Category: News

Hoffman joins IGA as Director of Development

The Iowa Golf Association would like to announce that Paige Hoffman (above), of West Des Moines, has joined the staff as Director of Development. Hoffman, among other duties throughout the golf season, will lead the IGA in recruiting and building lasting relationships with the volunteer base and membership, as well at create and administer valuable seminars and workshops at Golf House Iowa for IGA members, in particular, juniors. Hoffman will also serve as Staff Liaison for Scholar Committees and administrator those programs.

Hoffman, who you might remember, was a P.J. Boatwright intern in 2023 and 2024. Established in 1991, the Boatwright Internship is designed to provide experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing golf administration as a career while assisting state and amateur golf associations with the promotion of amateur golf. P.J. Boatwright was a long-time executive director of the USGA and came to be acknowledged as the world’s foremost expert on the rules of golf.

“I am overjoyed to be the Director of Development for the IGA,” Hoffman said. “Two of my biggest passions in life are golf and serving others and working at the IGA combines those passions perfectly. Over the years, the IGA has brought me some of my best memories and closest friends and I am looking forward to helping others find meaningful connections through the game.”

Hoffman will start as a part-time IGA employee while she finishes her spring golf season at Northwest Missouri State University, an NCAA Division II school in Maryville, MO. She will transition to full-time in mid-May.

‘Up and Down’ the Iowa Golf Scene – World Traveler

Globetrotting Knutzon Comes by Nomadic Golf Lifestyle Naturally

Jason Knutzon is all smiles after capturing the Asian Tour’s 2007 Motorola International Bintan event in Indonesia.

Chances are, if any given country has hosted a professional golf tournament, Jason Knutzon has probably teed it up there.

After all, the former Iowa State Cyclone star figures he has played professional golf tournaments in nearly 40 different countries, logging more than 1.8 million miles through the air to get there.

Now headquartered out of Altoona, IA., the 49-year-old Knutzon sat down with “Up and Down the Iowa Golf Scene” recently to reflect upon a remarkable golf career that has taken him to all levels of the game and all parts of the globe, including Russia and China. A handful of American pros compete internationally in select DP World Tour (formerly known as the European Tour) and Asian Tour events. Fewer yet choose to make a career like Knutzon did for a 15-year span (2003-2018).

And play he did, Knutzon may arguably have been one of the highest ranking, least known Americans out there, ascending to a World Golf Ranking of 254th and spending the majority of his career ranked somewhere between the 400th and 500th best player in the world.

“Not many American players go down this path, and I certainly have no regrets,” Knutzon remarked. “I’ve made a good living, got to experience so many different cultures, traveled to so many countries and developed friendships with so many notable international players, including major champions.”

Following standout collegiate and amateur careers, Knutzon turned professional in 1999 and played various mini tours, including The Dakotas Tour, a summer circuit based primarily in South and North Dakota. He later advanced through PGA Tour qualifying school far enough to earn status on the 2001 Buy.Com Tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour. In his first event, the Buy.Com Louisiana Open, Knutzon registered a tie for 10th and appeared to be on his way. Instead, he struggled for the rest of the season, making seven cuts in 19 events and won $27,299 in earnings to finish 118th on the money list, ultimately losing his card.

Knutzon had reached a crossroads early in his pro golf career.

“I actually gave some thought to quitting the professional game to become a pilot, like my father, who was a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force and flew F16’s for a living,” he said. “I didn’t want to grind it out on the mini tours but still loved to play. I went over to Asia because the purses were competitive, and it was a pathway to a major (European) tour.”

He advanced through the Asian Tour qualifying school and became eligible for the 2003 season

What followed was a highly successful international playing career. Knutzon spent 15 consecutive seasons on the Asian Tour, finishing high enough on the Order of Merit to retain playing privileges. The pinnacle of his career came with victories in the 2004 Macau Open in China and the 2007 Motorola International event in Indonesia. He defeated none other than three-time major champion Padraig Harrington by three shots in China, firing a 16-under-par 268. In all, Knutzon had 226 starts on the Asian Tour, charted 21 top ten finishes along with his two victories and registered more than $1.7 million in earnings. In 2014, he finished 14th on the Order of Merit and had a career-high $209,121 in winnings.

“I had some early success on the Asian Tour and was able to pick my starts, playing 15-20 weeks per season and allowing me to spend more time at home in the states,” he said.

The Asian Tour schedule led Knutzon to places like Malaysia, Indonesia, Qatar, Thailand, Myanmar, Korea, Singapore, Philippines, India, Hong Kong, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates and more. Among the many adjustments of international golf include the rugged travel and the food.

“The first few years I really struggled with the food,” he said. “I kept ordering the American club sandwich and the spaghetti Bolognese. I quickly learned the native dishes were rather good after all.”

There were other challenges. Aside from the occasional poisonous snake or wild animal meandering across the fairway, Knutzon also witnessed the group ahead of him being attacked by a swarm of hornets, suspending play and forcing the players to disrobe and head for the nearest water hazard to seek relief.

“My journey’s been a wild one, to say the least,” he said.

Knutzon found time to play a handful of events on the European Tour (now DP World Tour) from 2003-2010 and then a regular schedule from 2011-2016, emerging through qualifying school three times. In all, he played in 138 European Tour events, making 77 cuts and charting six top ten finishes. He earned $532,905 in euros with his top finish being a tie for fourth in the 2015 True Thailand Classic, finishing ahead of current PGA Champions Tour star Migel Angel Jimenez by a shot.

Former Iowa State linkster Jason Knutzon played the Asian Tour for 15 years. In his second season in tour, he captured the 2004 Macau Open in China, defeating Paidraig Harrington, among others.

He’s played with major champions like Ernie Els, Cameron Smith, John Daly, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, YE Yang and Steve Elkington and current international players Thongchai Jaidee, Richard Green and Ricardo Gonzalez, who are now making a name for themselves on the PGA Tour Champions. He competed collegiately and on the Iowa golf circuit with Zach Johnson, and the two have remained good friends.

In addition to competing in more than 350 Asian Tour and DP World Tour events, Knutzon has other significant golf achievements. He qualified for the 2003 US Open contested at Olympia Fields and the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club. He also played two PGA Tour events late in the 2014 season, the CIMB Classic in Malaysia and the World Golf Championship HSBC event in Shanghai.

“It would have been easier playing stateside, competing on the PGA or Korn Ferry Tours,” Knutzon remarked. “But when you are playing tournament golf, you are away from home, whether across the world or across a few states. I never spent any off weeks on the road, always flying back home to be with family.”

Knutzon and his wife, Rustina, and two children Landon and Libby, now 16 and 13 respectively, would occasionally join him in Europe.

Born in Lubbock, TX., into a military family, being on the go was par for the course growing up as Knutzon says “we moved every couple of years.” His father Kip served the U.S. Air Force as an F16 pilot and was stationed state-side and internationally. Prior to his senior year, Knutzon moved from Virginia to live with his grandparents in Eagle Grove, IA.

There, he caught the attention of former Iowa State golf coach Dale Anderson and played four successful seasons for the Cyclones, posting 18 top ten finishes, and setting the school’s single season stroke average as a senior, a record that stood for 11 years. He dominated the 1998 Iowa Golf Association schedule by capturing titles at Fort Dodge Amateur, Iowa Masters, and Northwest Amateur.

Today, Knutzon operates the Golf Barn in rural Altoona, a multi-purpose facility equipped with a golf simulator, putting green and the latest swing technology to assist players of all levels, ages, and abilities. Although he has not competed much over the past five years, the fires still burn. In 2023, Knutzon received a former champion exemption into the Asian Tour’s SJM Macao Open, where at age 47 he fired a 17-under par 267 and tied for sixth.

He’s a year away from being eligible for the PGA Tour Champions. To earn status, he’ll have to gain entry through the qualifying school or advance through various Monday qualifiers. His advice for younger players?

“The farther you advance in the game, the more you have to treat it like a business,” Knutzon said. “You have to develop a game where you can hit the ball on the button, on the number, repetitively and with control. When you’re under pressure, swing mechanics and fundamentals have to take over. At the same time, have the inner confidence to love the game, smile and just go play.”

Now living in rural Altoona, Knutzon operates The Golf Barn where he gives lessons and analysis of golf swings for beginners, high school and college players and adults alike. His competitive fires still burn, and Knutzon looks forward to playing opportunities on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026, when he reaches 50 years of age.


“Up and Down” the Iowa Golf Scene

A regular feature column written by IGA Foundation board member Mark Gambaiana, Up and Down the Iowa Golf Scene is designed to take the reader beyond the headlines and scoreboards to share stories of those who help make Iowa golf so rich and rewarding. Profiles will spotlight those who advance the game through volunteerism, service, extraordinary achievement, competition, human interest and the many other dimensions of golf in Iowa.

Click the links below to read previous Up and Down features
– IGA Rules Official Sean Flanders
– R&A, USGA Champion Gene Elliott
– Nervig Reflects on Decades of Service to The Iowa Masters
– Arseneault Finds Fulfillment in Life’s Next Chapter After Competitive Golf
– Ivan Miller remembers the days of the Minnows
– Kinney adjusts to life on tour
– Standard Golf’s roots run deep
– Pettersen sets sights high
– McCoy, Norton Put Iowa Stamp on Florida Senior Golf
Moreland Reflects on his Extraordinary Club Pro, Playing Career
From Sibley to the LPGA Tour – Barb Thomas Whitehead Fulfills Her Dream
At 88 Years Young, Cleo Brown Remains a Fixture at the Principal Charity Classic, IGA Events
Love of the Game, Service to Others Propel Charlie Taylor to IGA’s 2023 George Turner Award
The Calling Card for Ottumwa’s Matthew Walker in Quest to Reach Golf’s Highest Level
Following the Rules Leads Katelynn Hogenson Down a Path Through Magnolia Lane
State Golf Champions Gather, Reminisce, 50 Years after Surprise Title
High-Level Competition, Boatwright Internship Preps Hoffman for Career in Golf

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced

The Iowa Golf Hall of Fame will add four members in 2025, bringing the total number in the Hall of Fame to 105. Those four include Nate Dunn, Whitey Barnard, Jeff Schmid and Tom Verrips. Read more about each inductee below.


Nate Dunn

Nate Dunn’s golf career is a tale of quality, not quantity.

He doesn’t play in as many Iowa Golf Association-sponsored events as many others, but he’s still found the kind of success that has earned him a spot in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

“When he does play, you know he’s going to be on the leaderboard,” Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Gene Elliott said. “He raises his game when it counts.”

Dunn is one of 11 players to win the prestigious Iowa Amateur at least three times. He also won an Iowa Amateur Match-Play crown, an Iowa Junior Amateur and was the IGA Player of the Year in 2007.

“Those tournaments are how you gauge yourself against the best,” Elliott said. “Nate’s very deserving of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.”

Dunn joined Jon Brown and Jerry Smith as the only players to win an Iowa Amateur and Iowa Match-Play Championship in the same season (2014). He also won the Iowa Amateur in 2004 and 2016.

He’s qualified for eight United States Golf Association championships, including three U.S. Amateurs (2002, 2007, 2011). He qualified for match play at the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur, reaching the round of 32.

He teamed up with Justin Schulte to win the 2019 IGA Four-Ball at Bos Landen. Dunn also won the Lake Creek Amateur in 1997, the Riverboat Days Amateur in 2007 and 2019 and has captured the Amateur Division of the Cedar Rapids Open multiple times.

A 1994 graduate of West Delaware High School, Nate was named president and CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank in 2018. He is the third member of his family to lead the regional financial institution.

Dunn’s first big victory came in the summer of 1993, when he won the Iowa Junior Amateur at Jester Park. He was a runner-up medalist to Ben Pettitt of Carroll at the State Class 3A high school championship in 1994.

Dunn played his college golf at Cal State-Stanislaus for legendary coach Jim Hanny. He played in three NCAA championships for the Warriors, was an honorable mention all-American in 1997 and a second-team selection in 1998, when he won the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate and was named the school’s Athlete of the Year. Dunn was enshrined in the Warrior Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

Dunn stayed in Florida and took a shot at professional golf, but regained his amateur status in 2002. He was 28 years old when he won his first Iowa Amateur title at Crow Valley Golf Club in Bettendorf in 2004, finishing a shot in front of the threesome of Brady Schnell, Jon Brown and Luke Miller.

After missing the entire 2013 season following back surgery to repair a herniated disc, Dunn played in just two events in 2014. He won the Iowa Amateur Match-Play Championship at Amana Colonies golf course, and added the Iowa Amateur at Finkbine in Iowa City.

Dunn got off to a dream start at Finkbine, starting his first round birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie and posting a 7-under 29 on the front nine. He went on to beat George Qian of Bettendorf on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.

His third title came at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo in 2016, edging Broc Everett and Cody Holck by a shot.

That victory put Dunn in some exclusive company, joining Henry Ferguson, Bill Sheehan, Art Bartlett, Rudy Knepper, Bob McKee, Denmar Miller, John Jacobs, Bob Leahy, Mike McCoy and Gene Elliott as the only players to win Iowa’s most prized amateur title at least three times.


Whitey Barnard

Franklin “Whitey’ Barnard’s history with golf covers a lot of ground. And a lot of achievements. The latest comes as a member of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Barnard was a good player. He was captain of the Davenport High School golf team in 1939. One of his teammates was future U.S. Open champion Jack Fleck. Barnard played in the Iowa Amateur t0 times, reaching the quarterfinals in 1953.

He also spent eight years on the IGA’s Board of Directors, and was the association’s president in 1955. That same year, Fleck outdueled Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club.

Barnard was also a master at promoting the game of golf. He played an unmistakable role in the arrival, and later survival, of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities. Barnard was the chairman of the first Quad-Cities Open, played as a PGA Tour satellite event in 1971. It became a full-fledged tour stop in 1972 and now carries on annually as the John Deere Classic.

“I tell you with confidence that no man was more influential in this event’s inception than Whitey Barnard,” said Craig DeVrieze, author of “Magic Happened: Celebrating 50 Years of the John Deere Classic.”

Barnard had envisioned the PGA Tour coming to the Quad Cities as far back as 1936, when he and Fleck worked as caddies at the Western Open held the Davenport Country Club. Barnard, 13 years old at the time, earned a total of $20 that week to caddy for Tommy Armour.

Barnard worked behind the scenes to bring the Western Open back to the Davenport Country Club in 1951, one of many things he would do to promote the game he loved. A travel agent by trade, he was a member of the Davenport Park Board when that group approved the building of the Emeis public course in 1962. As president of that board, Whitey hired Bob Fry as the golf professional in 1965.

Fry, a member of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, joined Barnard and others to chase the dream of bringing the tour to the Quad Cities. They were also instrumental in the building of Crow Valley Golf Club, which hosted the tour event for the first four years and remains one of Iowa’s greatest courses.

Barnard was the co-chairman of the Quad Cities event from 1972 to 1974, and even dug into his own pocket to keep the event above water.

“The fascinating history of the event includes numerous moments when its future was dire, even desperate,” DeVries wrote. “But with the support and commitment of Quad Citians who echoed the dedication to community first exemplified by Whitey Barnard and friends, it persevered, overcame and grew. Whitey remained a friend of the tournament for the remainder of his life.”

Barnard received the Bob Fry Award, presented annually in recognition for contributions to golf in the Quad Cities, in 1995.

Mr. Barnard was 79 when he passed away in 2000. But his legacy lives to this day.

“He was instrumental in just about every phase of golf in the Quad Cities,” Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jim Hasley said when Barnard passed away. “His fingerprints are on just about everything.”


Jeff Schmid

Jeff Schmid has seen the world through a golfing lens, putting together a resume that has earned him a spot in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Schmid started winning in the late 1980s as an all-Big Ten player and two-time captain at the University of Iowa. Now a teaching pro at Brown Deer in Coralville, he continues to win in a career nearly four decades long. Most recently, he was the 2024 Iowa Section PGA Senior Player of the Year.

“His playing record continues to culminate at a very high level,” said Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jeff Smith.

Schmid won six times as a collegian at Iowa. His best season came in 1988-89. Schmid won two individual titles, was sixth at the Big Ten Championships and was named all-Big Ten for a second straight season.

In the summer of 1990, after his college career had ended, the Cedar Rapids native captured the Iowa Amateur Match-Play title at the Carroll Country Club.

Schmid’s professional career included stops on the Asian Tour (1993-96), the South American Tour (1993-99) and the Canadian Tour (1996-97). He also played on the Hooters Tour, Dakotas Tour and Golden Bear Tour. He won three times on the Golden Bear Tour and took home a pair of North Dakota Open crowns. He also won the 2002 Arrowhead Pro-Am and the 2003 Hillcrest Invitational on the Dakotas Tour. He won the Dakotas Tour Order of Merit in both 1996 and 1997.

Schmid also returned to his home state and won the Waterloo Open back-to-back (1996-97) . He also took home the 2000 Iowa Open at the Irv Warren course in Waterloo.

He left the state and won a pair of Gateway Section Championships in 2013 and 2016.He moved back to Iowa City later in 2016 and spent two seasons as an assistant golf coach at Iowa.

He qualified for the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. He’s also played three times on the PGA Tour (2000 Western Open, 2000 John Deere Classic, 2001 Greater Milwaukee Open).

A week after that 2019 PGA Championship, Schmid made his first appearance in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. He also qualified for that event in 2020, 2021 (canceled because of COVID), 2023 and 2024. Schmid tied for 63rd in 2023 and had strongest showing when he tied for 27th after rounds of 66-71-70-73 (3 under par) in 2024.

Schmid also turned in an impressive showing at the 2022 at the U.S. Senior Open, played at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa. He tied for 33rd after rounds of 75-70-73-73.

In 2020, Schmid pulled off a rare double. He won both the Iowa Section PGA Match-Play and Senior Match-Play championships. During his career, he also won the Iowa Section PGA and Iowa Open Senior title in 2021; and two more Iowa Open Senior titles in 2022 and 2024.

“The thing that impresses me the most about Jeff is that he is still competing at a very high level,” said Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Ken Schall. “He made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open in 2022 and the Senior PGA in 2023 and 2024 against the world’s best senior players, all while maintaining his position as Teaching Professional at Brown Deer. At Iowa PGA events Jeff is always at the top of the leaderboard.”


Tom Verrips

When Doug Snook came to the Sheldon Country Club as the pro and superintendent in 1974, one of the first people he hired was Tom Verrips.

“It didn’t take me long to realize that this farm kid had skills,” Snook reflected.

Those skills were put to use for more than four decades. And now Verrips will be joining Snook in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.

After stops at Sheldon, Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo (1975-1977) and Hampton Country Club (1977-1984), Verrips took the job at Otter Creek in Ankeny in 1984 and was there until he retired in 2014. His time at Otter Creek included a complete makeover of the facility in 2008 – a new 18-hole layout, clubhouse and driving range.

Verrips worked side-by-side on the Otter Creek rebuild with golf course architect Paul W. Miller.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Tom on multiple golf course improvement projects for the City of Ankeny,” Miller said. “During almost 25 years of working together I found Tom to be the consummate professional who contributed greatly to the game of golf in Iowa.”

Otter Creek was named the Iowa Golf Association’s 2016 18-hole course of the year.

“Tom’s dedication to the profession showed not only for the outstanding job he did at Otter Creek, transforming it into one of the top public courses, but also his involvement in the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association,” Snook said.

Verrips has served the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association in a variety of ways. He was named Iowa GCSA Superintendent of the Year in 2004, and received that organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2003. The Iowa Turfgrass Institute presented Tom with their Meritorious Service Award in 2017.

Verrips also served two tours of duty on the Iowa GCSA board of directors, and was the president in 1998. He was a GCSAA chapter delegate for five years, was on the USGA Green Section Committee for five years and served the lowa Turfgrass Institute for 13 years including a stint as president in 2006.

“I had the honor to serve with Tom on some of these boards, and the biggest thing that stood out to me is he was never a “yes man,” said Rick Tegtmeier, retired director of grounds at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and a member of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame. “Tom always voted his mind and the integrity he stood for. He never wavered even if it was against the status quo. Tom’s leadership and contributions are well documented by the awards he has received over the years from various organizations.”

During his career, Verrips was always quick to help a fellow superintendent deal with any challenge that popped up.

“He was always the calming, reassuring voice that I needed,” said John Ausen, the retired superintendent at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston and another Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member.

Ausen added, “Small organizations such as the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association cannot be successful without the help of members like Tom Verrips. When you step on an Iowa golf course you probably won’t think of Tom. But at some point, Tom was involved in a decision that made the golf course better.”


The Iowa Golf Association is thrilled to welcome these four new members to the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame and will host a ceremony honoring those individuals this year on Friday, October 17, at Echo Valley Country Club (ceremony) and Golf House Iowa (reception). The IGA will post a schedule of events online and share with membership as we get closer to the ceremony.

2025 Boatwright Internship Opportunities with the IGA

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is excited to offer three (3) P.J. Boatwright Internships in 2025 – Marketing & Communications, Handicapping & Course Rating and Championships Administration. Each internship will be for four months. Working under the direction of the IGA Executive Director and senior staff, the interns will learn about all aspects of amateur golf administration.

Individuals are more than welcome to apply for multiple internship positions – If doing so, please make sure to fill out each application (information below). If you do apply for multiple internships, the IGA may reach out to you for your preferred choice.

The IGA is an Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the USGA and is the governing body for golf in the state of Iowa.  It exists as a non-profit organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the best interests and spirit of the game.  As “caretakers” of the game the IGA works to preserve the rich history of golf in our state and to provide numerous services that benefit all that play the game in Iowa.

In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program. P.J. Boatwright (pictured above), the USGA’s third executive director, played a pivotal role in both the USGA and golf in the U.S. This program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry-level basis. At the IGA, all current full-time staff members (Clint Brown, Katelynn Hogenson, Karli Kerrigan, Nate McCoy and Chad Pitts) are all former Boatwright interns.

The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3rd or until position(s) are filled (whichever is later).

Click the links below to view the 2025 Intern instructions for applying.

– Marketing & Communications Intern

– Handicap & Course Rating Intern

– Championships Administration Intern

2024 IGA Annual Awards Banquet Recap

The 2024 IGA Awards Dinner took place Friday, December 6, at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. It was an enjoyable night with several deserving honorees and award winners in various categories being celebrated for their efforts.

The following individuals and courses were honored –

PGA Pro of the Year – Greg Mason, Iowa PGA Section

Club Manager of the Year – Chris Klahn, Valley Oaks Golf Course

9-Hole Superintendent – Mike Finch, Hawarden Golf Club

18-Hole Superintendent – Dane Wilson, Wakonda Club

9-Hole Course of the Year – Rock Valley Golf Club

18-Hole Course of the Year – Palmer Hills Golf Course

George Turner Distinguished Service Award – Bill Zinn, Spencer

Sean Flanders Volunteer of the Year Award – Greg Lederer, Cedar Rapids


Player of the Year – Nate McCoy, Ankeny (View video)

Senior Player of the Year – Jon Brown, Adel (View video)

Super Senior Player of the Year – Dave Gaer, Des Moines (View video)

Read more about the Men’s Players of the Year

 

Women’s Player of the Year – Anna Jensen, Dubuque (View video)

Senior Women’s Player of the Year – Geri Huser, Altoona (View video)

Read more about the Women’s Players of the Year

 

Junior Girls’ Player of the Year – Ainsley Wilson, Iowa City (View video)

Junior Boys’ Player of the Year – Braeden Nelson, West Des Moines (View video)

Read more about the Junior Players of the Year


2024 Bob Leahy Medal recipients

From left – Grant Smith, Paul Leahy, Tony Newkirk, Rob Christensen, Ron Peterson and Jon Olson.

 

From left – Tom Norton, Nate McCoy, Anna Jensen, Curtis Holck, Jon Brown, Gerri Huser, Paul Leahy, Kelly Nelson and Dave Gaer.

Complete list of 2024 Bob Leahy Medal recipients can be found by clicking here.

Help support the future of golf in Iowa on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back. Today, December 2, you’ll have the chance to join people around the world and support a cause close to your heart. This Giving Tuesday, help the Iowa Golf Association Foundation give the gift of golf and education to a junior golfer in the State of Iowa by supporting the Iowa Golf Association Foundation’s Youth on Course and/or Scholarship Programs.

At its most basic level, Youth on Course is a program that subsidizes rounds of golf for juniors at participating courses. In 2018 Iowa became the 21st state to offer Youth on Course.  It has now extended to all 50 states.

The concept is this: A junior boy or girl age 6 to 18 can join Youth on Course for a yearly fee.  That gets them access to any participating Youth on Course facility (there are over 1,400 nationally) to play a round of golf for $5 or less.  Then the participating course receives an additional subsidy ($) for that round. To donate towards Youth on Course in Iowa visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E334279&id=14

The Iowa Golf Association Foundation also serves as host for two college scholarship programs – The Herman Sani Scholarship & the Ann Griffel Scholarship.

The Ann Griffel Scholarship was named after the long time IWGA President, Ann Griffel. Ann was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 to honor her contributions to the game. Since 1963, over 250 students have received this scholarship. The IGAF awards $2,000 Ann Griffel Scholarships to Iowa high school senior girls who intend to further their education at an Iowa institution of higher learning, whether a college, university or trade school.

The Herman Sani Scholarship was established in 1958 in memory of Herman Sani who had a passion for golf and for young people. Over 200 college-bound students have been awarded this four-year scholarship. Each recipient receives $8,000 ($2,000 per year) over a consecutive four-year period.

To donate and read more about each scholarship program visit https://iowagolf.org/scholarships/

2025 IGA schedule, USGA qualifying locations announced

DMG to host 123rd Iowa Amateur,
Wakonda Club selected for Iowa Women’s Amateur

The 2025 Championship schedule is here!

The schedule includes an abundance of great IGA Member Clubs that will serve as host sites for not only IGA Championships but also USGA Qualifiers next year. Without the gracious support from our hosts, as well as our players, none of this would be possible.

The 123rd Iowa Amateur will be played at Des Moines Golf & Country Club, July 28-30. This marks the twelfth time DMG has hosted the state’s biggest men’s amateur event, having previously hosted in ‘03, won by Scott Hart. Qualifying events will be held once again for the championship. In previous years a total of three qualifying sites were identified across the state, but an additional two more will be added in 2025. Players not already exempt will have a chance to qualify to be a part of the field that will compete. Dates and locations for those qualifiers are still being determined and will be posted online as soon as possible.

After the marvelous showing of the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur, contested at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, the 101st edition will be played at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. Partway through the 2023 season Wakonda underwent a massive course restoration which included taking out trees, redesigning greens, and adding in bunkers. After the 2024 Principal Charity Classic, Wakonda Club opened back up for member play along with hosting the 2024 IGA Men’s Club Team Championship. The 2025 edition of the Iowa Women’s Amateur will be played a little later than usual, on Mon-Wed., August 4-6. The Fladoos Trophy has had a home in Iowa City won by Hawkeye golfers Katlynn Hanna (‘23) and Paula Miranda (‘24). Will another Hawkeye player walk away with the win in 2025? Stay tuned in August to find out.

In 2024, Iowa narrowly missed the exemption criteria for the USGA Boys’ Junior Amateur, but that is no more. New to the 2025 season, the Iowa Junior Amateur joins the list of IGA events as USGA exemption events with the champion moving on to the equivalent USGA championship. The champions of Iowa Women’s Amateur, Iowa Amateur, Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur, and now the Boys’ Junior Amateur will receive an automatic bid into these USGA sanctioned events (U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Boys’/Girls’ Junior Amateur).

The IGA Men’s and Senior Men’s Four-Ball will once again be split up – similar to last year. Due to the popularity of the event, the IGA hosted a championship for the Open Division and then a separate championship for the Senior and Super-Senior Division. The IGA Four-Ball will be held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City May 1-2, while the Senior and Super-Senior event will be contested at Burlington Golf Club, September 19-20.

The IGA is excited to announce the inaugural Iowa Adaptive Open sponsored by Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino next year, to be held July 12-13, at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. This will be open to golfers of various classifications of disabilities, such as individuals with arm and leg impairments, amputations, blind golfers, and those with neurological and intellectual impairments. The Iowa Adaptive Open will not be limited to only Iowa residents and IGA members. It will be open to anyone from around the country to participate. Many other details still need to be determined, but the IGA is looking forward to being a part of this wonderful event.

Talons Golf, located in Ankeny, has accepted to be the host of the IGA Men’s and Women’s IGA Match Play for the sixth straight year. The event will take place June 24-27. In 2024, Blake Cronin at the age of 16 became the youngest individual to win in the championship history. Talons Golf which is privately-owned sits between uniquely placed holes and rock-walled streams has been home to nail-biter matches over the years.

The Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship will still continue the 54 hole tournament style allowing top finishers to receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points. This championship will be played at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, May 15-17.

The Herman Sani will make a return to Hyperion Field Club, in Johnston, August 8-10. Since the first playing of the Sani in 1950, this tournament not only showcases great golf, but also highlights great students that receive the Sani and Ann Griffel Scholarships during a ceremony held that week.

Growing in popularity the IGA Father-Son and Parent-Child will see a different layout in 2025. The championship will still be contested at Jester Park Golf Course, but will be held on Fri-Sat., June 13-14. Friday’s play will consist of a shotgun and Saturday’s play will have a morning shotgun and then an afternoon shotgun starts.

The Director’s Cup Matches will be back in Iowa better than ever! This championship will be contested next to Golf House Iowa at Echo Valley Country Club, Sept. 21-23.

Along with those championships listed above, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #1 May 10), Coldwater Golf Links (IGA Senior Amateur June 1-3), Grinnell College Golf Course (Women’s Forever 39 Match Play June 2-3), Prairie Links Golf Course (IGA Women’s Four-Ball June 16-17), Glynns Creek Golf Course, (Iowa Junior Amateur, Iowa Girls Junior Amateur June 9-11), Rice Lake Golf Course (Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur July 20-21), Bos Landen Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #2 July 26 & IGA Women’s Club Team Aug. 11) Veenker Golf Course (IGA Senior & Senior Women’s Match Play Aug. 14-16), Sunnyside Country Club (Wife-Husband Sept. 12-14), Short Hills Country Club, (IGA Club Team Championship Sept. 29) and Ames Golf & Country Club (Iowa Cup Matches Sept. 30-Oct. 1).

Additional IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series event dates and locations will be announced at a later time. Those updates can be found by checking back to the schedule page on the IGA website.

The IGA is set to also conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2025. Those events along with sites are:

  • Cedar Rapids Country Club, Cedar Rapids – U.S. Open Local Qualifier – May 12
  • Ames Golf & Country Club, Ames – U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier – June 23
  • Glen Oaks Country Club, West Des Moines – U.S. Amateur Qualifier (Final) – July 17
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Beaver Hills Country Club, Cedar Falls – U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier – Aug. 18
  • Spirit Hollow Golf Course, Burlington – U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier – Sept. 9

Entries open for IGA Championships March 3.

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

Bill Zinn named 2024 George Turner Distinguished Service Award recipient

Bill Zinn’s association with the Northwest Amateur began as a caddie in the early 1960’s when the tournament was contested at the 9-hole south course. Zinn (left) is pictured with 2020 Northwest Amateur champion Jon Olson.

For 103 years, the Northwest Iowa Amateur has been among the most popular and prestigious golf tournaments on the Iowa Golf Association calendar. And for more than 50 years of that span, Spencer’s Bill Zinn, recipient of the 2024 George Turner Distinguished Service Award, has been an integral component of ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for the multitude of participants.

Originating in 1921, the Northwest Iowa Amateur is Iowa’s only 72-hole amateur event and currently draws 384 competitors annually with a unique mixture of the top amateur players in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, collegiate players as well as a large collection of casual weekend warriors.

Past champions include the greats of yesteryear such as Ed Updegraaf, John Jacobs, Jack Rule, Steve Spray, Bob Leahy, Tom Chapman, Jr., and George Turner himself, a former Spencer resident. Modern day champions include Denny Bull, Jon Brown, JD Anderson, the late Jim Currell, Sean McCarty, Mike Bender, Jason Knutzon and Ron Peterson.

Over the years, a family reunion atmosphere has been the hallmark of the Northwest Amateur. Many players have developed friendships and look forward to seeing one another at the tournament; former high school or college teammates reunite; and others use the first weekend of August to play golf in a highly competitive event while enjoying the Iowa Great Lakes. 

“The Northwest Amateur has a long and rich tradition, and Bill Zinn embodies that tradition,” Ron Peterson said. “It is a favorite among the players, and Bill’s dedication and contribution to the tournament is greatly appreciated. Thank you Bill, and congratulations on this well-deserved award.”

Bill Zinn’s association with the Northwest Amateur began as a caddie in the early 1960’s when the tournament was contested at the 9-hole south course.

“There were five to ten of us young kids who worked as caddies,” he recalled. “We’d look for and fight over the Polk County cars because those players paid ten bucks while everyone else seemed to be at five.”

Zinn’s formal association with the tournament began in 1974, working for long-time tournament directors Bob Woods and Bob Rose as the starter and announcer. In that role. He forged friendships with hundreds of golfers while also ensuring that starting times were kept on track and the three sets of 128-player shifts ran without hitches. In former years, pairings, starting times and scoreboards were all done by hand, and tee times were announced on the local radio station KICD. The advent of computers automated many of those processes, but the family atmosphere remained constant. When Bob Rose retired as tournament director, Zinn stepped into that role and served for nearly ten years until his retirement in 2023.

2024 IGA Annual Awards, Player of the Year banquet scheduled

Open to the public

The IGA would like to announce to the public that the 2024 Annual Awards and Player of the Year Banquet is scheduled for Friday, December 6, at Terrace Hills Golf Course, in Altoona (8700 NE 46th, Ave.).

The schedule of events for the evening will be:

  • 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. – Arrival and Check-in
  • 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. – Social hour and food
  • 6:45 – 7:00 p.m. – Awards program begins
  • 9:00 p.m. – Award program ends

The cost for the evening’s event will be $40 and can be paid for via credit card over the phone or online by clicking here. You may reach out to the IGA Office at (515) 207-1062 to pay over the phone.

Note – Groups can purchase up to eight tickets at a time online. 

Deadline to register for the event is Tuesday, November 26


Read more about each IGA Annual Award winner by clicking here.

Read more about each Player of the Year by following the links below.
Men’s Player of the Year (Open, Senior, Super Senior)
Women’s Player of the Year (Open, Senior)
Junior Player of the Year (Boys, Girls)

2024 Annual Awards announced

On Friday, November 1, the IGA Board of Directors named recipients of the 2024 Annual Awards in six categories. We are pleased to announce this year’s honorees.

9-Hole Course of the Year – Rock Valley Golf Club

Rock Valley Golf Club has been named the IGA’s 2024 9-Hole Course of the Year.

Rock Valley GC is constantly described as a beautiful and wonderful facility to come and play, while their clubhouse, bar, and kitchen keep busy.

Success at the course is evident with growing memberships over the last few years, but the true testament to the condition of the course is arriving at the clubhouse on any given day and seeing cars with out-of-county or out-of-state plates.

RVGC has undertaken many projects around the course that have improved its condition, including the addition of multiple bunkers to the course, tree removal that had been detrimental to the condition of greens, rough, and fairways while also maintaining a level play that is competitive and still plays to the history of RVGC.

“We’ve added cart paths, been strategic in re-leveling tee boxes as needed and overseeding the greens and fairways to maintain the health of the course,” RVGC member Vaughan Ranschau said. “We have also added our own program for youth involvement that awards prizes as they accomplish goals.”


18-Hole Course of the Year – Palmer Hills Golf Course

Palmer Hills Golf Course has been named the IGA’s 2024 18-Hole Course of the Year.

Located in Bettendorf, Palmer Hills GC features 100-year-old oak trees, rolling hills, meticulously maintained fairways, and a meandering creek that comes into play on 11 holes. The course offers a challenge and a beautiful setting for golfers of all levels.

Also located at the facility is The Forge – an 18-hole putting course. The course covers 56,500 square feet and has four putting greens, providing flexibility in setup. Each green contains multiple holes, which are routed out and back. Tees (Cup holder stands) and holes are moved routinely to reduce wear. The greens are bent grass and roll around 11 on a Stimpmeter, which is the same speed as the main course.

Palmer Hills GC is also committed to junior golf. In 2024, 220 kids went through the First Tee program at Palmer Hills in addition to over 1,500 rounds as part of the Youth on Course program the course supports in partnership with the IGA. The course also supports PGA Jr. League, which brings family and friends together around fun, team golf experiences with expert coaching from PGA and LPGA Professionals.

Each year since 2018, Maintenance Superintendent Brian Hickey has worked with Bettendorf Middle School to organize a field trip to Palmer Hills. At the course, Bettendorf eighth graders learn the science behind golf course management through a program called First Green. In 2023, more than 300 Bettendorf eighth graders participated in First Green.

Palmer Hills encourages players to Tee it Forward to increase the pace of play and improve the enjoyment of the golfers. The scorecard lists the suggested tee based on how far a player can hit their driver. The suggested tees are also listed on a sign just outside the clubhouse near where the carts are staged.

Projects implemented in 2024 at Palmer Hills GC included the addition of new tees to cater to a wide variety of skills. In some cases, forward tees have been moved closer to the hole. In other cases, tees have been installed behind the existing tees to lengthen the course. A putting green was installed near the 1st tee, nets were installed on two sides of the driving range, and trees were removed to widen fairways and improve fairway growing conditions.

“Palmer Hills Golf Course excels in every aspect, from its well-maintained facilities and dedicated staff to its innovative and sustainable practices,” KC Jones said. “The course’s commitment to quality, community, environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation is outstanding.”


9-Hole Superintendent – Mike Finch, Hawarden Golf Club

Mike Finch, Hawarden Golf Club, is this year’s IGA 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year.

Finch is yet another outstanding example of the many superintendents of 9-hole golf courses across the state of lowa. Working long hours through the golf season with limited human and budgetary resources, Finch has overcome hurdles to produce one of the better maintained and playable 9-hole courses in northwest lowa.

Now completing his ninth season as superintendent, Finch spends his busy days mowing fairways, cutting rough, changing holes, mowing tees and greens, spraying for knot weeds, crabgrass and clover, fixing irrigation lines, top dressing and aerating greens, tree maintenance, keeping the equipment in running shape and a multitude of other problem-solving activities that are part and parcel to maintaining a quality golf course.

Finch has implemented several course improvements, including the formation of a practice area for iron play in previously unused space, automating all fairway sprinkler values, and the creation of a memorial golf tournament that, in five years, has raised more than $12,000 for enhancements to the tee boxes, cart paths, patio furniture, and other improvements.

“Mike takes great pride in his work, stretches resources, has brought new ideas, and maintains the course with the player’s perspective in mind,” Mark Gambaiana said. “Over the years, he’s done a great job keeping the turf in shape through all types of challenging weather conditions and the greens are always well maintained.”


18-Hole Superintendent – Dane Wilson, Wakonda Club

Dane Wilson, Wakonda Club, has been named the IGA’s 2024 18-Hole Superintendent of the Year.

For the past year, Dane has transitioned from golf course maintenance to golf course building as he oversaw the full restoration of Wakonda Club.

His work included rebuilding six greens, greatly expanding 12 others, reshaping and building all 57 buckers, planting 90 new trees, and installing a new irrigation system. Wakonda Club also regrassed all fairways and tees and laid over six trucks of sod. During the restoration Dane showed great leadership and skill in completing this work on time and under budget for the club.

“While this restoration has been difficult politically, physically, emotionally and more, Dane has been incredible in his work and expertise to successfully pull the project off,” Wakonda Club member Kevin Grimm said.

Dane spent countless hours planning, executing, growing in, and now maintaining a new course with the restoration. From hours of meetings to countless calls with vendors, Dane meticulously planned each detail and secured bids for each phase of the project. Included in the restoration was a brand-new irrigation system and pump house to improve our efficiencies and save money going forward. His new programs not only conserve water and save money but also provide firmer conditions in the fairways and greens for the membership to enjoy.

“Wilson’s stewardship of Wakonda Club has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Alex McCarty, Tournament Director, Principal Charity Classic said. “Under his leadership, the course has consistently been in pristine condition, offering an exceptional experience for both players and spectators. His meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in every aspect of the course.”


Club Manager of the Year – Chris Klahn, Valley Oaks Golf Course

Chris Klahn, Valley Oaks Golf Course, has been named the IGA’s 2024 Club Manager of the Year.

Klahn has actively advocated for junior, senior, and women’s golf, ensuring that Valley Oaks GC is a welcoming place for players of all ages and skill levels. He oversaw numerous events in 2024, including outings by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, local athletic boosters, and many more. In addition, he has managed countless company golf outings and holiday gatherings, which are executed to perfection.

Klahn also plays a significant role in coordinating and participating in weekly after-work golf leagues that create an atmosphere that appeals to and attracts golfers of all abilities.

With Klahn’s leadership, Valley Oaks has seen several course and facility improvements, which has led to a significant increase in rounds played year after year. His efforts have helped transform Valley Oaks into a sustainable operation, which was not necessarily the case before his arrival.

“Chris brings an infectious energy to the course, fostering a sense of camaraderie among members, while promoting a positive and engaging work environment for his staff,” Patrick Drennen said.


PGA Pro of the Year – Greg Mason, Iowa PGA Section

Greg Mason, Iowa PGA Section, is the IGA’s 2024 PGA Professional of the Year.

Mason, a true friend and forward-thinking advocate for the game of golf, was elected to membership in the PGA of America in 1991, and was named Executive Director of the Iowa PGA Section in 2018.

His leadership qualities have been seen state-wide, with not only his involvement with the IPGA Section but also as President of the Iowa Golf Council, which features representatives of Iowa’s major golf associations (IGA, PGA, GCSA, Club Managers).

Mason continues to provide a resource to the IGA as well, fostering open and honest dialogue to help grow the game of golf in the state of Iowa. Mason was also openly in favor of the Golf House Iowa project and key in getting the IPGA Section to contribute in an extremely generous way.

“Greg and I talk frequently,” stated Chad Pitts, IGA Executive Director. “I expect that we have quite a bit more communication than most in our respective positions in other states. That has led to tremendous collaboration amongst the IGA and Iowa PGA. Even though we serve a different segment of golfers, our mission and interests cross paths all of the time. ‘Mase’ has been a wonderful resource for our staff. We are grateful for that.”

Mason’s leadership helped the IPGA Section earn the 2024 Herb Graffis Award, given annually to one of the 41 PGA of America Sections that has shown tireless dedication to grow the game of golf and furthering player-development programming in the community.

Mark Egly, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Des Moines Driving Range for the past 30 years, is instrumental in showcasing the exceptional work the IPGA Section is accomplishing under Mason’s leadership. He has been honored with the 2024 Deacon Palmer Award, which recognizes a PGA of America Golf Professional who exemplifies remarkable integrity, character, and leadership in overcoming significant challenges in their life.


NOTE – The IGA Annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday, December 6, at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. We will communicate a schedule of events to the public, including the price to attend very soon. 

Scroll to top