For the third year in a row, West Des Moines’ Braeden Nelson claimed the IGA Boys’ Player of the Year title in dominating fashion. From strong performances in IGA and AJGA junior events to elite playing in USGA qualifiers and IGA tournaments, Nelson proved that he can perform well against any field.

Nelson’s outstanding season began in May where he partnered up with Cade Sunde in the IGA Four-Ball Championship held at Finkbine GC, Iowa City. The pair posted scores of 66-66 (-12) which was good for a top-five finish in their season debut. From there, Nelson competed in the U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Cedar Rapids CC where he shot 73 (+1) to finish inside the top-10.

With a pair of strong finishes under his belt, Nelson turned on the heater in June. He posted a top-10 finish at the Western Junior held at The Harvester Club in Rhodes, posting rounds of 72-72-70 (-1) against some of the nation’s top junior golfers. This would then give him confidence heading into the IGA Match Play Championship at Talons of Tuscany GC, Ankeny where he earned his first victory of the season. After nearly missing out on making the match-play portion of the event, Nelson’s grit and perseverance helped him battle to a 1 up victory over Owen Sawyer in the championship match to claim the title.

In July, Nelson set his eyes on earning a spot in the U.S. Amateur Local Qualifier held at Beatrice CC, Nebraska. He scored a solid 69 (-3) which was good for a top-10 finish and the 2nd alternate spot. He then performed steadily at the Iowa Masters at Veenker Memorial GC, Ames shooting rounds of 70-72-73 (-1) to place inside the top-20. Nelson closed the month out at the Iowa Amateur Championship where he found his stride again, shooting rounds of 71-72-72 (E) to place inside the top-10.

For his last few events of the 2025 season, Nelson competed for 10 days straight in August. His marathon began at the Iowa Open at Blue Top Ridge GC, Riverside where he placed third in the amateur division. From there, he traveled to Hollister, MO for the Bass Pros/Payne Stewart AJGA Junior Championship and added another top-three finish to his resume. He finally wrapped up his season at the IGA Herman Sani Tournament where he scored rounds of 72-66-74 (-4) en route to a top-10 finish.

Nelson’s ability to perform well against any field proved time and again why he is the 2025 IGA Boy’s Player of the Year.

After finishing runner-up the last two years, Marion’s Morgan Rupp finally got it done as the 2025 Junior Girls’ Player of the Year, defeating Iowa City’s Ainsley Wilson in a tiebreaker. Rupp’s outstanding 2025 resume included strong play across USGA Championships, IGA events, and Iowa PGA events en route to her Player of the Year honor.

Rupp’s impressive 2025 campaign began at the Principal Charity Classic Jr., where she earned her first victory of the year at Wakonda Club in Des Moines scoring an impressive 70 (-3). She then competed in the IGHSAU Girls’ Golf State Tournament the following week where she claimed her third straight Class 4A individual state title at Pleasant Valley GC in Iowa City with scores of 69-72 (-3).

With two victories under her belt, Rupp continued her strong play throughout June. She earned another victory at the Iowa Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship at Glynns Creek GC, Long Grove, shooting rounds of 64-70-75 (-7) to win by a landslide. This win granted her a ticket to the USGA Junior Girls’ Championship held in Durham, N.C. which was played in mid-July.

From there, Rupp kept the momentum going at the IGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship at Prairie Links GC, Waverly where she and her partner Chloe Bolte fired rounds of 68-62 (-14) to earn runner-up honors. Rupp closed out the month by advancing to the Round of 16 in the IGA Women’s Match Play Championship at Talons of Tuscany GC, Ankeny before narrowly falling to Shannyn Vogler.

With only two events left in the 2025 season, Rupp would have to perform well if she wanted to claim her first Player of the Year title–and she did just that. She posted rounds of 72-72 (+4) for a solid top-10 finish in the Iowa Girls Junior PGA Championship. She then took her skills to the Iowa Women’s Amateur Championship at Wakonda Club, Des Moines where she went 81-79-74 (+18) to earn a top-15 finish.

Following the close of the 2025 IGA season, Rupp brought her talents to the University of South Dakota where she has already made an immediate impact on the program. She traveled to nearly every fall event and posted her best finish at the Redbird Invitational in Normal, Ill where she scored rounds of 75-74-77 (+10) for a top-20 finish.

Rupp’s IGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year victory is a testament to her hardworking nature and remarkable resilience throughout the 2025 season.