Category: News

2020 Ann Griffel Scholarship Award recipients named

June 1, 20200 commentsNews, Scholarships

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

May 21, 20200 commentsNews, Scholarships

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

May 18, 20200 commentsNews

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

April 22, 20200 commentsNews

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

April 20, 202033 commentsNews, Uncategorized

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

April 20, 20200 commentsNews, Uncategorized
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

Plans for Copper Creek Golf Course include enclosed driving range

April 16, 20200 commentsNews

Kenneth Hodges, who through Copper Creek Club LLC bought the Pleasant Hill golf course in March, said he is talking with TopTracer Range about installing its technology at the driving range and enclosing the bays, a move that would allow the range to be operational much of the year. TopTracer Range is owned by Top Golf Entertainment, the popular indoor golf venue.

Hodges said he’s planning to construct a building that would be about 200 feet long and 14 feet tall and would include 20 bays with garage-like doors that open to the range. The bays would be heated in cool months and air-conditioned in the summer, he said. Patrons would be able to order dinner and drinks from the clubhouse that would be delivered to the range.

Click here to read more from the Des Moines Business Record

Be part of selecting ‘Iowa’s Favorite 18’

April 8, 20200 commentsNews

Now is your chance to be part of selecting “Iowa’s Favorite 18” – Over the next few weeks we will be asking you to identify your favorite hole(s) (1-18) one by one in Iowa on the IGA’s Twitter feed @IowaGolfAssn (click here to visit).  The idea being that we determine the favorite first hole at a course in Iowa, favorite second hole and so on.

Top choices for each hole will then be voted on in a poll to determine “Iowa’s Favorite 18”. While we will not have any restrictions on nominations, we may use our discretion to ‘share the wealth’ of courses around the state. Don’t hesitate – visit, nominate and vote!

As the 18 holes are chosen, we will compile the list and produce the stats below. It will be interesting to see what yardage and par “Iowa Favorite 18” plays to!

 

Iowa’s Favorite 18
#1 –  Cedar Rapids Country Club – Par 4 – 342 yards
#2 – The Harvester Club – Par 4 – 360 yards
#3 – The Harvester Club – Par 3 – 195 yards
#4 – Tournament Club of Iowa – Par 5 – 593 yards
#5 – Tournament Club of Iowa – Par 3 – 185 yards
#6 – The Harvester Club – Par 5 – 560 yards
#7 – Veenker Memorial Golf Course – Par 5 – 590 yards
#8 – Echo Valley Country Club (Ridge) – Par 4 – 418 yards
#9 – Davenport Country Club – Par 5 – 523 yards
FRONT NINE – 3,766 yards – Par 38

#10 – Hyperion Field Club – Par 4 – 342 yards
#11 – The Ridge Golf Club – Par 4 – 465 yards
#12 – Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino and Golf Resort – Par 5 – 552 yards
#13 – Finkbine Golf Course – Par 3 – 182 yards
#14 – The Ridge Golf Club – Par 5 – 542 yards
#15 – Lake Panorama National Resort – Par 4 – 389 yards
#16 – Elmcrest Country Club – Par 4 – 437 yards
#17 – Wakonda Club – Par 3 – 188 yards
#18 – Spirit Hollow Golf Course – Par 5 – 579 yards
BACK NINE – 3,676 yards  – Par 37
TOTAL – 7,442 yards – Par 75

Update on IGA Championships (March 30, 2020)

March 30, 20200 commentsChampionships, News, Uncategorized

March 30, 2020

Dear IGA Members and Iowa golfers,

We hope this email finds you and your families safe and healthy. Like all of you, we are looking forward to things getting back to normal. Hopefully, that is sooner rather than later but the truth is, no one can really say for sure.

Many of you participate in IGA Championships and might be wondering whether we plan to cancel or postpone any events. On Friday, our Board of Directors met and discussed this, in consultation with recommendations from our Rules & Competitions Committees.

It was determined not to postpone any of our championships at this time. We do have a plan in place, should we need it, to postpone events until June 1st. We will make a decision whether to go forward with that plan – or any variations thereof – around mid-April. Our first championship is the Iowa Mid-Amateur slated for May 8-9 at Sunnyside CC in Waterloo. (link to entire schedule) Should that happen, we will notify our membership via email, website notices and social media posts. We have established potential new dates with our host clubs for all events in May (Mid-Amateur, Women’s Mid-Am Series, Four-Ball, Senior Match Play), meaning none would be canceled.

As time passes if it looks like we won’t be able to hold any championships until later than June 1, we would have to make decisions on what events to cancel and which ones to postpone. At that point, there would not be enough space on the calendar to hold everything in that tight of a window. Obviously, the further that “go-date’ gets pushed back, the more events will be subject to cancellation. We hope it doesn’t come to that but we will have plans in place nevertheless.

If an event is postponed and a current entrant cannot play on the new dates, we will refund that entry fee in full. If an event is canceled, all entrants will be refunded their entry fees in full.

If you have any questions please reach us at [email protected] or call our office at 515.207.1062. We are (mostly) working from our homes at this time, but there is one person in to cover the office during our normal hours.

Finally, we encourage all of you to follow the best practices recommended by the WHO and CDC in all your daily activities, whether that includes playing golf or not. Courses have implemented strict restrictions on social distancing and you should strictly adhere to those. Stay at least 6 feet away from your playing partners at all times, including the tee boxes and greens. Try to walk rather than ride, but if that isn’t possible, do not share a cart (unless it is with someone from your own household). Remember, it’s just as much about how other people might feel as it is about your own comfort level.

Please be assured that when IGA Championships do take place, we will adhere to the letter and spirit of all guidelines outlined by the experts. We will be committed to ensuring the safety of our players and volunteers at all times.

Take care, everyone.

-IGA Staff and Board of Directors

Some IGA member courses open for play, will be soon

March 5, 20200 commentsNews

The following IGA Member Courses have communicated they either are or will be open:

  • Waveland, AH Blank, Bright-Grandview, Jester Park & Terrace Hills are now all open for the season.
  • Copper Creek Golf Course – Will open Friday at 10am, with carts. Spring Rates are available. Please book online at www.golfcoppercreek.com
  • Flint Hills Golf Course – Will open Saturday (3/7) on a day to day basis weather permitting.
  • Fort Dodge Country Club – Opening Wednesday, March 11. Updates and course availability available on the website www.fortdodgecc.com or call the Pro Shop at (515) 955-8551.  Hours – Daily 10 am – 6 pm . Last carts out for 18 holes at 4 pm ; 9 Holes at 6 pm. Green Fees: 18 Hole $25 & 9 Hole $15. Cart Fees: 18 Holes $15 per player, 9 Hole $9 per player.
  • Glynns Creek Golf Course – Opening at 10 a.m. on Friday March 6.
  • Grinnell College Golf Course – Will be open 9 am 6 pm starting Saturday, March 7. Tee times are available at golf.grinnell.edu or by calling 641-236-3590
  • Holstein Country Club – Now open with no restrictions on carts
  • Lake Panorama National Resort – Open Sat and Sun. (3/7-8) with 90 degree rule. Special $30 plus tax for green fee and cart
  • LeMars Willow Creek – Will be open Saturday and Sunday (3/7-8) for golf and carts are good to go.
  • Muscatine Municipal Golf Course – Opening March 4 w/ Regular Rates.  Carts are on a day to day basis.
  • Otter Creek Golf Course – Opening for the season Saturday, March 7. Reservations for tee times are now being accepted online at www.ottercreekankeny.com or by calling 515-965-6464. The driving range will also open March 7.
  • Prairie Links Golf Course – Will be open starting Sunday March 6th at 10:00 am. Please call 319-242-7675 Ext. 2 to make your tee time. Possibility of opening on Saturday, but that this point no decision has been made.
  • River Valley Golf Course – Goal is to open up the course by Friday, March 13th. As they continue waking up the course from winter they will be discounting morning pricing. Further updates will be available on their website (http://www.rivervalleygolf.com/) and Facebook.
  • Sheaffer Golf Course – Will open Friday, March 6, starting with 9:30-4 hours until the weather is more stable.
  • St. Andrews Golf Club – Will open March 6, for walkers and March 7, for carts
  • The Legacy Golf Club – Will be open through at least Sunday, March 8th. Hoping to remain open longer and will be monitoring the forecast to determine what days they will be open next week. Shoulder Season Rates are in effect. Carts are restricted to the paths only and the driving range is not open.
  • The Preserve on Rathbun Lake is OPEN with Carts – no restrictions!!! We will have OFF Season Rates in effect through 3/15
    · Monday – Thursday: $35++ (includes cart fee)
    · Friday – Sunday: $40++ (includes cart fee)
    · Call 641 724 1400 for tee times
    Starting 3/16 we will move into our Shoulder Season rates. Those can be found at www.honeycreekresort.com/golf
  • Veenker Memorial Golf Course – Course and driving range will be open this Saturday and Sunday. Tee times available through veenkergolf.com or by phone 515-294-6727 (starting Thurs). Going forward, will be open, temps/weather pending. Shoulder season rates. Carts available, path only.
  • Waverly Municipal Golf Course is opening for the season Wednesday, March 11th. Weekday rate of $28, weekend rate of $39.
  • Woodland Hills Golf Course – Will open Friday, March 6,  at 10am, with carts. BACK 9 and EXECUTIVE 9 holes only…..the Front 9 will remain closed for a bit longer. Spring rates are available. Please book online at www.golfwoodlandhills.com

Click here for more information on all of our member courses.

Be sure to check back for updates to this list!

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