Grant Smith (above) of West Des Moines outlasted Nate McCoy and Trent Lindenman by one stroke to win the 41st Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship at Veenker Memorial Golf Course, closing out a weather-shortened final round with an even-par 33 over nine holes. Smith finished the championship at 177 (+2) to claim his second consecutive IGA Player of the Year honor.

Heavy rain and flooding at Veenker forced officials to shorten the final round to nine holes, using holes 1, 3-6 and 11-14. With the championship and the Player of the Year race on the line, Smith delivered when it mattered most, navigating Veenker’s demanding conditions with a steady finish and clutch saves around the greens.

Smith carded one birdie and one bogey in the final round, overcoming an early setback before settling into a rhythm on the greens.

“I would say it was playing really difficult today, but I was playing with two really good players. It was gonna be a tough day,” Smith said. “I really off to a bad start, made a bogey from, like, 50 yards out on hole three. Then I kind of bounced back and started making, really, every putt I looked at.”

Smith’s short game proved critical throughout the final nine, as he repeatedly found ways to save par on a course that offered few easy opportunities. One moment on the 11th hole provided a particularly memorable boost. After missing left and finding himself down the hillside, Smith chipped to approximately eight feet and made par after his putt caught the back of the cup and dropped.

“That was kind of a moment of boost, considering I didn’t feel like I should have made that par, but it did go in,” Smith said.

Smith estimated he needed only 11 or 12 putts during the final round, including a chip-in from the fringe, as his ability to recover around the greens helped him hold off the challengers.

“I think it’s just, don’t get too frustrated, although sometimes I did,” Smith said of his approach to Veenker. “I tried to play somewhat conservatively. That still didn’t even work out all the time. But I just tried to do my best to stay level-headed.”

McCoy entered the final round with the lead but carded a 35, finishing one shot short of Smith. Untimely bogeys on par-3 holes proved costly for McCoy as he attempted to maintain his advantage.

Lindenman posted a 34 and remained in contention throughout the abbreviated round. However, a bogey on the final hole of the day — the 14th hole, playing as the ninth and final hole of the stipulated round — left him one shot out of a playoff. Lindenman’s drive found the trees on the right, putting him in a difficult position to close out his round.

Brian Wynia finished fourth at 180 (+5).

The victory capped a successful season for Smith, who entered the championship with a chance to repeat as IGA Player of the Year. With the season-long race tight heading into the final event, Smith knew the stakes extended beyond the championship trophy.

“That’s the only reason I played in this event,” Smith said. “So that’s what I set out to do. I tried my hardest to do that. Fortunate for what to happen.”

Smith’s season included a strong start with U.S. Open local qualifying and a midseason stretch that tested his consistency. He found his form again around the time of his victory at the Herman Sani Tournament, stringing together several strong performances and putting himself back in position to claim the season-long honor.

“I certainly in the middle of the year, I didn’t think I would be in a position to have a chance to win Player of the Year,” Smith said.

Instead, Smith finished the season on top once again, adding the Iowa Mid-Amateur title to his résumé and securing back-to-back IGA Player of the Year honors in 2025 and 2026.

As for celebrating his latest championship, Smith had a simple plan for the trophy.

“I’m gonna fill up this little guy with a beverage,” he said, before joking that it might be “maybe some Diet Coke.”

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