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

Experience was the key for Cedar Falls’ Hannah Bermel (right) at the 12th IGA Match Play Championship. She used that to come out on top with a 3 & 2 victory in the finals against Paige Hoffman, of West Des Moines. Bermel defeated Anna Jensen, of Dubuque, in the semifinals to set up the showdown with Hoffman.

“It’s nice having this whole course to ourselves,” Bermel said. “I was lucky enough to have Wednesday off (with a bye in the Round of 32) and practice in between stroke play qualifying and my match.

Bermel commented she enjoys match play and tries to keep a positive outlook throughout the round within that format. Bermel never trailed in the match against Hoffman, building a 3 up lead through 10 holes before ending the match on hole 16.

“It’s a different type of golf – match play,” Bermel said. “You have to have fun and try and make a few putts. Having the experience of playing here before and knowing the course helped a lot. That helped me out mostly.”

Now a two-time IGA Champion, as she won the 2019 IGA Four-Ball with sister Hailey, Bermel is looking forward to the Iowa Women’s Amateur in July at Iowa City’s Finkbine Golf Course

“I hope this win is a springboard for me,” Bermel said. “The goal is to make it three (career IGA championships) in July.”

Ames’ Zach May (right) made it look effortless for most of the time, but it was far from easy the Iowa State golfer said following his win in 21 holes over Ankeny’s Connor Peck to capture the 35th IGA Match Play Championship.

In fact, May, a recent winner at the 2023 Fort Dodge Amateur, never led the match before his putt dropped on the third playoff hole to win the match. Down two with four to play, May knew he needed to make a move and maybe take a chance. After nearly driving the 15th hole to set up a tap-in birdie, May was able to extend the match with a par on the 18th hole after both players found themselves just long of the left hole location.

“If you’re one down going into the last, you always have a chance and are in it,” May said after his win. “I had a lot of tough matches, some that went deep into the round, all week, I had to play out of my skin to beat these guys. I played well this week and I was happy with that.

May also credited his ability to get off to good starts around Talons Golf in Ankeny as a key to the week’s success.

“I thought I just tried to get off to a good start to each round,” May said. “I was able to play well all week and that was the key. I drove it well and had a lot of wedges around here. I gave myself plenty of looks at birdies. Some of the hole locations were good and you have to choose what ones you wanted to be aggressive at. You were rewarded with good shots, but penalized if you were off just a little bit. After my first look at it, during the qualifying round, I felt comfortable here.”

Maybe being conformable just makes it look easy – and that’s exactly what May did.

There was no shortage of action on the third day of the IGA Match Play Championships. Despite another gloomy morning and weather delay, the skies cleared over Talons Golf (above) in Ankeny.

Since the beginning of match play, Algona’s Joshua Manske has consistently defeated higher seeded opponents. He continued his trend, winning over previous champion Joe Palmer (3&1), of Norwalk, and Marshalltown’s Kelly Brown (2&1), in order to earn a spot in tomorrow’s first semifinal match.

His opponent will not let him by easily. Ankeny’s Connor Peck, 2020 Match Play Champion, outlasted 5-seed Sioux City’s Samuel Storey in the Round of 16, winning after 19 holes. A strong showing against Clive’s Jake Weissenburger (4&3) netted Peck a tee time on the final day.

Still in the mix is defending champion Ankeny’s Nate McCoy. Despite a tight match against Waukee’s Chad Tracy (19 holes), McCoy defeated Waverly’s Hogan Hansen (3&1) to advance to the semifinals.

McCoy will play Ames’ Zach May (right) in an Iowa State vs. Iowa State face off. May, a rising sophomore from New Zealand, will challenge one of ISU’s all-time greats in what should be an exciting match. May proved his stamina after besting New Sharon’s Trent Lindenman (19 holes) and Decorah’s Jay Fjelstul (3&2).

On the women’s side, ‘old’ Pleasant Valley teammates Erika Holmberg and Maura Peters set aside their friendship as they faced each other in the Round of 16.

“We’re always pushing each other and supporting each other,” Holmberg said before the round, “but in a match format you’re really pulling for yourself to win. I think it will be an exciting day.”

It evidently was an exciting match as Holmberg pulled off a 2&1 win over Peters. But at the end of the day, the seedings held true as the 1 through 4 seeds advanced to the semifinals.

1-seed Marshalltown’s Amber Henson played true to expectations, beating Kelly Nelson (7&6) and Tatum Depuydt (4&3).

Henson will face 4-seed West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman, who defeated Chase Doland (3&2) and Leanne Smith (4&3). After a slow start in the morning, Hoffman cleaned up her game and will be dangerous as she looks to forward her momentum come Friday.

2-seed Anna Jensen defeated young Natalie Henson (5&4) and veteran Fiona Watson (4&3) on her way to the semifinal match.

She will face 3-seed Hannah Bermel (right), also a University of Northern Iowa Panther, in another former-teammate duel. Bermel won over Taylor Sedivec in 19 holes and over Erika Holmberg 2&1.

Heading into the semifinals, defending champions Nate McCoy and Anna Jensen look to defend their titles, Connor Peck attempts to return to the winner’s circle, and new names will try to cement their place in IGA history. It’s every man and woman for themselves.

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And then there were sixteen… The opening round of matches of the 35th IGA Match Play Championship at Talons Golf, Ankeny, began in the dark under a thick haze. Gusty morning winds challenged play, bringing a lightning delay with it.

The day’s story belonged to the youth. Numerous high school, college, or recently graduated players populated the Round of 16, whose matches will be played tomorrow. The remaining spots belong to familiar veterans—Ankeny’s Nate McCoy, Ankeny’s Connor Peck, Norwalk’s Joe Palmer have all won this very championship before and will continue their pursuit of this year’s title.

In the 12th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship, held concurrently at Talons Golf, Kelly Nelson (above right), a previous champion, defeated Marley Richter 1-up in the first round of match play. Nelson will face 1-seed Amber Henson in the Round of 16.

Tatum Depuydt bested Kelly Grimes 5&3, Chase Doland beat Laura Leszczynski 1-up, Rosalie Kubesheski won over Geri Huser 3&2, and Natalie Henson beat Lindsay Burry 5&4. Tabitha Schumacher and Maura Peters both dominated their matches 7&6, beating Lisa Griswold and Julie Hartman, respectively. Taylor Sedivec outlasted Nicki Miller, winning on the nineteenth hole.

The rounds of 16 and 8 of the Match Play Championships will be contested tomorrow. Follow along on live scoring and on social media.

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