Grant Smith has been named the Iowa Golf Association Men’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, capping another outstanding season with a dominant late-season stretch that separated him from the rest of the field.

After claiming the award in 2025, Smith continued to build on that success in 2026, earning four tournament victories and finishing the season strong to secure back-to-back honors. His four wins came between August and October, as he found his rhythm during the final months of the competitive calendar and pulled away from runner-up Nate McCoy by 55 points in the Player of the Year standings.

Smith captured titles at the Herman Sani Tournament, Iowa Mid-Amateur, Briarwood Amateur and The Classic. He also recorded a runner-up finish in the Open Division at the 2026 Waterloo Open and placed third at the Lake Creek Amateur, adding to an impressive collection of results throughout the season.

Beyond his tournament victories, Smith demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level in championship settings. He qualified for Final Qualifying for the U.S. Open and advanced to match play at the Iowa Golf Association Match Play Championship, further highlighting the breadth of his accomplishments in 2026.

The season did not begin exactly as Smith had hoped, by his own admission. However, he turned things around as the year progressed, building momentum and delivering his best golf when it mattered most. His four victories in the closing stretch of the season proved decisive in the Player of the Year race.

With four tournament titles, several other top finishes and a strong showing in major qualifying and match-play competition, Smith put together a memorable 2026 campaign. By successfully defending his title and finishing 55 points ahead of McCoy, Smith established himself as the Iowa Golf Association Men’s Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Jon Brown continued his remarkable run in Iowa senior golf in 2026, earning Iowa Golf Association Senior Player of the Year honors for the third consecutive season. After claiming the award in 2024 and 2025, Brown once again put together an impressive campaign to solidify his place among the state’s top senior players.

Brown’s 2026 season featured multiple victories, deep runs in championship match play and opportunities to compete on the national stage. He won the Senior Division of both the 89th Iowa Masters and the Briarwood Amateur, along with the Senior Division of the Northwest Amateur, showcasing his consistency across a variety of events.

Brown also made his presence felt in IGA championship competition. He finished runner-up at the IGA Match Play Championship and advanced to the semifinals of the IGA Senior Match Play Championship. In addition, he teamed with Chris Kramer to finish runner-up at the IGA Senior Four-Ball Championship, adding another strong performance to an already impressive season.

His accomplishments extended beyond Iowa as well. Brown qualified for the U.S. Senior Amateur and earned a spot in Final Qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open, demonstrating his continued ability to compete for opportunities at the national level.

Brown’s combination of tournament victories, championship match-play success and national qualifying achievements helped him pull away in the Senior Player of the Year race. He finished 367.5 points ahead of runner-up Mike McCoy, a substantial margin that reflected the strength of his season.

With another year of outstanding results, Brown has now captured three consecutive Iowa Golf Association Senior Player of the Year awards. His 2026 campaign further cemented his standing as one of Iowa’s premier golfers and extended a remarkable stretch of sustained excellence in the sport.

Tony Malizia continued his dominance in Iowa’s Super Senior golf division in 2026, earning Iowa Golf Association Super Senior Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Following his award-winning campaign in 2025, Malizia delivered another exceptional year, highlighted by five tournament victories and a commanding lead in the Player of the Year standings.

Malizia’s 2026 season was defined by his ability to consistently contend and close out tournaments. Competing in the Super Senior Division, he captured titles at the IGA Senior Match Play Championship, Herman Sani Tournament, Northwest Amateur, Iowa Masters and Fort Dodge Amateur. His five victories showcased his consistency and ability to perform across a variety of competitive settings throughout the season.

In addition to his victories, Malizia recorded runner-up finishes at the Briarwood Amateur and the IGA Senior Four-Ball Championship, where he partnered with Tom Schill. Those results added to an already impressive season and further demonstrated his continued competitiveness against Iowa’s top Super Senior players.

Malizia’s accomplishments translated into a dominant performance in the Player of the Year race. He finished 545 points ahead of runner-up Tim Peters, establishing a substantial margin and leaving little doubt about his place atop the season’s standings.

With five tournament wins, two additional runner-up finishes and a second consecutive Player of the Year award, Malizia put together one of the standout campaigns in Iowa’s Super Senior division. His 2026 performance reinforced his position as a leading competitor in the state’s senior golf community and extended his run of success at the top of the IGA Super Senior Player of the Year standings.