Your 2024 IGA Players of the Year

By: Shane René, Administrator of Media and Communications

Men’s Player of the Year: Derek Lekkerkerk

Derek Lekkerkerk put the Idaho amateur golf scene on notice last year when he won the Match Play in comeback fashion over Trevor Garus, the eventual 2023 Player of the Year. This year, he repeated that feat, downing Garus in the semi-final match before going on to win his second consecutive title at the Match Play. One month later, Lekkerkerk arrived at the Men’s Amateur at BanBury GC ready to flash his talent in stroke play competition. Opening each of his first two rounds with bogey-free scores of 30, Lekkerkerk stayed in the heat of contention for three straight days, entering the final round two shots clear of the field. The Twin Falls native was eventually tracked down by Ashton McArthur and Nate Smith, but the third-place finish hardly overshadows an exceptional week of golf against the state’s strongest field. To top his season off, Lekkerkerk returned to his favorite format (match play) to make a deep run into the semi-finals at the PNGA Men’s Amateur.

Women’s Player of the Year: Leighton Shosted

Leighton Shosted says she remembers playing Hillcrest Country Club when she was 12 years old, but that was hardly an asset when she showed up for the Women’s Amateur Championship this year. Fresh off announcing that she would be transferring to the University of Tennessee, Shosted returned to her home state amateur with her late grandfather on her mind. After opening with rounds of 66 and 68, she rolled into the final round with a nine-shot lead. Finishing with back-to-back bogeys, she won by 10 strokes. Shosted would go on to round out her summer with a fifth-place finish at the Utah Women’s Amateur.

Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Nate Smith

After a second-consecutive 67 at the 2024 Idaho Men’s Amateur Championship, Nate Smith said he didn’t care as much as he used to. The former pro considered that to be a weapon; since he no longer makes a living with good golf shots, he finds it much easier to let the bad ones roll off his back. But when he entered the final round two shots behind the leader, the margin for poor golf shots was small. When he arrived on the 54th tee tied with two other players, nothing short of two exceptional golf shots would suffice. After he pulled them off, he buried a 30-foot bomb to win the title. The win would punch Smith’s ticket to the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship. Smith also went on to compete at the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur, advancing to the round of 64.

Women’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year: Madison Gridley

The highlight of Madison Gridley's season came in July at her place of work. After graduating from Northwest Nazarene University in the spring, the newly-minted Mid-Amateur arrived at Hillcrest Country Club for the Women's Amateur Championships feeling like she had a home game on her hands. After taking a four-shot lead in the Mid-Amateur field with an opening round of 73, she coasted home to a five-shot victory over defending champion Bailey Henley. Also competing in the Women's Amateur Field, Gridley finished T-6.

Men’s Master-40 Player of the Year: Burke Spensky

Burke Spensky has long proven himself to be among Idaho's top amateur players, but the 2024 season represented a breakthrough over a decade in the making. The year started with good vibes as he went out and won the 2024 Idaho Hickory Championship and the IGA’s Mixed Couples Chapman (events that, while highly mentionable, do not count toward POY points). Then he was onto the 2024 championship season. Last year, Spensky lost in a playoff to Jesse Hibler at Pinecrest GC for the 2023 Mid-Amateur title, and found himself face-to-face with Hibler in a playoff again this year out at RedHawk GC. But this time, a par on the first playoff hole earned him both the Mid-Amateur and Master-40 titles — his first two major IGA Championship titles. Spensky returned to Pinecrest this fall for the Tournament of Champions and finished second.

Women’s Senior Player of the Year: Sheryl Scott

The 1997 Women's Amateur Champion got her 2024 season off to a roaring start with a victory at the Senior Women's Match Play Championship – her third career match play title. In July, Scott was one of a few senior players to take up the task of competing in both the Mid-Amateur and Women's Amateur fields at the 2024 Women's Amateur Championships. Finishing tied for 19th in the Women's Amateur, Scott collected a top-5 finish in the Mid-Amateur. Scott finished T-4 at the Women's Senior Amateur in August before rounding out her season with a second-place finish at the Senior Tournament of Champions.

Men’s Senior Player of the Year: Brian Swenson

Swenson, the 2017 Idaho Mid-Am champion, played some remarkably consistent golf this season. Swenson finished in the top five at three different championships this year, including a heartbreaking playoff loss for the Senior Amateur title. His top 20 finishes at the Idaho and PNGA Mid-Amateur Championships round out an impressive championship season. The Spurwing member also finished fourth at the Master-40 Championship.

Golf is a Woman's World

Cecilia and her father.

Written by: Cecilia Baney, Director of Junior Golf

The summer before my freshman year of high school, my dad came home with a set of $14 golf clubs, a dollar per club, that he had bought at a yard sale—the famous Tour Model 2s with the golf bag included. I remember looking at the bag of clubs and my dad, and thinking to myself, “I’m never going to use those.” 

More than 20 years later, I sit here, having had a long career in the golf industry. My journey through golf has taken me down several different paths—playing competitively, working at courses, coaching, and now working in golf administration—paths I never considered when I thought about what I wanted to do when I grew up. 

The beauty of golf is that you can start at any age, and I got my start when I was 14. While I had been around the game my whole childhood, following my dad around the course, I never really had a desire to play. I remember I would go out to Country View Golf Course in Ontario, Oregon, with my dad and walk around with him while he played in the men’s league. Until one day, I decided to start playing in it with him. As intimidating as it was to play with a bunch of men, it really helped prepare me to play competitive golf as I got older. And at the time, I didn’t realize it wasn’t typical for girls to outdrive and outscore men. I just knew that I could play with them and beat them.

After playing high school golf, I was given the opportunity to play collegiately. I played for two years at Treasure Valley Community College and finished my college career at The College of Idaho. While most juniors dream of playing Division One golf, I am extremely glad that I took the route that I did. I was able to play so many courses and travel with no stress of keeping up with my studies and practicing. I got to enjoy the college golf experience. 

After college, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. (Such a silly phrase for someone who had just spent five years getting a college degree.) At the time, I was helping coach The College of Idaho’s golf team, while also holding a position at the newly opened TimberStone Golf Course in Caldwell, Idaho.

What started as a part-time gig, just something to have until I figured things out, quickly turned into an “I could do this for a living” career. I quickly grew a passion for teaching golf, working mostly with juniors, and running tournaments. 

I left my job at TimberStone to take on two new challenges in the golf world: becoming a collegiate golf head coach and running the junior golf program at the Idaho Golf Association. I was not only the coach for the women’s team but also for the men’s. While it was a pleasure to coach at my Alma Matar (The College of Idaho) for two years, my heart just wasn’t in it. It was then that I decided to leave coaching to focus all my attention on the IGA and junior golf. 

Here I am at the IGA, seven years later, getting to do the two things I have a growing passion for: working with juniors and running tournaments. I have dedicated myself to growing opportunities for junior golfers in Idaho—offering programs such as Youth on Course, Junior Playdays and free community events.

It has been such a fun journey to watch these juniors grow through our programs. My only hope is when they look back on their time with the Idaho Junior Tour, they think of how much fun they had. I am extremely excited for this next year as we introduce some new junior programs that will have a huge impact on golf in Idaho.  

I never thought that a set of $14 golf clubs would make such a lasting impact on my life. There are so many opportunities for females in the golf world that are not talked about enough. Girls, don’t be afraid to get started. You never know where this game may lead you. There are so many opportunities that golf can provide for you! All we must do is dare to dream and remember that golf is a woman’s world.

Former Boatwright accepts position with IGA

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Golf Association is excited to announce the hiring of Shane René as the new Administrator of Media and Communications — a newly created position that brings the total IGA staff count to eight.

Having worked for nearly a year as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern, nine months this year and roughly three months in 2023, René showed his true value through his hard work, impressive knowledge of the game, and his way with words.

"[Shane] has more than earned his keep with the IGA,” said Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications. “He did everything I ever asked him to do and more. He brings a deep toolbox of skills that will be invaluable to the IGA for years to come. His passion for this game is shown in everything that he does and says. We are thrilled to have him on staff as a full-time member and can’t wait to see what is next in his offerings for the IGA.”

René graduated from the College of Idaho in the spring of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature. While as a Coyote, he played on the men’s golf team.

Before transferring to finish his undergraduate, René spent four years at Depaul University in Chicago, where he played on the university’s club golf team and served as the editor and chief of the student newspaper, The DePaulia, in his final year.

He also worked for several years at Shadow Valley Golf Course, a staple for many golfing Idahoans in the Treasure Valley.

When asked about his recent hire, he said: “I've been a lunatic about golf for as long as I can remember, and the last year I've spent as an intern with the IGA has only confirmed for me why this game means so much to me and so many others. State and local golf associations are an essential piece of any golf community, and I'm thrilled to join the IGA team long-term as we continue to grow and enrich this increasingly dynamic community here in my home state of Idaho.”  

Golfers will continue to see the IGA’s newest hire at all of its championships, USGA Qualifiers and membership events. He will also be heavily involved with the IGA’s social media pages (Instagram, Facebook and X) and website—producing stellar content for all to see and read.

Welcome to the family, Shane René.

TOC: A fitting finale at Pinecrest GC

By: Shane René, USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern

The Tournament of Champions occupies unique space on the IGA Championship schedule. A celebratory bookend to the season, the TOC is more laid back and vibey than the others.    

Club, local and state champions who earn a place in the field were rewarded with a skin game and raffle prizes for the first round. A short-course challenge stoked a casual but competitive flame. Water coolers were sprinkled with soda and beer. And players arrived at the first tee on Saturday to walk-songs selected during registration or, in the case of Mid-Am champ Burke Spensky, by the IGA’s Beaux Yenchik.   

Open Men’s Division  

Spensky found the fairway to the tune of LMAFO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know it” and went on to post a handsome six-birdie round of 66 to lead by four in the Open Men’s division. Grayson Giboney, the BanBury club champion who also won at the Eagle and Caldwell Amateurs this summer, posted an even-par 70 to find himself aways back in tie for second with Pinecrest club champion Edward Charles. Purple Sage’s Gilbert Livas rounded out the top four with an opening 71.  

The Mid-Am champion stumbled early with a bogey on the opening hole and his lead had vanished by the time the final pairing left the 5th green. Giboney birdied three of his first five holes, including the long par-3 5th, and made a fourth birdie on the next hole to keep himself tied at the top. But when Spensky made bogey at the 7th, Giboney never let go of his lead.  

“I was finally able to put a round together in an IGA tournament,” Giboney said. “Pretty much have done it in every other way but not in an IGA tournament yet, so it feels good.” 

After his sixth birdie of the day on 14, Giboney was bogey-free and just one shot off the amateur course record out at Pinecrest golf course. After pars at 15 and 16, Giboney missed a short birdie effort at 17 and found a divot in the 18th fairway but managed to find the green and two putts for par to close out a two-shot victory over Spensky who fought back with a birdie-birdie finish. 

“All things considered, if I’m able to play like this more often, I feel like I can play with anyone,” he said. 

Open Women’s Division  

Sierra Oyler, out of Clear Lake Country Club, took control of the Women’s division with an opening round of 73 and never looked back. In pursuit, former Boise State Bronco and Hillcrest club Champion Lori Harper leaked some oil coming down the stretch to find herself three shots back with a 76 along with Arielle Cherry from Rexburg. 

Harper was keeping herself in contention through the early goings of the second round but stumbled on the par-4 8th after mistakenly playing the wrong ball. The double bogey would prove costly, as she played her final nine in even par. But after a rare misstep from Oyler on the 10th, the Buhl resident coasted home with eight consecutive pars to win by two.   

“I had a lot of fun out here on the golf course,” she said. “The greens were in great shape, and I was glad I could represent Clear Lake Country Club and play so well and consistently.”   

Senior Men’s Division 

Scott Masingill showed up Saturday seeking his fourth-consecutive TOC title but was in line to win his first as a member of the Idaho Golf Hall of Fame. The Mayor of Scotch Pines had a friendly setup out at Pinecrest where he won a State Amateur title in 1980, and he looked plenty comfy through 18 holes, firing 67 to take a four-shot lead. Senior Amateur champion Darren Kuhn and Spurwing’s Senior club champion Brian Swenson used rounds of 71 to follow Masingill on the leaderboard. 

The second round in the men’s senior division featured four sub-70 rounds. Bret Rupert was the first man to break par on the day, reaching four under through eight holes, but dripped some oile coming home for 69. Stephen Hartnett, out of Quail Hollow, used a five-birdie round of 67 to get himself back to even par for the tournament. And David Bishop, playing in the final group, hopped on a roller coaster to begin his round, making just two pars on the front nine to shoot three-under par with an eagle, a double, four birdies and a bogey. He kept things marginally calmer on the back nine to finish with 68.  

Of course, Masingill was the fourth and final sub-70 round. He fired his opening tee shot out of bounds but chipped in for bogey. Then he made a second bogey at the second hole and went on to make six birdies and matched his opening round of 67. When asked if it winning ever gets old, he smiled and shook his head.  

“No. And it never gets easier either.” 

Senior Women’s Division:  

Looking to repeat her TOC win from 2023, Kris Fenwick cruised out to a two-stroke lead, making three birdies and three bogeys to shoot even par. Dorothy Sells had things cooking on the front nine, making three birdies in a row to get two under through nine holes. A double bogey on the 17th would eventually drop her out of the lead and into solo-second ahead of Abby Black with 73.  

Sells and Black fell quickly off the pace in the second round, while Fenwick stayed in cruise control. The 2024 Lamey Cupper went out in 36 for a second-consecutive day, and used a two-over back nine to finish 6 shots clear of Senior Women’s Match Play champion Sheryl Scott.  

“It always feels good to win,” Fenwick said with a laugh. “That never gets old.” 

Kris Fenwick is also the President of the IGA Board of Directors and spoke to the significance of the tournament in the IGA’s schedule. 

“The Tournament of Champions is a huge celebration for the end of the year,” she said. “It has a little bit of a different field from one of the state amateur or mid-amateur champions in that not every club’s champion is a single digit handicap. But I think it’s great that they all get to play in an IGA event; I think they all look forward to it and I hope they view it as a celebration.”   

Super-Senior Divisions:  

Former TOC Champion Dan Pickens stormed out of the gate in the first round, posting a score of 70 to take a six-shot lead. Bob Hansen from BanBury golf course was way back in second place with a round of 76, followed by Super Senior Match Play Champion Peter Sacks with 77.  

Sack put together the best round of the day on Sunday, posting 73 to finish two-shots clear of second place. But Pickens couldn’t be threatened, coasting home with a round of 75 to win by five strokes.  

“We were kind of spitting oil there – our whole group was struggling, we lost four balls on the front, but we hung in there and kept going.” he said. “I had a good lead, so I knew just needed to not do something real stupid.”    

On the women’s side, Caldwell Ladies Golf Association champion Sue Tracy jumped out to a two-stroke lead over defending champion Shawna Ianson. Tracy’s round of 74 was tied for the lowest in the flight (Marilyn Celano posted the same number in round two to follow an 85).  

Tracy kept her steady play going in the second round, making just two more bogeys and one less birdie to shoot 77 and win by 4 strokes. 

“Elated,” she said. “I’m unbelievably elated. I’ve never been in this position before!”  

Of course, she has been in a similar position, winning the Caldwell Ladies Association Championship – but this is her first victory in an IGA event.  

“It means a lot to me to represent the Ladies Golf Association and Purple Sage.”

Teamwork makes the dreamwork: 2024 IGA Four-Ball Championship

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

JACKPOT, Nevada — There is a quote out there that many of you may have stumbled upon at one time or another that goes like this: “The best rounds of golf are those played with friends.” Those rounds could be the dawn patrollers or dew sweepers that strike their shots as the newly-found daylight warms the faces of each golfer. It might be a buddy’s golf trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where, from sun up to sun down, thousands of footsteps are had along those hallowed Oregon grounds. But for several Idahoans, it was the two rounds played at Jackpot Golf Club for the 2024 IGA Four-Ball Championship.

Women’s Four-Ball Champions: Abby Black (left) and Lori Harper (right)

Battling for the glory, bragging rights, and frosted crystal trophies, the competition grew fierce in what was one of the strongest four-ball fields the IGA has seen for some years. In the Men’s Division, it was Nate Smith, the 2024 Men’s Amateur Champion, and Jason Azzarito who shot a scintillating 66-62=128 (-16) to claim victory. In the Men’s Senior Division, it was Brian Swenson and Mark Newman who came from behind to win, carding a 70-65=135 (-9). In the Women’s Division, Abby Black and Lori Harper held on to their three-shot lead from day one to step into the winner’s circle with a 68-76=144 (E).

For the golfers who made the drive to the town of Jackpot, Nevada, a population of maybe 1,200 (the census takers may have been a little generous on the numbers), a battle awaited them, not just with the elements but with a course that can sneak up and bite you if you aren’t paying attention and/or playing carelessly. It has extreme elevation changes, a supposed “everything breaks to the airport” line of thinking on the greens, and a few occasional shots that demand extreme accuracy. If one is not focused, one’s scorecard may look like a weatherman or woman in winter got a hold of it and began penciling in snowmen (8s) in each box—by the way, opening tee shots were being hit in 30-something degree weather. Brrrrrrr!

When asked about what skills were working that week en route to their victory, the team of Black and Harper gave great insight into how to play Jackpot GC: distance and scrambling around the green. Being two of the longest hitters in the women’s field put this dynamic duo in places on the course that the rest of the women’s field rarely saw. Any golfer knows that having a wedge or short iron in your hand more often than not leads to more scoring opportunities.

Men’s Senior Four-Ball Champions: Mark Newman (left) and Brian Swenson (right)

And if you look at the games of the other two teams that won, distance off the tee truly helped.

Yet, when failing to hit the green with an errant second or third shot, a touch of short-game magic was often needed. One could find their ball at the bottom of a bush or a tuft of fescue grass, or it could be lying on a piece of hardpan that plays as firm as if one were to play it off a cart path. You either strike that ball just right or you’ve just hit the clump of grass further than the ball or you’ve sent your ball rocketing over the green into who knows what.

And who did this the best? The winners when they were in said positions. Yes, the winners had some low scores from countless birdie opportunities, and yet, when they needed to, they could get up and down to save par or walk away from a par-5 with a birdie. A skill that Harper said Black demonstrated on countless occasions throughout the event. (Not everyone has the iron game that Smith has. If you don’t believe me, ask his partner, Azzarito.)

"[Abby] can get up and down from anywhere on a golf course, absolutely anywhere,” Harper said of her partner. “Having a partner that no matter where they are on a golf course, knowing you have par in the bag is just the most helpful thing on the earth.”

Besides the two above-mentioned skills, the IGA’s Four-Ball winners willed their way to victory. The team of Swenson and Newman could have easily counted themselves out of the event before the final round even started. They were among the first groups to go out in the Men’s Senior Division, meaning they were not one of the leaders, and they fired a final round, 65, leapfrogging into first place. They leaned on each other, and sometimes that is the best solution to having a successful round in a four-ball format. It helps when you can fire off five birdies in six holes like they did on the back nine during the final round of the event. That shows the will to win if you ask me.

"It is always good to have a security blanket, knowing someone is there to back you up,” said Swenson. “[Mark] just has a great attitude on the course. He keeps everything loose. He is a steady player as well…Like I said earlier, it’s just nice to be able to know you have a backstop—somebody who is going to make birdies and pars when you are kind of stumbling.

Men’s Four-Ball Champions: Nate Smith (left) and Jason Azzarito (right)

And sometimes, you just have to pull off THE shot. It is the six-foot par putt when your partner is out of the hole or knocking a wedge close and making the following shot when you know you need a birdie to keep your one-shot lead with one to go. Some call it the clutch gene, or others say it’s having that “dog” mentality. Azzarito and Smith did not walk off No. 18 green with a 20-shot lead. They finished one up with a clutch par on the last and two missed birdie putts by their challengers, Connor Johnstone and Daniel Uranga. If Azzarito and Smith had not each hit THE shot during their round, the outcome could have been entirely different.

"[Connor] and [Dan] didn’t make it easy,” Azzarito shared. “We were exchanging barbs left and right. It was a really fun day…[Nate], he is a great player. That birdie on 17 was an absolutely monster putt.”

After all that being said, I think we could agree that teamwork really does make the dreamwork.

CLICK HERE for a look at the complete, final leaderboard.

Lady Hype

Written by Amber Balbas, IGA Board Member

Everyone has something they could call their “passion”. That thing that people think of when they hear your name. For me, it’s golf. I don’t love many things more than the gift of golf. Whether I am watching it, playing it, or learning about it, golf brings me so much joy. In fact, the word has become so synonymous with my name that people are often shocked to learn that I have not been a golfer my whole life, or even in high school. My passion for it leads people to assume I was raised to love it or have played since I was young. 

I was born into softball and about every other team sport my dad could get me in. They taught me to be competitive and tough as nails (physically… still working on the mental part), never give in, keep my chin up, and always be the loudest voice out there.

However, with all of that fierceness, you are also taught all of the cheers, special high-fives or handshakes, and showered with lots of encouragement. Softball is a sport that guarantees that no matter what happens, you have a team that has your back. Always ready to pick you up by the bootstraps when it gets tough. You never felt like it was just “you” because it was bigger than just you.

I loved softball and all that came with it. Not always was I the team MVP, but I was consistently the girl who received the “most encouraging”, “spirit of the game”, or “warrior” recipient. Every year. I was known as “the ultimate hype girl”. Even off of the field, you could find me at every track meet screaming the loudest, at every soccer game waving our school flag, and at all those pep assemblies just being the number one fan of every athlete there.

The camaraderie and rallying were my favorite part of sports, and I absolutely loved it. I so cherished being a competitor, but seeing others do something incredible or achieve a new personal best was what I lived for. Whether I was on the field or on the bench, they always heard my voice and I made sure of it. 

In my freshman year playing third base for my college softball team, I endured a terrible shoulder injury that resulted in surgery. I was told I wouldn’t be able to throw from third as I could before, so my scholarship and roster status would likely dissolve. In desperation to at least get my swing back, I tried all sorts of rehab.

Looking to help, a friend on the men’s golf team invited me out to the driving range to try to swing his golf clubs to ease back into it, hopeful that maybe I could at least bat. After a few times out there, continuously attempting to hit this tiny ball straight, I was asked if I wanted to play a round with the team (all boys at the time and their coach). I had no clue what I was doing, but they didn't seem to mind so I was all in. 

After 4 hours of trying to get this ball into the hole 18 times without having an aneurysm or throwing anything, while the men’s golf team observed and laughed (a lot I'm sure), I fully expected that to be the last time I visited a golf course.

I’ve learned so many times though that my plan is usually far different than what God has planned. “Amber, we are starting a women’s golf team here at Corban, we would like you to be the first player and if you’re interested and your softball coach gives the ok, we’d also like you to be the team captain.” Those were the words out of Coach Sisler’s mouth after that round and no, it wasn't a joke… I asked.. multiple times.

I slept on it, prayed about it, and before I knew it, I had a set of King Cobra Golf clubs, multiple fancy polos, a bag with my name on it, and soon, four other girls expecting me to lead the way to… well I wasn't really sure where you go with golf, but I just knew that we were going and we would have some big smiles our faces!

Being new to the college golf scene, I didn't know how tournaments operated or even what the proper etiquette was. l did know that walking 4 rounds of 18 holes (push carts or fancy rangefinders weren't allowed yet), mostly in the Oregon rain, definitely meant we needed snacks and lots of smiles (and extra socks).

I still remember my very first tournament. I clapped for each competitor who teed off before me. Then, my name was announced at the first tee box, “Next to the tee, Amber Meeker from St. Helens, Oregon…” I aimed about 80 yards left of the fairway (softball) like always and hit the nastiest slice you've ever seen that landed about 240 yards in the middle of the fairway. I took 127 painful shots after that.

In round one, the three girls I golfed with that round were silent. They didn't clap, high-five or cheer. It was so odd to me. I remember seeing a teammate of mine make an awesome putt on the green next to us, so naturally I yelled, “Great shot, Hailey!” I was thrilled for her, but I could have just murdered someone with my divot fixer judging by the looks I received. Noted: don't yell.

We turned around to play our second round of 18 for the day. I offered snacks to my playing partners, then ate them all myself because apparently eating during a tournament was also taboo. I continued to congratulate my group on great shots, even encouraging them during tough holes. At the end of the round, we shook hands and that was that. They all looked so miserable. I would have loved to have played like they did, but they didn't seem to have enjoyed themselves.

Amber is "Nicole's biggest fan" and it definitely shows!

That next day, the silence was near painful. I continued to offer snacks and all of the words of encouragement I thought might help. I played heaps better, so my spirits were much higher but the vibe in the group was still drab.

It was nearing the end of the last round and one of the girls broke her silence to say something to me along the lines of, “You’re really nice, even when you play bad.” Then she smiled. A real smile. I was elated.

Two weeks later at the next invitational, on the first tee box, our group traded scorecards and introduced ourselves. The same girl was in my group and when she handed me her scorecard, she wished me luck and smiled. In that round of golf, we both played well. We congratulated each other on good shots, we laughed a few times, and by the end of the round, the other girls even joined in some high fives.

Each tournament that first year, the reuniting party in the clubhouse grew more and more. Girls were excited to see and compete with each other, all eager to hear who they were seeded with for the weekend. It was the best.

Ever since I started playing competitive golf, I’ve been told that I need to want to beat the people I play against. I assure you, I am one of the most competitive people you will meet. I want to blow you out of the water no matter the challenge. But I never, ever want you to be miserable. I want to beat you when you are playing your absolute best. I want to see you celebrating an amazing eagle putt. I want to be a part of your victory dance when you shoot a career low. I want you to succeed. Whether it is that shot, that hole, that round. I know how amazing it feels when you experience even those small victories, and I want everyone to have that. We need more of that.

After college, I coached high school softball and golf in Colorado for a number of years. My athletes called me (and still do) “Lady Hype” or “Lady Coach”. Our teams were not always the state champions or all-state athletes, but I continually receive calls and messages from them over the years commenting on the impact of the encouragement they received from me.

Some of my athletes have gone on to coach teams themselves, writing to tell me that they try to be to their teams “the hype girl I was to them.” (Insert teardrops on my keyboard here.) We need more hype girls. More hype bros. We need to be the encouragement for others that we all so desperately need sometimes.

I was specifically asked to write about “What golf means to me”. What golf has become to me these past 16 years, is more than just a game; it is a profound expression of my faith, a place where I encounter God’s creation in its most intricate detail. It is joy. It is a gift God gave me during a time of sorrow and confusion.

Each time out, I try to take in the beauty of the landscape and the rhythm of each swing, being so thankful for the Creator’s handiwork. At times, the game becomes a prayerful meditation, where each moment of calm and challenge reminds me of the grace and patience that God extends to me. The joy I find in golf goes beyond the game itself; it’s about planting a passion and a sense of community in others. But, the true reward comes from seeing others find their own joy in the sport, as it mirrors the excitement and happiness that golf has brought to my own life. It’s a beautiful exchange of enthusiasm and encouragement that I so cherish.

I’ve realized the mental berating we give ourselves as golfers is inevitable at times. I chose to share a short-ish version of my story with you in hopes of giving you a new outlook. I know the terrible things I've said to myself during a round of golf. I have experienced the feeling of absolute failure and anger after a tournament. I’ve nearly left my golf clubs on the side of the road with a “free” sign. I don't want anyone to experience that feeling.

If I can be a small part of helping you smile or gain a little more confidence during a round, then I know I am turning my passion into a purpose. If I’m losing to you, you’ll still hear me. If I didn’t make the cut, I’ll still come to watch you grind. If I am melting down on the 14th green after hitting two “OB” and you make birdie, you bet I’ll have a high-five for you. I want to be a person who helps you feel all the positives because I have been in a place with nothing but negatives and no one deserves to be there. So go out and play a round of golf, whether it be your first or your thousandth, find grace in every stroke, and just smile. 

Lawson wins PNGA Mid-Amateur in Playoff

Written by Tom Cade, Director of Communications for WA GOLF/PNGA

McCall, Idaho
– Andrew Lawson of Dallas, Tex. shot rounds of 71-75-69 and then survived a two-hole playoff to win the 39th PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, held this week at Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, Idaho.

Andrew Lawson, winner of the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur

Lawson defeated Jesse Hibler of Meridian, Idaho, in the playoff to take the title.

Andrew Lawson, winner of the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur.

The 54-hole stroke-play championship featured a strong field of the top men’s mid-amateur players from across the Pacific Northwest.

Championship links:

Lawson started today’s final round four shots back of Hibler, who held the top spot at the top of the leaderboard after the second round. Between Hibler and Lawson were Colton Kleis of Kenmore, Wash. and Michael Cairns of Carnation, Wash., both at two shots back of Hibler.

Hibler still held a two-shot lead after the front nine in today’s final round, and when Lawson double-bogeyed the short par-5 13th, the way looked clear for Hibler. But he ran into trouble on the relatively innocent par-4 15th and double-bogeyed as well, to fall behind Lawson by a shot. When Lawson bogeyed the final hole, he and Hibler headed for the playoff.

Lawson was playing the second-to-last group today. “I had no idea what was going on behind me (in Hibler’s group),” he said. “I was just trying to take care of my own game.”

On the 13th, Lawson four-putted for the double-bogey, scuffing a six-inch tap-in. On the 18th, from the middle of the fairway he hit his second shot to the back edge of the green and proceeded to three-putt from there, then watched as Hibler parred the final hole to force the playoff.

Lawson and Hibler were the only two players in the field to finish under par.

Lawson, 41, spends his summers in Sun Valley, Idaho, playing the resort’s Bigwood course, as well as the nearby Valley Club. “I played in college, but that was many years ago,” he said. “Then I played absolutely no golf at all for four or five years. Didn’t pick up a club. But now I try to play in a few events each summer. I’m already planning on defending my title in this championship next year. I’ll be back.”

Hibler brought a lot of experience to Jug Mountain this week, having won back-to-back PNGA Master-40 titles in 2021-2022, with the 2022 championship held at Jug Mountain. He also won the 2019 IGA Men’s Tournament of Champions, and the 2023 Idaho Men’s Mid-Amateur. He has been named to several PNGA Lamey Cup competitions as a member of the Idaho Golf Association team.

To be eligible for this championship, players had to be 25 years of age or older by August 6, 2024 and have a USGA Handicap Index or Golf Canada Handicap Factor of 8.4 or lower at the time of entry, and must be a member in good standing of a PNGA Member Association.

The PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship is one of 11 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.

About Jug Mountain Ranch

Designed by Donald Knott, the golf course at Jug Mountain Ranch was named second-best new public course by Golf Digest in 2008, and was named one of the “Best Courses You Can Play” in Idaho by Golfweek in 2016. The course is an amenity of a 1,410-acre private residential community set beneath Jughandle Mountain’s 8,310-foot peak. Roughly 75 percent of the Ranch (1,000 acres) has been set aside for preserved open space and a championship golf course. Visit jugmountainranch.com for more information.

For the original story, CLICK HERE.

Smith's Season: The 96th Men's Amateur Championship

By: Shane René, USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern

Fourteen years ago in Midland, Texas, Nate Smith holed a 35-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to earn his first and only win on the Korn Ferry Tour at the WNB Golf Classic.

Now 40 — the better part of a decade removed from the day he tucked his clubs away, letting dust collect so he could build a life away from the professional game — Smith found himself stalking a 25-foot putt for eagle on Saturday afternoon, tied for the lead with two college sophomores on the final hole of the 96th Idaho Men’s Amateur Championship. And just like that day at Midland Country Club, he arrived at BanBury Golf Course two strokes off the lead and walked away flexing his clutch gene and holding the trophy.

“I’m just flooded with emotions,” Smith said after the round. “We spoke yesterday — yes, maybe I don’t care as much as I used to, but I still care a lot. And this means a lot, especially getting it done on the last hole. You always want to see your competitor do something exceptional to beat you — you don’t want to win on a mistake — and I felt like I went out and took it from them. That’s rare.”

Left to right: McArthur and his father, Smith up ahead in his cart, Lekkerkerk and his girlfriend — all making their way down the 7th.

Before that putt tumbled into the heart of the hole, Smith entered the final round as the least known commodity in the final pairing — despite his professional pedigree. Derek Lekkerkerk stood on the first tee at 10-under par with a two stroke lead over Smith and recent IGA Junior standout Ashton McArthur.

Lekkerkerk had posted bogey-free scores of 30 on BanBury’s front nine each of the first two days, and used a birdie-birdie finish to get into the clubhouse Friday after a rare double-bogey at the brutish, water-laden par-3 14th. The Twin Falls native was seeking his second IGA Championship of the summer — winning the Match Play for a second consecutive year in June — and stormed into the Men’s Amateur after a deep run into the semifinals at the PNGA Men’s Amateur. McArthur was coming off a Friday 63 (-8) and is a player that Idaho’s elite amateurs have increasingly recognized as one of the most talented southern-Idaho golf products in recent memory.

“It was an absolute dogfight out there today,” Smith said. “The two guys I played with were exceptional young players; I look forward to watching them continue in the game — their careers are on a great trajectory.”

After a trio of opening pars, Smith flagged his approach into the par-5 2nd to inside of 10 feet, looking at a putt for eagle to presumably close the gap if not take the lead. But then Lekkerkerk hit his approach into less that two feet. Smith made his, Lekkerkerk cleaned up, and the lead remained unchanged. McArthur made par, falling two stokes back of Smith.

After Lekkerkerk made bogey from the bunker on the par-3 3rd, his lead shrunk to one. On the par-5 4th, Lekkerkerk found the left trees and scrambled his way up to the green. Smith then holed his green-side bunker shot for his second eagle in three holes, and Lekkerkerk missed his birdie effort.

Smith had taken his first outright lead of the tournament.

But Lekkerkerk fired back on the par-3 5th, holing a 20-foot put for birdie as Smith two putt from off the green for par. They were tied at the top again. McArthur also made birdie, keeping himself within striking distance of his playing partners.

All three players missed good looks at birdie on the 6th. Then Lekkerkerk and Smith found themselves with nearly identical putts short of the hole on the 7th. Lekkerkerk makes. Smith misses. Lekkerkerk leads again.

Lekkerkerk sent his tee shot at the on the par-3 8th hooking toward the water, taking one long hop before it disappeared into the reeds. Smith, possibly spooked by the prospect of a rightward miss, found the left bunker. McArthur showed them how it was done, hitting a proper shot at the middle of the green. Lekkerkerk caught his chip heavy, leaving himself a good 15-20 feet for bogey and Smith continued his bunker clinic, knocking one inside three feet for his par. Then Lekkerkerk poured his bogey putt in the center to keep a share of the lead.

Lekkerkerk would go on to bogey the ninth, handing the lead back to Smith who would make par. But, in a predictable fashion at this point, Lekkerkerk made birdie at the 10th, taking back a share of the lead. And when Smith found trouble at the 11th, Lekkerkerk’s par gave him the outright lead once again.

McArthur’s approach into 12

But this trend of yo-yoing leads would not let up. Lekkerkerk’s tee shot on the strategic par-5 12th found the water as he attempted to lay up with an iron, and both McArthur and Smith took outrageous lines up over the trees into the second portion of fairway. (If you’ve never played BanBury, reaching the second portion of fairway off the back tee is NOT the recommended line of play). Lekkerkerk failed to scramble his way in for par, tapping in for bogey after Smith and McArthur cleaned up for routine birdies.

Two shot swing, Smith leads at -12. Lekkerkerk -11. McArthur -10.

The 13th featured a rare laps in Smith’s bunker play, leaving himself a slippery 12-footer down the hill for par — he missed to fall back into a share of the lead.

McArthur and Lekkerkerk made routine pars, and then the final pairing held their breath and made a trio of bogeys at the often-disastrous par-3 14th.

Smith’s bunker shot into 12

The fifteenth gave all three players fair looks at birdie, but this time it was McArthur who would pay it off, bringing the final pairing into a deadlock at the top of the leaderboard at -10.

Smith nearly holed his chip on the par-3 16th, but the trio moved onto the gettable 17th where all three players missed birdie putts on nearly identical lines long of the hole — setting the stage for a three-way tie and a par-5 finish.

Finding the right trees, Lekkerkerk played first. Then McArthur and Smith followed each other with gargantuan drives into the heart of the fairway. Lekkerkerk, forced to lay up, knocked his second inside 100 yards, opening the door to McArthur and Smith. McArthur’s approach looked perfect in the air, but whether it be the heat or adrenaline, his ball pitched just over the green, leaving a delicate chip some 15 feet above the hole.

This was a moment where Smith’s background in big moments at the highest level seemed to be giving him an edge. He found the middle of the green, playing away from the tucked left pin over the water, leaving himself a quality look at eagle from 25-feet. Lekkerkerk played up and two putt for par. McArthur left his chip three feet left of the hole.

Then Smith did his thing, finding the middle of the cup right when mattered most.

“It’s difficult to win golf tournaments,” Smith said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time — with a hiatus — but it never gets any better. You have to celebrate these times because golf is full of disappointment more often then it is with success. And so when it happens it’s really special — I feel blessed to be in this moment and I’m just thankful that everything came together.”

Smith’s victory earns him a spot in the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship. Last year, he made a deep run into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. He will join the 95th Idaho Men’s Amateur Champion, Trevor Garus, at Hazeltine National Golf Club next month, who is making his second consecutive appearance in the championship after making it through final qualifying last week.

Garus used a Saturday 65 to finish in a tie for 4th behind Lekkerkerk.

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The Shosted Show: 2024 Women’s Amateur Championship 

Shosted with her tee shot on 18 in the final round.

By: Shane René, USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern

Dominance, at times, can feel random and hard to source.  

A fruitful warm-up can emerge abruptly from weeks of hemorrhaging confidence with every club in the bag. Putters are known to wake from a slumber without warning, like a moody toddler in the middle of the night demanding (the bottom of) a cup of apple juice. Sometimes trees really do feel like they are 90% air – a crop of divine and leafy shepherds keeping your ball on the short grass. 

After a seven-birdie opening round of 66 on Monday to lift herself five shots clear of the field, Leighton Shosted pointed to a common set of factors for her dominant play. Powerful lashes with her driver found friendly pockets of the fairway. A good bounce here and there kept her momentum going. And her putter, of course, was feeling thirsty. 

Shosted with the Jean Lane Smith Cup.

But as Shosted’s lead shrunk from 12 shots to 10 on Wednesday afternoon, and she wept her way off the 18th green at Hillcrest Country Club as the 2024 Women’s Amateur Champion, it was clear that a much more human inspiration fueled her stunning wire-to-wire performance.     

“My freshman year of college my grandfather passed away,” she said, tears welling up again. “And I never really got to play in this event and have him watch... It’s just really cool to come back to Idaho and play good for him. I know that he’s looking down on me and is proud of me – so it’s really cool to have that.” 

Shosted and her father walking up the 18th hole.

Under her name on the leaderboard, Mesa, Arizona is credited as Shosted’s hometown – but her roots are set deep in Idaho. Speaking to the crowd with the Jean Lane Smith Cup by her side, she reflected on the memory of the lapel pins the Idaho Junior Tour handed out to winners in the early days of her competitive golf career and distant memories of playing Hillcrest Country Club when she was 12 years old.  

“From little eyes to big girl eyes – it's different,” she joked.   

Shosted and her family left Idaho when she was 12 years old but returned to the Treasure Valley for middle school. Before moving back to Arizona for high school, Shosted represented Idaho in the Girls’ Junior Americas Cup and the North Pacific Junior Ladies team event in 2017 when she was just 14 years old.   

With her father on the bag, the week unfolded like a homecoming celebration for Shosted. Reunited with old friends from her junior golf days as she gears up to transfer for her final year of college golf at the University of Tennessee, she’ll leave the Gem State with a blissful reminder of where her life in the game began.  

“I’m excited; I’m happy,” she said. “It’s fun to play in this event. This is my first time playing in it and I’ve always wanted to play in it. To come out and play well was fun.  

“And it was awesome to have my dad caddy for me – he did a good job.” 

Paired with Shosted in the final round, 2020 champion Brooke Patterson and defending champion Maddie Montoya did what they could to chip away at Shosted’s lead, but neither of them were able to get within more than eight shots. They both finished in a tie for second with 2022 Champion Carly Carter at five-over par.   

Gridley with the Vicki Mallea Cup.


MID-AMATEUR 

The dominance theme continued on the Mid-Amateur side of the 2024 Amateur Championships, with newly minted Mid-Am Madison Gridley cruising home to a five-stroke victory over defending champion Bailey Henley. 

“I’m feeling good – today was honestly a grind trying to keep it, ya know, below a certain score,” she said with a chuckle. 

Gridley graduated from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) this spring, qualifying her for Mid-Amateur competition in Idaho, and she made the most of that opportunity while competing in the Women’s Amateur and Mid- Amateur divisions. She finished T-6 in the Amateur.  

Along for the wire-to-wire victory was her caddy and former teammate Grayson Giboney, who she credited with keeping her on track for much of the week.  

“Me and my caddy Grayson just had fun the whole time – we played really smart,” she said. “That was honestly the key to this week, just golf management... I’m really glad he got to caddy for me because I don’t think I would have played as well without him.” 

In one of her first events without a team behind her, she reflected on what she missed and some of the comforts she had out at Hillcrest this week.  

“Golf is a very individual sport, so I do miss having the team aspect – just having those buddies to watch you coming in and support you,” she said. “So that felt really good today with Grayson and Christine (Cho) and my coach Fred was watching – so that felt kinda normal since being out of it. 

“I really wish I could have gotten my fifth year, but it’s okay – I'm good.”  

Bailey Henley finished in second place, 15 strokes clear of a small crop of former IGA champions including 1997 Women’s Amateur Champion Sheryl Scott, and former Mid-Am Champs Michelle Gooding-Badiola and Lori Harper. 

 

Women’s Amateur Banquet and Celebration  

Following the close of play on Tuesday afternoon, players and a cast of other women’s golf supporters in Idaho gathered for a banquet dinner to recognize the ever-richer community of women golfers in the Gem State.  

The 2024 Amateur Championships and Celebration marked an inaugural effort to give the Women’s Amateur its own stage away from the Men’s Amateur. In doing so, the Amateur and Mid-Amateur fields competed concurrently at a single venue.  

Joining Tuesday’s festivities was 2022 Mid-Amateur Champion Lori Harper to host a conversation with two-time Idaho Women’s Amateur Champion and former Stanford All-American Andrea Baxter-Bretz.  

Baxter-Bretz grew up playing on the Idaho Junior Tour and went on to play for the Stanford Cardinal (overlapping with none other than Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods) and earned first and second team All-American honors to go along with many top-finishes in major amateur and college events. 

Andrea Baxter-Bretz (w/ microphone) and Lori Harper.

Bretz turned professional after college and spent many years teaching at BanBury Golf Course in Eagle. In 2011, she was named Teacher of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Section PGA. As part of her discussion with Harper, she shared the following “isms” with the players in the room – many of whom are in or soon to be entering the college ranks.  

Andrea Baxter-Bretz “ISMS”  

  • Be fun to play with 

  • When you’re not practicing, somebody else is 

  • You are only as good as your last round  

  • Let your golf do the talking  

  • Work hard, play hard – have a non-golf outlet  

  • Tee it up for yourself