Category: USGA

Four advance from U.S Open Local qualifying held at CRCC

May 13, 20250 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

From left – Matthew Walker, Isaac Rumler, Sean McCarty and Gage Messingham.

A total 76 players teed it up Monday at Cedar Rapids Country Club with the hope of advancing to U.S. Open Final Qualifying.

By the end of the day, those four had been identified and advanced.

Gage Messingham (amateur), of Arvada, Colorado, followed up his win at the IGA Four-Ball by claiming medalist honors. The Iowa Hawkeye fired 69 (-3) en route to medalist honors. Messingham’s day began on the 10th tee and he played the front nine at -4. On #1, Messingham was tested when he made a double bogey, but found a way to grind out the round.

Messingham credited his strong play to his driver and positioning off the tee. For final qualifying Messingham will rely on the confidence he has built early this summer and his excitement for the opportunity.

Matthew Walker (professional), of Ottumwa, took the second qualifying spot with 70 (-2). Sean McCarty (professional) of Solon and Isaac Rumler (amateur) of Moline, Illinois, took the third and fourth qualifying spots with a score of 71 (-1). Cedar Rapids Country Club was friendly to the Hawkeyes as Messingham is a current player at Iowa and McCarty and Walker are both alumni.

The four men will have a chance to qualify for the US Open at final qualifying. There are a variety of sites the players can choose from for the 36-hole qualifier, also known as “the longest day in golf.”

After a one-hole playoff Matthew Jennings (professional) of Prairie City earned the First Alternate spot and Mac McClear (professional) of St. Louis, Missouri, earned the Second Alternate position. Both men shot a score of even par 72 earlier in the day.

Complete Results

2025 Boatwright Internship Opportunities with the IGA

December 13, 20240 commentsNews, Uncategorized, USGA

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is excited to offer three (3) P.J. Boatwright Internships in 2025 – Marketing & Communications, Handicapping & Course Rating and Championships Administration. Each internship will be for four months. Working under the direction of the IGA Executive Director and senior staff, the interns will learn about all aspects of amateur golf administration.

Individuals are more than welcome to apply for multiple internship positions – If doing so, please make sure to fill out each application (information below). If you do apply for multiple internships, the IGA may reach out to you for your preferred choice.

The IGA is an Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the USGA and is the governing body for golf in the state of Iowa.  It exists as a non-profit organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the best interests and spirit of the game.  As “caretakers” of the game the IGA works to preserve the rich history of golf in our state and to provide numerous services that benefit all that play the game in Iowa.

In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program. P.J. Boatwright (pictured above), the USGA’s third executive director, played a pivotal role in both the USGA and golf in the U.S. This program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry-level basis. At the IGA, all current full-time staff members (Clint Brown, Katelynn Hogenson, Karli Kerrigan, Nate McCoy and Chad Pitts) are all former Boatwright interns.

The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3rd or until position(s) are filled (whichever is later).

Click the links below to view the 2025 Intern instructions for applying.

– Marketing & Communications Intern

– Handicap & Course Rating Intern

– Championships Administration Intern

2025 IGA schedule, USGA qualifying locations announced

November 27, 20240 commentsChampionships, News, USGA, USGA Qualifiers

DMG to host 123rd Iowa Amateur,
Wakonda Club selected for Iowa Women’s Amateur

The 2025 Championship schedule is here!

The schedule includes an abundance of great IGA Member Clubs that will serve as host sites for not only IGA Championships but also USGA Qualifiers next year. Without the gracious support from our hosts, as well as our players, none of this would be possible.

The 123rd Iowa Amateur will be played at Des Moines Golf & Country Club, July 28-30. This marks the twelfth time DMG has hosted the state’s biggest men’s amateur event, having previously hosted in ‘03, won by Scott Hart. Qualifying events will be held once again for the championship. In previous years a total of three qualifying sites were identified across the state, but an additional two more will be added in 2025. Players not already exempt will have a chance to qualify to be a part of the field that will compete. Dates and locations for those qualifiers are still being determined and will be posted online as soon as possible.

After the marvelous showing of the 100th Iowa Women’s Amateur, contested at Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, the 101st edition will be played at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. Partway through the 2023 season Wakonda underwent a massive course restoration which included taking out trees, redesigning greens, and adding in bunkers. After the 2024 Principal Charity Classic, Wakonda Club opened back up for member play along with hosting the 2024 IGA Men’s Club Team Championship. The 2025 edition of the Iowa Women’s Amateur will be played a little later than usual, on Mon-Wed., August 4-6. The Fladoos Trophy has had a home in Iowa City won by Hawkeye golfers Katlynn Hanna (‘23) and Paula Miranda (‘24). Will another Hawkeye player walk away with the win in 2025? Stay tuned in August to find out.

In 2024, Iowa narrowly missed the exemption criteria for the USGA Boys’ Junior Amateur, but that is no more. New to the 2025 season, the Iowa Junior Amateur joins the list of IGA events as USGA exemption events with the champion moving on to the equivalent USGA championship. The champions of Iowa Women’s Amateur, Iowa Amateur, Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur, and now the Boys’ Junior Amateur will receive an automatic bid into these USGA sanctioned events (U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Amateur, and U.S. Boys’/Girls’ Junior Amateur).

The IGA Men’s and Senior Men’s Four-Ball will once again be split up – similar to last year. Due to the popularity of the event, the IGA hosted a championship for the Open Division and then a separate championship for the Senior and Super-Senior Division. The IGA Four-Ball will be held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City May 1-2, while the Senior and Super-Senior event will be contested at Burlington Golf Club, September 19-20.

The IGA is excited to announce the inaugural Iowa Adaptive Open sponsored by Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino next year, to be held July 12-13, at Terrace Hills Golf Course in Altoona. This will be open to golfers of various classifications of disabilities, such as individuals with arm and leg impairments, amputations, blind golfers, and those with neurological and intellectual impairments. The Iowa Adaptive Open will not be limited to only Iowa residents and IGA members. It will be open to anyone from around the country to participate. Many other details still need to be determined, but the IGA is looking forward to being a part of this wonderful event.

Talons Golf, located in Ankeny, has accepted to be the host of the IGA Men’s and Women’s IGA Match Play for the sixth straight year. The event will take place June 24-27. In 2024, Blake Cronin at the age of 16 became the youngest individual to win in the championship history. Talons Golf which is privately-owned sits between uniquely placed holes and rock-walled streams has been home to nail-biter matches over the years.

The Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship will still continue the 54 hole tournament style allowing top finishers to receive World Amateur Golf Ranking points. This championship will be played at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, May 15-17.

The Herman Sani will make a return to Hyperion Field Club, in Johnston, August 8-10. Since the first playing of the Sani in 1950, this tournament not only showcases great golf, but also highlights great students that receive the Sani and Ann Griffel Scholarships during a ceremony held that week.

Growing in popularity the IGA Father-Son and Parent-Child will see a different layout in 2025. The championship will still be contested at Jester Park Golf Course, but will be held on Fri-Sat., June 13-14. Friday’s play will consist of a shotgun and Saturday’s play will have a morning shotgun and then an afternoon shotgun starts.

The Director’s Cup Matches will be back in Iowa better than ever! This championship will be contested next to Golf House Iowa at Echo Valley Country Club, Sept. 21-23.

Along with those championships listed above, the IGA will conduct events at the following venues – Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #1 May 10), Coldwater Golf Links (IGA Senior Amateur June 1-3), Grinnell College Golf Course (Women’s Forever 39 Match Play June 2-3), Prairie Links Golf Course (IGA Women’s Four-Ball June 16-17), Glynns Creek Golf Course, (Iowa Junior Amateur, Iowa Girls Junior Amateur June 9-11), Rice Lake Golf Course (Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur July 20-21), Bos Landen Golf Course (IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series #2 July 26 & IGA Women’s Club Team Aug. 11) Veenker Golf Course (IGA Senior & Senior Women’s Match Play Aug. 14-16), Sunnyside Country Club (Wife-Husband Sept. 12-14), Short Hills Country Club, (IGA Club Team Championship Sept. 29) and Ames Golf & Country Club (Iowa Cup Matches Sept. 30-Oct. 1).

Additional IGA Women’s Mid-Am Series event dates and locations will be announced at a later time. Those updates can be found by checking back to the schedule page on the IGA website.

The IGA is set to also conduct and administer several USGA Qualifiers throughout the state in 2025. Those events along with sites are:

  • Cedar Rapids Country Club, Cedar Rapids – U.S. Open Local Qualifier – May 12
  • Ames Golf & Country Club, Ames – U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier – June 23
  • Glen Oaks Country Club, West Des Moines – U.S. Amateur Qualifier (Final) – July 17
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Legacy Golf Club, Norwalk – U.S Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier – July 24
  • Beaver Hills Country Club, Cedar Falls – U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier – Aug. 18
  • Spirit Hollow Golf Course, Burlington – U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier – Sept. 9

Entries open for IGA Championships March 3.

Entries will be available for USGA Championships at a later date, which will be determined by the USGA and announced on their website.

Janeczko, Doyle, and Huseman qualify for U.S. Mid-Amateur

August 27, 20240 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

From left – Eddie Doyle (67), Josh Janeczko (Medalist – 66) and Andrew Huseman (67).

August heat topped off at 100 degrees during the U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying contested at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids on Monday.

West Des Moines’ Joshua Janeczko was this year’s medalist carding a 66 (-4). Janeczko racked up five birdies on the day against just one lone bogey.

Eddie Doyle of Fort Dodge and Andrew Huseman of Ankeny secured the final two spots of the qualifier with a pair of 67s (-3). 

There was a five-way tie at -2 for the two alternate spots. The first alternate spot was obtained by Ankeny’s Connor Peck with a birdie on the opening playoff hole. Cedar Rapids’ Andrew Roberts and Nate Dunn fell short carding bogey, leaving Willis Gaer of Des Moines and Marion resident Drew Dalziel carding pars. Gaer would card a par on the second playoff hole to secure the second alternate spot.

Click here for complete results

Seven from Iowa set to play 69th U.S. Senior Amateur

August 23, 20240 commentsUSGA

The eighth hole of The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn. (Copyright USGA/Russell Kirk)

When Coca-Cola bottling magnate Jack Lupton founded The Honors Course and hired noted architect Pete Dye, he intended the Ooltewah, Tenn., facility to be an homage to amateur golf. He wanted Dye to create a course strong enough to hold the best amateur competitions.

And Lupton succeeded, as The Honors Course has hosted a U.S. Amateur (1991), a Curtis Cup (1994), two NCAA Championships (1996 and 2010), a U.S. Mid-Amateur (2005), a U.S. Junior Amateur (2016) and the annual Lupton Invitational, which brings together some of the best mid-amateur and senior golfers. The 1996 NCAAs saw Tiger Woods win the individual title for Stanford, and the Junior Amateur made history when current PGA/DP World Tour player Min Woo Lee joined his older sister, Minjee, as the only siblings to win USGA Junior titles.

Each hole is named after a golfer and tells of their successes and accolades within amateur golf. Recipients of this honor range from college players to senior champions, both men and women.

This week, The Honors Course welcomes the best 55-and-over golfers for the 69th U.S. Senior Amateur. Including seven from Iowa – Jon Brown (Adel), Gene Elliott (Norwalk), Curtis Holck (Ankeny), Joe Jaspers (originally from Waverly), Mike McCoy (Norwalk), Joe Palmer (Norwalk) and John Putbrese (Des Moines).

This event was originally scheduled for 2020 until COVID-19 canceled all but four USGA championships. At 6,836 yards, this par-72 layout should be more than a challenge for the competitors who hope to hoist the Frederick L. Dold Trophy on Aug. 29.

Click here to follow the championship August 24-29

Seven advance from U.S. Amateur Local Qualifier at Glen Oaks CC

June 14, 20240 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Glen Oaks Country Club, in West Des Moines, was the host of this year’s U.S. Amateur Local Qualifying and it proved to be a challenge. As the day went on the wind picked up and firmed up the course that much more. Luke Honner (right), this year’s medalist, shooting a well deserved 67 (-4) and one of seven qualifiers into Final Qualifying on the day, demonstrated having patience and hitting fairways was key to success in today’s round.

“Off the tee was really well, again no bogeys, and just stayed patient,” Honner said following his round. “I putted solid, but again just making minimal mistakes.”

Charlie Zielinski, who shot a very respectable 68 (-3), proved finding the fairways as often as possible was the key to success on the day.

“Hitting the fairway does help a lot, I hit seven fairways today,” Zielinski said. “I was looking through my stats at the end of the round. Even if I was in the rough, I was never really out of position. But, as the day went on and the wind picked up, being in the fairway was definitely a premium.”

Also qualifying, with never giving up even after a slow start, was Christopher Atkinson shooting 69 (-2).

“Got off to a slow start, I hit it right off 10 and made a good bogey after getting up and down,” Atkinson said. “I collected myself after the first few holes and started playing solid. Hitting fairways is key out here, I do not need a driver out here a lot. I started hitting a lot of two irons down the middle, I was able to hit it on the green and make some putts which lead to birdies.”

Also qualifying in at 70 (-1) was Connor McCall, Radley Mauney, Reed Malleck and Dennis Bull.

In a thrilling five hole playoff Grant Greazel secured the first alternate spot and Wade Pettitt was awarded the second alternate spot.  

Click here for full results

Iowa Golf Association Announces Updates to Player of the Year System

April 24, 20240 commentsChampionships, News, USGA

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) Board of Directors, upon the recommendation from its Rules & Competitions Committee, recently approved minor changes to its Player of the Year system, aimed at recognizing and rewarding outstanding achievements in golf across the state. These updates reflect recent changes made by the USGA and their qualifying process, as well as a new tournament on the Women’s side.

Exempt Players to USGA and R&A Championships:
Beginning in 2024, points will now be awarded to United States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal & Ancient (R&A) Championship exempt players equal to those players that make the final field due to qualifying events. A large impetus for this change is due to the USGA and R&A relying more and more on WAGR standing to grant exemptions into their championships, meaning more players are earning exemptions than before. Players who are exempt from previous championship finishes will also be eligible to receive qualifier points.  Exempt players are required to “tee it up” in the national championship to receive points. If they never enter, or enter and ultimately withdraw prior to starting, then no points will be awarded.

USGA – State Amateur Exemptions
The IGA has learned that three of our champions – the Iowa Amateur, Iowa Women’s Amateur, and Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur – will earn exemptions into the respective USGA National Championship (U.S. Am, U.S. Women’s Am, & U.S. Girls’ Junior Am). Those players will also earn points equal to those who have earned their way through a qualifying event in the various point systems.

“We are delighted to unveil these updates to our Player of the Year program,” said Mike Purcell, Chair of the Rules & Competition Committee. “The increase in USGA exemptions through our IGA competitions and through WAGR (World Amateur Golf Rankings) has directly impacted and benefited our Iowa golfers. We feel it is appropriate to recognize the achievement of earning the exemption as it has come from outstanding golf and ultimately means the player has earned the right to play in the national championship, just as outstanding golf in a qualifying event grants players that same opportunity.”

Revamped U.S. Amateur Qualifying Points:
With the U.S. Amateur Qualifying now featuring two stages, the IGA has introduced new points scales to accurately reflect the evolving structure of this prestigious event. These updated scales will provide equitable opportunities for participants at each stage of the qualifying process, ensuring that their achievements are duly recognized within the Player of the Year standings. 

Inclusion of Carroll Women’s Amateur:
In a further step towards growing the women’s game, the IGA Women’s Player of the Year systems will now incorporate the Carroll Women’s Amateur in the point system. 2024 will mark the inaugural event hosted at Carroll Country Club. By integrating this event into the points standings, the IGA reaffirms its commitment to rewarding additional playing opportunities for female golfers that are created throughout the state.

The Iowa Golf Association looks forward to a successful season ahead, filled with spirited competition and memorable performances on the links. For more information about the Player of the Year system and standings, please visit iowagolf.org/player-of-the-year/

2024 Boatwright Internship Opportunities with the IGA

January 18, 20240 commentsNews, Uncategorized, USGA

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is excited to offer two (2) P.J. Boatwright Internships in 2024 – Handicapping & Course Rating and Championships. Each internship will be for four months. Working under the direction of the IGA Executive Director and senior staff, the interns will learn about all aspects of amateur golf administration.

Individuals are more than welcome to apply for both internship positions – If doing so, please make sure to fill out each application (available below). If you do apply for multiple internships, the IGA will reach to you for your preferred choice.

The IGA is an Allied Golf Association (AGA) of the USGA and is the governing body for golf in the state of Iowa.  It exists as a non-profit organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the best interests and spirit of the game.  As “caretakers” of the game the IGA works to preserve the rich history of golf in our state and to provide numerous services that benefit all that play the game in Iowa.

In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program. P.J. Boatwright (pictured above), the USGA’s third executive director, played a pivotal role in both the USGA and golf in the U.S. This program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry-level basis. At the IGA, all current full-time staff members (Clint Brown, Katelynn Hogenson, Karli Kerrigan, Nate McCoy and Chad Pitts) are all former Boatwright interns.

The deadline to apply is Friday, February 23rd or until position(s) are filled (whichever is later).

Click the links below to view the 2024 Intern job description and instructions for applying.

– Handicap & Course Rating Intern

– Championships Intern

Two sides advance from U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier hosted by CRCC

August 30, 20230 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Birdies were to be had at U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifying hosted by Cedar Rapids Country Club. This is turn led to a packed leaderboard.

The side of Matt Meuret / Sam Meuret (right) earned medalist honors, posting 64 (-8), one shot clear of four sides that would playoff for the final qualifying spot.

“We got off to a shaky start but each of us scratched out a well-timed par to keep us on track until we made quite a few birdies in the middle of the round,” Sam said. “Matt can putt circles around me, so it was fun to have his putter on my side for a change and he bailed us out a couple times late in the to put up a good score.”

Sam, who raddled off six birdies in a row at one point, commented that it will be a treat to play at the national championship with his brother.

“Playing in any USGA championship is a great experience but being able to do it with my brother will make it extra special,” Sam said.

As mentioned, a total of four sides finished the day at 65 (-7) and a playoff was needed to identify the final qualifier.

The side of Charlie Jacobson / Ryan Trasamar (right) wasted little time and made birdie on the first hole of the playoff to punch their ticket the the 2024 championship. Marc Gladson / Nate Dunn earned first alternate and Ethan Mechling / JD Anderson earned second alternate.

Click here for full results

 

Three advance from U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur hosted by DMGCC

August 18, 20230 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

The course didn’t let up.

That was the story at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur qualifier contested at Des Moines Golf & Country Club.

With winds swirling and pars coming at a premium, three players advanced to the national championship – Leeann Fairlie (78), Claudia Pilot (79) and Rose Kubesheski (80).

Oklahoma City’s Fairlie, who stayed away from the double bogey or worse all day earned medalist, while Rio Verde’s Pilot admitted she played 17 ‘good’ holes of golf, with only one disaster coming on the 14th hole.

Dubuque’s Kubesheski looked to be sailing smooth through 12 holes before the bogey train arrived, but a birdie on the 17th hole helped ease the pain of her finish, with a double bogey on 18, and left her one shot clear of fourth place and good enough for the last qualifying spot.

Elizabeth Wanek earned 1st Alternate position in a playoff, while Robin Webb earned 2nd Alternate.

Click here for full results

Leeann Fairlie (left) and Claudia Pilot

 

Rose Kubesheski

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