Des Moines’ Tripp Kinney (pictured above) picked up his first college win at the 2019 NCAA Louisville Regional en route to capturing the 2019 IGA Men’s Player of the Year title.

Kinney played well all season, earning top five finishes at the Colleton River Intercollegiate (T5), the Sunnehanna Amateur (T5) and the 70th Herman Sani (5th). He also finished in a tie for eighth at the Big 12 Championships.

Jon Brown, of Adel, used three victories and a trio of top five finishes to come in second in the standings. His victories came at the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship, the Briarwood Amateur and The Classic 2019. Ankeny’s Jon Olson finished in third place while Johnston’s J.D. Anderson (4th) and Sperry’s Charles Jahn (5th) completed the top five.

Gene Elliott (pictured above) left little to doubt in the 2019 IGA Men’s Senior Player of the Year race. He earned his fourth title overall, and third in the last four years, by more than 800 points over Adel’s Jon Brown.

Elliott earned seven victories in 2019 including the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, IGA Senior Match Play Championship, 24th IGA Four-Ball Championship (Senior Division – with partner Todd Rose), 70th Herman Sani (Senior Division), Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, the Golfweek Senior Tournament of Champions as well as the medalist at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier (with partner Mike McCoy). Elliott also advanced to the round of 64 at the U.S. Senior Amateur.

Elliott highlighted his summer by earning low amateur honors at the 2019 Senior Open Championship.

Jon Brown had three victories and five top five finishes to come in second in the standings. His victories came at the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship, the Briarwood Amateur and The Classic 2019. Terry Cook, of Norwalk, finished third in the standings with Jay Gregory, of Lineville, and Joe Bates, of Albia, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Albia’s Jim Campbell (pictured above) earned his first IGA Men’s Super Senior Player of the Year title is 2019 following a season that featured four wins and three runner-up finishes. Campbell collected wins at the 41st Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, Fort Dodge Amateur Championship, Carroll Amateur, and 2019 Southeast Iowa Amateur in the Super Senior Divisions.

Campbell’s runner-up Super Senior Division finishes came at the 70th Herman Sani, Waterloo Open and the 24th IGA Four-Ball. Campbell also placed 12th at the 34th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship (Super Senior Division).

Two-time IGA Super Senior Player of the Year, Rob Christensen, had yet another successful season of golf. He compiled four wins and four top-ten finishes to earn runner-up honors in the standings. Fort Madison’s Jim Butler came in third while Dave Sergeant, of Fort Dodge and Steve Kahler, of Marion, finished in fourth and fifth in the standings.

Click here to view a full recap of 2019 Player of the Year standings.

Ames’ Amelia Mehmet-Grohn (pictured above) had a banner summer highlighted by a tie for second place at the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur to help her capture her first IGA Women’s Player of the Year title.

Grohn’s accomplishments included a 6th place finishing at the Mountain View Collegiate in the spring while playing for Iowa State University and qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur played at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. She was also a quarter-finalist at the 8th IGA Women’s Match Play Championship held at Tournament Club of Iowa. Grohn, who was a member of Australia’s team at the 2019 Astor Trophy competition in Vancouver, led the Cyclones at the Big 12 Championship finishing tied for 12th and made the top-20 at the NCAA Cle Elum Regional, tying for 17th.

Joy Chou, of Ames, never finished outside the top-three en route to a runner-up finish in the standings. Indianola’s Leanne Smith (3rd), Cedar Rapids’ Julie Buerman (4th), and Ankeny’s Karli Kerrigan (5th) rounded out the top five in the Player of the Year standings.

Click here to view a full recap of Women’s Player of the Year standings

Much like 2018, the 2019 Senior Women’s Player of the Year was close with Kelly Grimes (pictured above) edging out Kathy Fortune by 12.5 points.

In her first year competing in the Senior Division, Grimes won the Forever 39 Match Play, was runner-up at the 9th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship (Senior Division) with partner Sue Harmon, and finished 3rd in the Open Division of the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur. She also earned third place honors amongst the seniors at the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #2 held at Edmondson Golf Course in Oskaloosa.

Fortune had a strong summer as well that featured seven top-10 finishes, highlighted by a top finish in the senior standings at the IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #2 and a runner-up finish at the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur held at Oneota G&CC in Decorah.

The top five in the standings also included Margene Grady (3rd), Janece Schwartzkopf (4th), and Laura Leszczynski (T5) and Rose Kubesheski (T5).

Click here to view a full recap of Senior Women’s Player of the Year standings

In what has become an annual gathering, a few ‘Iowa gals’ participated again this year in the Naples Invitational Golf Tournament to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation earlier this week as part of the Play for P.I.N.K. efforts. Those from Iowa that participated in the charity event included Kathy Fortune, Janece Schwartzkopf, Janis Owens, MaryAnn Brown, Cristy Schmidt, Amy Smith, Judy McCarty and Janet Berry. Smith is the daughter of Jill (and Tom) Blackwood, who passed away on earlier this year from complications due to cancer. Blackwood was elected to the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame class of 2019 and along with partner Judy McCarty participated in the Play for P.I.N.K. event in Naples for 13 years.

Tom Blackwood is pictured with Janet Berry and daughter Amy Smith.

To speed advances in breast cancer detection, treatment and survivorship, Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) supports thousands of volunteers nationwide as they raise funds for research through sporting and lifestyle events. Their efforts raise $4.6 million annually — and 100% of that goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Play for P.I.N.K. supports events in 30 states across the country, with more than 30,000 annual participants turning their passion for golf, tennis, and other sports and lifestyle pursuits into substantial support for research. To date, Play for P.I.N.K. has raised nearly $53 million and currently supports 26 scientists at leading academic medical institutions around the world.

To learn more about Play for P.I.N.K. click here

Bettendorf’s Matthew Garside (pictured above), now competing in his freshman year at the University of Iowa, has won his first IGA Junior Boys’ Player of the Year title after a consistent summer of play.

After winning the IHSAA 4A state title in the fall of 2018, Garside put together three top-ten and two top-twenty finishes beginning with runner-up finishes at the IGA Junior Amateur and the AJGA D.A. Points Junior Championship. Garside also notched a tie for sixth at the 117th Iowa Amateur Championship, a top twenty finishes at the 31st IGA Match Play (Round of 16) and the 86th Iowa Open (15th). Garside’s summer was highlighted by a trip to the U.S. Junior Amateur, where he advanced to match play.

Urbandale’s Nick Pittman finished second in the 2019 standings. His summer included two victories coming at the John Deere Classic Junior Open and the IGA Junior Amateur.

Griffin Parker, of Urbandale finished in third place, while Burlington’s Matthew Briggs (4th) and Marshalltown’s Cole Davis (5th) rounded out the top five.

Click here for a full recap of the 2019 Junior Boys’ Standings.

West Des Moines’ Paige Hoffman (pictured above) won her second straight IGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year title in 2019. Much like last year, Hoffman dominated the standings and won by over 1200 points.

Hoffman collected wins at the 95th Iowa Women’s Amateur, ISPGA Spring Open, IGHSAU 4A State Tournament, John Deere Junior Classic Open and Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championship. She also had a trio of top three finishes at the AJGA Preview at Fair Oaks Ranch (3rd), the Midwest Junior Classic (T-2), and the 44th Iowa Girls’ Junior PGA Championship (3rd).

Ames’ Britta Snyder finished second in the standings. Her summer included a wins at the IGHSAU 3A State Tournament and the AJGA Randy Wise Junior Open.

Annika Patton of Aurelia finished in third place, while Washington’s Anna Nacos (4th) and Newton’s Rylee Heryford (5th) completed the top five.

Click here to a full recap of the 2019 Junior Girls’ Standings.

On Friday, October 25, the IGA Board of Directors named recipients of the 2019 Annual Awards in six categories. We are pleased to announce this year’s honorees.

9-Hole Superintendent – Kory Brown, Ballard Golf and Country Club
Kory Brown, of Ballard Golf and Country Club, has been named the 2019 IGA 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year.

Brown joined Ballard Golf and Country Club’s staff as the Superintendent in the fall of 2018. He hit the ground running, managing to successfully seed the struggling areas on the greens before winter rolled around. Over the winter, Brown took the initiative to learn the ins and outs of their irrigation system, attending classes and consulting with industry experts to prepare for the 2019 season. By the time the season rolled around, several prior irrigation problems were a thing of the past.

Brown was tasked with redoing all of the tees this past year, and through his leadership, a significant amount of the work was able to be done in house. He has a gift of working with his hands, and is able to keep the equipment running smoothly when something needs repaired. He takes pride in the playing conditions and his attention to detail has not gone unnoticed by the club’s Board of Directors.

Since joining the staff, Brown’s leadership has had a positive impact on his crew. He has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, and maintained a great relationship with everyone he works with. He goes above and beyond his expected duties, and has been a great addition to the club.

18-Hole Superintendent – Ryan Lux, Echo Valley Country Club
Ryan Lux, of Echo Valley Country Club, is the 2019 IGA 18-Hole Superintendent of the Year.

Lux joined the Echo Valley staff as Superintendent in the fall of 2018. To most, the amount of work that Lux took on during the 2019 season would be overwhelming. He was responsible for the renovation of the greens on the Vale Course, in addition to renovating a practice green and short game area, all while providing top notch conditions of 18 holes on the Creek and Ridge nines.

The club membership took notice of Lux’s leadership, and they have taken notice in the pride he takes in his work.

“There seems to be nothing he’s not willing to do to make the course look and play the way it was meant to be enjoyed,” said Leanne Smith, 2019 IGA Women’s Match Play Champion and Echo Valley member.

The way Lux has handled his heavy workload has been admired by the Echo Valley staff, in addition to the membership.

“While his job responsibilities are mammoth, he has handled them like a true pro,” said club General Manager Matt Matthias.

9-Hole Course of the Year – Holstein Country Club
The IGA 9-Hole Course of the Year in 2019 is Holstein Country Club in Holstein.

Holstein Country Club, located in northwest Iowa, opened its doors in 1969, and celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year. The course has long been a staple in the community, and is visited by many golfers from near and far each year. The course has received praise for its smooth bent grass greens, undulating putting surfaces, beautiful and pristine playing conditions.

The golf course is a point of pride for the Holstein community, with several members “adopting” tee boxes where they plant flowers and bushes, to add to the beauty of the property. The course is meticulously cared for by 2015 IGA 9-Hole Superintendent of the Year, Aaron Nedved, who provides quality playing conditions on a daily basis. The course features four sets of tees that allow every golfer to have a fun experience, and is regarded as a course that is playable and welcoming to all levels of players. The club has a very active membership, and has strong participation in its leagues and tournaments.

18-Hole Course of the Year – Cedar Rapids Country Club
Cedar Rapids Country Club, in eastern Iowa, has been selected as the 2019 IGA 18-Hole Course of the Year.

The club placed Iowa golf in the national spotlight, playing host to the 2019 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in August. This was only the third time a USGA championship was conducted in the state of Iowa, and 132 of the world’s best senior women flocked to Cedar Rapids for the event. The event was a tremendous success, with the course receiving glowing reviews from all involved with the event.

Cedar Rapids Country Club is the state of Iowa’s only Donald Ross designed golf course. The course was first laid out by Scotsman Tom Bendelow in 1904, before world-renowned golf course architect Donald Ross expanded the course to 18 holes in 1914. Over time, the classic and recognizable Ross features of the course began to fade, leaving only the bones of what was once there. In 2011, the club hired Ross expert Ron Prichard, and his associate Tyler Rae, for the job of restoring the golf course. Superintendent Tom Feller and his crew took an active part in the restoration of the golf course which included restoring the bunkers, expanding the greens and removing trees, in an effort to improve turf health and bring back old sightlines across the property.

PGA Pro of the Year – Aaron Krueger, Wakonda Club
Aaron Krueger, of Wakonda Club in Des Moines, is the 2019 IGA PGA Professional of the Year.

Krueger first made his mark on Iowa golf when he joined Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo as an Assistant Professional. After a short stint in Illinois, he returned to the Hawkeye state in 2011 to be the Head PGA Professional at Wakonda Club in Des Moines, where he now serves as the Director of Golf. He has played an instrumental role in the success of the PGA Tour Champions Principal Charity Classic, which the club has hosted since 2013.

In addition to his numerous duties as Director of Golf and preparing for the Principal Charity Classic, Krueger has given back to the game through volunteering. Krueger is currently the Iowa PGA Section President, and is on the board of the Iowa PGA Section Foundation. One thing that sets him apart is the impact his leadership has had on his staff. He has mentored several young aspiring PGA Professionals during his time at Wakonda, and exemplifies the character and commitment to people that makes golf in the state of Iowa special.

Club Manager of the Year – John Dinnebier, Briarwood Golf Club
John Dinnebier, of Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny, is the 2019 IGA Club Manager of the Year.

Dinnebier joined Briarwood Golf Club in July of 2018, and has had a substantial impact on the club since the day he arrived. Since becoming the manager of the club, Briarwood has welcomed over 100 new members. His leadership since joining Briarwood has yielded great results for the club membership by providing a great outlook for the future, and improving the quality of service to Briarwood’s members.

The commitment Dinnebier has to the membership does not go unnoticed. On any given day, he can be found working with the junior golf program, bussing tables, tending the bar, setting up outings, and coaching the staff. He is characterized by his friendly smile, positive energy, and his willingness to go above and beyond expectations.

In Dinnebier’s time at Briarwood, he has led and overseen golf course improvements, several clubhouse repairs, the upgrading golf maintenance equipment, and several other improvement projects. One would think that with all of these duties, he doesn’t have time for much else. A testament to his commitment to the game of golf in Iowa, he routinely drives 180 miles round trip to Creston, where they do not have a golf professional nearby, to give junior golf clinics to kids learning the game.

He is recognized by members and coworkers alike for his humility, and has been described by members as a leader who, “wouldn’t ask the staff to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.”

Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Jon Brown (pictured above) rewrote the history books on Sunday, becoming the first player to win the Briarwood Amateur three times.

Brown sat one back heading into Sunday, where he separated himself from the field with a round of 66 (-6) that included eight birdies. His weekend total of 136 (-8) was two clear of Runner-Up Scot Cook, of Van Meter, who posted back-to-back rounds of 69 (-3) to finish at 138 (-6). J.D. Anderson, of Johnston, was going for the three-peat, but finished third with a (-2) total of 142 for the tournament.

In the Senior Division, the tournament came down to the wire, with Greg Kramer, of Urbandale, defeating Curtis Holck, of Ankeny, in a sudden-death playoff.

Kramer went low on Saturday, posting a score of 69 (-3) to give him the lead going into Sunday. Kramer followed up his 69 with a round of 74 (+2). After a few hiccups on 10 and 11, Kramer finished his final 7 holes two-under in order to hang onto a share of the lead and force a playoff with Holck at 143 (-1). Holck followed up his 73 (+1) on Saturday with a round of 70 (-2) on Sunday, jumpstarted by his eagle on the fourth. Kirk Macumber, of Winterset, shot a weekend total of 144 (E) to finish in third place.

In the Super Senior Division, Rob Christensen, of Marshalltown, and Jim Campbell, of Albia, duked it out in a playoff, with Christensen coming out on top.

Christensen played consistently, with a pair of 74’s that yielded him a 148 (+4) total. Campbell was the leader heading into Sunday after an even par round of 72, and ended up in a tie after his round of 76 tied Christensen’s 148 (+4) total. Stephen Larson, of Polk City, finished in third place and four back from the leaders with a weekend total of 152 (+8).

Click here for a full recap of scoring

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame and IGA Lifetime Board Member George Turner passed away on the morning of July 25th at Taylor Hospice.

Services will be Monday Aug 5th, 3:00 p.m – St. Lukes Church – Forrest Ave in Des Moines, with a reception following service at Waveland Golf Course Clubhouse. Click here to read an obituary for Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Iowa Golf Foundation (1605 N. Ankeny Blvd, Suite 210, Ankeny, IA 50023) or Taylor House Hospice (3401 E Douglas, Des Moines, IA 50317).

Turner’s contributions to Iowa golf have come both on and off the golf course. From his victories in two designated major championships — the 1965 Northwest Amateur and the 1969 Fort Dodge Amateur — to countless other amateur events, Turner’s name is well-known in Iowa. Turner’s other wins include the Iowa Golf Association State Seniors title in 1989, the Iowa Golf Association State Masters title in 1990, the Iowa Golf Association State Senior Amateur title (70 years-over) in 2002, and the Des Moines Senior Open title in 2005. Turner qualified for and played in the 1981, 1984 and 1993 U.S. Senior Open and the 1988, 1990 and 1991 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Turner was a lifetime member of the IGA Board of Directors and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Off the course, George has been an Iowa Golf Association volunteer for decades, helping run numerous events. George and John Nervig took over operations of the Iowa Masters from the late Harry Burrell 30+ years ago.

The Iowa Golf Association named its distinguished service award after Turner in 2003. It is given annually to individuals who – like George – have given back to the game through years of volunteer service.