Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, Lifetime IGA Board Member George Turner passes away

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame and IGA Lifetime Board Member George Turner passed away on the morning of July 25th at Taylor Hospice.

Services will be Monday Aug 5th, 3:00 p.m – St. Lukes Church – Forrest Ave in Des Moines, with a reception following service at Waveland Golf Course Clubhouse. Click here to read an obituary for Turner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Iowa Golf Foundation (1605 N. Ankeny Blvd, Suite 210, Ankeny, IA 50023) or Taylor House Hospice (3401 E Douglas, Des Moines, IA 50317).

Turner’s contributions to Iowa golf have come both on and off the golf course. From his victories in two designated major championships — the 1965 Northwest Amateur and the 1969 Fort Dodge Amateur — to countless other amateur events, Turner’s name is well-known in Iowa. Turner’s other wins include the Iowa Golf Association State Seniors title in 1989, the Iowa Golf Association State Masters title in 1990, the Iowa Golf Association State Senior Amateur title (70 years-over) in 2002, and the Des Moines Senior Open title in 2005. Turner qualified for and played in the 1981, 1984 and 1993 U.S. Senior Open and the 1988, 1990 and 1991 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Turner was a lifetime member of the IGA Board of Directors and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in 2007. Off the course, George has been an Iowa Golf Association volunteer for decades, helping run numerous events. George and John Nervig took over operations of the Iowa Masters from the late Harry Burrell 30+ years ago.

The Iowa Golf Association named its distinguished service award after Turner in 2003. It is given annually to individuals who – like George – have given back to the game through years of volunteer service.

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