Category: USGA

Four to represent Iowa at U.S. Mid-Amateur in Wisconsin

September 9, 20220 commentsUSGA

From left – David Combs, Mike McCoy and Nate McCoy. Not pictured – Michael Canfield will join the other three as the fourth Iowan at the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur. (photo courtesy of Vaughn Halyard)

Fields are set, courses are prepped and four Iowans are ready to take on the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The competition will be held at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin and Blue Mound Golf and Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. 

Iowa will send two first-timers in David Combs and Michael Canfield. who qualified out of Geneva Country Club in Muscatine. Canfield joined Combs as the medalist out of the qualifier after carding rounds of 68.

This season, Combs recorded a top-five finish at the IGA Mid-Amateur Championship and he made it to the round of 16 in the IGA Match Play Championship. 

Last year’s IGA Player of the Year and this year’s current leader for IGA Player of the Year, Nate McCoy, will chase after the title alongside his father and 2023 United States Walker Cup Captain, Mike McCoy. 

Nate McCoy has impressed many with his performances this season, totaling five wins, including the Iowa Amateur Championship, the IGA Match Play Championship and the Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship. McCoy also claimed victories at the Iowa Masters and The Classic. 

Currently, the younger McCoy ranks as the ninth best mid-amateur, according to World Amateur Golf Rankings. In the overall amateur rankings, McCoy sits inside the top 180 amateur in the world as the highest ranked Iowan.

The former U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, Mike McCoy, looks to make another run at it this year. McCoy’s season has been nothing short of remarkable. Highlights of his season include taking home the R&A British Senior Amateur Championship, along with qualifying and making it to the round of 16 at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. 

Our four Iowans will be tested this week at two of the top courses in the United States. The format for the championship includes a 36-hole stroke play qualifier to decide the 64-player match play bracket. Follow the action and your fellow Iowans at the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship on Sept. 10-15. 

Brown’s Quarterfinal Appearance Leads Strong Iowa Fivesome at U.S. Senior Amateur

September 2, 20220 commentsUSGA

Jon Brown (above) reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur championship in his first try. He led a strong contingent of five Iowans in the field. (photo courtesy of USGA)

The state of Iowa was well represented at the recently contested U.S. Senior Amateur held August 27-Sept. 1 at The Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass. Jon Brown, Gene Elliott, Curtis Holck, Mike McCoy, and Joe Palmer were all part of the 156-player field competing in the 67th annual edition of the championship.

Brown, who reached the minimum age of 55 a day before the championship started, led the Iowa contingent through the 36-hole medal play qualifying by firing a 72-70 to match the fourth lowest qualifying score at 142. He then advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Oscar Mestre (1 up), Jim Plotkin (3&2) and John Adams (25 holes), the latter equaling the second longest match in the championship.

Brown was eliminated in the quarterfinals by veteran Doug Hanzel, the 2013 U.S. Senior Amateur champion, by a 5&4 margin.

Three other Iowans reached the match play segment of the championship. Reigning British Senior Amateur Champion and Walker Cup captain Mike McCoy of Des Moines registered another solid USGA showing by reaching the round of 16 in match play before being defeated by England’s Stephen Jensen 3&1. McCoy qualified for the match play segment (low 64 medal play) by firing a 78-71-149, then defeated Erik Hanson (22 holes) and Jeff Wilson (20 holes) in the rounds of 64 and 32 respectively.

Defending champion Gene Elliott of West Des Moines reached the round of 32 by shooting a 152 in the medal play qualifying and beating Tom Winegardner (1 up) in the first round. He was defeated by Stephen Jensen (1 up) in the second round. Elliott was competing for the first time in several weeks after being hampered with injuries for most of the 2022 season.

Recently crowned Iowa Senior Amateur champion Joe Palmer of Norwalk also reached the round of 32. Palmer qualified with a 152 then defeated Danny Nelson 3&2 in the round of 64. He was defeated by former PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour player Lee Porter 1 up in the second round of match play.

The final Iowan in the field, Curtis Holck of Ankeny shot a 79-80 in the medal portion of the championship but did not qualify for match play.

Five to represent Iowa at U.S. Senior Amateur

August 26, 20220 commentsUSGA

Five Iowans are set to tee it up at the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship this week. There are only seven states that have more qualifiers than Iowa this year. The prestigious championship is being played at The Kittansett Club (above) in Marion, Massachusetts from August 27 – September 1. 

Gene Elliott will look to defend his title after dealing with injuries this summer. Last year, Elliott defeated the No. 9 seed, Jerry Gunthorpe, in the final round to claim the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. 

Currently, Elliott ranks as the second best senior amateur according to World Amateur Golf Rankings. He also finds himself ranked inside the top-500 for amateurs in the world. 

Mike McCoy, your 2023 United States Walker Cup Captain, has his eyes set on completing the same feat Elliott accomplished last year. McCoy dominated the field overseas at the 2022 British Senior Amateur Championship earlier this summer, and looks to keep that momentum going.

During last year’s U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, McCoy fell in the Round of 32 to Elliott. As the fourth ranked senior amateur according to WAGR, McCoy’s expectations are at an all-time high. 

Recently crowned as the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Champion, Joe Palmer is set play alongside his fellow Iowans this week. Known for his match play performances, Palmer will likely make some noise in Massachusetts. 

As a senior amateur, Palmer ranks inside the top-15 according to WAGR. With momentum coming off a come-back victory at the Iowa Senior Amateur Championship, Palmer looks forward to more competition. 

Jon Brown, the ‘youngster’ of the group, is set to compete in the first U.S. Senior Amateur Championship he is eligible for. Brown cracked the top-25 age-eligible points leaders in WAGR and will be the youngest player in the field. Coming off his 13th career Des Moines Men’s City Championship victory, Brown has some positive momentum as he heads into next week. 

Qualifying out of Hyperion Field Club, in Johnston, was the Ankeny native, Curtis Holck. With two victories on the year coming at the IGA Four-Ball and The Classic in Marshalltown, Holck could make a run this week. 

The format for the championship includes a 36-hole stroke play qualifier to decide the 64-player match play bracket. The last senior standing will be crowned the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Champion.

Canfield, Combs advance to 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur

August 2, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

David Combs (above left) and Michael Canfield (above right) are headed to a USGA Championship for the first time in their careers. After qualifying for the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, hosted by Geneva Golf and Country Club, Combs and Canfield will travel to Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin come early September. 

Canfield had to sit and wait for the rest of the field to finish after turning in his three-under round of 68 early in the day. The wait was worth it, but there was still work to be done.

Canfield joined Combs and two others in a four-player playoff to decide the qualifiers and alternates. With a par on the first and second holes, Canfield and Combs shook hands and congratulated each other as first-time USGA Championship qualifiers. 

It was a special moment for the two qualifiers. Full of excitement, Canfield hopped into the cart, after taping in and called his family. 

“I made it,” Canfield said. 

The feeling of qualifying for a USGA Championship is like no other. Only 18-holes to qualify makes it important to get off to a strong start.

“I haven’t played in a qualifier in a while, so early in the round I had to put myself in the position to go get it,” said Combs. 

At the turn, Combs was sitting at even par and three shots back. Birdies on 10 and 11 put Combs one shot back of Canfield. Combs made a putt off the green on 17 for birdie to tie Canfield and sneak into the playoff. 

Tying Combs and Canfield at three-under, Ryan Horner earned 1st Alternate honors after making a bogey on the second playoff hole. Horner had it going early in his round, but a bogey on the 17th hole sent him into the playoff. 

The 2nd Alternate honors went to Charlie Hoyle, who rounded out the four-way tie for first place. Hoyle’s impressive four-under start through his first four holes gave him an early edge. Late bogeys on 15, 16 and the first playoff hole put Hoyle in the 2nd Alternate position. 

On August 8-9, the IGA is conducting the 57th Iowa Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora is hosting the historic championship. Use our live scoring feature to follow the leaderboard next week.

U.S. Mid-Am Qualifier
T1. Michael Canfield -3 68 *Qualifier*
T1. David Combs -3 68 *Qualifier*
3. Ryan Horner -3 68 *1st Alternate*
4. Charlie Hoyle -3 68 *2nd Alternate*

Three advance to U.S. Amateur from Davenport CC qualifier

July 26, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Dennis Bull (above right) did it again. Bull, a 2021 U.S. Amateur qualifier, repeated the same success this year at Davenport Country Club, a Golf Digest Top-100 course. Now heading to The Ridgewood Country Club and Arcola Country Club (New Jersey), Bull reflected on his rare accomplishment.

“Qualifying two-times in a row is awesome,” Bull said. “I’m old, I looked at Gary (Ellis) on the range today and said, ‘Is everyone getting younger or are we getting older’. It feels good, and I love this golf course.”

The former Iowa Amateur Champion fired a five-under 65 in round one and followed it up with a one-under 69 to conclude his day with a one-shot victory. Bull earned his 2020 Iowa Amateur title at this very course. Having many successful days in Davenport, Bull shares how he has managed to play this course at such a high level.

“Today was soft and gettable if you were in control of your ball,” Bull said. “You have to be precise when hitting the greens. I think it is a golf course that kind of separates good ball strikers. Ironically, I shot 65 and a 69 in the first two rounds during that Iowa Am.”

There are many emotions that you feel during a 36-hole day, and Notre Dame’s, Angelo Marcon (above middle) battled through them. The San Francisco native grabbed the second qualifier spot with a five-under tally.

“I wasn’t really feeling the same during that second round,” Marcon said. “I was a little off and kind of rushing things a little bit. Pops was on the bag, and he did everything he could to calm me down and say, ‘Hey you are still in this’.”

His father’s advice worked. The duo made birdie on 18 to get back into the race and proceeded to card a three-under back-nine to earn the second qualifying spot. The first-time USGA Championship qualifier had the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship marked on his calendar.

“I knew I would be there, I just had to prove it first,” Marcon said.  

Gunnar Broin (above left) will be joining Bull and Marcon in New Jersey after taking the third and final spot out of Davenport. Broin made a clutch birdie on his final hole to break out of a tie and earn the final spot alone.

Jack Dudeck was our first alternate with a three-under total. Dudek posted rounds of 68 and 69 to give himself a chance. Aksel Moe was our second alternate after winning the four-player playoff.

The 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship will be held at The Ridgewood Country Club and Arcola Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. The championship will take place August 15th through the 21st and will be available on Peacock and Golf Channel.

Check out the standings after the first round of the 98th Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship, held at Cedar Rapids Country Club. The race is close after round one, follow the rest of the championship on Tuesday and Wednesday using our live scoring feature.  

U.S. Amateur Qualifier
Dennis Bull -6 65-69=134 *Medalist*
Angelo Marcon -5 65-70=135 *Qualifier*
Gunnar Broin -4 65-71=136 *Qualifier*
Jack Dudeck -3 68-69=137 *1st Alternate*
Aksel Moe -2 68-70=138 *2nd Alternate*

Holck punches ticket to 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur, Three advance to U.S. Women’s Senior Amateur

July 13, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Curtis Holck (above) will travel to The Kittansett Club in Marion, Massachusetts for the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. Holck fired a three-under round of 69 to earn medalist honors at the U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston. 

Totaling five birdies gave Holck the advantage over the field. Allen Peake, of Macon, Georgia, was close behind, but after a clutch birdie on the 17th, Holck only needed a bogey to win the qualifier. 

“I didn’t know exactly where I stood, but Levi (Slings – caddie) told me that a birdie would be good,” Holck said. “I was hot in the middle of my round and got it to four-under. Levi was a big help because he plays out here and he knows the greens. I trusted him.”

Peake carded a two-under round to earn the first alternate spot. He was able to get into contention with an eagle on 15 and a birdie on the final hole. Peake’s last-minute effort fell short of Holck’s impressive performance. 

A playoff between Sam Billmeyer and Dave Gaer was needed to decide the second alternate position. After defeating Billmeyer in a playoff, Gaer earned the second alternate spot into the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship. 

 

Laura Leszczynski (above middle) and Rose Kubesheski (above right) share co-medalist honors at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier held at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston. Leszczynski repeated the success she had during last year’s qualifier.

“It feels good – It feels really good,” Leszczynski said. “To go to my second U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in a row is a great accomplishment.”

Kubesheski is headed to her fifth USGA Championship. This was her second time qualifying for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship since 2017, and she couldn’t be happier. 

“I am not sure how many more opportunities I will have to qualify for a USGA Championship, so this one means a lot,” Kubesheski said. 

Robin Webb (above left) earned the third qualifying position with a 12-over round. Webb will join Kubesheski and Leszczynski on a trip to Alaska for the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship, held at Anchorage Golf Course. Michelle Klein was the first alternate and Olivia Iturbe earned second alternate. 

U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier
Curtis Holck -3 69 (Medalist)
Allen Peake -2 70 (1st Alternate)
Dave Gaer -1 71 (2nd Alternate)

 

U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Qualifier
Laura Leszczynski +7 79 (Co-Medalist)
Rose Kubesheski +7 79 (Co-Medalist)
Robin Webb +12 84 (Qualifier)
Michelle Klein +15 87 (1st Alternate)
Olivia Iturbe +16 88 (2nd Alternate)

U.S. Senior Open to have Iowa flavor

June 22, 20220 commentsUSGA

From left – Jeffrey Schmid, Gene Elliott and Judd Gibb.

Three Iowans are set to compete in the 42nd U.S. Senior Open conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). This prestigious championship is scheduled for June 23-26 and will be played at Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course in Bethlehem, Pa. 

Judd Gibb (right), of Fort Dodge, earned his spot into the championship with a one-over round of 73 at Dellwood Country Club, located in Minnesota. Gibb earned medalist honors and a place in the 2022 U.S. Senior Open. 

Mikkel Reese, of Okoboji, was the first alternate out of the Dellwood Country Club qualifier. Reese carded a 74 and finished second in the three-person playoff to decide the second qualifier.

Gene Elliott, of West Des Moines, was one of 77 exempt players after claiming the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship title last summer. Currently ranked as the No. 1 Senior Amateur in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), Elliott is no push over when it comes to the bright lights of USGA Championships. Elliott has competed in 36 total USGA events and recently won the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Detroit.  

Jeffrey Schmid, of Iowa City, punched his ticket to the U.S. Senior Open with a one-under round of 71 at the Mayetta, Kan. qualifier, held at Firekeeper Golf Course. Schmid finished as the runner-up by one shot and took the last remaining spot out of that qualifier. 

Ned Zachar, originally from Cedar Rapids, qualified earlier in May by grabbing one of the four spots at Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, NY, shooting 68.

You can follow the Iowans and many legendary golfers as they compete to find out who will be crowned the 42nd U.S. Senior Open Champion on Sunday, June 26. Good luck to our fellow Iowan competitors. 

Two advance to U.S. Junior Amateur from Otter Creek GC qualifier

June 7, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

Following qualifying out of Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny, Nate Stevens (right) and Michael Takacs are headed to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort for the USGA Junior Amateur Championship, July 25-30. Stevens fired an impressive 64 (-7) to earn medalist honors and Takacs conquered a three-person playoff to seal the second qualifying spot.

Stevens, of Northfield, MN, carded a 33 on the front nine with three birdies and he caught fire as he turned to the back nine, recording four-straight birdies on holes 10, 11, 12 and 13. Stevens posted a 31 and took medalist honors by five shots.

“I hit driver on all the par fours and fives, it was pretty open” Stevens said. “I was expecting the wind to blow a little more to toughen it up a little, but it didn’t. I was able to free-wheel it a little and hit driver everywhere so that was nice.”

Even with a rain delay pausing his red-hot round, Stevens did not let that affect him. He made pars on 17 and 18 to secure the win and his spot in the 2022 USGA Junior Amateur Championship.

“I just finished up on 16 (prior to the delay) and I was the only guy in my group to finish it before the delay,” Stevens said . “When we got back out there, I just took a couple practice swings and just belted a driver on 17. Every bone in my back cracked, but we made it through.”

Takacs (left), of Iowa City, began his round with a clean 35 that included a birdie on the 8th hole. As the round went on, Takacs continued to stay at one-under par, but he knew he needed to snag another birdie.

“I thought four-under par was going to do it,” Takacs said. “I was just thinking when you make a birdie you have to make another one. You can’t be satisfied with one birdie.”

On the 18th hole, Takacs made birdie to get him to two-under par right before the horn blew for the delay. This birdie pushed Takacs into a playoff with Davis Wotnosky, of Wake Forest, NC, and Brock Snyder, of Ames.

“I finished right as they were blowing the horn.,” Takacs said. “I had a long wait for everyone to finish and also the thunderstorm to clear through. I wanted to keep the ball in play during the playoff and just give myself a chance.”

That he did, Takacs made a four-foot tester to save par and earn the second qualifying spot on the first playoff hole.

Wotnosky was able to take the 1st Alternate honors with a bogey on the first playoff. Snyder earned 2nd Alternate honors.

Medalist/Qualifer
Nate Stevens – 64

Qualifier
Michael Takacs – 69

1st Alternate
Davis Wotnosky – 69

2nd Alternate
Brock Snyder – 69

Several with Iowa ties chase U.S. Open dream

June 6, 20220 commentsUSGA, USGA Qualifiers

The challenge of qualifying for the U.S. Open awaits several players as they compete in the final U.S. Open qualifying round. The players named below are attempting to qualify for the 122nd U.S. Open to be played at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. on June 16-19. Final qualifying results and links are listed below.

Rockville, Md. Woodmont Country Club
Chris Baker, Iowa State University Graduate
Charles Jahn, University of Iowa Graduate

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/8092343960367827921

Jupiter, Fl. – The Club at Admiral’s Cove
Gene Elliott, Norwalk

https://www.fsga.org/Tournament/PairingInfo/24776

Columbus, Ohio – Wedgewood Golf and Country Club / Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club
Sean McCarty, Solon
Jack Lundin, Sioux Falls, SD. (Qualified at Blue Top Ridge in May)
Alex Schaake, University of Iowa Graduate
Tommy Vining, Ankeny

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/3624380

Springfield, Ohio – Springfield Country Club
Troy Merritt, Osage (born)
Timothy Lim, Drake University
Mac McClear, University of Iowa
Carson Schaake, University of Iowa Graduate
Connor Peck, Ankeny

https://www.usopen.com/qualifying/final/springfield-country-club-ohio.html#!&tab=results

Bend, Oregon – Pronghorn
Jeff Swegle, West Des Moines

https://www.usopen.com/qualifying/final/bend-oregon-pronghorn-resort.html#!&tab=results

Seven from Iowa to be featured at 7th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

May 13, 20220 commentsUSGA

A total of seven players from Iowa will be represented at the 7th U.S. Amateur Four-Ball hosted the the Country Club of Birmingham, May 14-18. This will be the third USGA event at the C.C. of Birmingham in nine years, including the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur, won by Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Mike McCoy.

“The way the members turned out in terms of volunteers (in 2013) and the welcome they provided, they just couldn’t do enough for you,” McCoy said in an interview with the USGA. “It’s nothing but a first-class affair. You’re going to walk away feeling like you have been someplace very special.”

Those representing Iowa include the sides of Jon Brown / Ethan Mechling, Nate Dunn / Marc Gladson, Josh Manske / Aaron Ahrendsen, along with Dennis Bull, who is teamed up with Illinois’ Andrew Price.

Championship co-chairman Barney Lanier, a club member since 1976 who played in three U.S. Amateurs, knows the two courses as well as anyone.

“The East would be the course most played by the members. It’s shorter, with small greens,” he said in an interview with the USGA leading up to the event. “The West is our championship course – longer, quite challenging and more hilly. The routing is identical to the original by Ross except for the 15th and 16th holes, which Jones flipped from a par 4 and par 5 to a 5 and 4. Sixteen of the green sites are identical to what Ross designed. The bunkering certainly has a Dye flavor with some pot bunkers. You would certainly recognize his swales and hills around the greens, which are the defense of the golf course.”

Click here to view tee times for both days of qualifying

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