Category: News

Watson, Boothe team up for win at IGA Mid-Am Series Event #2

iowagolfJune 14, 20210 commentsChampionships, News

On Saturday, Fiona Watson and Tish Boothe (right) claimed the 2021 Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #2. The tournament was a modified alternate shot format and took place at Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa. Watson and Boothe won the tournament by five shots by carding a 3-over round of 73.

Kelly Nelson and Michelle Klein finished runner-up after shooting a round of 78. Birdies were scarce for many, so it was important to limit the errors. Nelson and Klein battled all day and stayed one shot clear of a three-way tie for third place.

The three-way tie for third place featured Rosalie Kubesheski and Margene Grady who recorded a solid round of 79. Ila Gilbert and Janis Owens started six-over through the first ten holes but managed to go 3-over in their last eight to post a 79 on the day. Julie Buerman and Katie Wenthe also finished in the tie for third place after carding a round of 79.

In the Net Division, Shirly Rochelle and Jackie Warrick put together a round of 70 that featured six (net) birdies. Rochelle and Warrick defeated Ila Gilbert and Janis Owens by one shot. Gilbert and Owens fired a round of 71 with four birdies to earn a second-place finish. Sarah and Nancy Olberding carded a round of 72 and finished in third place.

The next 2021 Women’s Mid-Am Series (Four-Ball format) event will be August 28, at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. Registration for this event will close on August 18, at 11:59 p.m.

GROSS DIVISION
1. Watson / Boothe 73
2. Nelson / Klein 78
T3. Kubesheski / Grady 79
T3. Gilbert / Owens 79
T3. Buerman / Wenthe 79

NET DIVISION
1. Rochelle / Warrick 70
2. Gilbert / Owens 71
3. Olberding / Olberding 72
T4. Clayton / Hartman 74
T4. Harmon / Grimes 74
T4. Watson / Boothe 74

2021 Ann Griffel Scholarship recipients announced

iowagolfJune 10, 20210 commentsNews, Scholarships

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is delighted to announce the 2021 recipients of the Ann Griffel Scholarship Award (Griffel is pictured above in sport coat). Hannah Fangmann, Madeline Streicher, Amara Lytl, Isabelle Schneidermann and Anna Nacos will receive a one-year scholarship of $2,000. These girls will join the group of 242 other students to have received this award since 1963.

Hannah Fangmann, of Peosta, is the daughter of Jeremy and Brenda Fangmann and will be attending Wartburg College to study business administration in the fall.

“After college, I believe golf can help me establish connections in the business world that could potentially help me get a job, gain a customer, or make a sale,” Fangmann said. “I also hope to share what I have learned and eventually coach future youth golfers. Ultimately, I am grateful for all I’ve learned through golf and will apply it to my future life experiences to be the best person I can be.”

Madeline Streicher, of Edgewood, is the daughter of Darrel and Lisa Streicher. She plans to attend Simpson College this fall and study biochemistry.

“The game of golf has made an immeasurable impact on my life,” Streicher said. ” In the future, due to golf being such a positive and powerful experience in my life, I would love to be able to make an impact in other young people’s lives as well, maybe as a mentor or coach. One thing I am sure of is that I will teach my children to golf. I feel that it’s important for them to learn the sport that has impacted my life so tremendously.”

Amara Lytle, of Cedar Falls, is the daughter of Aaron and Shelli Lytle. Amara will be attending St. Ambrose University and will study industrial engineering in the fall.

“Learning and observing my dad, he helped me realize practicing and playing golf will not only improve my game and course management, but enhance life management skills,” Lytle said. “Skills that will improve my golf game and will boost my overall social awareness and ability to establish and maintain relationships.”

Isabelle Schneidermann, of Rock Rapids, is the daughter of Scott and Natalie Schneidermann. She plans to attend Northwestern College (Orange City) in the fall and study actuarial science.

“The sport (of golf) is very competitive, but also can be very conversational,” Schneidermann said. “This is one of the many things I love about the sport. Some of my best friends have been other people I have golfed with throughout the years. I enjoy finding someone who is better than me and pushing myself to beat them. The feeling you get when you finally do is unmatched. There are many reasons I love this game.”

Anna Nacos, of Washington, is the daughter of Dave and Lisa Nacos. In the fall she will attend the University of Northern Iowa to study biology.

“The game of golf has been so much more than just a sport in my life,” Nacos said. “Throughout my career I have made the best memories, made new friendships, and received the opportunity to play golf in college. I can truly say that golf has been a huge benefit in my life and I am grateful to play such a great sport.”

The Ann Griffel Scholarship was established in 1963. It originated as just one $350 scholarship awarded by the Iowa Women’s Golf Association (IWGA) and has evolved into a $2,000 scholarship awarded to multiple 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 Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) was established to preserve the game and develop more programs to promote the future of golf in Iowa. The IGAF awards the Ann Griffel scholarship each year. This scholarship was named after the long time IWGA President, Ann Griffel, who during her 23 year term started the Girls’ State Junior, Forever 39, State Wife-Husband and Senior Women’s Championships.

2021 Herman Sani Scholarship winners announced

iowagolfJune 8, 20210 commentsNews, Scholarships

Herman Sani (right) is seen talking with Gene Sarazen in August, 1950. Sani served as IGA President in 1929.

The recipients of the 2021 Herman Sani Scholarships, presented by the Iowa Golf Association Foundation (IGAF) have been announced. Paige Hoffman of West Des Moines, Jack Dumas of LeClaire, Jaci Webb of Ankeny and Luke Meyer of Waterloo, will receive a four-year scholarship of $2,000 per year ($8,000 total). Those individuals will be recognized at the Herman Sani Golf Tournament held at Hyperion Field Club, Johnston, Fri-Sun, Aug 6-8.

Paige Hoffman (right), the daughter of Brett and Lisa Hoffman, is a graduate of West Des Moines Valley High School and will be attending the University of South Dakota in the fall to play golf and study business administration.

“I will forever be grateful for the game of golf and all it has done in my life,” Hoffman said. “I truly have had many golf experiences. However, it is the people that I have met and the lessons that I have learned that I will carry with me through college and for the rest of my life.”

Jack Dumas (left), the son of Brian & Jenifer Dumas, is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and will be attending Drake University to study business and finance this fall.

“Whatever my future holds, golf has taught me life lessons that I can apply to all aspects of my future,” Dumas said. “Work ethic, dedication, integrity, honesty, and competitiveness are all values that I’ve found in golf and I know will serve me well in life.”

Jaci Webb (right), the daughter of Jeff and Traci Webb, is a graduate of Ankeny High School and will be studying political science on the pre-law track at William Jewell College (Liberty, Mo.) in the fall.

“The impact that golf has had on me is something that I have a hard time summarizing into words,” Webb said. “It has been one of the greatest things that have ever happened to me and I am looking forward to how it will continue to impact my life over the next 50-70 years.”

Luke Meyer (left), the son of Monte and Dyan Meyer, is a graduate of Cedar Falls High School and will attend Iowa State University in the fall to major in mechanical engineering.

“The game of golf has meant the world to me growing up,” Meyer said. “At first, I thought of golf as just a game that I could go play with my friends for fun. However, as I have grown up, I have realized how much more golf really is. I now see golf as an avenue to meet lifelong friends and as a pathway to create lifelong relationships and connections. I now use golf as my device to get my name into the world.”

The Herman Sani Scholarship Program was established in 1958. Herman Sani had a passion for golf and young people. Sani was the first director of the Iowa Golf Association and served the organization for over 30 years. This scholarship was created in his memory with the purpose to assist Iowa students to further their education. As of 2021, 191 college-bound students have been awarded this four-year scholarship.

Most of the scholarship money comes from the generous donations by individuals and corporate sponsors. Since 2013 the Coppola family of Norwalk has contributed $250,000 to the Herman Sani Scholarship Fund. The Iowa Golf Association and point events from around the state also make significant contributions to the fund. For more information about the scholarship visit our website at www.iowagolf.org/scholarships.

Johnson, Tjoa share medalist honors, advance to U.S. Junior Championship

iowagolfJune 8, 20210 commentsNews, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

The U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina is now in sight for Ankeny native, Hunter Johnson (above left) and Cedar Falls native, Maxwell Tjoa (above right). Johnson and Tjoa fired rounds of 71 to earn co-medalists at the U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier at Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny on Monday.

Johnson stuck to his game plan and played consistent, recording three birdies to only two bogeys. On his back nine, where he carded a 1-under 35, Johnson was bogey free with a lone birdie coming on hole 14.

“I knew I needed to hit fairways and attack pins when I could and just be cautious when I needed to be cautious,” Johnson said. “I know I am a pretty good ball striker, so I was able to hit through the strong winds in the afternoon.”

Tjoa had an early tee time and took advantage of it, going 4-under through his first 11 holes. A double on the tough 191-yard par-3 13th hole did not fluster Tjoa, he managed to keep his game right where it needed to be to advance to North Carolina.

“I just wanted to play my game and see how well I could play,” Tjoa said. “I wanted to play to my strengths, and I trusted my putting. I had an early tee time so throughout the entire round I played without wind, but towards the end of the round the wind started to pick up and made things a little tougher.”

North Carolina will bring some of the best golfers across the world and Johnson and Tjoa know that the experience will be unbeatable. They both have goals, but overall, they want to play the best they can against a strong field at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Jack Dumas, of LeClaire, recorded a birdie on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Owen Mullen, of Shortts Lake. Dumas earned the first alternate spot and Mullen will be the second alternate. Both players carded rounds of 72.

Co-Medalists:
Hunter Johnson – 71
Maxwell Tjoa – 71

1st Alternative:
Jack Dumas – 72

2nd Alternative:
Owen Mullen – 72

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Jim Hasley passes away

iowagolfJune 2, 20210 commentsNews

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member James W. “Jim” Hasley, 87, of Davenport, died unexpectedly Monday, May 31, 2021. Hasley was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2010.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2021 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/stpauldisciples/. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport with the rosary at 3:30 p.m. that all are welcome to pray. There will be additional visitation at church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made First Tee, Quad Cities.

James William Hasley was born on January 7, 1934 in What Cheer, Iowa, a son of William “Bill” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Simmons) Hasley. Jim was raised in Williamsburg, Iowa and moved to Davenport with his family in 1947 after his father passed away.

In 1950, Jim began attending Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa where he ran track, but left after his junior year to go to work at Westinghouse Supply Company in Davenport. Taking up golf with a group from Westinghouse Supply, Jim, being a natural athlete, turned out to have a pretty decent swing. He began giving pro bono group lessons at Emeis in 1965. In 1968 he became Bob Fry’s assistant golf professional running Duck Creek Golf Course. In 1971, Jim became the head golf professional for the city of Davenport courses, running Emeis, Duck Creek and Credit Island Golf Courses. He retired in 2001 from Emeis and took over operations at Red Hawk Golf Course and Learning Center when the city of Davenport bought the course. In the summer of 2001, he helped launch the First Tee – Quad Cities Chapter. Jim’s greatest joy in his golf career was helping to shape young people’s love for the game of golf.

Read more from Hasley’s full obituary by clicking here.

Read a feature on Hasley’s impact on the community by clicking here.

Above – Hasley served as the Head Professional at Emeis Golf Course in Davenport for more than 30 years and stepped down from that position at the end of 2001. He stayed involved by taking over the 9-hole Red Hawk Golf Course in Davenport and was a key figure in the development of The First Tee Chapter of the Quad Cities at that location. Hasley’s love of the game shined through when he is on the lesson tee with the kids of The First Tee program.

IGA welcomes three P.J. Boatwright interns for 2021

iowagolfMay 18, 20210 commentsNews, USGA

From left – P.J. Boatwright interns Annika Patton, Gavin Matthias and Justin Farrell

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is excited to announce its three P.J. Boatwright Internships for 2021. Each intern will be primarily focused on the following areas – Championship Administration, Handicapping & Course Rating and Marketing & Communications. 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 in addition to their focus area.

Annika Patton, from Aurelia, will serve at the Championship Administration intern. Patton said that the game of golf has been a passion of hers and has enjoyed playing for as long as she can remember. Patton is a 2019 graduate of Alta-Aurelia High School and currently attends the University of Northern Iowa. Studying Business Management and Sport Administration.

“I look forward to gaining hands-on experience in the golf industry this summer as a 2021 Iowa Golf Association P.J. Boatwright Intern,” Patton said. “Having played in IGA Championships throughout my career as a junior and beyond, I was excited for the opportunity to come aboard the IGA to work with and serve many of those who I have looked up to over the years. Most of all, I look forward to meeting and reconnecting with many of Iowa’s great players.”

Gavin Matthias, of Ankeny, will serve as the Handicapping & Course Rating intern. Matthias, who attended Ankeny Centennial High School, attends the University of Iowa and is studying Sports Management and Recreation.

“I have spent the last four years working at Otter Creek in Ankeny,” Matthias said. “I have enjoyed working with junior golfers, working in the pro shop and being around the golf industry. I applied for the P.J. Boatwright Internship because I want to work in the golf industry after I graduate college, and the internship looked like a great opportunity to learn, gain experience, and meet new people within the golf industry. I am looking forward to the 2021 season.”

Justin Farrell, of Preston, will serve as the Marketing & Communications intern. Farrell attended Easton Valley High School and currently is studying at Iowa State University.

“It was not until my freshman year of high school when I started to play golf and developed a passion for the sport,” Farrell said. “My focus turned to finding a future career within the game of golf, and that brought me to Iowa State. I am currently majoring in public relations and have recently completed my sophomore year. I worked within Iowa State Athletics and my love for golf and other sports started to grow. I saw the opportunity to work with an amazing organization like the Iowa Golf Association and jumped on it immediately. I knew I would enjoy the opportunity and the experiences would be rewarding.”

The program honors the contributions of P.J. Boatwright Jr. (pictured), the USGA’s third executive director, who played a pivotal role in the development of both the USGA and golf in the United States. An accomplished amateur player and one of the game’s foremost Rules experts, he served as executive director of the Carolinas Golf Association for five years before joining the USGA in 1959. He served the association until his death in 1991, leaving a legacy of sportsmanship and service.

In addition to being a recipient of the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor, Boatwright’s legacy is celebrated through his enshrinement in the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, Wofford College Hall of Fame and Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame, among others. In 1990, the Golf Writers Association of America presented him with the William D. Richardson Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to golf.

The internship program is part of the USGA’s annual $70 million investment back into the game fueled by revenues generated by the U.S. Open Championship.

Caylor victorious at The Classic, Collett takes home Senior Division crown

iowagolfMay 4, 20210 commentsChampionships, News

Unique scoring formats can either create drama and entertainment or suck the life out of an event. In the case of The Classic at Elmwood Country Club, the drama and entertainment were present in spades for the climax of the 2021 edition Sunday afternoon.

The Classic, an Iowa Golf Association additional point event, utilizes Stableford scoring — a unique system in which the scores are calculated by points based on the number of strokes per hole, rather than traditional scoring from stroke play.

Photo courtesy of Noah Rohlfing, Marshalltown Times-Republican

The format encourages aggressive play and taking risks for chances at birdies, with four points for a birdie, two for a par and one for a bogey. Eagles are worth eight points. Two players mastered the format in the open division Sunday — Carson Caylor (pictured left) of Urbandale and Nate McCoy of Ankeny. The duo were in the final group, with McCoy holding a slim lead for most of the round after being the first-round leader in treacherous conditions Saturday with a score of 40.

Winds gusted near 50 miles per hour Saturday, but on Sunday the weather was perfect, with warm temperatures and winds at 10-20 miles per hour. Caylor took advantage of the better conditions to birdie the final two holes and take home the win in the open division, draining a birdie putt on the 18th to finish with 79 points — one more than McCoy’s 78.

Caylor trailed by five points with five holes to play. He chipped away at McCoy’s lead with pars on holes 14, 15 and 16, but still trailed by three. The birdie at 17 cut it to one. And when faced with a 15-to-20 footer for the win, Caylor didn’t take any chances and produced a finish to remember.

Photo courtesy of Noah Rohlfing, Marshalltown Times-Republican

In the senior bracket, Jeff Collett (pictured right) of Ottumwa took home the Championship Flight with a wire-to-wire win. After topping the leaderboard in round one with a score of 35, he shot a 33 and was comfortably in control of proceedings throughout. Not even a double-bogey 6 on the final hole had an impact on Collett’s win.

The changing conditions played a part, Collett said, as did his approach to the different format.

Click here to read more from
Noah Rohlfing of the Marshalltown Times-Republican

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Celebration of Life for Jim Curell set for Friday, April 30

iowagolfApril 14, 20210 commentsNews

Join friends and family for a legendary sendoff for Jim Curell on Friday, April 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone. Jim passed away in April 2020, and due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, a fitting memorial could not be celebrated – until now!

Appetizers and beverages will be provided. Special guests will share memories and other remarks around 7 p.m. The family will be following CDC guidance for COVID-19 during this event. If you are not fully vaccinated, please bring a mask and practice social distancing, as needed.

2020 IGA Annual Awards Banquet Recap

iowagolfMarch 30, 2021Comments OffChampionships, News, Uncategorized

The 2020 IGA Annual Awards Banquet took place Friday, March 26, at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. It was an enjoyable night with several deserving honorees and award winners in various categories being celebrated for their efforts.

View photos from the 2020 IGA Annual Awards Banquet

The following individuals and courses were honored –

PGA Pro of the Year – Adam Coates, Spencer Golf & Country Club

Club Manager of the Year – Sheryl Dusenberry, Atlantic Golf & Country Club

9-Hole Superintendent – Jeremy Amosson, Veterans Memorial Golf Club

18-Hole Superintendent – Caleb Swanson, Briarwood Golf Club

9-Hole Course of the Year – Hillcrest Country Club

18-Hole Course of the Year – Hyperion Field Club

George Turner Distinguished Service Award – Jim Carney, Des Moines

Sean Flanders Volunteer of the Year Award – Jon Brown, Adel

View acceptance speech video from each of the award winners

Player of the Year – Connor Peck, Ankeny (View video) (View acceptance speech)

Senior Player of the Year – Joe Palmer, Norwalk (View video) (View acceptance speech)

Super Senior Player of the Year – Rick Gorbell, Cedar Falls (View video) (View acceptance speech)

Women’s Player of the Year – Leanne Smith, Indianola (View video) (View acceptance speech)

Senior Women’s Player of the Year – Rose Kubesheski, Dubuque (View video)

Junior Girls’ Player of the Year – Rylee Heryford, Newton (View video) (View acceptance speech)

Junior Boys’ Player of the Year – Cale Leonard, Ottumwa (View video) (View acceptance speech)

History made, IWGA formed in 1922

iowagolfMarch 22, 20210 commentsIowa Women's Amateur, News

The following feature on the early days of the Iowa Women’s Golf Association was written by 11-time Iowa Sportswriter of the Year Rick Brown and shared recently with Iowa Golf Association. The early history of the IWGA celebrates Women’s History Month in March and reminds ourselves of the accomplishments of women throughout the years to our culture and society.

Representatives from seven cities came to Waterloo on August 29, 1922, to make history. The Iowa Women’s Golf Association was formed, with Mrs. L.W. Bryant elected president.

Later that day, the first IWGA-conducted championship teed off. Margaret Addington of Waterloo was the low qualifier, shooting 96. She would go on to win the championship, beating Mrs. Frank C. Byers of Cedar Rapids, 4 and 3.

“Miss Addington apparently got the better of her opponent throughout, though the Cedar Rapids woman played a remarkable game,” read the newspaper dispatch.

Hyperion Field and Motor Club, outside Des Moines, hosted the second championship in August of 1923. Ruth Harwood of Des Moines won the title match, 6 and 5, over Mrs. Ward E. Baker of Cedar Rapids.

“Fully 500 eyes watched the pretty Country club girl ascend the championship throne on the thirteenth green when she dropped a neat putt into the cup, ending the title battle and defeating Mrs. Baker by a 6 and 5 score,” wrote Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Bert McGrane.

Both the 1922 and 1923 events were invitationals. The first true Women’s State Amateur championship took place in August of 1924 at the Cedar Rapids Country Club. The entry fee was 50 cents. Mrs. C.D. Waterman (pictured right) of Davenport beat Byers in a dramatic 19-hole match.

On the decisive hole, a 485-yard par-5, Waterman followed a 200-yard drive with a 150-yard brassie. Her third shot stopped 2 feet from the hole, and she knocked it in for the championship The Women’s State Amateur has been contested every year since, with the exception of a three-year break (1943-1945) because of World War II.

But women in Iowa were playing for championships as far back as 1902. The men’s Iowa Amateur included a women’s championship from 1902 to 1905. Ruth Crapo of Burlington won three of those five titles. A women’s championship was also conducted independently twice, with Jennie Jones of Sioux City taking the title at Waveland in Des Moines in 1913 and Elizabeth Allen of Davenport taking top honors in 1916 at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Fourteen women entered the 1902 event at Burlington Golf Club. Nine were from Des Moines, three from Burlington and one each from Marshalltown and Keokuk. Rain was so heavy during the semifinals that Mrs. George Douglas of Cedar Rapids forfeited her match to Crapo. The Burlington Gazette called it “a wet and disagreeable course.’

Crapo captured the 1902 title, beating Anne B. Davis of Keokuk in the championship match, 6 and 5.

Davis was right in the middle of a major controversy a year later at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Davis was playing Mrs. W.E. Stalter in one of the semifinal matches. Davis had Stalter 4 down on the 13th, but Stalter won the next three holes. Here is a first-hand account of what happened next from the Des Moines Register and Leader:

“At the seventeenth hole Mrs. Stalter’s caddie was holding the flag while Miss Davis made a short approach from off the green. The caddie failed to get the flag staff out of the way in time, although he had it in his hands, and Miss Davis’ ball hit the staff and was deflected a short distance from the hole. Her approach was perfect as far as direction was concerned and possibly might have holed out had the flag staff been removed.”

Stalter immediately filed a protest as they headed to the 18th tee.

“Upon arriving at the club house a decision, said to have been unauthorized, was made in Mrs. Stalter’s favor, thus giving her the seventeenth hole,” the newspaper’s first hand account continued. “As the last hole was halved, the match was even, under this ruling, and the playing of an extra hole was necessary.”

They headed to a 19th hole, and again controversy joined the party. Mrs. Stalter sliced her approach and her ball hit Davis, who tried to get out of the way. Stalter was awarded the hole and the match.

But when they returned to the clubhouse, what happened on the 17th hole remained in question “and no one felt qualified to pass upon the question and there the matter rests and a decision will be announced this morning.”

Stalter was awarded the match the next day, after a decision by the grounds committee of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.The committee ruled it would be “unsportsmanlike to penalize for a technicality which did not seem to be covered satisfactorily by the United States golf rules.”

Stalter advanced to the championship, where she defeated Mrs. F.W. Chamberlain of Burlington, 2 and 1. Davis did get some revenge that summer. She beat Stalter, 3 and 2, in the Trans-Mississippi title match in Omaha.

Eight women entered the 1904 event at Happy Hollow in Dubuque. One of the entires was Myrtle Travis, a cousin of three-time U.S. Amateur champion Walter J. Travis.

Crapo won her second title, beating Genevieve Ryan of Dubuque in the final. She added a third crown the following year at Burlington Golf Club, but controversy was again part of the story.

“(Chamberlain) was runner up and would probably have won had it not been for a misunderstanding of rules,” the Des Moines Register and Leader reported.

On the first extra hole, Crapo drove into a pond. Instead of taking a drop where her ball entered the hazard, she took a drop from the side of the pond. She went on to win the hole and the match.

No rules breach was reported.

The men’s championship stopped conducting a women’s event in 1906. But organizers held a championship in 1913 at Waveland. It was touted as the “first women’s title ever contested in Iowa.”

Jones (pictured left) beat Mrs. W.F. Moore of Des Moines, 8 and 6, in the final.

Another championship took place in 1916, but Jones wasn’t there to defend her title. She was killed in an automobile accident in downtown Sioux City on May 18, 1916.

Alen won the 1916 championship at Des Moines Golf and Country Club by beating Mrs. Fred Letts of Cedar Rapids, 2 up.

Allen had been 2 down at one point in the match. Over tea afterwards, one fan asked Allen how she had kept her nerve when she fell behind.

“This is a lesson I learned long ago,” Allen told her. “You never can tell what is going to happen and now I always play as well as I can, no matter how the score stands.”

More than a century later, that remains good advice.

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