Category: News

Osborn, Anderson grab spots at U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier

August 16, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

Photo courtesy of the Florida State Golf Assoc.

Massachusetts is on the horizon for Bowen Osborn (right), of Jacksonville, FL, and J.D. Anderson, of Johnston. Osborn and Anderson qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny on Monday. Come September, Osborn and Anderson will be playing Sankaty Head Golf Club and Miacomet Golf Course and will be competing against the world’s best amateur golfers ages 25 and older.

The Jacksonville native earned the medalist honors after carding a bogey-free round that consisted of six birdies and an eagle. In route to a 63, he made back-to-back birdies on holes 17 and 18 to surpass Anderson’s round of 64 by a shot.

Though Anderson (left) fell short of medalist honors, he did walk away with a qualifying spot to the U.S. Mid-Amateur. Anderson also had a clean score card and posted seven birdies to take second place by two shots. He made three straight birdies on holes 12, 13 and 14 to push him into a qualifying position.

Dennis Bull took the first alternate spot after defeating Connor Peck in a playoff. Bull joined Osborn and Anderson with bogey-free rounds today. Peck tied bull during stroke play with a five-under round of 66. Peck recorded nine birdies on the day, but four bogeys derailed his chances of qualifying.

The U.S. Mid-Amateur will be split between two golf courses and each player will play 18 holes at each course. The championship will take place from September 25-30, 2021.

U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier
Bowen Osborn -8 63 – *Medalist*
J.D. Anderson -7 64 – *Qualifier*
Dennis Bull -5 66 – *1st Alternate*
Connor Peck -5 66 – *2nd Alternate*

Leszczynski, Liddick earn qualifying spots into U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur

August 10, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

The 2021 Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur champion, Laura Leszczynski, of St. Mary’s, (above left) played wonderful golf on Tuesday and will now be headed to Alabama for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. Tuesday’s qualifier was held at Stone Creek Golf Club in Williamsburg and Leszczynski cruised through the course for most the day. 

A rough start did not stop Leszczynski from taking that medal home with her.

In her first two holes she made two doubles, but in her last 16 holes, Leszczynski played par golf and recorded four birdies. This season Leszczynski has been nothing short of spectacular.

“I have felt like I have been in a groove lately,” Leszczynski said. “This is the first time in about seven years where my swing feels great. I have had knee problems, but I am finally able to swing, and it feels great.”

Leszczynski fired a four-over 75 and won the medalist honors by two shots over the second qualifier, Shelly Liddick (above right), of Bellevue, Nebraska. Liddick carded a six-over 77 and earned a spot to Lakewood, AL by four shots. 

Monica Coleman earned first alternate honors after recorded an 81 and Tina Jones will be the second alternate with a score of 84. 

The U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur will be held at The Lakewood Club in Point Clear, Alabama on September 10th and finishes on September 15th.

U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifying
1. Laura Leszczynski +4 75 – Qualifier
2. Shelly Liddick +6 77 – Qualifier
3. Monica Coleman +10 81 – 1st Alternate
4. Tina Jones +13 84 – 2nd Alternate
T5. Olivia Iturbe +15 86
T5. Michelle Klein +15 86

Ellis punches ticket to 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur

August 10, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

Gary Ellis (right) is headed to Detroit following his first attempt at qualifying for a U.S. Senior Amateur. The qualifier was held in Williamsburg at Stone Creek Golf Club and it played long, which suited the big-hitting 56-year-old of Norwalk.

Ellis fired a one-under round of 70 and tied with Jim Butler, of Fort Madison. The two competitors headed to the first tee box for a playoff to decide the who would qualify. Ellis pulled his drive to the left and Butler’s drive found the fairway, but left him with a long shot into the green.

“I had to lay up to about 30 yards after my tee shot and was able to make par,” Ellis said. “I shortened some holes today off the tee, which gave me a slight advantage.”

Butler managed a par and Ellis made birdie to came away with the medal. Though Butler missed the qualifying spot, he had an impressive round. Four of the six par threes resulted in birdies for Butler, and he finished as the first alternate.

The second alternate spot went to Ron Peterson who carded an even round of 71. Peterson played a solid round of golf and birdied the final hole to give himself a chance to join the playoff.

Gary Ellis will play at the Country Club of Detroit at the U.S. Senior Amateur beginning on August 28.

U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifying
1. *Gary Ellis -1 70 – Qualifier
2. Jim Butler -1 70 – 1st Alternate
3. Ron Peterson E 71 – 2nd Alternate
4. Chris Kramer +1 72
T5. Tom Norton +2 73
T5. Bret Taylor +2 73
*Won Playoff

Long-time IGA board member, supporter Murray Hart passes away

August 5, 20211 commentNews

Long-time IGA Board Member Murray Hart, 74, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021. Hart was a resident of Spencer and was a member at Spencer Golf & Country Club.

Hart served a pivotal role as IGA President from 2001-2003, during which time the IGA and Iowa Section PGA transitioned into two separate offices.

A private family service will be held Monday, August 9, at the Warner Chapel in Spencer.

Online condolences can be left at https://warnerfuneralhome.com/obituary.php?view=3497.

 

Brown takes home Northwest Amateur title by one over Bull

August 2, 20210 commentsNews

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member, Jon Brown (right), won the Northwest Amateur by one shot over Norwalk’s Dennis Bull. Brown fired rounds of 63, 68, 71 and recorded a 36 in the final round. Brown had nine birdies in his first round and was sitting at 13-under after the qualifying rounds and ended the tournament at 14-under par. 

Bull had rounds of 69, 68, 69 and a low 33 in his final round. In his final round, Bull continued to fight into contention and was close to pulling it off. Ben Hicks, of Victoria, Minnesota, earned third place with rounds of 70, 67, 71 and a 33.

In the first flight, Andrew Arndorfer, of Livermore, finished at four-under and one shot ahead of Brett Benson, of Bird Island Minnesota. Arndorfer and Benson tied with 68’s in their final round, and Benson made three straight birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16 to get within one of Arndorfer.  

Cole Grandfield, Omaha, took first in the second flight over Van Meter’s Scot Cook. Okoboji native, Jackson Laven was the third flight winner over Joe Powell, of Alta, and carded a 32 on his final back nine. Aaron Ahrendsen was the fourth flight winner; Jim Rose was the fifth flight winner and Eric Wiemers was the sixth flight winner.  

Mike Root, of Omaha, collected the win the 60+ Senior Division with rounds of 72-79.

Championship Flight
1. Jon Brown 63-68-71-36-238
2. Dennis Bull 69-68-69-33-239
3. Ben Hicks 70-67-71-33-241
4. Ross Martens 64-73-75-32-244
5. Joe Hunter 67-66-77-35-245

Lindenman takes home amateur title at Waterloo Open, ‘Big Mike’ cashes big check

July 19, 20210 commentsNews

Trent Lindenman (on left holding flag) earned his first victory of the season in the Open Flight of the Waterloo Open over the weekend. Lindenman ran away with the tournament during the final round where he fired a four-under 66 to win by four shots over Minnesota’s Muzzy Donohue. 

On the final back nine, Lindenman could not miss. He recorded five birdies and had four consecutive birdies on holes 12 through 15. After submitting his round of 66 with a 30 on the back nine, Lindenman’s 13-under total was enough to claim the Open Flight. 

The well-known Floridian they call, “Big Mike” went low in the Professional Stroke Play Division. Michael Visacki led all three days and carded a 23-under tally, winning the tournament by one shot with a six-foot, $50,000 par save on the 18th hole. 

Photo courtesy of Waterloo Courier

Visacki (left) bested a fellow Floridian, Justin Hueber, who fired a 62 to push himself into contention on the final day. Hueber moved up nine spots to give himself a shot at the prize money, but pars on the last three holes kept Hueber one shot back.

Bruce Westemeier posted a four-under total with a 69 in his final round to win the Senior Flight. Westemeier defeated Joe Bates, who was the leader heading into the final round, by two shots. Bates went two-over in his last four finishing holes, while Westemeier carded a 33 on his back nine. 

The Super Senior Player of the Year leader, Pat Ryan, won another event. Ryan won the Super Senior Flight by one shot over Steve Kahler. Ryan and Kahler were battling all weekend, but Ryan held on to his one-shot advantage going into the final round. Now, another trophy will be going home with Ryan this season.

Professionals
1. Michael Visacki 62-64-67-193
2. Justin Hueber 67-65-62-194
3. Brady Calkins 66-65-64-195
T4. Thomas Walsh 64-68-64-196
T4. Patrick Williams 65-64-67-196

Open Flight
1. Trent Lindenman 70-67-66-203
T2. Muzzy Donohue 69-71-67-207
T2. Dusty Drenth 69-69-69-207
T2. Glenn Walls 69-68-70-207
5. Ian Johnston 72-71-67-210

Senior Flight
1. Bruce Westemeier 73-70-69-212
2. Joe Bates 71-69-74-214
T3. Jeff Ott 71-77-68-216
T3. Jay Slings 66-76-74-216
Rob Dickerman 71-75-71-217

Super Senior Flight
1. Pat Ryan 71-73-77-221
2. Steve Kahler 69-76-77-222
3. Joe Ward 74-72-81-227
4. Harold Hickman 77-72-81-230

Nate McCoy wins third career Iowa Masters crown

July 11, 20210 commentsNews

After postponing the first round of the Iowa Masters, Veenker Memorial Golf Course was able to move forward. Normally a three-round tournament turned into a two-round championship after storms took over on Friday.

The Iowa Masters committee and Veenker Memorial Golf Course’s staff were able to continue one of Iowa’s most loved championship. Ankeny’s Nate McCoy (left), is now a three-time Iowa Masters Champion after claiming the trophy this weekend at Veenker Memorial Golf Course.

“It feels great,” McCoy said. “I love Veenker and I love the Iowa Masters. I grew up playing Veenker as a young kid when I went to Iowa State Golf Camp and loved it ever since. There have been some great champions over the years so to have my name listed with theirs means a lot.”

With this win, McCoy now has two first place finishes on the season and will cruise into first place in the IGA Player of the Year race over Jon Brown, who finished in third place this weekend, and Connor Peck. McCoy’s confidence continues to grow, and this win will be an extra push for tomorrow’s Iowa Amateur.

“I definitely have a little more confidence going into the Iowa Amateur considering I have a couple extra tournaments under my belt,” McCoy said. “Wakonda will be a blast and I am excited to play.”

Sam Lockhart finished in second place, three shots behind McCoy. Lockhart was just down one shot to four-time Iowa Masters winner, Jon Brown, after round one. Lockhart played well in the final round, but McCoy’s final-round of 68 shot him up the leaderboard to earn the win.

In the Senior Flight, Jay Gregory (right) came back and won after being down three shots going into the final round. Ron Peterson was the solo leader after round one, but had some struggles in the final round. Joe Palmer and Kirk Macumber came racing up the leaderboard, but ultimately fell to Gregory by one shot.

Gregory Lee took the win in the Super Senior Division after firing rounds of 75 and 79 for a two-round total of 154. Lee’s two shot lead after the first round grew into a three-shot win after the final round. Lee went one-under in his last four holes to take the victory.

 

Masters Flight (Championship)
1. Nate McCoy 72-68-140
2. Sam Lockhart 71-72-143
3. Jon Brown 70-74-144
T4. Cole Davis 75-73-148
T4. Tyler Sansgaard 73-75-148

Cyclone Flight
1. Caleb Peters 80-74-154
2. Samuel Vertanen 81-76-157
3. Trenton Sann 80-80-160
4. Collin Tjepkes 81-81-162
T5. Evan Krause 80-85-165
T5. Drake Ellgren 81-84-165

Senior Flight
1. Jay Gregory 73-71-144
T2. Joe Palmer 74-71-145
T2. Kirk Macumber 73-72-145
4. Bob Brooks 76-70-146
5. Dave Gaer 71-76-147

Super Senior Flight
1. Gregory Lee 75-79-154
2. Dick Stuntz 77-80-157
3. Pat Ryan 78-82-160
4. Rick Gorbell 77-84-161

Three advance to U.S. Amateur from Lake Panorama National Resort

July 7, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

Harrison Ott (right), of Brookfield, Wisconsin, claimed the medalist honors at U.S. Amateur Qualifying hosted by Lake Panorama National Golf Course in Panora. Ott went low in the first round, firing a 6-under 66 and was able to follow it up with a 5-under 67 in the final round.

“My goal was to get to 10-under par,” Ott said. “I got to 10-under, but then I bogeyed six. I came back and birdied seven and nine to get to 11-under and finished my round. “I thought 10 would do it, but I just had really good speed on my putt on nine and it ended up dropping.”

Ott wasn’t the only player to post a low score today, Cecil Belisle (left) carded a 70 and a 6-under 66 in his final round to earn second place. Belisle, who is from Red Wing, Minnesota, knew he had some work to do to qualify.

“My mom told me I was in a good spot, and she told me to stay focused and that is what I did,” Belisle said. “I said to myself that you have to make at least one more coming in and I ended up making two more.”

The third qualifying spot went to Dennis Bull (right), of Norwalk, who posted rounds of 68 and 70. Bull stayed inside the top-three for the entirety of the day. Bull recorded a birdie on 14 and 17 to take the third-place finish and the last ticket to Oakmont Country Club, site of the 2021 U.S. Amateur.

“It feels really good to qualify for this thing,” Bull said. “I have been playing well, but my putting has been struggling lately. We got off to a good start today by making a 15-footer for birdie on the first hole. My group played amazing today which really pushed me.”

A playoff was needed to decide the first and second alternates. Connor Peck defeated Nate McCoy on the fourth playoff hole to become the first alternate for the U.S. Amateur. Peck made birdie after just missing the green short with his second shot.

U.S. Amateur Qualifier
1. Harrison Ott 66-67 – Medalist
2. Cecil Belisle 70-66 – Qualifier
3. Dennis Bull 68-70 – Qualifier
4. Connor Peck 70-69 – 1st Alternate
5. Nate McCoy 71-68 – 2nd Alternate

Smith wins 10th Iowa Women’s Match Play, defends her crown

July 2, 20210 commentsChampionships, News, Wmn's Match Play

Leanne Smith (pictured above) did it again at the 10th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Talons Golf in Ankeny. Smith has now won the last four IGA match play events she has entered (2019, IGA Women’s Match Play, 2020 IGA Women’s Match Play, 2021 Forever 39 Match Play and now the 2021 IGA Women’s Match Play).

“I really enjoy match play,” Smith said. “I know that I am going to mess up some holes and that I can recover on the next hole, so I just take it one hole at a time.”

The journey to back-to-back titles was not easy for Smith. In her earlier matches, she defeated Jolee Belzung, Kelly Grimes and Laura Leszczynski. Smith continued to dominate the competition as she made her way around the course.

Up next after dispatching Leszcynski on Thursday afternooon, Smith had to play two young competitors, Hannah Bermel and Anna Jensen, in her last two remaining matches. Smith was able to save par on the 18th hole to close out the match against Bermel in the morning after a back and forth battle.

“Hannah was so fun to play with and it is fun to watch her, and other players grow into who they are now,” Smith said.

After the match against Bermel, Smith knew would be playing Anna Jensen (right), who was the youngest player in the field (19). Jensen won her match against the No. 1 seed and stroke play medalist, Brooke Newell, and advanced to the final round.

The Smith and Jensen match started to heat up right away after Jensen won the first hole. This showed Smith that Jensen was there to compete, and that was exactly what she did. The two players battled back-and-forth all the way to the 16th hole where Smith made par to seal the victory and win her second straight IGA Women’s Match Play.

“Anna is super talented and will be a tough competitor for a long time and she is great for Iowa golf,” Smith said.

Smith’s match play record continues to grow in a positive manner, as she has added three new trophies to her collection in the last two years. However, her match play record is not the only thing growing as the Iowa Golf Association continues to host more and more talented women golfers.

Next up on the IGA schedule will be the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora This event will take place on Tuesday, July 6th with the IGA Women’s Four-Ball to follow.

Semifinal matches set at 10th IGA Women’s Match Play, 33rd IGA Match Play Championship

July 1, 20210 commentsChampionships, IGA Match Play, News, Wmn's Match Play

 

Only four players are left at the IGA Women’s Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny. The stroke-play medalist’s chances are still alive in Brooke Newell, who defeated Niki Clayton and Ardrae Parmenter today.

Newell will face off against Anna Jensen who claimed victories over Janece Schwartzkopf and Tabitha Schumacher in the round of 16 and the quarterfinal round. Jensen, the No. 4 seed, had a back-and-forth with Schumacher, but made par on 18 to close out the match.

Defending Champion, Leanne Smith secured wins over Kelly Grimes and Laura Leszczynski today. Smith will have the opportunity to take on University of Northern Iowa’s fifth-year senior, Hannah Bermel. Bermel won her two matches over Renee Buckner and Mikayla Olson.

The final day of the IGA Women’s Match Play Championship will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Brooke Newell
Anna Jensen
Leanne Smith
Hannah Bermel

One day is left remaining at the IGA Match Play at Talons Golf in Ankeny. The round of 16 and quarterfinals concluded this afternoon, and four players remain. Nate Vance, the No. 5 seed, is the highest remaining seed left in the field.

Vance took down Scot Cook this morning and followed it up with a win over Scott Hart in the quarterfinal round. In both matches, Vance was down going into the back nine. He caught fire towards the end of both his matches and claimed two victories.

Willis Gaer will be Vance’s opponent tomorrow, after defeating Bret Taylor and Felipe Pedraza. Gaer, the No. 8 seed, got off to a quick start in both of his matches. This helped Gaer seal two victories and make his way into the semi-final round.

Kelly Brown, the No. 39 seed, will play this year’s Senior Match Play Champion and No. 30 seeded, Joe Palmer. Brown had to play a tough stretch of competitors to make it to the semi-final round. Brown knocked off the defending IGA Match Play Champion, Connor Peck in the round of 16, and followed it up with a win over the red-hot Ben Epperly in the quarterfinals.

Palmer is marching in uncharted territory as he has a chance to win the Senior Match Play and the IGA Match Play in the same season. Palmer defeated the No. 14 seeded Dennis Bull in the round of 16 and then had to face J.D. Anderson in the quarterfinals. Anderson’s last two matches went into extra holes with his match yesterday finishing on the 26th playoff hole.

The final day of the IGA Match Play Championship will begin tomorrow morning and you will be able to follow live scoring by using this link.

Players Advancing
Willis Gaer
Nate Vance
Kelly Brown
Joe Palmer

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