Five Who Went Back-To-Back

Successfully defending an Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship title is exceptionally challenging due to the high level of competition from skilled golfers across the state. Each year, new and returning participants bring their best game, raising the bar higher and higher. Weather conditions vary greatly, adding an unpredictable element that tests even the most seasoned players. Mental and physical stamina are crucial, as the pressure to maintain top performance can be intense. Achieving back-to-back victories is a testament to a golfer’s consistency, resilience, and exceptional talent, making it an impressive and rare feat.

Elisabeth Waterman

When the Iowa Women’s Amateur began in 1922, many wondered who would be the first champion to successfully defend her title. Thankfully, they wouldn’t have to wait long as Elisabeth Waterman accomplished the difficult feat in just the fourth edition of the championship.

During the 1924 Iowa Women’s Amateur, Cedar Rapids Country Club was host to the top female golfers the state of Iowa has to offer. Waterman, of Davenport, collected the first win of the week after capturing medalist honors during the first round with an 88. At the time, papers reported that her 88 was “said to be the best score ever made by a woman on the difficult course.” It was only the beginning for Waterman that week as she skillfully worked her way through the match play bracket, securing a spot in the finals against Mrs. F.C. Buyers. The two battled throughout the entire match, as neither held a lead greater than one up.

Buyers often got the better of Waterman, but she refused to quit. She continued to find ways to tie the match, often the hole following a win from Buyers. The pair remained level through 18 holes and trudged on to the 19^th with the championship on the line. Waterman captured the 19^th hole and her first of two straight Iowa Women’s Amateur titles.

Returning to the championship in 1925, all eyes were on Waterman as everyone flocked to Sunnyside Country Club. During the second round of match play, Waterman was nearly defeated by Francis Drake before a late rally kept her title defense alive. Many said that after her rally and defeat of Drake, it was “practically conceded that she would retain the championship.” They were right. Her final match was against A.C. Clapp but a hot start from the defending champ left little doubt as to who would raise the trophy. Holding a three-up lead at the turn, it seemed the match would end quickly in favor of Waterman. Clapp, however, had different plans. She rallied to win the 10^th, 11^th, and 13^th, but a loss on 12^th and 15^th dashed her hopes. Waterman recomposed herself during the back nine, and captured the 15^th and final hole to secure her second Iowa Women’s Amateur titles. She didn’t know it yet, but she would become the first of seven champions to successfully defend their titles at Sunnyside Country Club. 

Elizabeth Curtis

Entering the 1927 Iowa Women’s Amateur, Elizabeth Curtis had never played in a golf championship. Growing up at Clinton Country Club, Curtis has played her fair share of friendly matches during her five years of learning the game. Teeing it up at Wakonda Club, many didn’t know Curtis’ name at the start of the week. By the end of it, everyone knew who she was.

Her championship match against Mrs. Byers was one of the most dominant performances in Iowa Women’s Amateur history. With a three-up lead through five, Curtis refused to let up, watching her lead grow with wins on the sixth through the ninth, taking a seven-up lead at the turn. The 18-hole championship match was decided on the 11^th green, as the pair tied the hole and Curtis claimed an 8 & 7 victory making the first of two titles.

Teeing it up at Arsenal Golf Club in 1928, Curtis once again performed well in the championship match. Battling against Frances Drake, Curtis got off to a dream start with a three-under-par front nine. Her stellar play saw her amass a four-up lead through nine holes where it would remain until closing out the match on the 15^th green. Credited with long drives and pinpoint accuracy with her irons, Curtis’ play further etched her into Iowa Golf History as the second successful title defense in the championship.

Betsy Bro

Entering the final round of the 1985 Iowa Women’s Amateur, Betsy Bro found herself one stroke behind the leaders and needing to make a move up the leaderboard. Finding herself in the penultimate pairing, Bro meticulously plotted her way around the front nine of Green Valley Golf Club. Turning in one over par, she found herself tied for the lead with Chris Cervetti-Kiel heading to the back. With a closing nine of even par 36, Bro eagerly waited in the clubhouse wondering if it would be enough. Even when others began to congratulate her, she quickly responded “as long as Chris is still out there it isn’t over. She’s tough”. Needing a miracle on the 18^th, Cervetti-Kiel made a bogey allowing Bro to capture her second Iowa Women’s Amateur title in three years. The victory would kickstart an impressive three-year run for Bro in which she lifted the Fladoos trophy annually.

The story of the 1986 Iowa Women’s Amateur was Mother Nature. Heavy rain storms on the final day forced the championship to be condensed from 54-holes down to 36-holes. Despite the weather challenges, Bro’s exceptional play during the first two rounds would be enough as she claimed a one-stroke victory over Tera Fleischman and Cervettit-Kiel. After trailing by two following an opening round 77, Bro bounced back with a 75. Consistent rain over the second and third day of the championship may have derailed the competition, but Bro remained steady for her first successful title defense.

Bro achieved her third consecutive Iowa Women’s Amateur title in 1987 at Mason City Country Club. She demonstrated the same skill and consistency that she had in years prior, finishing with a five-shot win over the runner-up, Barb Thomas. Bro’s final round score of 73, which was one of the best of the tournament, helped secure her fourth overall victory. Her two previous victories had been small margins, but 1987 marked the first time she would have to go into a playoff to claim the title.

Holding a three-shot lead heading into the final round, Bro remained ahead of the field through the 12^th. By the time she put the flag in on the 15^th, she was joined at the top by Ann Vandermillen. The pair remained tied heading to the 18^th hole, but Bro would have a five-foot birdie putt to capture the win. She would go on to miss and force extra holes against Vandermillen. The pair exchanged pars on the first two playoff holes, but Bro wasn’t ready to give up. Staring down a 30-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole, Bro drained it, capturing her third consecutive and fourth overall title. “It was a great way to win it. I love competition like this. We were really going back and forth,” Bro later said. Five years later, Bro would once again return to the winner’s circle, capturing her fifth Iowa Women’s Amateur title at Pleasant Valley Golf Course.

Ann Vandermillen

Annie (Vandermillen) Albrecht was back for revenge in 1988 at Spencer Golf and Country Club. A year prior, Annie had almost reached the pinnacle of women’s golf in Iowa: an Iowa Women’s Amateur title, but fell just short in a sudden death playoff against Betsy Bro. The 1987 win was Bro’s third Iowa Women’s Amateur victory in a row and a tough pill to swallow for Vandermillen. However, she used the experience to play with fire in the 1988 contest. She left few questions unanswered as to who would win the title, winning by six strokes and having enough of a cushion to bogey three of the last four holes en route to the title. The taste of winning was much sweeter than what she had experienced a year before and too sweet to stop.

Vandermillen won the Iowa Women’s Amateur again in 1989 at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. Wakonda Club proved to be a difficult test for the field, but the Dubuque native battled it out for three days and came out on top by two strokes. Vandermillen would not be back to defend her title once again in 1990 as her golf game was taking on a new challenge. Coming off a successful college career at Wichita State University in 1989, highlighted by a 1987 Gateway Conference title and four selections to the all-conference team, she went on to play professionally on the Future’s Golf Tour (now named the Epson Tour). Vandermillen has since been named to the Missouri Valley women’s golf all-time team.

Megan Furnish

Cedar Rapids native Megan Furnish was in unchartered territory at the 2013 Iowa Women’s Amateur. The Missouri State standout was tied for the lead heading into the final round and was joined by two-time past champion Jenny Heinz. She’d earned her way into the final pairing by firing the low round of the championship with a 1-over-par 73. Even more remarkable about her second round was the fact that she had a triple bogey on the seventh hole. Her final round four-over 76 was enough to fend off not only Heinz but Alex Zenor, who fired the low round of the day with two-over 74. Her maiden victory was earned by two strokes, but her title defense wouldn’t be as easy, having to survive a two-hole playoff.

Opening the championship with back-to-back rounds of 74, Furnish found herself leading by one over Heinz and Christy Nelson. Paired with Heinz and Nelson, Furnish had a front row seat to see where she stood. As Heinz faltered, Nelson pressed on, matching Funish on nearly every hole. By the time the pair reached the 18^th, they were deadlocked. Beginning the playoff on the first, the pair exchanged pars. After Nelson failed to make par on the second playoff hole, Furnish calmly rolled in her five-foot par save. She had become just the 15^th player of all time to successfully defend her title at the Iowa Women’s Amateur.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Capturing both the Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur and the Iowa Women’s Amateur is a rare and remarkable achievement. Look at four duplicate winners who have etched their names on both the Betty Thye and Fladoos Family trophies.

Triumphant Women Making Waves in Iowa’s Golf Scene

Iowa Golf history is rich with the remarkable achievements of women who have reached the pinnacle of success. From dominating state championships to earning national recognition, these trailblazing golfers have set new standards of excellence. Their dedication, skill, and perseverance have not only earned them titles but also inspired future generations of female athletes. Delve into the stories of these extraordinary women, celebrating their contributions to the sport and their lasting legacy in Iowa Golf.

Leanne Smith

Leanne Smith is no stranger to IGA events. She grew up playing in the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur and even represented Iowa at the 1999 Junior Girls’ Four-State tournament. Her success within the state in the last six years has been nothing short of remarkable. The Indianola resident has a knack for the match play format as she has captured five different match play event titles since 2019.

Kicking off her flurry of match play championships was the 2019 IGA Women’s Match Play at Tournament Club of Iowa. En route to her maiden victory, the mid-amateur took down a slew of collegiate players, including future Iowa Women’s Amateur champion Joy Chou of Iowa State. The following year, she once again dismantled the collegiate players in the field to capture her second straight title. Her third consecutive title came in similar fashion, capturing the title 3 & 2 over UNI Panther Anna Jensen. During both the 2020 and 2021 Smith was named the IGA Women’s Player of the Year, a nod to her consistent play all year long.

The same year, 2021, marked the first year Smith was eligible for the Iowa Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship. The nine hole format is a great fit for Smith who is known to jump out to early leads. After claiming the first three holes in the championship match, a par on the sixth was all that was left for Smith to claim the title. She would go on to claim her second title at the championship to kick off the 2024 season.

Perhaps the pinnacle of Smith’s career has been qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, a feat she has accomplished each of the of the last three seasons. During both the 2021 and 2022 Smith was able to reach the match play portion of the championship before bowing out.

Rose Kubesheski

Once the game of golf came into Rose Kubesheski’s life, it did not leave. Kubesheski did not start playing golf until she was older, but her successful resume makes people feel otherwise. The Dubuque resident has won the Forever 39 Match Play twice, the Senior Division of the IGA Women’s Four-Ball six times, and the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur an outstanding seven times. From 2010 to 2017, there were only two years where she did not win the Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur. Additionally, Kubesheski has taken her game to the national level. Rose qualified for 1995, 2011 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, 2010 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in 2017, 2022, and 2023. Her consistent play over the whole season has earned her the Iowa Senior Women’s Player of the Year title five times and a Leahy Medal nine times. However, one of the most impressive feats of her game may be her passion for walking the links. No matter the weather or the course, Rose loves to walk which is a rare trait to find today.

Kubesheski’s contribution to Iowa golf is not limited to her playing ability. She served as Dubuque Senior High School’s head girls’ golf coach for several years. In this role, Kubesheski was able to grow the women’s game in Iowa and show young girls how special the game of golf is. Additionally, she is a committed IGA volunteer. She currently serves on the IGA Board of Directors and three committees: the Women’s Rules and Competitions Committee, the Ann Griffel Scholarship Committee, and the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. Her competitive spirit, heart for the game, and service make Iowa golf better each year. 

Anita Harsch

With the last name of Harsh, it only made sense that Burlington’s Anita Harsh toppled the field at the 1975 Iowa Women’s Amateur. Her 72-hole total of 229 was a staggering 11 shots better than runner-up Linda Frisch. Opening with rounds of 75 and 73, Harsch left little doubt that she was the player to beat. At the halfway point of the championship, Mason City Country Club had yielded just eight rounds under 80.

Round three brought Harsch closer to her competitors as she turned in her highest score of the championship with an 81. Even with her struggles, she still led by seven strokes going into the final 18 holes. There was little doubt that she would surrender her lead and those who thought she might were quickly silenced as she birdied the first two holes. She kept her foot on the pedal and birdied the fifth, seventh, and eighth, turning in an impressive four-under-par 33.

Her lone blemishes were on the 9^th and 12^th as she recorded bogey, but she quickly bounced back stringing together five pars and a birdie on the 17^th. Shooting even par on the closing nine allowed her to shave ten strokes off her third round, concluding the championship with a three-under-par 71. Harsch’s victory at Iowa’s premier women’s championship would be her lone victory. Still, she had to fight off a stacked leaderboard that featured three previous champions in Corkey Nydle, Linda Frisch, and defending champion Susan Shinn.

Jean Mowry

Golf is meant to be played for a lifetime. For some, success is experienced early whether it be as a junior, collegiate player, or into their early mid-amateur days. For others, success is found and sustained in the latter half of their career. Jean Mowry is the latter.

Hailing from Webster City, Mowry found success in the late 1990s and rode the momentum for half a dozen years, collecting numerous titles along the way. Between 1999 and 2005, Mowry won seven straight Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur titles and was named the Senior Medalist, awarded after the first round, a remarkable four times. During that stretch, Mowry proved that she was lethal not only in stroke play competition but in match play as well. She captured the Iowa Women’s Forever 39 Match Play Championship three consecutive years between 2002 and 2004.

Even more remarkable than her ten victories was that all but two were hosted at various venues. Her ability to play well under pressure at a slew of different courses and playing styles cemented her as a senior legend in the history of Iowa Women’s Golf.

Barbara Berkmeyer

Barbara (Bubany) Berkmeyer’s golf career spans over six decades. Born in Fort Madison, she started playing golf at age four under her father Frank’s guidance. After moving to Ottumwa in 1952, she participated in the 1954 Southeast Iowa Women’s Championship at age 10, later winning it in 1965. Berkmeyer made a name for herself in Missouri after winning the 1962 St. Louis Women’s District Golf Association Junior Girls’ Championship, earning the first women’s athletic scholarship at the University of Missouri.

She won her first Missouri Women’s Golf Association State Championship at 21 and went on to win four more titles. Competing in 11 USGA Championships, she was runner-up in the 2002 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and the 2002 Canadian Ladies National Senior Championship and won the Missouri Senior Women’s Amateur title 13 times. Berkmeyer also had a 25-year career as a middle school teacher and has been inducted into the St. Louis, Missouri, and University of Missouri Sports Halls of Fame.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Hoisting the Fladoos trophy in consecutive seasons is easier said than done. But for a select few, they did so with ease.

The Enduring Legacy of Ann Casey Johnstone

In the 100-year history of the Iowa Women’s Amateur, few have left as permanent of a mark as Ann Casey Johnstone. The Mason City native is one of only two females to capture the championship six times, and her final title came at none other than Mason City Country Club. The 18-hole track, which she called home, helped her hone her skills and shape her into a household name not only in Iowa but on the national level.

Members of the 1960 U.S. Curtis Cup team which included Judy Bell, Judy Eller, Joanne Goodwin, JoAnne Gunerson, Ann Casey Johnstone, Barbara McIntire, Anne Quast and Mildred Prunaret, Captain.

Johnstone commenced her amateur career with a significant victory at the 1941 Iowa Women’s Amateur, marking the onset of a remarkable two-decade tenure in amateur golf. Accumulating an impressive total of six Iowa Women’s Amateur championships, alongside national recognition and multiple appearances at the Curtis Cup, Johnstone emerged as one of the state’s most distinguished players. Capturing the pinnacle title of Iowa Women’s Golf in 1941 was just the beginning as she went on to claim the 1951, 1954, 1955, and 1957 championships before her sixth and final.

Notably, Johnstone’s national prominence soared in 1956 with victories at the Palm Beach Invitational and a semifinal finish at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, leading to her acknowledgment as the nation’s top female golfer in 1957, albeit humorously dubbed her “Bridesmaid Year” due to several runner-up finishes.

Throughout her illustrious career, she clinched notable titles including the Trans-Mississippi and North and South championships in 1959, alongside representing the United States in the prestigious Curtis Cup in 1958, 1960, and 1962. Transitioning to coaching at Stephens College in 1964, Johnstone’s legacy continued to thrive, earning accolades such as LPGA Coach of the Year and induction into multiple golfing halls of fame, cementing her status as a revered figure in the world of golf.

Ann Casey Johnstone with the 1957 U.S. Women’s Amateur trophy.

Her sixth and final state title, secured in 1959 at Mason City Country Club, held special significance for her, being her hometown course where she was honored as a lifetime member two years prior. While Ann Casey Johnstone passed away in 2014, her legacy continues to live on not only in Mason City, but for the next generation of Iowa’s young golf stars.

Beginning in 2024, the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur and Iowa Women’s Amateur champion will receive an exemption into the respective USGA National Championship (U.S. Junior Girls & U.S. Women’s Amateur). With the generosity of Johnstone’s children (Jean Ann & Joseph Grabias) and nephew (Casey Martin), the winner of each championship will receive the Ann Casey Johnstone sponsorship. Thus far, her family has raised $5,000 in Ann’s honor to help alleviate the unexpected costs surrounding travel and lodging at these national championships.

Ann Casey Johnstone’s legacy endures through this honorary donation and her distinguished tenure at Mason City Country Club. Interestingly, a fresh “Legacy” is emerging at MCCC.

In late 2022, the Pritchard Companies acquired Mason City Country Club, renaming it “Legacy Golf Course” in honor of the owner’s father, Joe Pritchard, who had a deep connection to the club. A comprehensive renovation project commenced, beginning with drainage improvements led by a team of engineers, including the installation of over a mile of main tile and three holding ponds to address persiste

nt drainage issues. Subsequently, Kevin Norby developed a master plan based on the original 1915 Thomas Bendelow design, featuring new greens, holes, bunkering, irrigation

system, maintenance facility, and tee boxes. Construction is currently underway, with Dunnick overseeing bunker and green shaping on the front nine, while play continues on the back nine. Additionally, a 5,000 square foot Pavilion overlooking the course has been constructed, serving as an interim clubhouse and future public multipurpose facility.

To learn more about the course restoration, Tom Bendelow’s vision, and Ann Casey Johnstone’s life & career, click here.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Commending the impressive golf achievements of Iowa’s past players.

Iowa Success on the Biggest Stage

In the heart of America, amidst the rolling fields of Iowa, lies a rich tapestry of female golfing talent that has left an unforgettable mark on the prestigious greens of the LPGA Major championships. From the tranquil landscapes of the Hawkeye State emerges a legacy of resilience, skill, and sheer determination embodied by its formidable women golfers. These trailblazers have not only graced the fairways of the LPGA Tour but have etched their names in history, capturing Major championships and showcasing the unwavering spirit of Iowa’s golfing prowess on the sport’s grandest stages.

Originally hailing from Eldridge, Beth Bader embarked on her golfing journey at the early age of 12, a path she pursued with unwavering commitment. Throughout her formative years in Iowa, Bader showcased her exceptional talent, clinching victories at notable events such as the 1991 Iowa Junior Open, 1991 Des Moines Open, and 1992 Waterloo Junior Open, laying the foundation for her remarkable career. Additionally, she left an unforgettable mark on the local golfing scene with triumphs like the 1995 Quad City Women’s Amateur title and a commendable runner-up placement at the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 1992.

Transitioning seamlessly to collegiate golf, Bader excelled as a vital member and later captain of the Iowa State University women’s golf team, earning accolades such as the medalist at the 1993 Northern Illinois Huskie Invitational and the team’s MVP in the 1993-94 season. Notably, her proficiency on the course earned her the distinction of being a two-time All-Big Eight honoree, a feat unmatched by any other ISU player. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Bader was honored as ISU’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1996, a testament to her permanent impact on the university’s record books. Her collegiate career was characterized by consistency, as evidenced by her remarkable streak of never being out of the starting lineup in 42 consecutive tournaments. Amassing a record-breaking 24 Top 100 finishes, Bader cemented her status as one of ISU’s finest golfers, leaving behind a legacy that remains unmatched.

Post-college, Bader transitioned to the Futures Tour, where she continued to shine, eventually earning her coveted spot on the LPGA Tour in 2000, representing Iowa with pride at the pinnacle of women’s golf. Over her illustrious decade-long tenure on the LPGA Tour, Bader amassed career earnings exceeding $1 million, competing in 26 Major championships and leaving a lasting mark on the sport. Notably, her crowning achievement came with a tie for fourth at the 2007 LPGA Corning Classic, a testament to her skill and tenacity on the grandest stages of women’s golf.

Judy Kimball Simon possessed an innate talent for golf, evident from her earliest days in the sport. Her introduction to competitive golf occurred in 1954 at the Iowa Women’s Amateur held at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, where despite being a newcomer, she demonstrated promise. Although her debut saw her fall short of match play after shooting 99, Kimball Simon persisted. The following year, she narrowly missed out on advancing at the Davenport Country Club but claimed victory in the long-drive contest with an impressive 275-yard drive, showcasing her growing skills. By 1956, at just 18 years old, Kimball Simon reached the semifinals at the Clinton Country Club, making her the oldest contender among the Final Four. Despite her young age, she faced challenging opponents like Sharon Fladoos of Dubuque, who ultimately bested her in the semifinals. The tournament format shifted to medal play in 1957, a change that saw Kimball Simon secure a commendable third-place finish at the Fort Dodge Country Club.

However, it was in 1958 that Kimball Simon clinched her first Iowa Women’s Amateur title at the Cedar Rapids Country Club, showcasing her dominance with a five-shot lead over her closest rivals. That same year, she distinguished herself as the low amateur and secured an impressive 18th place overall at the Waterloo Women’s Open, a notable achievement considering its status as an LPGA Tour stop. Although her victory in 1958 marked her sole triumph in the Iowa Women’s Amateur, Kimball Simon remained an intimidating presence in subsequent tournaments, finishing fourth in 1959 and third in 1960. Despite contemplating a shift towards kinesiology studies at Texas, Kimball Simon’s career trajectory took an unexpected turn when she secured an endorsement deal with Wilson Sporting Goods alongside golf legends Betsy Rawls, Patty Berg, and Mickey Wright. Transitioning to professional status in 1960, Kimball Simon made an immediate impact, becoming the first LPGA rookie in a decade to secure victory at the American Women’s Open in Minneapolis in 1961.

Her breakthrough victory marked the beginning of a stellar professional career, highlighted by historic achievements such as becoming the first and only Iowan to win a women’s major championship at the LPGA Championship in 1962. Her stellar performance at Stardust Country Club in Las Vegas, where she finished four shots ahead of the field, cemented her status as a golfing icon. Kimball Simon’s accomplishments continued to mount, including two team victories and a final individual triumph at the O’Sullivan Ladies Open in 1971. Throughout her illustrious 18-season career, she secured nine runner-up finishes, with two occurring in major championships, underscoring her consistent excellence on the LPGA Tour. Remarkably, she remained within the Top 20 of the LPGA money list every year from 1961 to 1968, achieving a career-best seventh-place finish in 1967.

Winning the Iowa Women’s Amateur is no easy feat. Golfers are tested on every hole, on every shot. Many champions can pinpoint a shot that either shifted momentum in their favor or kept their momentum going. For Pennapa Pulsawath, it was a chip in for birdie on the 16^th hole at Bos Landen Golf. Leading by three heading into the final round of the 2008 Iowa Women’s Amateur, all eyes were on Pulsawath. She had posted 74-70 and had the entire field looking up , wondering if they had a chance. Kendra Hanson, however, had different plans. Just a third of the way into the final round, Pulsawath watched as her lead had all but vanished and the two were tied at the top.

Heading into the back nine, the back and forth battle continued with neither willing to surrender the title. Pulsawath, chasing her first Iowa Women’s Amateur, had quite the battle ahead of her as Hanson, the defending champion, was in a familiar position. Entering the final stretch, the pair made their way to the par-3 16^th. Pulsawath had a narrow one-shot lead over Hanson and, more importantly, the honor on the tee. A wayward iron from Pulsawath opened the door for Hanson as she calmly stuck her approach to seven feet and a chance to tie the lead. With Hanson thinking there would be a two shot swing in her favor, Pulsawath delivered her championship highlight, chipping in for birdie. Hanson failed to convert on the short birdie putt and the championship was all but finished. Pulsawath cruised through 17 and 18 on the way to her lone Iowa Women’s Amateur victory. Ironically, she later recounted that her putting wasn’t as good in the final round. Good thing her short game remained sharp as ever. Following her graduation from Iowa State, Pulsawath pursued a career in professional golf. She currently holds status on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Explore the remarkable career of Ann Casey Johnstone and how her family plans to give back to the game’s next generation.

At the 14th IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, the wind did not hinder a few teams. In the Championship Division, the pairs of Kaitlyn Hanna/Shannyn Vogler and Erika Holmberg/Tatum Depuydt achieved a commendable 69 (-2) score. Following closely behind is a four-way tie for third place, all at an even par of 71.

Within the Championship Net Division, the teams of Lauren Brown/Rylin Davidson and Molly Ratchford/Natalie Henson each achieved a net score of 65 (-6). Kelly Nelson and Lindsay Burry hold the third spot individually with a net score of 66 (-5).

The Senior Division is wide open for any team to emerge victorious. Leading the pack are the defending champions Laura Leszczynski and Michelle Klein with a solid 75 (+4). Close on their heels are Margene Grady and Rosalie Kubesheski, who shot a 76 (+5), followed by Carroll Dethrow and Janece Schwartzkopf in third place with a score of 77 (+6).

Linda McCullum and Sherry Schafer are currently leading the Senior Net Division with an impressive score of 64 (-7). Tied for second place are three teams, all with a net score of 68 (-3).

Tune in tomorrow starting at 7:30 a.m. for the final round.

Click here for full results

Empowering Generations: The Ann Griffel Scholarship

Ann Griffel made significant and diverse impacts on golf in Iowa, wearing multiple hats as a player, volunteer, administrator, and benefactor. Jill Blackwood, former president of the Iowa Women’s Golf Association, once highlighted Griffel’s unparalleled influence on women’s golf in the state, saying, “I doubt that there is another individual who had had a greater impact upon women’s golf in Iowa than Ann.”

Elected president of IWGA in 1962, Griffel held the position for 23 years, during which new competitive avenues for women were introduced, such as the Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur, the State Wife-Husband, the Forever 39 Match Play, and the Senior Women’s Championship. Griffel’s leadership extended to chairing the State Wife-Husband tournament and winning titles like the Forever 39 and the Senior Amateur Championship multiple times. Her record 11 Iowa Women’s Senior Amateur titles remain to this day. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the Ann Griffel Scholarship Awards for Iowa high school seniors. The scholarship was later renamed in her honor.

Blackwood emphasized Griffel’s indispensable role in IWGA’s evolution, noting her initiative, foresight,leadership, and character during her long tenure. Griffel’s legacy endures, with the tournaments she initiated still thriving, even after passing in 2009.

Leighann LaRocca now chairs the Ann Griffel Scholarship Committee and is tasked with determining the annual winners. It is a challenging task as more than 50 highly qualified girls apply yearly. Narrowing the list down often takes weeks, and no details go unnoticed. Though this year’s scholars have yet to be decided, recipients know their efforts in the game of golf are well deserving of this prestigious scholarship.

The History of the Ann Griffel Scholarship written in Ione Reid and later updated by Sally Sharp

The Iowa Women’s Golf Association awards annually a full tuition scholarship to an Iowa high school girl graduating from an Iowa high school and enrolling at Iowa State University, State University of Iowa, or the University of Northern Iowa. This scholarship is open to 1) Girls of excellent character; 2) Girls who meet entrance requirements at the three universities; 3) Girls who are recommended by one or more high school officials; 4) Girls who are recommended by member golf associations of the IWGA; 5) Girls who have participated in at least one golfing event, either the Iowa Junior Girls’ Tournament, the Iowa Women’s Tournament, or one local city, club, or high school golfing event; 6) Girls who complete an application and submit it by April 1 of the graduating year. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered; 7) Golfing skill has no direct bearing on the scholarship award. Award of Scholarship will be made by the Scholarship Committee of the Iowa Women’s Golf Association. Send the application by April 1st to Mrs. Kenneth Watts, 3102 Terry Dr., S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403. Additional application blanks may be obtained from Mrs. Watts.

In 1973, the IWGA awarded two $750.00 scholarships to two Iowa high school girls graduating from an Iowa high school and enrolling at any accredited state or private college in Iowa. This differs from the statement made in 1972 of awarding a full tuition scholarship. Also, there is a written paper in the historian’s records that three scholarships were awarded in 1973.

1980 is the first year that this writer can find any winners of the scholarship awards, and even though the IWGA book states that they are only awarding two scholarships of $750.00 each, the records that were found list five winners for 1980. 1981 was the first year for six scholarships.

The 1982 IWGA book states that this is the 20th annual scholarship award and that this year, they areawarding several $750.00 scholarships to Iowa high school girls.1985 was the year that the Scholarship award was changed to the 23rd Ann Griffel IWGA Scholarship Awards. The awards were changed to $1000.00. 1994 was the first year that the winners of the Ann Griffel IWGA Scholarship award were listed in the IWGA book. At the October 2005 fall board meeting, it was decided to change the six annual Ann Griffel scholarships to $1500.00 each, beginning in 2006.

Since 1963, more than 250 students have received this scholarship. The Ann Griffel Scholarship now awards five $2,000 scholarships to incoming first-year college students as Griffel’s legacy continues to impact the game’s future.

For a complete list of Ann Griffel Scholarship recipients, click here.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Iowans who have reached the pinnacle of professional golf and teed it up in history’s top significant championships.

South Hills Golf Course located in Waterloo, was host of this year’s Women’s Mid-Am Series Event #1. This event was in Stableford format. Individuals that played well would be rewarded more Stableford points throughout the round. Lindsay Burry (Waterloo – pictured above), proved playing smart and steady was key.

Burry finished with the lowest gross score with a 71 (-1), receiving 55 points for the day. Coming in second (gross) was Karli Kerrigan (Grimes), shooting a 73 (+1) being awarded 53 gross points and finishing tied for fifth in net points of 53. In third place was Geri Huser (Altoona), shooting a 75 (+3) receiving 51 points and finishing first in the Net Division 55 points, due to Burry winning the Gross Division. Ardrae Parmenter (Urbandale), shot a gross score of 88 (+16) finishing with 38 points, and net points of 54 finishing in third.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Celia Barquin Arozamena

The following is an excerpt from Golden Harvest: Iowa’s Rich Golf History

Celia Barquin Arozamena was warming up for the final round of the 2018 Big 12 Conference women’s golf championship with a smile on her face. The late-April wind was blowing at better than 20 miles per hour at the Dallas Athletic Club. Celia was so excited that she got out her phone and texted her mom, MaA’ngeles Arozamena, back in Puente San Miguel, Spain.

“Mom,” she said. “It’s really windy. I’ve got this.”

Celia didn’t hit a long ball, but she was a low-ball hitter who loved playing in the wind.

“Her wind game was phenomenal,” Iowa State Coach Christie Martens said. “When she started a round and it was windy, she was so excited. She would always say, ‘Everyone else has already quit, guys, this is our day. Cyclonitas Day.’”

Celia started the final round two back, but fired a three-under 69 to win the elite championship by three shots. Martens, who has built a perennial NCAA program in Ames, always plays a strong schedule. So winning individual titles takes some doing. The Big 12 title was the first tournament victory of Arozamena’s career. Iowa State hadn’t had an individual women’s conference champion since Shelley Finnestad, who won the 1993 Big Eight Championship.

Mike Green, Iowa State’s director of athletic communications, was following Arozamena’s progress on line during that final round in Dallas.

“I remember sitting there thinking, ‘Holy cow, she’s going to win this thing,’” he said. “Everyone knew she was good enough to do it. But you’ve still got to do it.”

Green has interviewed countless Iowa State athletes over the years. The most enjoyable conversation of his career came when he talked to Celia right after her Big 12 triumph.

“She was ecstatic,” Green recalled. “That was like her ultimate goal. And she got it. She wanted to win a tournament so bad. Not for herself, but for Iowa State. This is what was so special about her.”

Five months later, it was Martens who had to phone Celia’s parents back in Spain with unspeakable news. Their daughter had been murdered while playing a round of golf at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, a senseless tragedy that brought a tidal wave of heartfelt and international support reaching as far as the Ryder Cup in France.

“It was really, really hard,” Martens said. “I recruited her in Spain. Everyone told her if you want to play college golf you had to go to the south. I met her and her mom when I watched her play in a tournament in France, and we just got along great. Her mom said, ‘I trust you, I want my daughter to go to Iowa State.’ It was very hard, but I guess the thing that meant the most to me is that she said Cel was happy every day that she was there. And even though this has happened, if we had to decide all over again we’d still send her to Iowa State.’ That meant a lot.”

Her Iowa State career ended at the NCAA Regionals, but Celia was just getting started. She qualified for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open in dramatic fashion. Playing a 36-hole qualifier in Stillwater, Minn., Celia appeared to shoot herself out of contention with an opening 78. She was so far back that Green didn’t bother to follow her progress in the second round. He had no clue what was going on until Iowa State assistant coach Sarah Butler texted him and said, “I think she has a chance to make it.”

Arozamena shot a second-round 66, including a back-nine 31, that got her in a two-player playoff for the final spot. After getting outdriven by 80 yards on the first extra hole, Celia hit a hybrid within inches of the cup and tapped in the winning birdie putt. Celia texted her close friend, M.J. Kamin. The message read, “I’m in.” It included a smiley face. She shot 76-75 in the Open at Shoal Creek and missed the cut by three shots, but the experience was invaluable.

Just the second Cyclone player to be named to the All-Big 12 first team on three occasions, the civil engineering major won the European Ladies Amateur Championship in Slovakia at the end of July. Celia finished at 16-under 272, which included a course-record 63 in the third round. Then she got past the first stage of qualifying for the LPGA Tour, and was preparing for the second stage in October when she lost her life. “I firmly believe she was going to get on the LPGA Tour,” Green said.

Iowa State was playing in a tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich., and had the lead heading into the final round on Sept. 17, 2018. The last text Martens received from Celia, sent the morning of her death, included a screen shot of the standings along with these words: “Nice to see my Cyclonitas on top. Keep it up girls.” The Cyclones withdrew from the tournament after learning of Arozamena’s death, and the university sent a plane to fly them back to Ames to deal with the tragedy. The following day, ESPN, CBS, NBC and ABC all had reporters in Ames for what had became a national story. Martens spoke at an emotionally-charged news conference on September 18.

“I couldn’t have done what she did,” Green said. Martens talked about Celia’s competitive spirit, and about her love for Iowa State and her native country. “She was such a competitive person,” Martens said. “If she put her mind to something she was always going to accomplish it. The spotlight was on her because of her golf. But what makes it so hard and so special is who she was as a person and how much she meant to me personally, and to our program and everyone at Iowa State.”

Celia was to be honored as Iowa State’s female athlete of the year at halftime of the Cyclones’ football game on Sept. 22 at Jack Trice Stadium.

“When we told her she was going to be honored for being athlete of the year, she just started crying,” Martens said. “She said, ‘This is such an honor. I can’t believe I’m going to be on the field’.”

Fans wore yellow, her favorite color, to honor her. Yellow t-shirts were sold with proceeds going to a memorial fund in her name. Both Iowa State and Akron players wore CBA decals on their helmets. Iowa State’s band formed her initials during a halftime routine. Men’s and women’s professional golf tours and college tournaments honored Celia. A moment of silence was held in Puente San Miguel the day after her death. A campus vigil was held in Ames. Celia’s favorite professional golfer, Sergio Garcia, tweeted his condolences. He had also tweeted congratulations after she had won the Big 12 Championship.

“She loved Spain, and she loved Sergio,” Martens said.

Garcia and his European Ryder Cup teammates wore yellow ribbons in her honor the week of the competition in late September.

“The golfing family extends way beyond what we are trying to do this week,” European captain Thomas Bjorn said. “You know, those events in America with Celia being killed playing golf is something that hit everybody in the golf family, and obviously our two Spanish players (Garcia and Jon Rahm) very much. And we felt that after a conversation from Ryder Cup Europe with Celia’s mother, that we would honor her this week. That’s what we are doing, and it’s nothing about us, but it’s just more about the golfing family being touched by these things all over the world. She was such a great prospect for the game of golf, but also a wonderful person. And when you speak to Sergio and Jon about it, they couldn’t talk highly enough about her.”

American players also wore yellow ribbons during opening ceremonies, and during the week. Zach Johnson, a vice captain on the U.S. team, used three words to describe his feelings about the tragedy.

“I’m so gutted,” he said.

The golfing family Bjorn spoke of is a tight group.

“We were stunned and amazed at the support from everyone,” Green said. “And it was across the board. We were just honored and thrilled to know that people cared about her. And it was fitting, because she was a special person. It was really neat to see people honor her legacy.”

Celia Barquin Arozamena, just 22 years old when she died, left a remarkable legacy in a short time. “She was really at the pinnacle of her career,” Martens said. Celia grew up playing Abra de Pas, a municipal course in her home town of Puente San Miguel. In a fitting tribute, it has been renamed for her.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Ann Griffel left a lasting legacy both on and off the golf course. The winner of more than a dozen IWGA events, Griffel’s biggest impact has been helping the next generation with the Ann Griffel Scholarship.

Four-time state champion, Jessie Sindlinger

Iowa’s Multi-State Champions Leave Lasting Legacy

Girls’ Golf has been a staple in Iowa since the mid-1950s and is recognized as one of the state’s oldest sanctioned sports for high school girls. Annually, girls’ golf has the highest number of participants per capita. It is no surprise that many have used their involvement as a springboard for future success. In the almost 70 years girls golf has been a part of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, hundreds of deserving champions have etched their names in history but just a few have captured multiple titles during their four years.

Jessie (Sindlinger) Schultz – Charles City

Jessie Sindlinger burst onto the Iowa golf scene in 2010 as a young freshman phenom for Charles City High School. Playing 3A golf had plenty of competition, but from 2010 until 2013, she was the player to beat. In the first 50 years of the championship’s history, just one player went undefeated at the state championship level. Sindlinger became the second at Ames Golf and Country Club that spring as she blitzed the field, capturing the title by eight strokes. With rain anticipated on day 2, Sidlinger made the most of the opening round eight under 65. While weather would ultimately shorten the event from 36 to 18 holes, Sindlinger admitted she was surprised with her opening round. Two years prior, the Charles City player had posted four under par 68 to mark the lowest championship round since 2005. Reflecting on her record-breaking 65 she said “I didn’t even know what I was at and I was just playing and counted them up at the end and was like ‘Wow, this is my best round ever’”. She joined Sharron Fladoos as the only other four-time medalist in state history in 2013. Sindlinger would later join Fladoos on another short list: a champion of both a high school state title and the Iowa Women’s Amateur.

Heading into her senior year on the University of Iowa Women’s Golf Team, Sindlinger was excited to see her home course of Finkbine play host to the 2016 Iowa Women’s Amateur. Her home course knowledge paid off as she captured the title convincingly by six strokes. Opening with the lone under-par round of the day, Sindlinger led by two over a pair of competitors including fellow Hawkeye Morgan Kukla. Stumbling with a second-round 75, Sindlinger returned to the championship form displayed in the first round as she posted just the second under-par round of the championship with a 71. “This was a good way to go out and play this well” she would later say. Her victory at the Iowa Women’s Amateur capped off the triple crown of Iowa titles having claimed two Junior Girls’ Amateurs.

Kendra (Hanson) Henningsen – Forest City

Kendra Hanson of Forest City High School found herself in contention every time she teed it up during her four years of high school golf. As a four-time 1^st Team All-Conference and All-State honoree, it was no surprise to her fellow competitors when she captured the 2003 and 2004 High School Individual State title. Following her graduation in 2004, Hanson qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur to cap off her summer of stellar play.

As Hanson’s playing career developed, so did her skills around the green. After a lackluster 2006, she returned to the Iowa Women’s Amateur in 2007 with renewed excitement and a sharp short game. Her touch around the tricky greens at Spirit Hollow Golf Club paid off as she captured the Iowa Women’s Amateur by three shots. Hanson posted a pair of even-par 72s sandwiched around a one-over 73, to claim the title over Big 12 rival Abbi Sunner. The win allowed Hanson to join the exclusive group of Triple Crown holders in women’s golf history. Following a stint playing professionally, Hanson became a reinstated amateur and would later go on to be inducted to Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Victoria Grasso – Ankeny Christian Academy

Ankeny has long been known be a breeding ground for some of the state’s best players. With four courses within 5 miles and 3 within a half mile, it’s no surprise that many state champions called it home. In 2009, 2011, and 2012, it was home to Victoria Grasso as she claimed a trio of 1A individual state titles for Ankeny Christian Academy. Her lone season where she didn’t claim the title in 2010, she was the runner-up. Following ’09 and ’10 seasons, she was named the 1A Player of the Year. In 2012, Grasso’s final season proved to be her most dominant. She claimed the state title by 11 shots, further cementing her place in IGHSAU history.

Christi (Athas) Imsland – Eldora-New Providence

Christi Athas made her mark in high school golf at Eldora-New Providence (E-NP), where her talent shone brightly. She secured the overall state championship titles in 2001, 2002, and 2003, following a commendable third-place finish in Class 1A in 2000. Throughout her high school career, she earned the accolades of four-time all-conference, four-time district medalist, and three-time regional medalist. Notably, Athas holds an impressive array of records at E-NP, including the highest career medal count at 61 and the highest single-season medal count at 19.

Continuing to excel beyond the high school level, Athas qualified for prestigious events such as the USGA U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Publinks in both 2005 and 2006. Her high level of play was evident as she advanced through the first-round matches in both tournaments in 2005 and secured a commendable 17th place in the medal play at the 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur. She also showcased her talent in two Women’s Trans National Championships in 2004 and 2005. Additionally, she secured back-to-back top three finishes at the 2005 and 2006 Iowa Women’s Amateur. Her efforts culminated in a 2009 induction to the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Athas continues to give back to the game by coaching high school boys golf at West Delaware and serving on many IGA committees.

Sarah Nacos – Washington High School

Sarah Nacos left her mark on Iowa high school girls’ golf. Of the four state tournaments Sarah played in, she won three of them in a commanding fashion. As a freshman, Sarah took home the 2015 Class 4A State Title at American Legion Golf Course, winning by seven strokes. As a sophomore, Sarah extended her winning margin by winning the title by nine strokes at Coldwater Golf Links. As a junior, Sarah left no question unanswered for who would win the individual title winning by an impressive 23 strokes at Elmwood Country Club. Although Nacos did not win State individually as a senior, she led her team to their third team title during her career in 2018 at Coldwater Golf Links with her sister, Anna Nacos. Nacos went on to play college golf at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. At Bradley, she accomplished the difficult task of studying biology while playing Division I college golf. Nacos was one of thirty MVC athletes recognized for their high character, community service, and good grades with the MVC Good Neighbor Award in 2021.

Annika (Patton) Powell – Alta-Aurelia

Annika (Patton) Powell of Aurelia, Iowa shows that golf in Iowa isn’t just important in the big cities. Patton had a notable junior career winning the Iowa Junior Girls’ Amateur back-to-back in 2018 and 2019. The title was not easy to claim in 2018 as the senior-to-be went into a play-off against Bailee Frayne. Patton was also a member of the Iowa team that competed in the Girls’ Four-State Championship in 2019 at Arbor Links in Nebraska City, which was the first year the event was played in a match-play format. The highlight of her junior career came in 2017 when she won the Class 2A Iowa High School State Golf Championship at Lake Panorama National Golf Course. After failing to defend her title in 2018, she came back in 2019 to capture the individual title by six shots at American Legion. Even more impressive than her margin of victory was her final round as she posted the lowest round of the event with an even-par 70.

While Annika was a strong junior player, she was recognized for her high character and community involvement with one of four Herman Sani Scholarships in 2019. The Sani Scholarship is the highest honor given to any junior golfer in Iowa and is an accomplished group of individuals. Annika continued to show her passion for Iowa golf by interning with the IGA in the summer of 2021. Annika continues to serve the game today in Iowa as she coaches the men’s and women’s golf teams at Buena Vista University with her husband Joe.

Chloe Bolte – Sumner-Fredericksburg

When she tees it up in the State Championship this year, Chloe Bolte will continue to chase history. The junior at Sumner-Fredericksburg has been the top player in 2A golf for during her freshman and sophomore years; it is for a good reason too. Coming into the 2022 IGHSAU State Tournament, Bolte had claimed three straight post-season medalist honors beginning with the North Iowa Conference League meet, then back-to-back victories at the sub-regional and regional sites. A first-round 75 found her trailing the overnight leader by three, but she had found a way to secure a spot in the final pairing of the day. After opening the final round with a front-nine score of 41, many thought her chances of capturing the state title had dwindled. Not Chloe, though. Closing with an impressive three-under-par 33, which included an eagle on the 17th, she worked her way into a playoff with Molly Fereday. A routine par on the first hole saw her capture her maiden state title, and put her in rarified air; the chance to join Sindlinger and Fladoos as a four-time individual state champion.

Returning in 2023, Bolte left little doubt and made the championship far less eventful as she posted back-to-back rounds in the 70s. Her first-round 75 was good for a four-shot lead overnight and once again a final group pairing. Posting a final round 77, Bolte further cemented herself in IGHSAU history.

Eden Lohrbach – Gilbert

Gilbert High School has produced two of the most dominant players in recent IGHSAU girl’s golf. First, it was Britta Snyder who claimed back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. While her quest for number three was derailed during the 2020 season, but the following season another Gilbert player would pick up right where Snyder left off. Making her debut at the 3A Iowa High School State Tournament, Eden Lohrbach opened with a round of 76, good enough for a slim lead over Kiki Bruner of Washington High School. Her lead would extend as the final round continued, thanks in part to an even-par effort through the first 17 holes. Closing with her lone bogey on the final nine, she posted 73 to claim a two-stroke victory in her first state tournament. Falling short in a playoff during her sophomore campaign, Lohrbach bounced back in 2023 in dominant fashion. Posting rounds of 70-73, the Gilbert junior was the lone 3A player to finish the championship under par. Even with bogeys on her final two holes, it would not matter as she wound up collecting a five-shot win over Rebecca DeLong of Clear Lake. Lohrbach will be knocking on the door of her third individual title when she tees it up at this year’s championship.

IGHSAU Multi-State Champions

Sharon Fladoos – 4
Jessie Sindlinger – 4
Jacque Fladoos – 3
M.C. Mullen – 3
Christi Athas – 3
Victoria Grasso – 3
Sarah McMichael – 3
Emily Snelling – 3
Samantha Knight – 3
Sarah Nacos – 3
Andy Cohn – 2
Sue Harmon – 2
Barb Thomas – 2
Heather Deke – 2
Kylie Dirks – 2
Kenda Hanson – 2
Katie Purcell – 2
Paige VanDyk – 2
Susan Kirschenman – 2
Annika Patton – 2
Britta Snyder – 2
Eden Lohrbach – 2
Chloe Bolte – 2

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

Honoring the life and legacy of Celia Barquin Arozamena.

Ruby & Joy Chou, 2022

Sibling Rivalries and Family Legacies Elevate Iowa’s Golf Championships

In the heartland of Iowa, amidst the gentle rolling greens and under the expansive skies, a tradition of excellence in golf has been cultivated, passed down from mothers to daughters, and among siblings bonded by both blood and a shared love for the game. Within the annals of Iowa’s golfing history, tales abound of familial bonds intertwining with the pursuit of victory on the fairways and greens of the state’s esteemed tournaments. From the Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship to other prestigious golfing events, the echoes of success resonate not only with individual triumphs but also with the collective achievements of mothers, daughters, and siblings who have left an unforgettable mark on the Iowa golfing landscape.

Cedar Falls is home to many of the state’s best golfers, and quite possibly the best collective family of golfers in the Bermels. The Bermels have called Cedar Falls home for more than 30 years and have raised five children immersed in golf. Twins Hailey and Hannah had plenty of competition at home with an older brother, Jacob, and sister, Abby, and younger brother, Ben. All five of the Bermel children played collegiate golf at the University of Northern Iowa and were coached by their father and PGA Professional, John. This upbringing shaped each into the fierce competitors they are today.

Hannah and her twin sister Hailey led Cedar Falls High School to two Class 5A State Titles during their high school careers. Additionally, Hannah placed second at State individually in 2016. While playing collegiately at UNI, she had several top-ten finishes along with two tournament wins. She also won four consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete honors and four First Team MVC All-Conference honors. Given the depth of talent in the MVC, these accolades were not easy to come by.

When looking at the leaderboard for an IGA Women’s Championship, one is almost always going to see Hannah near the top. Over the last six Iowa Women’s Amateurs, Bermel has placed in the top ten four times. Hannah has come out on top at two IGA Championships over her career – the 2019 Women’s Four-Ball at Pheasant Ridge (with sister Hailey) and the 2023 Women’s Match Play at Talons Golf. As she goes further into her golf career, don’t be surprised see her name in contention each week.

Lisa (Horton) Snyder had her fair share of run-ins at the Iowa Women’s Amateur, but none more notable than the 1995 championship. Leading by two through 36 holes, Horton quickly found herself joined at the top after just the first hole. After a back-and-forth battle to the end, Horton remained in a tie for the lead as the trio turned to the back nine at Sunnyside Country Club. A couple of late stumbles ended her chances at lifting the Fladoos trophy, but her family legacy at the top women’s event Iowa has to offer, wasn’t over yet.

In 2017, Snyder watched in awe as her then 15-year-old daughter Britta did what she came so close to doing. In a field full of the state’s top female amateurs, the high school freshman made Hyperion Field Club bow down to her length off the tee and pinpoint accuracy from the fairway as she ran away with the title. The Horton legacy finally etched its way onto the Fladoos trophy after all. Even if it does say Snyder.

In the early 1990’s, more than 30 years after the Fladoos sisters left their mark on the IowaWomen’s Amateur, a new set of sisters set out to leave their mark. Lia and Becky Biehl of Keokuk took charge of the event from 1990 through 1993 as they combined to win three titles. Kicking off the incredible stretch for the Biehl’s was Lia as she captured the 1990 Iowa Women’s Amateur at Clinton Country Club with a blistering 12-under-par 54-hole total. Her second round 69 was highlighted by eight birdies which included six straight, and two chip-ins. At the time, she commented, “It was outrageous. You don’t expect to chip in twice during the same round”.

Her confidence in putting together three good rounds that week in Clinton stay

ed with her, and she rode the momentum into the 1991 Iowa Women’s Amateur at Beaver Hills Country Club. With all eyes on the defending champion, masking her nerves was the toughest task she faced all week.Leading by three with a trio of holes remaining in the final round, Biehl bogey

ed the 16th bringing her closest competitor, Edith Dekock, within striking distance. After Biehl tapped in for a bogey four on the par three 17th, the only thing standing between Dekock and a one-stroke deficit was a two-foot par putt. The slick side hill putt missed on the low side and Biehl, admittedly, let out a brief sigh of relief. “How could I not be relieved?” Biehl stated after the round. Pouring in a five-foot par putt on the 18th was the last thing Biehl needed to do to secure her

second straight Iowa Women’s Amateur. Having settled her nerves at the right time, Biehl did just that, and once again left the rest of the field looking up wondering what could have been.

Becky Biehl watched on as her sister Lia won back-to-back Iowa Women’s Amateur championships. Before the 1993 Iowa Women’s Amateur, only one set of sisters, Sharon and Jacque, had ever been victorious. But following three days at Oneota Country Club in July of that year, the list grew to two. Precision off the tee and an impressive short game paid off for Biehl a

s she left little doubt that she was the best female player in the state that week. Opening the championship with a round of 73, she led by one. Posting her second-straight 73, she led by three. By the time she put the finishing touches on her final round 77, her lead had ballooned to eight.

A testy opening nine 40 left Biehl wondering if she was letting everyone back into the championship. Early bogeys and wayward putts left her feeling uneasy as she made the turn, but after draining a five-footer for par on the 13th, her confidence slowly came back. Playing her final six holes in one-under didn’t hurt either.  Lapping the field by eight strokes, it was the largest margin of victory in the championship since Barb Thomas won it in 1982 by 14.

The Chou sisters came to the United States in search of taking their games to the next level. Honing their skills at Iowa State, both quickly made their presence known at the Iowa Women’s Amateur. Joy, the older of the two, was destined for greatness at the Iowa Women’s Amateur. In her first appearance at the state’s most prestigious event, she finished in a tie for second. The following year, in 2020, she captured the Fladoos trophy dramatically with a birdie on the 54th hole to secure a one-stroke victory over little sister Ruby. Three months of quarantine had Chou itching to get back to competitive golf leading up to the championship. Trying to get back on track and have fun paid off for the elder Chou as she closed with one-under 70 for her lowest round of the week. Taking control of the championship at the mid-way point of the final round, it looked like she would cruise to the 18th to capture the title. A double-bogey on the 10th brought Ruby back into the mix but not for long. Stringing together seven straight pars, Chou steadied the ship en route to her first of two Iowa Women’s Amateur titles.

Returning in 2021, Chou left little doubt that she was the best player in the state. Returning to the historic Dubuque Golf and Country Club, she cruised to a nine-stroke victory in the star-studded field. Posting 75-73 to open the event, she entered the final round with a two-stroke lead. Finding her groove on the back-nine, she watched as her lead swelled to nine and she quickly left the field struggling to close the gap. In capturing her second straight victory, she joined the short list of successful title defenses in Iowa Women’s Amateur history. Chou turned pro the following year, and in 2023, made history as she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Though she would go on to miss the cut, she joined the exclusive club of Iowans to tee it up at an LPGA Major Championship.

Living up to your family name can be a big ask. Especially when your older sister captures the Fladoos Family Trophy in consecutive years. To Ruby Chou, however, it was just another tournament on her schedule that she wanted to capture. Ruby started her impressive postseason run in 2022 with a top-20 finish at the Big 12 Conference Championship. Her run continued as she made Iowa State Women’s Golf history by posting the lowest 54-hole score in an NCAA Regional by a Cyclone. Ruby shot 211 for the three days, highlighted by a Cyclone all-time Regional low round of 68 on day one. Her stellar play earned her low-individual honors at the NCAA Stanford Regionals which included a spot at the 2022 NCAA Division I National Championship.

Chou rode the early spring momentum into the summer, winning the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Cedar Rapids Country Club by two strokes over Iowa State teammate, Warda Amira. Cedar Rapids Country Club proved to be a difficult test for the field, but her positive outlook helped her handle it with ease. Her Iowa Women’s Amateur win kept the Fladoos Trophy with the Chou family. It marked the first time in tournament history that sisters captured the event title for three consecutive years. They also joined the Fladoos’ and Biehl’s as the only sisters to capture the elusive championship. Joy’s experience helped Ruby earn the title as the elder delivered pep talks over the phone each night of the tournament. Although Joy told Ruby she would not be able to make it to the tournament at all, a surprise visit on the final green made Ruby’s victory even more special. All of Ruby’s accomplishments in 2022 culminated with her securing the title of IGA Women’s Player of the Year.

Ottumwa has a storied background of raising some of Iowa’s top golfers. It was home to six-time Iowa Women’s Amateur Champion Corkey Nydle. It was also home to the Paulson twins Kristin and Sarah. The duo, who were largely self-taught, admit that Ottumwa Country Club served as a babysitter growing up. It paid off for the pair as they each went on to play golf at the collegiate level. With both opting to stay in state for college, they went their separate ways as Kristin enrolled at Iowa State and Sarah at Central.

Kristin more than left her mark on the Iowa Women’s Amateur. A two-time champion, sheset records that may never be broken during her 2011 victory at Sunnyside Country Club. But before she could claim her second, she had to secure her first. In 2010, Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City played host as the top females in the state teed it up. Even in the town of the Hawkeyes, Paulson felt right at home in her cardinal and gold. Opening the championship with a four-over-par 76, Paulson bounced back with a one-

under-par 71 in the second round to keep herself within striking distance. Trailing 36-hole leader Rachel Hanigan by two, Paulson opened the final round with back-to-back birdies to assume control of the lead. Another birdie on the front helped offset her lone bogey helping Paulson turn in two under, holding a four-shot lead over her playing partners. Coasting through the back nine in what felt like a formality, sealed the deal for Paulson. Her triumph at Finkbine completed the rare Iowa triple crown: a high school state title, the Iowa Junior Girls’ title, and the Iowa Women’s Amateur title.

Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo has often played favorites to the defending champion. 2011 was no different when Kristin Paulson began her title defense on the par-71 layout. Opening with two-under, 69, Paulson trailed first-round leader Lisa Meshke by one. Round two, however, was a different story. Paulson turned the country club into her personal playground, splitting fairways, firing at pins, and playing with not a care in the world. By the time it was all said and done, she set the 18-hole Iowa Women’s Amateur record with a nine-under-par 63. Her one-shot deficit was flipped on its head, and molded into a ten-shot lead with one round remaining. Closing with her worst round of the tournament, one-under-par 70, Paulson never relinquished double-digit lead. Her 54-hole total of 14-under-par, 202 broke the previous record of 207 set in 2004 by Jennie Arseneault. It still holds to this day.

Des Moines Golf & Country Club opened its gates in 1994 to the Iowa Women’s Amateur. With one of the state’s best venues on display, it was shaping up to the quite the championship. Ames’ Paige Hoefle had just completed her final year at the University of Alabama and the previous summer watched as her brother Bill captured the Iowa Amateur in a rained-shortened championship at Beaver Hills. Unlike Bill, it would take three rounds for Paige to be named the Iowa Women’s Amateur champion. Opening with the only under-par round of the day, Hoefle led by six. Her lead held steady after a second-round 75 and it looked like it was all but over. Early in the final round, her lead had dwindled to four.

A momentous bogey on the par-four seventh was all it would take for her to calm her nerves. “Before I started today, I told myself I could afford to make a couple bogeys” Hoefle later said. She was right. A birdie at the eighth grew the lead to five and she never looked back. Completing the wire-to-wire victory with a closing 76, she and Bill made history as the first brother-sister duo to capture both the Iowa Amateur and Iowa Women’s Amateur.

Next Week on Women’s Wednesday…

High school golf is where most players get their start. Explore some of the state’s most dominant high school players just in time for the 2024 IGHSAU Championships tee off.