Category: Championships

Taylor joins Davis at top of 44th Iowa Senior Amateur leaderboard, Brooks paces Super Seniors

August 24, 20220 commentsIowa Senior Amateur

Bret Taylor (above) joins the first-round leader, Sean Davis, at the top of the leaderboard. Taylor held a two-shot lead going into his last three holes, but an untimely tee shot on seven and a three putt on nine sent him back into a tie with Davis.

“It was a little disappointing to three-putt the last hole” Taylor said. “I also holed out from 72 yards, so I can’t complain.”

With five birdies and a hole-out for eagle on the day, Taylor was pleased with his round. 

“I have struggled this year, so it is nice to piece together some rounds and hit some good shots,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s first Iowa Senior Amateur Championship appearance came at Ames Golf and Country Club back in 2015. Having past experience along with a strong history of playing well in the Joe August tournament each year, Taylor is overflowing with confidence. 

“I play the Joe August every year,” Taylor said. “Ron Peterson and I have had a lot of success here. I know the course and I am confident on the course.”

Knowing the task ahead of him, Taylor does not want to get ahead of himself. 

“You can’t get ahead of yourself,” Taylor said. “That is probably the best way to play. I did a good job of not getting ahead of myself and I absolutely have to do that tomorrow.”

Davis carded an even round today to keep his name at the top. Three birdies and three bogeys kept Davis from increasing his first-round lead. 

The 2021 Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer, is back into contention after tying Taylor for the low round of the day. After a bogey on hole 12, Palmer caught fire. Going six-under in the following nine holes pushed Palmer into third place. 

Dave Cunningham was one shot away from joining Palmer and Taylor. Cunningham had a clean scorecard and knocked in four birdies to finish his day in fourth place. Jay Gregory and Jay Slings will go into the final round in a tie for fifth place at even-par.

Bob Brooks (right) takes the lead in the Super Senior Division after a two-under round of 69 Tuesday afternoon. Brooks began the day with two bogeys in his first three holes but turned it around quickly with back-to-back birdies on four and five. 

To finish the day, Brooks made birdie on 13 and 16 to close out his day two shots ahead of second place. Joel Yunek, of Mason City, finished in solo second after a one-over round of 72 during the morning wave. 

Steve Kahler and Jim Butler made moves today, getting back inside the top-three. Kahler ended his day at even par and Butler carded a one-under round. Rob Christensen rounded out the top-five with a 145 two-round tally. 

The final round of the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship will take place Wednesday morning. Find out which senior and super senior will be crowned the champion at Ames Golf and Country Club using our live scoring feature. 

Senior Division
T1. Bret Taylor 70-66=136
T1. Sean Davis 65-71=136
3. Joe Palmer 73-66=139
4. Dave Cunningham 73-67=140
T5. Jay Slings 67-75=142
T5. Jay Gregory 71-71=142

Super Senior Division
1. Bob Brooks 72-69=141
2. Joel Yunek 71-72=143
T3. Jim Butler 74-70=144
T3. Steve Kahler 73-71=144
T3. Rob Christensen 74-70=144

Davis sets the pace at 44th Iowa Senior Amateur, Miller leads Super Seniors

August 23, 20220 commentsIowa Senior Amateur

Sean Davis, of Council Bluffs is the round one leader at the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, held at Ames Golf and Country Club. Davis had it rolling in round one, knocking in seven birdies en route to a six-under round.

“I just played real solid all the way around,” said Davis. “As the day went on the greens got a little dryer and faster. They were in great shape and the staff did a great job.”

Going into moving day with a two-shot lead can be uncomfortable at times, but not for Davis. 

“This resembles the back nine at my home course Council Bluffs Country Club,” Davis said. “I feel real comfortable out here.”

Ankeny’s, Jay Slings, sits two-back of Davis after a four-under round of 67. Slings made five birdies to only one lone bogey. Currently, Slings holds second place by three-shots over Booneville’s, Bret Taylor. 

Taylor joined Davis and Slings as the only three players under-par in the Senior Division. Taylor tallied four birdies, but three bogeys set him back. Ron Peterson and the recent Herman Sani Tournament Senior Champion, Jay Gregory, finish the top-five at even-par. 

Terry Miller, of Fort Dodge, leads the way in the Super Senior Division with a one-shot lead over Mason City’s, Joel Yunek. Miller carded a one-under round of 70 that included four birdies to only three bogeys. 

Yunek holds on to solo second place after parring the course. Yunek’s consistent round places him in great position to chase the lead. Bob Brooks and Rob Christensen finished tied for third place at one-over par. 

Steve Kahler, David Studer and the Super Senior Match Play Champion, Tom Norton, round out the top-five at two-over par. The competitors in the three-way tie for fifth are only three-back from Miller.

The second round of the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship will start Tuesday morning morning. Follow the seniors using our live scoring feature as they look to put pressure on the leaders, Davis and Miller.

Senior Division
1. Sean Davis -6 65
2. Jay Slings -4 67
3. Bret Taylor -1 70
T4. Ron Peterson E 71
T4. Jay Gregory E 71

Super Senior Division
Terry Miller -1 70
Joel Yunek E 71
T3. Bob Brooks +1 72
T3. Rob Christensen +1 72
T5. Steve Kahler +2 73
T5. Tom Norton +2 73
T5. David Studer +2 73

Irv Warren Memorial GC wins, Smith defends title at Elmcrest CC

August 16, 20220 commentsChampionships, IGA Women's Club Team

Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course overthrew Echo Valley Country Club as the 61st IGA Women’s Club Team champions and Leanne Smith (above left) defends her title at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. 

Smith fired a four-under round of 66 to earn back-to-back titles. Five birdies and one eagle gave Smith a three-shot lead over her IGA Four-Ball partner, Julie Buerman. Buerman carded a 69 to finish second in the Gross Division.

With a two-over tally, the side of Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course was able to slide by the defending champions at Echo Valley Country Club by one shot. Lindsay Burry led her squad with a three-over round. 

Rose Kubesheski finished second on the team with a 75 total. Kubesheski’s Four-Ball partner, Margene Grady, added a 78 to the team’s total while Kelly Nelson tacked on an efficient round of 79.

Sunnyside Country Club won the Net Division with a 10-under total. Their team finished with a 200 total with Renea Freidman leading the way with a 67. The side of Sunnyside Country Club topped St. Andrews second group by one shot. 

Amy Olberding (above right) was crowned the individual Net Division champion with a four-under round of 66. Olberding broke out of the three-way tie for second place to win by one shot. Mary Hoefle, Renea Friedman and Cindy Reinertsen concluded their day in a tie for second. 

On August 22, the Iowa Golf Association holds the Iowa Senior Amateur at Ames Golf and Country Club. Follow the seniors using our live scoring feature as they battle for this year’s crown.

Gross Division
Irv Warren Memorial GC +2 212
Echo Valley CC +3 213
Elmcrest CC +5 215
Sunnyside CC +7 217
St. Andrews-2 +8 218

Individual Gross Division
Leanne Smith -4 66
Julie Buerman -1 69
Amy Olberding E 70
Erin Schaffer E 70
Renea Friedman E 70

Net Division
Sunnyside CC -10 200
St. Andrews-2 -9 201
Hyperion Field Club -4 206
Irv Warren Memorial GC -4 206
Echo Valley CC -4 206

Individual Net Division
Amy Olberding -4 66
Mary Hoefle -3 67
Renea Friedman -3 67
Cindy Reinertsen -3 67
Lisa Zbylicki -2 68

Fisher plays steady, wins 73rd Herman Sani Tournament

August 15, 20220 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

Professional, Darin Fisher (above), finished out with 10-straight pars to seal the deal and win the 73rd Herman Sani Tournament on Sunday, held at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk.

The first round gave the (now) two-time Herman Sani Tournament champion zero fits as he put together a bogey-free, three-under round of 68. That momentum changed as the second round came around the corner.

“I started off with bogey on the first hole during my second round, so I said, ‘I guess today was going to be one of those where you throw in a few bogeys and make a few birdies’,” Fisher said.

Fisher recorded three bogeys and five birdies to finished tied for the lead going into the final round.

On Fisher’s opening nine, he opened with a one-under 34 to give him a four-shot lead over the low-amateur, Connor Peck. As the two competitors made the turn, Connor found himself two-back after two more birdies on 10 and 13. 

As Fisher approached the 16th hole, he was left with a ‘knee-knocker’ to save his par. The putt hit the back of the cup and fell, leaving Fisher with a two-shot lead with two holes to play.

“That putt was big,” Fisher said. “I was totally fooled on the downhill part of that putt, but I told myself, ‘You’re going to make this, you’re going to make this,’ and I stayed positive, and I just rolled that thing in.”

With pars on 17 and 18, Fisher claimed his second Herman Sani Tournament title.

“This tournament is so great,” Fisher said. “There are so many great players in this event. I won at Hyperion before and so it is great to know now that my game travels here. I love winning events that Chad (Pitts) and his staff run. I am just really proud.”

Peck (right) made a run at the overall title, but late bogeys altered his plans and sent him to a playoff with Anthony Ruthey for the low-amateur title. 

“I made five on 17 and five on 18 so I felt like I gave away two at the end,” Peck said. “It worked out in the end; Anthony and I had a good playoff.”

Peck won the fourth playoff hole to seal the victory and conclude an impressive week. 

Defending champion, Jay Gregory does it again in the Senior Division. Knocking off the Norwalk native and 2021 IGA Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer, for the second straight year is a feat in itself. 

“This win is special,” Gregory said. “I look forward to coming back next year and trying to three-peat.”

Gregory’s scores were about as consistent as they could get, tallying rounds of 71, 70 and a final 70 to keep the trophy in his possession. 

“There so many good players,” Gregory said. “Playing in any IGA tournament is tough. I was hitting the ball well all week and I finally made some putts today; I was kind of struggling the last two days.”

Palmer finished one shot back of Gregory (right) at one-under par for the week. Early bogeys on the card left Palmer hanging on as Gregory jumped out of the gate with three birdies on his first nine holes. 

Jeff Collett, the 2022 IGA Match Play Champion, took third place. Collett ended his tournament run with a six-over total and a 74 on the final day. The 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier, Curtis Holck, was the fourth-place finisher at seven-over par.

Wrapping up the Senior Division’s top-five was the 2023 Walker Cup Captain, Mike McCoy, and former Iowa Amateur Champion, Brian Verduyn. The two historic Iowa golfers carded eight-over tallies for the week.

The 2021 Super Senior Player of the Year, Pat Ryan, marches to the finish line in an impressive fashion. Ryan was down five shots after round one, but dug deep and fought to claim the Super Senior Division title. 

“I wanted to win this more than any other tournament,” Ryan said. “Thanks to the Iowa Golf Association and Echo Valley Country Club, this place was fantastic. It means a lot to me.”

A birdie on the 16th and a par on his 17th hole gave Ryan (right) the two stroke lead over the runner-up finisher, Robert Pomerantz. Ryan had been searching for a lead all week and for it to appear just in time showed the strength Ryan brought to the table. 

Rob Christensen took third place after tying Tom Schill for the low round of the day. Christensen carded a 71 to sneak back into contention. Joel Yunek and Jim Madsen round out the top-five with an 11-over tally. 

The 61st IGA Women’s Club Team Championship begins today. Follow our live scoring feature and find out which club shines the brightest at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. 

Open Division
1. Darin Fisher 68-69-70=207
T2. Connor Peck 69-72-69=210
T2. Anthony Ruthey 67-72-71=210
T2. Matthew Walker 68-74-68=210
5. Matthew Jennings 67-74-70=211

Amateur Division
1. Connor Peck 69-72-69=210 *Won Playoff*
2. Anthony Ruthey 67-72-71=210
T3. Nate McCoy 72-73-67=212
T3. Sam Vertanen 71-67-74=212
5. Ian Meyer 66-77-70=213

Senior Division
1. Jay Gregory 71-70-70=211
2. Joe Palmer 71-68-73=212
3. Jeff Collett 72-73-74=219
4. Curtis Holck 72-70-78=220
T5. Mike McCoy 71-75-75=221
T5. Brian Verduyn 74-70-77=221

Super Senior Division
1. Pat Ryan 76-70-73=219
2. Robert Pomerantz 75-73-72=220
3. Rob Christensen 76-74-71=221
T4. Joel Yunek 73-75-76=224
T4. Jim Madsen 72-72-80=224

Fisher takes lead into final round of 73rd Herman Sani Tournament

August 14, 20220 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

Making a charge was the name of the game on Saturday as Darin Fisher (above) took the lead after round two of the 73rd Herman Sani Tournament at Echo Valley Country Club in Norwalk. 

After carding a bogey free 68 in round one, Fisher had a little more adversity during his second run at Echo Valley Country Club. Three bogeys jumped at Fisher. He fought back by tacking on five birdies to take a one-shot lead into the final round. 

Sam Vertanen was red-hot during his round today. With a four-under front-nine, Vertanen had it going early. Two more birdies were added to Vertanen’s card to start his back-nine, but finished his final four holes at two-over par.

Paired together for the first two rounds seemed to help Logan Barnes and Anthony Ruthey as they will head into the final round in a tie for third place. Barnes was our solo leader at seven-under par, but two double bogeys on his 15th hole and 17th hole set him back.

Ruthey played his front-nine at one-over par and carded an even back-nine to finish with a 72 on the day. Matthew Jennings, a fellow professional to Fisher, tied for fifth place with Connor Peck and Parker Oleson at one-under par.

The 2021 Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer, holds a two-shot lead over defending champion, Jay Gregory. Palmer posted a three-under round that included four birdies and on lone bogey on the twelfth hole. 

Jay Gregory kept himself in contention with a one-under round. Gregory began his day at two-over par through his first twelve holes, but three birdies in his final six holes pushed him back towards the top.

Recent U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier, Curtis Holck, finished his second round in third place. Holck totaled four birdies en route to a one-under round of 70. Brian Verduyn found himself five back of Palmer but crept back inside the top-five after tying Gregory and Holck at one-under par today.

The 2022 IGA Senior Match Play Champion, Jeff Collett is inside the top-five at three-over par for the tournament. Don’t count him out as he knows how to go low quickly. 

A new leader appears in the Super Senior Division. Jim Madsen fired back-to-back rounds of 72 to grab the lead by two shots over the 2021 Super Senior Player of the Year, Pat Ryan. 

On his final nine, Madsen caught fire, knocking in five birdies. The late hot streak was met with a double bogey on his final hole, but the 2021 runner-up will head into the final round with the lead.

Ryan carded the low round of the day with a one-under 70. Stranded on the right side of the seventh hole, Ryan punched out to five feet and with excitement, drained the birdie. 

Robert Pomerantz and Joel Yunek finished in a tie for third place with 148 tallies. Rob Christensen rounds out the top-five after a 74 in today’s round. Christensen will head into the final round with a 150 total.

The final round of the 73rd Herman Sani Tournament begins Sunday morning. Keep up with the action using our live scoring feature and find out who will be crowned the Herman Sani Tournament champion in all divisions.

Open Division
1. Darin Fisher 68-69=137
2. Sam Vertanen 71-67=138
T3. Anthony Ruthey 67-72=139
T3. Logan Barnes 66-73=139
T5. Matthew Jennings 67-74=141
T5. Connor Peck 69-72=141
T5. Parker Oleson 74-67=141

Amateur Division
Sam Vertanen 71-67=138
T2. Anthony Ruthey 67-72=139
T2. Logan Barnes 66-73=139
T4. Connor Peck 69-72=141
T4. Parker Oleson 74-67=141

Senior Division
1. Joe Palmer 71-68=139
2. Jay Gregory 71-70=141
3. Curtis Holck 72-70=142
4. Brian Verduyn 74-70=144
5. Jeff Collett 72-73=145

Super Senior Division
1. Jim Madsen 72-72=144
2. Pat Ryan 76-70=146
T3. Robert Pomerantz 75-73=148
T3. Joel Yunek 73-75=148
Rob Christensen 76-74=150

Two share lead at 73rd Herman Sani Tournament

August 13, 20220 commentsChampionships, Herman Sani Tournament

After round one of the 73rd Herman Sani Tournament, two amateurs, Ian Meyer and Logan Barnes (above), lead the way, both with five-under rounds. 

The early morning tee-times favored our two leaders.

One-under going into his final nine holes, Meyer knew he needed to make something happen. Four birdies to close out his bogey-free, first round score, gave Meyer a tie for the lead alongside Barnes.  

Barnes couldn’t seem to keep the birdies off his scorecard. Eight birdies to only three bogeys gave Barnes a one-shot advantage going into the second round.  

A three-way tie for third place between Ethan Mechling, Anthony Ruthey and the Pro Division leader, Matthew Jennings rounds out the top-five. Those three competitors will head into the second round one shot off the lead at four-under. 

Three of the top seniors in Iowa lead the Senior Division. The 2023 Walker Cup Captain, Mike McCoy, carded an early morning round of 71, only to watch Joe Palmer and Jay Gregory tie him in their afternoon rounds. 

This year’s Senior Match Play champion, Jeff Collett, finished in a three-way tie with the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur qualifier, Curtis Holck, and Kris Greenfield. All three competitors recorded one-over rounds and sit one shot below the leaders.

Defending champion, Bill Tank, holds a one-shot lead in the Super Senior Division. Early adversity struck Tank after a four-over start in his first four holes. Looking forward, Tank carded five total birdies to give him the early advantage. 

Jim Madsen finds himself one-shot behind Tank after a one-over round. With three birdies on his opening nine, Madsen will seek out another hot start in tomorrow’s second round. Joel Yunek holds third place with a two-over round of 73.

The second round of the 73rd Herman Sani Tournament will start back up Saturday morning. Follow the action on moving day using our live scoring feature to see if the leaders hang on for another day or if someone else jumps up to the top.

Open Division
T1. Ian Meyer -5 66
T1. Logan Barnes -5 66
T3. Matthew Jennings -4 67
T3. Ethan Mechling -4 67
T3. Anthony Ruthey -4 67

Amateur Division
T1. Ian Meyer -5 66
T1. Logan Barnes -5 66
T3. Ethan Mechling -4. 67
T3. Anthony Ruthey -4 67
5. Connor Peck -2 69

Senior Division
T1. Mike McCoy E 71
T1. Jay Gregory E 71
T1. Joe Palmer E 71
T4. Jeff Collett +1 72
T4. Curtis Holck +1 72
T4. Kris Greenfield +1 72

Super Senior Division
1. Bill Tank E 71
2. Jim Madsen +1 72
3. Joel Yunek +2 73
T4. Mike McDonald +4 75
T4. David Studer +4 75
T4. Robert Pomerantz +4 75
T4. Tom Schill +4 75

Leszczynski defends title at LPN, Grady earns third Super Senior victory

August 10, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Amateur

Laura Leszczynski (above) will engrave her name on the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur trophy for the third time in her career after outlasting, Rose Kubesheski, at the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. 

As the two leaders, Leszczynski and Kubesheski, approached the final three-hole stretch, there seemed to be anyone’s title for the taking.

“We didn’t really know what the scores were,” Leszczynski said. “I thought I was down one. On the last few holes, my goal was just to make par all the way in.”

On hole 18, Kubesheski was inches away from holing out for birdie from just off the green. Leszczynski stood and watched Kubesheski tap in for her par, knowing that she was going to need her eight-foot par putt to drop.

“I thought my last putt was for a push to go into a play off,” Leszczynski said. “I put a lot a pressure on myself for that one, so it was a relief to make that one.”

Her putt caught the lip of the hole and fell. Little did she know that putt was for her second straight Senior Women’s Amateur Title, but Leszczynski couldn’t take all the credit. 

“Coming off of the USGA Event, I didn’t play well there,” Leszczynski said. “I was fortunate enough to have some time with my local head golf professional, Jason Marvelli. He fixed my swing, so I came in here with a brand-new swing. To know where the ball was going to go instead of wish where it was going to go was awesome.”

A new swing was just enough for Leszczynski to defeat the seven-time Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur champion, Kubesheski. 

“Rose played great,” Leszczynski said. “She makes me play better and keeps me focused. For me, I just need to stay calm and remind myself to stay in the game. To watch her play and play so evenly is always fun to watch, but I needed to play my own game and not play against her.”

As Leszczynski glanced at the trophy she worked so hard for, she could only share how much fun she had. 

“To win this one, in such a close way was fun,” Leszczynski said.

A two-time Super Senior Women’s Amateur Champion, Margene Grady, made it three with a playoff victory over Jeanette Fredericksen. 

The crowd of senior ladies were filled with anticipation as they followed Grady and Fredericksen back to the 10th tee. After Fredericksen left her approach just short of the putting surface, Grady stuck hers to the middle of the green. Fredericksen was unable to save par, and Grady two-putted.

With a par on that first playoff hole, Grady headed back to the clubhouse with a big smile and a third Super Senior Women’s Amateur title.

Fortune wins shootout
Congratulations to the IGA’s first ever IGA Senior Women’s Shoot-out champion, Kathy Fortune. Fortune felt the pressure she said but came through and defeated Janece Schwartzkopf in a late chip-off to win the ‘last-man standing’ style mini-game. 

Championship Division
1. Laura Leszczynski 77-77=154
2. Rose Kubesheski 77-78=155
3. Michelle Klein 78-86=164
4. Kathy Fortune 85-82=167
T5. Jeanette Fredericksen 87-82=169
T5. Margene Grady 86-83=169
T5. Kelly Grimes 82-87=169

Super Senior Division
1. Margene Grady 86-83=169 *Won Playoff*
2. Jeanette Fredericksen 87-82=169
T3. Janis Owens 91-84=175
T3. Jennifer Corkrean 88-87=175
Sue Harmon 83-93=176

Familiar faces lead the pace at 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur

August 9, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Senior Women's Amateur

Iowa’s three U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship qualifiers, Laura Leszczynski, Rose Kubesheski (above) and Michelle Klein are on top of the first-round leaderboard at the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. 

Defending champion, Leszczynski, tied Kubesheski for the lowest round of the day with a five over 77. With 13 pars on the day, Leszczynski’s consistent play might be enough to take down the current leader for the Senior Women’s Player of the Year, Kubesheski. 

Kubesheski is looking for her eighth Senior Women’s Amateur Championship title, and she set herself up well after round one. After a quick double bogey on the first hole, Kubesheski played the following 12 holes at even par. 

Klein snuck up on the leaders and will put the pressure on in the final round. Klein recorded 10 pars and one birdie to find the top-three on the leaderboard. Her round of 78 will be enough for Leszczynski and Kubesheski to keep an eye on. 

On the penultimate hole, Kelly Grimes knocked in a long birdie to place her inside the top-five.  Grimes finished with a par on the 18th hole to post an 82 and finds herself five shots behind the leaders, Leszczynski and Kubesheski. 

Kelly Grimes’ partner in crime, Sue Harmon, rounds out the top-five with an 11-over round. Harmon’s 40 on the back nine pushed her into contention and out of the two-way tie for sixth place.  

The final round of the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship will begin Tuesday morning. Follow the ladies using our live scoring feature to find out who will be crowned the Senior Women’s Champion.

Championship Division
T1. Laura Leszczynski +5 77
T1. Rose Kubesheski +5 77
3. Michelle Klein +6 78
4. Kelly Grimes +10 82
5. Sue Harmon +11 83

Net Division
1. Sue Harmon -2 70
T2. Kelly Grimes -1 71
T2. Rose Kubesheski -1 71
T2. Ardrae Parmenter E 72
5. Michelle Klein +1 73

Anderson claims 2022 Northwest Amateur, Brown & Muller take home wins

August 8, 20220 commentsChampionships, News

J.D. Anderson (above) grabbed his first win of the season at the 2022 Northwest Amateur Championship at Spencer Golf and Country Club over the weekend. Anderson had to go low to knock off the recent U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifier, Dennis Bull.

Through the first two rounds, Anderson recorded 17 birdies without a bogey on the card. With a four-shot lead going into the final 36-hole round, Anderson continued to make birdies and extend his lead. Bull closed in on Anderson’s lead after the front nine of their final 18 holes. However, Anderson caught fire on the back nine with five birdies in his final eight holes to win the championship.

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer, Jon Brown, was victorious in the Senior Division. Brown fired rounds of 68 and 69 to claim his win over second place finishers, Terry Cook and Jay Gregory. With 141 tallies, Cook and Gregory finished four shots behind Brown.

Jay Muller was the Super Senior Division champion with rounds of 72 and 75. Muller ended with a two-shot lead over Bob Brummel, who posted rounds of 73 and 76 to earn a second-place finish.

The 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship begins today! Follow the ladies as they make their way around Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

Championship Division
1. J.D. Anderson -22 62-65-71-68=266
2. Dennis Bull -19 65-66-71-67=269
3. Samuel Storey -16 62-72-72-66=272
T4. Antoine Sale -13 66-68-72-69=275
T4. Jon Brown -13 68-69-68-70=275

Senior Division
1. Jon Brown -7 68-69=137
T2. Terry Cook -3 72-69=141
T2. Jay Gregory -3 71-70=141
Chris Kramer E 73-71=144
Brad Van Roekel +4 75-73=148

Super Senior Division
1. Jay Muller +3 72-75=147
2. Bob Brummel +5 73-76=149
T3. Ron Peterson +6 72-78=150
T3. Mark Gambaiana +6 72-78=150
T3. Bill Mathers +6 71-79=150

Chou keeps the title in the family, wins 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur

July 28, 20220 commentsChampionships, Iowa Women's Amateur

The final round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship concluded Wednesday afternoon at Cedar Rapids Country Club. Ruby Chou (right) tapped in for her par on the final hole and joined her sister, Joy Chou, as an Iowa Women’s Amateur Champion.

“I’m super excited to have my name right next to Joy on the trophy now,” Ruby said. “I know we both work hard every day to get to where we want to be, but golf is hard sometimes. I can’t believe I made it, and I can’t wait to show it to Joy and my parents.”

After each round, Joy gave Ruby pep talks over the phone to help keep her stay focused.

“Joy and I talked about what happened and she kept telling me to do my best and don’t think too much on the course,” Ruby said. “She told me to go out there and have fun playing the tournament.”

Joy mentioned to Ruby that she would be busy and wouldn’t be able to make it to the final round, but Ruby still had hope she might.

“She told me she was not going to be there,” Ruby said. “I had feeling that she would show up. I told myself to keep it up so that I could show her that I won the tournament.”

As the flag stick went back into the 18th hole, Ruby looked up to see her sister standing over the green.

Going into the final round, Ruby had a four-shot lead over fellow Iowa State Cyclone, Warda Amira Rawof. After the front nine, Chou was two-over and was holding on to a two-shot lead.

“I was two-over on the front nine, but I knew all of my bogeys were from three-putts,” Ruby said. “I just needed to calm down and play smart.”

After Chou made a double on 12 and a bogey on hole 13, the two teammates were tied.

“On the back nine I made double and then a bogey, which put me in a tie with Warda,” Ruby said. “I told myself it was going to be okay, and I needed to stay positive.”

Positivity was key for Chou. After sticking a wedge from 86 yards out, Chou tapped in her birdie and got back on track.

“After my birdie on 14, I told myself, ‘You got this’ and I finished strong,” Ruby said.

That she did. Chou parred the final four holes to close out the tournament and win by two-shots.

Eden Lohrbach pushed herself back into contention with the lowest final round score. Lohrbach fired a 72 to move back into third place and put the pressure on Rawof and Chou. Lohrbach has now finished inside the top-three in back-to-back Iowa Women’s Amateur Championships.

Amber Henson and Hannah Bermel tied for fourth place with 226, 54-hole tallies. Henson carded the second-lowest round of the day with a 73, and Bermel’s 76 secured a spot inside the top-five.

Rose Kubesheski won the Open Division in dominating fashion, as she earns her third victory of the season. With a final round 73, Kubesheski increased her two-shot lead into a 10-shot win over fellow U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship qualifiers, Michelle Klein and Laura Leszczynski (all pictured above).

Klein and Leszczynski tied for second with 240 tallies. Klein carded rounds of 78 and back-to-back 81’s and Leszczynski kept it consistent with three-straight rounds of 80. It was a strong week for these ladies as they head to the Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in two weeks.

Defending Open Division champion, Kelly Nelson, finished in fourth place with a 249 total. Nelson was two shots ahead of Kelly Grimes who posted the second-lowest final round total with a 75, to round out the top-five.

Next on the Iowa Golf Association’s schedule is the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora. Follow to see if Leszczynski will defend her title or will someone else hoist the trophy this year.

Championship Division
1. Ruby Chou +3 71-72-76=219
2. Warda Amira Rawof +5 71-76-74=221
3. Eden Lohrbach +8 72-80-72=224
T4. Hannah Bermel +10 75-75-76=226
T4. Amber Henson +10 72-81-73=226

Open Division
1. Rose Kubesheski +14 76-81-73=230
2. Michelle Klein +24 78-81-81=240
3. Laura Leszczynski +24 80-80-80=240
4. Kelly Nelson +33 82-84-83=249
5. Kelly Grimes +35 88-88-75=251

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