Chris Kramer and Ankeny’s Bill Matzdorff found the most success posting rounds of 71 (+1). Kramer’s round included a pair of birdies to offset a trio of bogeys. Meanwhile, Matzdorff made three birdies aginst four bogeys on the day. Two players, Gary Ellis (Norwalk) and Dustin Hall (Monticello) sit just a shot back at +2. Three players give chase as well at +3.

In the Super Senior Division, Dave Gaer, of Des Moines, turned in the round of the day with 69 (-1). Gaer was able to make three birdies and only make a pair of bogeys during his round. Gaer commented he was pleased with his round and was glad to be inside and out of the heat after turning in his scorecard.

Muscatine’s Tom Norton fired 71 (+1) and is just a shot back of Gaer’s lead. Sam Aossey (Cedar Rapids) shot 72 (+2), while Bob Brooks (West Des Moines) and Mark Wessels (Dyersville) both finished with 73 (+3) and are well within reach of the lead.

Click here for full results

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