At 63 years old, Gene Elliott (right) has once again proven his enduring competitive spirit, capturing his fifth IGA Senior Match Play Championship—arguably his toughest yet.

“No, nothing gets easier with age—I think this is definitely the hardest,” Elliott reflected after the win.

Throughout the tournament, Elliott faced a formidable field and battled through every round. After enduring multiple surgeries in recent years, he’s made a determined push to return to top form. Now ranked around 15th in the world on the WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking), Elliott noted, “I went way down, but I’m coming back now.”

His experience at the host course, notably from playing in the Iowa Masters, gave him a strategic edge. “I remember making a 10 here when I first played as a teenager. I’ve made big numbers on several holes, and you just have to play cautiously and let it come to you,” he explained. His approach was methodical—favoring irons off the tee and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Despite the match play format, Elliott didn’t alter his game plan. “I really didn’t change anything,” he said, relying on his steady strategy to guide him through.

He began the knockout stages with a 5 & 4 win over Eric Dawson in the Round of 32, followed by a tight 2 & 1 victory over Mike Gaul in the Round of 16. In the Quarterfinals, Elliott faced longtime friend and rival Jon Brown in a hard-fought match.

“He actually defeated me once in this event two years ago at Lake Panorama, so I wanted some payback,” Elliott said with a grin.

In the Semifinals, Elliott came from two down at the turn to defeat Bill Matzdorff 3 & 2, thanks to birdies on holes 11, 13, and 16. Despite the loss, Matzdorff has enjoyed a strong season and remains one of the top contenders on the senior circuit.

The final against Kirk Macumber was both competitive and personal. The two have become close friends and are scheduled to play a practice round together next week at the U.S. Senior Amateur. Macumber jumped out to an early lead with consistent play and birdies on holes 7 and 8. But Elliott responded with back-to-back birdies on holes 9 and 10 to level the match. Over the final six holes, the lead changed hands four times before Elliott sealed the championship with a birdie on the 18th.

Though he claimed another title, Elliott isn’t planning any big celebrations.

“I’ll rest up. I’ve got the U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier and the U.S. Senior Amateur coming up,” he said, underscoring his disciplined approach to a packed competitive schedule.

Tony Captures First Iowa Senior Title

In the Super Senior Division, Tony Malizia (right) delivered a standout performance to secure his first Iowa Senior title at the IGA Senior Match Play Championship.

He opened strong in the Round of 16 with a 3 & 2 win over Bob Hartzler in a back-and-forth contest, gaining momentum on the back nine. In the Quarterfinals, Malizia faced top-seeded Tom Schill—a close friend and regular rival. Despite an early deficit, he rallied to claim another 3 & 2 victory.

The Semifinal against Sam Billmeyer, a recent top-five finisher at the Senior Division of the Herman Sani Tournament, proved to be one of the toughest tests. Malizia took an early lead, battled throughout, and clinched the match 1 up with a birdie on the 17th hole.

In the final, Malizia dominated Pat Ryan with a commanding 6 & 5 win. A birdie on the first hole and sharp iron play set the tone early. Despite soaring temperatures, he stayed composed and consistent to close out the victory.

Malizia credited improved ball striking and putting for his success this summer, including a key switch to a claw grip. “Match play is all about strategy and sticking to your game,” he said. His strong season—featuring three wins and multiple top finishes—has been a testament to that philosophy.

“Any IGA win is fantastic,” Malizia added, reflecting on the significance of the title and what it means to be among Iowa’s senior champions.