Category: News

Jahn wins 83rd Iowa Masters by six shots

When Sperry’s Charles Jahn (pictured left with John Nervig) took the lead in the 83rd Iowa Masters, he didn’t look back. Jahn began Sunday’s final round at 6-under par, holding a two-stroke advantage over reigning champion Nate McCoy, of Ankeny.

After top 5 finishes in last year’s 117th Iowa Amateur Championship and 70th Herman Sani Tournament, this was Jahn’s time to shine. He executed with near perfection on Sunday, carding five birdies, an eagle, and a mere bogey on his way to a round of 66 (-6) and grand total of 204 (-12). McCoy played steady on Sunday, posting a round of 70 (-2) for a final total of 210 (-6) to finish runner-up. Nate Vance, of Marshalltown, finished in third place with a three-day total of 213 (-3).

Joe Palmer (pictured right with John Nervig), of West Des Moines, clinched the title in the Senior Division, finishing 11-shots clear of the field with rounds of 70-74-71 for a total of 215 (-1). Winterset’s Kirk Macumber finished runner-up with a final tally of 226 (+10).

In the Super Senior Division, Marshalltown’s Pat Ryan mounted a final round comeback, carding a round of 73 (+1) to finish two shots clear of Richard Gorbell, of Cedar Falls. Ryan posted rounds of 73-82-73 for a total of 228 (+12).

Clive’s Jake Calhoun rose to the top in the Cyclone Flight, posting rounds of 84-74-72 for a 230 (+14) total

Click here to see full results

Kubesheski, Grady claim IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series victory

The second event this year in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series took place this past weekend, July 11, at Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa. This year’s tournament format was a modified alternate shot which saw Rose Kubesheski and Margene Grady (pictured above) shoot 69 (-1) to claim the title. The duo carded a front-9 36 that featured 8 pars and just a single bogey.

As they made the turn, Kubesheski and Grady started to find a groove, which featured back to back birdies on holes 12 and 13. After making two bogies, the pair went on to finish their final three holes in two-under par to claim a seven-stroke victory over Nancy Lorenzini and Laura Leszczynski.

In the Net Division, Nicki Clayton and Julie Hartman (pictured above) took home the title after a round of two-over 72. They beat out Janece Schwartzkopf and Kathy Fortune, who also shot 72, in a scorecard playoff.

Click here for full results


The third and final event in the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series will take place on Saturday August 22nd at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. Tournament information and registration can be found here.

Barragy records ace on Par 4 at Veterans Memorial Golf Club

Jack Barragy, of Clear Lake, recorded his first career ace and the second at Veterans Memorial Golf Club this season on Monday, June 15. Jack recorded the ace on the sixth hole, which is a par 4 measuring 340 yards. Witnessing the shot was Beau Thompson and Matt Berry. Attorney Matt Berry was fortunate enough to be on the green when the amazing shot went in. This is the first hole-in-one on a par 4 in Veterans Memorial Golf Club history.

Sudden-death birdie secures Lake Creek Amateur title

Jack Evans, of Brainerd, Minn., pumps his fist as his winning putt falls into the cup, giving the University of Sioux Falls junior the title in the 2020 Lake Creek Amateur held at Buena Vista University Golf Course at Lake Creek in Storm Lake over the weekend. Evans birdied the par 4 No. 18 hole to win a sudden death playoff victory over John Spellerberg, of Nebraska, and Jonny Douglas, of England. (photo courtesy of Tim Gallagher)

Storm Lake – Jack Evans sank a 13-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to claim the 2020 Lake Creek Amateur title played at Buena Vista University Golf Creek at Lake Creek on Sunday. Evans, who returned to the 18th tee after finishing the 2-day tournament at even par and knotted in a tie with competitors John Spellerberg and Jonny Douglas, drove a 4-iron to the center of the fairway. He then knocked a 50-degree wedge to the middle of the green from 167 yards out, setting up a winning putt he read with his caddie for the day, Steve Berry.

“I think I knew the putt was in about halfway to the cup,” said Evans, who will be a junior this fall at the University of Sioux Falls. “We had read the putt one cup out to the right. I knew I didn’t have to hit it real hard because it was downwind.”

The wind was the story of the day for “The Am,” a decades-old golf tradition in Northwest Iowa that returned after a 7-year hiatus, welcoming 97 golfers from a host of Midwest states and England. Gusts from the southeast around 25 miles per hour proved to be tricky for most of the field and contributed to scores that, according to BVU Golf Course at Lake Creek Manager Joe Powell climbed five or so strokes on average from Saturday to Sunday.

“THIS is Lake Creek,” said Andrew Zinn, the assistant men’s golf coach at Buena Vista University as he surveyed gusts whipping across the No. 7 tee box.

Evans entered the day tied for the lead after posting a 3-under par 69 in benign conditions on Saturday. Spellerberg, a former Creighton University linkster from Bennington, Neb., shared the first-day lead. Douglas, a native of England who plays for Morningside College, was one stroke back to start the day.

The event would, for all intents and purposes, remain a three-way race throughout the final round. All three golfers had their issues down the stretch, the threesome combining to play the Par 5 No. 16 in four-over-par. Spellerberg had the misfortune of getting caught in some long grass at the end of the greenside bunker. He would take a double-bogey on the hole. Douglas, meantime, three-putted, while Evans’ approach sailed long and left.

“It was a lot of fun,” Spellerberg said. “We had a great, friendly competition today and Jack made a great putt at the end.”

Evans, whose highest finish during his sophomore season at Sioux Falls, was a tie for third place, said he hopes the Lake Creek Amateur title provides a springboard for his competitive season.

“Finishing rounds hasn’t been my strong suit,” said Evans, who hails from Brainerd, Minn. “Today, I tried to keep composed and it paid off. I couldn’t be happier.”

Evans joined Spellerberg in heaping praise on Powell and officials and volunteers at Buena Vista University Golf Course at Lake Creek who worked to resurrect “The Amateur” and plant the event on the radar for golfers across the Midwest and beyond. When the tournament idea was hatched in late March, Powell envisioned welcoming an abbreviated field of 40 or so golfers. The timing of the event, occurring as Iowa businesses begin to open in the throes of a pandemic, found a sweet spot for golfers seeking to compete while observing social-distancing behavior.

“We’re thrilled we could bring back ‘The Amateur,’ which has such a long history here in Storm Lake,” said Powell, who doubles as men’s golf coach at Buena Vista University. “The staff put everything in place, Mother Nature cooperated, and we had nearly 100 golfers and probably that many fans who got to enjoy a weekend of being out on the course and competing. We’re thankful for all the golfers who came back to ‘The Amateur’ and we can’t wait to start making plans for the tournament in 2021.”

Place-winners were as follows in each flight:
– First flight: Steve Campbell, 78-74—152; Chase Hough, 80-73—153; Ryan Feauto, 76-78—154.
– Second flight: Ken Slater, 81-79—160; Tom James, 83-78—161; Shane Hess, 81-81—162.
– Third flight: Adam Mickelson, 85-81—166; Matt Stauter, 86-84—170; Mark Eddie, 88-87—175.
– Seniors: Mark Gambaiana, 80-78—158; Tom Bohnenkamp, 81-80—161; Mark Henningsen, 76-86—162.

2020 Ann Griffel Scholarship Award recipients named

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is delighted to announce the 2020 recipients of the Ann Griffel Scholarship Award (Griffel is pictured above in sport coat). Ellie Braksiek, Taylor Garvin, Anna Jensen, Allison Nuss and Morgan Nuss will receive a one-year scholarship of $2,000. These girls will join the group of 237 other students to have received this award since 1963.

Ellie Braksiek is the daughter of Rob and Heidi Braksiek. She is a graduate of Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, and will be attending Iowa State University in the fall to study business. She will compete for the Cyclones Women’s Golf Team. She is eagerly awaiting the opportunities ahead of her in Ames.

“I look forward to competing in the game I love while challenging myself in the classroom as well,” Braksiek said.

 

Taylor Garvin is the daughter of Gregg and Kelly Garvin. She is a graduate of Wilton High School and will be attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport in the fall to study biochemistry on a Pre-Dental/Medicine Track. She will play on the Fighting Bees Women’s Golf Team.

“I am honored to be selected for the Ann Griffel Scholarship and will continue to apply the same diligence to my collegiate studies and activities. I will represent her legacy well during my years in college and beyond,” Garvin said.

 

Anna Jensen is the daughter of Leon & Mary Jensen. She is a graduate of Wahlert Catholic High School in Dubuque, and will be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall. She will be a member of the Panthers Women’s Golf Team.

“I am forever grateful for the opportunities that golf has given me and I honestly do not know what my life would be like without it,” Jensen said.

 

Allison Nuss is the daughter of Marty & Carolyn Nuss. She is a graduate of New Hampton High School and will be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall, where she plans to study biology or exercise science. She will play on the Panthers Women’s Golf Team. Allison has aspirations to become a college coach or a teaching professional.

“Golf has been a really big part of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities it has presented and for the exciting new adventures it will bring in this next part of my life,” Nuss said.

 

Morgan Nuss is the daughter of Marty & Carolyn Nuss. She is a graduate of New Hampton High School and will be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall, where she plans to study Mathematics Teaching. She will join her sister to play on the Panthers Women’s Golf Team. She has expressed an interest in giving back to golf through coaching.

“I have experienced hundreds of memories from competing as a player, and I believe the coaching side would be just as rewarding,” Nuss said.

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.

2020 Herman Sani Scholarship Award winners announced

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

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) would like to announce the 2020 recipients of the Herman Sani Scholarship Awards. Kyle Christy, of Orange City, Allison Nuss, of New Hampton, Morgan Nuss, of New Hampton, and Cole Davis, of Marshalltown, will receive a four year scholarship of $2,000 per year. Those individuals will be recognized at the Herman Sani Golf Tournament held at Hyperion Field Club, Johnston, Fri-Sun, Aug 7-9.

Kyle Christy (left), of Orange City, is a graduate of MOC-Floyd Valley Community Schools and is the son of Michelle and Greg Christy. Kyle plans to attend Northwestern College (Orange City) and study accounting or education.

“The game of golf is a large part of my life and has partly made me who I am today. It is a true honor to be called a Herman Sani Scholar, and I am so grateful to all the people that have helped me achieve this honor. I am looking forward to representing what it means to be a Sani Scholar at Northwestern College through academics, golf, and basketball.”

 

Allison Nuss (right), of New Hampton, is a graduate of New Hampton High School and is the daughter of Marty and Carolyn Nuss. Allison plans to study either business of exercise science at the University of Northern Iowa and play on the golf team.

“I feel very honored to have been selected as a 2020 Herman Sani Scholarship recipient. I am very humbled and appreciative, and want to thank the committee for selecting me for this great honor. Golf has provided me with so many opportunities, and I will do my best to represent what it means to be a Sani Scholar and an Iowa Golf Association member as I continue my academic and golf career at the University of Northern Iowa.”

 

Morgan Nuss (left), of New Hampton, is a graduate of New Hampton High School and is the daughter of Marty and Carolyn Nuss. Morgan plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to study education with a focus on mathematics. She will also play on the women’s golf team

“I am incredibly thankful to be receiving the Herman Sani scholarship. This scholarship is a very distinguished honor in the state of Iowa, and I am truly grateful to have been chosen as a recipient. I will do my best to uphold the standards of the scholarship as I continue on to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

 

Cole Davis (right), of Marshalltown, is a graduate of Marshalltown High School and is the son of Kendra and the late Trent Davis. He plans to attend the University of Houston and pursue a Bachelors of Business Administration Degree in Finance. Cole will play for golf for the Cougars.

“I would like to thank the Herman Sani Committee for selecting me for this scholarship. It is truly an honor to be presented this scholarship and I couldn’t be more appreciative. The Iowa Golf Association has always been special to me, so to be selected for the Herman Sani Scholarship really means a lot to not only me but my family as well.”

 

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 2020, 187 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.

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Steve Spray passes away

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member (Class on 2009) Steve Spray passed away Friday, May 15, 2020 in Chesterfield, MO. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19 at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Indianola. Read his full obituary here: https://www.overtonfunerals.com/obituary/john-spray

A native of Indianola, Spray began his amateur career with a win in the 1958 Iowa Junior Amateur and gained national fame by winning the 1959 Western Junior. For college he went south to Eastern New Mexico University and won individual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championships in 1962 and 1963. Spray won a total of five of Iowa’s designated majors and was the Iowa Player of the Year in 1962 & 1963. His wins included the 1963 Iowa Amateur, 1962 Northwest Amateur, 1962 & ’63 Central States Amateur, and the 1963 Tournament of Champions. Spray also continued to make his mark on the national scene with quarterfinal appearances in the 1960 and 1963 U.S. Amateur. After these accomplishments as an amateur, Spray decided to test his skills at the professional level.

He won the 1966 Waterloo Open, the 1972 Herman Sani and also notched wins at the New Mexico and Arizona Opens in 1973.

Spray competed with notable success for several years on the PGA Tour highlighted by his win in the 1969 San Francisco Open and a fifth place finish in the 1968 U. S. Open, won by Lee Trevino at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y. During his PGA Tour career Spray appeared in three Masters, seven U.S. Opens and six PGA Championships.

Read more about Spray in his Iowa Golf Hall of Fame bio here: https://iowagolf.org/hof-spray-steve/

Donate to Youth on Course through Birdies for Charity

Donate thru Birdies for Charity to increase your gift by 10%

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION (but please read below first)

We are excited to announce that the Iowa Youth on Course program is now one of the charities available to donate to through the Principal Charity Classic Birdies for Charity program.  Many of you have supported our Youth On Course program with donations in the past and we are hopeful that you will continue to support that program in 2020.  The best part is, doing it through BFC will result in a 10% increase to your donation.

Any donation that is made through BFC is increased by 10% through a matching fund. That means your $50 donation turns into a $55 donation or your $100 becomes $110.

NOTE: you will have two options when donating. You can give a flat donation (most people do this) or you can pledge a certain amount per birdie made during the PCC (typically there are between 700-900 birdies made in a year).

Finally, a few items for you to be aware of as you donate through the PCC-BFC portal:

  • If you have never donated to the program, you will set up a profile with a username and password first, then you will be able to proceed with your donation.
  • During the profile set up, you do not need to worry about the “Organization” field unless you wish to identify your business entity as a donor.
  • On the page when you input your gift amount be sure to select “Iowa Golf Association Foundation-Youth on Course” as your charity from the drop-down. The link we have included in this email should self-populate that, but please make sure.
  • Upon completing your donation, you will receive an email that will serve as your tax receipt letter from the Birdies for Charity program.
  • GO TO THIS LINK to get started and make a donation.

 

RATHER PAY WITH A CHECK? You can and the 10% match will still happen.  Here are the details:

  • Make the check out to: “Principal Charity Classic” but include “IGAF-Youth on Course” in the memo line.
  • Please also include a note that says  your donation is for the IGAF-Youth on Course charity.  There are many different charities that utilize this program so please be sure you identify us!
  • Send to:
    • Principal Charity Classic
      Attn: Birdies For Charity
      PO Box 93905
      Des Moines, IA 50393

Thank you very much for your consideration in donating.  If you have any questions at all please contact Chad Pitts at the IGA ([email protected]).

 

Boone’s Jim Curell passes away

Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone will be live streaming Jim Curell’s service on Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. This can be viewed from their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SchroederStarkWelin/

 

Jim Curell, 67, of Boone, passed away Sunday afternoon, April 19, 2020. Curell, affectionately known as ‘The Legend’, was a household name on the Iowa golf scene for over 50 years.

Curell was described recently by Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Rick Brown as being a gentleman golfer in the truest sense of the word.  He had a homemade swing that produced outstanding results.  He was  a three-time winner of the Lake Creek Amateur (1979, 1981, 1999), twice a champion at the Northwest Amateur ((1982, 1988) and low amateur at the Iowa Open (1992). Curell also was victorious at the 1980 Tournament of Champions and 1987 Iowa Mid-Amateur. Curell earned IGA Player of the Year honors in 1979.

Once Curell entered the Senior Division, he was still a force to be reckoned with – winning the 2005 IGA Four-Ball Senior Division with partner Bruce Gervais, 2011 Senior Match Play and was the 2014 Iowa Masters Senior Division champion. Curell was the IGA Senior Player of the Year in 2010 & 2011 and twice qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur (2010, 2011).

In addition to his wonderful playing record, Curell gave back to the game that had given him so much.  Upon his retirement from Redeker’s Furniture in Boone, he began helping maintain the grounds at his home course, Honey Creek.  He also served in a volunteer capacity on the committee that administers the Iowa Masters at Veenker each year.

Curell will be remembered by all golfers as having a true passion for the game of golf and as one of the most respected players to play on the IGA circuit. Our sympathies go out to Curell’s wife, Kim; sons, Andy and Ryan and grandchildren, Alex, Josie, & Will.

A small, private service will be held for family on Friday, April 24, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin in Boone. A memorial celebration of Jim’s life will be announced for a later date this summer. Memorials may be made to the family and will be used to memorialize Jim with a stone bench to be placed at Honey Creek. You can view Curell’s obituary by clicking here.

We encourage you to share your favorite memories of “The Legend” in the comments section below.  We will share these memories with Kim and all of Jim’s family. 

2020 Hall of Fame Induction Rescheduled to Sept 10

The 2020 Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines on Thursday, September 10th.

The induction ceremony for the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame “Class of 2020” has been set for Thursday, September 10th.

The new date for the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony has been set.  Beth Bader, John Benda and Judd Gibb will join the Hall of Fame on Thursday, September 10th during a ceremony held at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 16th but was postponed due to concerns about the coronavirus with travel and congregating in large groups. 

The induction of the three will bring the total number in the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame to 86. Read about the accomplishments of the three inductees by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

Tickets to the September 10th ceremony are $50.  Food will be served prior to the induction ceremony taking place. You can sign up to attend by clicking here or you can call the IGA office at 515-207-1062.

The general schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, September 10th
  • Wakonda Club (3915 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321)
  • 6:00 p.m. to approx 7:30 p.m. – Social hour and dinner
  • 7:30 to approx 9:00 p.m. – Induction ceremony
  • 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Mingle and take photos

Click here to read about Beth, John and Judd’s various accomplishments.

SIGN UP TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY

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