Category: USGA

Dorweiler to receive Ike Granger Award

January 30, 20180 commentsNews, USGA

Kirke Dorweiler (at left) of West Des Moines will receive one of the USGA’s highest honors.

Dorweiler is in his 25th year as a volunteer committee member of the USGA, which qualifies him as a recipient of the prestigious Ike Granger Award.  Dorweiler’s 25 years have all been in service of the Junior Championship Committee (U.S. Junior Amateur).  He will receive the award at the USGA Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida on Saturday, February 3rd.

Established in 1995 as part of the USGA’s Centennial Celebration, the Isaac B. Grainger Award recognizes volunteers who have provided 25 years of service to the Association. Grainger served as USGA president from 1954-1955 and led the USGA effort to develop the first unified code of the Rules of Golf with The R&A in 1951.

Honorees include:

Craig Ammerman, of Tequesta, Fla.; Lee Coble, of Richmond, Va.; Richard Coon, of Amarillo, Texas; Kirke Doreweiler, of Scottsdale, Ariz. & West Des Moines, IA; Sheri Erskine, of San Ramon, Calif.; Sarah M. Haas, of Carterville, Ill.; John A. Hendry, of Lafayette, La.; Fay Ann Kikta, of Titusville, Fla.; Jeffrey S. Kuhn, of Houston, Texas; James M. Litvack, of Princeton, N.J.; Robert Markionni, of Lemont, Ill.; Martha Jett McAlister, of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; Mary Bea Porter-King, of Lihue, Hawaii; John T. Reis, of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; William K. Smith, of Baltimore, Md.; Rick Soskin, of Minnetonka, Minn.; Stephen L. Stine, of Sheridan, Wyo.; Judith L. Stine, of Sheridan, Wyo.; Mary Swingle, of Anthem, Ariz.; Sally Tomlinson, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; J. Daniel Walsh, of Stony Brook, N.Y.; Henri Wolbrette III, of Metairie, La.; and John S. Zoller, of Portland, Ore.

2018 Iowa Golf Summit set for March 5th

January 11, 20180 commentsNews, USGA

The last Iowa Golf Summit was held in 2016. Tradition has become to hold the summit every two years.

sponsored by Standard Golf and Miller & Son’s Golf Cars

3rd Summit will feature keynote speaker “MindGym”

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT

On Monday, March 5th, individuals involved in the golf business in Iowa will gather to hear from industry leaders while also networking and sharing ideas at the Iowa Golf Summit. This is the 3rd summit co-conducted by the Iowa Golf Association, Iowa Section PGA and Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association. The Iowa Golf Summit is sponsored by Standard Golf (Cedar Falls) and Miller & Son’s Golf Cars (Britt, Ames).

Andre O’Brien of MindGym will be the keynote speaker. MindGym is a global company that specializes in “psychological-based organizational transformation”. Andre will focus his talk on “transforming leadership and becoming a real team” in a fun and entertaining way.  It will no doubt be of great value to you and your team at your golf facility.

Thomas Pagel, Senior Director of Rules at the USGA, will be on hand to discuss what will be the newly released final code of the 2019 Rules of Golf – i.e. the Rules Modernization project. The final code will be announced on March 1st, four days prior to the summit, so the timing works out great for us to have Thomas speak.

In addition, Mischia Wright of the GCSAA will be on hand to discuss their “Rounds 4 Research” program and J.D. Drimel of the PGA of America will discuss how to best utilize the PGA Career Services to your benefit.

Who should attend?

If you are a decision-maker at your club, employee at a course, or involved in the golf industry in some way, you should seriously consider attending the Iowa Golf Summit. Board and committee members, Golf Professionals, Superintendents, Managers & department heads as well as Golf Sales Reps, Golf Coaches and anyone with ties to the golf industry will realize great value.

Cost?

The fee to attend is $60 per person, which includes breakfast, lunch and beverages throughout the day.

Place?

The Iowa Golf Summit will be held at the Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa.  Special hotel rates have been set and are the following:

You must make your room reservations on or before February 7th.

King:                           $110.00
Double Queen:            $110.00
Junior King Suite:       $130.00
King Suite:                  $150.00
Executive King Suite: $170.00

Reservations for the Event can be made at www.prairiemeadows.com using group code 03132018IOW.  Again, this room block rate expires after February 7th.

Are Education Points available?

Yes. PGA pros who attend the entire session will receive 6 MSR education points.  Members of the GCSA who attend  will also receive education points.  Once we know the total points available, we will post it here.

How do I sign up?

You can register online by clicking here.  You can also call the IGA office at 515-207-1062 to get signed up.

Schedule of Events

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. –  Hot Breakfast

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. –  Presenting Sponsors Showcase (Standard Golf, Miller & Sons Golf Cars)

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. –  Rounds 4 Research – What can you do to help? – Mischia Wright, GCSAA

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. –  Break/Network

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. –  MIND GYM (Keynote)

11:30 – 1:00 p.m. –  Lunch & Networking

1:00 – 1:30 – IGA, Iowa PGA, Iowa GCSA Updates

1:30  – 2:45 p.m. – 2019 Rules of Golf Changes – Thomas Pagel, USGA

2:45 – 3:30 p.m. –  PGA Career Services – How we can help you! – J.D. Drimel, PGA

USGA Forms New Alliance With IGA, Regional Golf Associations

January 10, 20180 commentsNews, USGA

New USGA Regional Golf Association Alliance Created
to Support and Stimulate Grassroots Community Golf Programs

The Iowa Golf Association (IGA) is excited to announce that it will enter into a new relationship with the United States Golf Association (USGA) to enhance the golfer experience at the state and local levels in the United States. A total of 59 regional golf associations have entered into a similar agreement to become Allied Golf Associations (AGA) across the country.

As part of the agreement the IGA will have jurisdiction over all of the State of Iowa and Rock Island County in Illinois (county encompassing the Quad Cities).

“We are excited about the enhanced partnership we now have with the USGA,” IGA Executive Director Chad Pitts said. “The IGA has always had USGA licenses for handicapping and course rating, plus we ran their qualifying events, but this really formalizes that whole process in a way that was never done before. We are thrilled to be selected as one of the Allied Golf Associations of the USGA. We look forward to providing even more support to our member clubs in relation to USGA programs and services, as well as continuing to administer and enhance our own IGA offerings. We think this is going to be a true win-win for both the IGA and the USGA.”

These AGAs, supported by the USGA’s five existing regional affairs offices, will administer the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems within defined geographic areas across the country. In addition, they will serve as the community’s primary resource for USGA services such as championship qualifiers, governance, golf facility support and programs that help grow and improve the long-term health of the game.

Golfers can find an Allied Golf Association in their area by clicking here: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/about/allied-golf-associations.html

“Regional golf associations are the lifeblood of the golf community and the USGA,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “We felt that now was the best time to formalize this new alliance, in the spirit of working together on grassroots programs, improving how we serve golfers and providing a healthy foundation from which the entire golf community can grow.”

Newly recognized AGAs were identified through a nearly year-long discovery process that encouraged collaboration among existing golf organizations within each state and region, sharing best practices and leveraging programs that have made a positive impact.

The resulting relationship will enable AGAs to provide a variety of competitive playing opportunities that engage more golfers of all levels within their region. The AGAs will also serve as local experts for education on topics such as modernizing golf’s rules, the new World Handicap System and related governance functions.

Each AGA will also have direct access to USGA research, funding for programs such as USGA P.J. Boatwright Internships, data and technology, additional expertise to better serve the health of golf facilities and support of national grow-the-game initiatives including PLAY9.

One of the alliance’s most significant benefits to golfers will be the centralized computation of USGA Handicap Indexes in the United States to improve efficiency, consistency and governance oversight. The move to a more modernized, digital platform will also empower Allied Golf Associations to more deeply engage golfers within their community through rich, real-time player data.

An AGA Council has been formed to share information, help ongoing service delivery and provide continuous feedback directly to the USGA to better serve golfers and golf clubs. The 12-member council consists of AGA executive directors who will represent regions and markets throughout the United States.

The alliance marks the latest step by the USGA to more deeply engage the local and regional golf community. It complements the USGA’s existing presence in all five major golf regions in the United States – Northeast, Great Lakes, Southeast, Central and West – where dedicated Regional Affairs directors currently serve in residence.

In addition to its five Regional Affairs directors, the USGA also supports golf clubs and facilities through the USGA Green Section, providing agronomic expertise through 13 regional offices.

Iowa represented by five at U.S. Mid-Amateur

October 6, 20170 commentsUSGA

A total of five Iowans will be in the field at this year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship being held at Capital City Club (Crabapple Course – pictured above), Atlanta, Ga. Serving as the stroke play co-host venue will be Atlanta National Golf Club, Milton, Ga.

Those representing Iowa, along with their stroke play tee times, are:
Dusty Drenth – 12:53 pm (AN) & 8:07 am (CC)
Qualified at Davenport Country Club as co-medalist with 72.

Gene Elliott – 2:20 pm (CC) & 9:35 am (AN)
Qualified at White Deer Run Golf Course (Vernon Hill, Ill.) with 69.

Jay Gregory – 1:14 pm (AN) & 8:29 am (CC)
Qualified at Oakwood Country Club (Kansas City, MO.) as co-medalist with 69.

Mike McCoy – 1:58 pm (CC) & 9:13 am (AN)
Exempt into championship from 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur victory.

Luke Miller – 1:25 pm (AN) & 8:40 am (CC)
1st Alternate from Davenport Country Club qualifier with 74, gained entry when co-medalist J.D. Anderson withdrew.

The schedule of play is as follows:
Saturday, Oct. 7 (Stroke Play, Round 1, 18 holes)
Sunday, Oct. 8 (Stroke Play, Round 2, 18 holes)
Monday, Oct.. 9 (Round of 64, match play)
Tuesday, Oct.. 10 (Round of 32/Round of 16, match play)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 (Quarterfinals/Semifinals, match play)
Thursday, Oct. 12 (Championship Match, 36 holes)

The low 64 scorers following stroke play will qualify for match play. If necessary, a playoff will be conducted to determine the last qualifiers for the draw.

The U.S. Mid-Amateur will be the last event counting towards the IGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year points race. This event, as in past years, will have a big impact on who wins the award(s).

Click here to follow the championship and for more information.

Team Iowa finishes 19th at USGA Women’s State Team

September 26, 20170 commentsUSGA

From left – Leanne Smith, Britta Snyder, Jenny Heinz and Team Iowa Captain Katelynn Hogenson.

Round 3 Recap

Team Iowa concluded the final USGA Women’s State Team at The Club at Las Campanas, Santa Fe, N.M., in 19th place.

Britta Snyder led the way for Iowa in the final round with 71 (-1). Her round included five birdies. Snyder was the low score for Iowa all three rounds of the event and finished T19th individually.

Leanne Smith posted 80 (+8) in the final round and Jenny Heinz rounded out the scoring with an 84 (+12). Iowa was quite consistent with their team totals each day, shooting 155-151-151 for a 457 total (+25). The best two scores from each team count towards the team total each day.

Tennessee won the event with a total of 431 (-1).

Click here to see a full recap of scoring.

 

Round 2 Recap

It was moving day for Team Iowa at the 2017 USGA Women’s State Team at The Club at Las Campanas, Santa Fe, N.M.

Leading the effort for Iowa was Britta Snyder, who posted 72 (E) in the second round. Leanne Smith added to the total with her 79 (+7), to give Iowa a team score of 151 (+7). Jenny Heinz shot 80 (+8). The best two scores from each team count towards the team total each day. Team Iowa is at 306 (+18) after two days of play.

Iowa was one of the first teams out on the course today, leaving several teams left still to finish this afternoon. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 21 teams and ties, plus any individual whose team missed the cut but is within five strokes of the individual lead.

Click here to follow scoring from the championship and to see if Iowa makes the cut.

 

Round 1 Recap

Thanks to some solid golf on the back nine holes, Team Iowa sits in T19th place (155, +11 total) after the first round of the 2017 USGA Women’s State Team at The Club at Las Campanas, Santa Fe, N.M.

The event is being conducted over 54 holes of stroke play with two of the best three scores counting for each team.

Jenny Heinz posted a back nine score of 35 (-1) to record a 76 (+4, T31st overall) after the first round. Meanwhile, Britta Snyder put together a 36 (E) of her own on the back nine to finish with 79 (+7, T53rd overall). Leanne Smith shot 86 (+14, T105th overall).

New York leads with a team score of 142 (-2).

Click here to see a recap of scoring.

Click here to read more about Team Iowa.

Two sides move on from U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Sectional

September 25, 20170 commentsUSGA

From left – Scott Gustafson (Chaska, MN), Jordan Ryan (Minneapolis, MN), Andrew Price (Lake Bluff, IL) and Dennis Bull (Norwalk).

Dennis Bull, of Norwalk, and Andrew Price, of Lake Bluff, IL, have known each other for some time now.

“We’ve known each other since junior golf,’ Bull said.

The pair teamed up for an impressive 64 (-7) at today’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Sectional at Echo Valley Country Club – good enough for medalist honors.

The pair combined made a total of 9 birdies (two of them on the same hole) and never had to count a bogey in route to advancing to the championship proper to be played at Jupiter Hills Club, in Tequesta, Fla., May 19-23, 2018.

Securing the second and final spot from today’s qualifier were Scott Gustafson (Chaska) and Jordan Ryan (Minneapolis) from Minnesota, firing 65 (-6), two shots clear of Bret Taylor / JD Anderson. A total of 15 teams broke par in the four-ball format.

Click here to view a recap of the day’s scores.

Iowa set to go at USGA Women’s State Team

September 21, 20170 commentsUSGA

Jenny Heinz, Leanne Smith and Britta Snyder head south to represent the state of Iowa at the final USGA Women’s State Team Championship.

These talented women will represent Iowa at the final U.S. Women’s State Team Championship next week at The Club at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The biennial Championship will be conducted over 54 holes of stroke play with two of the best three scores counting. The Championship will be held September 26-28. Heinz, Smith and Snyder are excited to represent the state at such a high level and do their best to bring home a championship.

Jenny Heinz (Cedar Falls)
University of Northern Iowa Women’s Golf Team Letterwinner
3 Time Iowa Women’s Amateur Champion (2003, 2009, 2015)
Runner-up IGA Women’s Match Play (2016)
2 Time Iowa Junior Girl’s Amateur Champion (1998, 2000)
4 Time IGA Women’s Four-Ball Champion (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
3 Time IGA Woman Player of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016)
5 Time USGA Women’s State Team Member (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship (2001)
U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship (2015)

 

 

Leanne Smith (Indianola)
Iowa State Women’s Golf Team Letterwinner
Drake University Women’s Golf Coach (ast. 2006-2010) (Head 2010-2015)
Pioneer Highlands Medalist (2002)
2 Time US Women’s Amateur Contestant (2001, 2004)
U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship (2004)
Des Moines Women’s City Champion (2002. 2004)
Runner up in the 2009 Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship
Turned Professional in 2005 and played on the Futures Tour for 2 seasons.

 

 

Britta Snyder (Ames)
IGA Women’s Amateur Champion 2017
U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Participant (2017)
2 time AJGA Champion
Ranked #46 on Rolex/AJGA Rankings
Player of the Year Honors on the Plantation Tour (2015)
Won the Hurricane Tour Junior Girl’s National Championship (2015)
Won over 100 Junior Golf Tournaments


 

The Championship is open to players from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. State associations may use any criteria of their choosing in selecting their teams, which comprise three amateur, non-college golfers. The Championship format consists of the best two scores of each state’s three players over the course of 54 holes.

The Club at Las Campanas’  has two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, both consistently rated among the very top courses in New Mexico by Golf Digest magazine. Be sure to check out live scoring at www.USGA.org once the Championship begins.

 

Kubesheski plays U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, misses cut into match play

September 11, 20170 commentsUSGA

Rosalie Kubesheski (pictured above), of Dubuque, participated in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur over the weekend. Kubesheski posted rounds of 84-83 (+23) at Waverly Country Club, Portland, Ore., which was four strokes off a playoff for the last remaining spots into the match play portion of the event. Kubesheski qualified at Greenbriar Hills Country Club in St. Louis, MO, on August 7th.

Click here to read more about the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.

Drenth, Anderson qualify for U.S. Mid-Am

September 6, 20170 commentsUSGA

Dusty Drenth (left) and J.D. Anderson (right) earned the two U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifying spots at Davenport Country Club on Monday. Both players posted 72 (+1), two clear of the next best finishers.

Drenth’s day included five birdies, while Anderson made just three birdies but also had 13 pars.

The 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur will use both Capital City Club (Atlanta) and Atlanta National Golf Club (Milton) in Georgia for stroke play qualifying into match play, Oct. 7-12.  Match play will be contested over the Crabapple Course at Capital City Club.

The IGA Player of the Year race will once again come down to how players finish at the U.S. Mid-Amateur. Anderson, with his medalist performance at Davenport CC, leads Gene Elliott, who also has qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur, by 260 points. Both players can earn bonus points if they qualify into match play and for additional match wins.

Anderson, Drenth and Elliott, will join Iowa’s Mike McCoy and Jay Gregory at the championship in Georgia.

Click here to see a recap of scores from Davenport CC.

Click here to view more information on the national championship.

Elliott reaches Rd. of 32 at U.S. Senior Amateur

August 30, 20170 commentsUSGA

Iowa’s Gene Elliott (pictured above), following stroke play qualifying scores of 77-69, earned the #15 seed into match play at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship being contested at The Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minn.

In his opening round match, Elliott got off to a quick lead and never looked back, dispatching Virginia’s Patrick Tallent 6&4.

In the Round of 32 Elliott raced out to another quick lead, 3 up through 7 holes, on Keith Decker (Virginia). Holding a 3 up lead through 13 holes, Elliott would see his lead dwindle to all square (AS) through 16 holes. Decker would ultimately win the 18th hole to win the match 1 up.

Click here to see recap from the event.

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