Jennifer Harper sinks a crucial par putt on 15 to keep her lead.
Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications
SUN VALLEY, Idaho—As players gathered from around the state, each representing their home course as its regular club championship winner, they looked to bring Elkhorn Golf Club to its knees before it beat them to the punch. Inclement weather loomed in the distance for both rounds of the 2022 Tournament of Champions, peaking its ugly head in and out—giving the IGA staff and players a brief scare each time it did.
What was meant as a celebration for those who qualified, still had the familiar ring to it that IGA Championships do. Still trying to have fun, the fields for both men and women still wanted to compete for the silver trophy and bragging rights back at their respective clubs. It was Jennifer Harper, the Sun Vally Resort Club Champion, who went wire-to-wire in her victory as she posted a 74-79=153 (+9). Jesse Hibler claimed victory on the men’s side as he posted a tournament-best 72-70=142 (-2)—being invited to the event as the 2019 TOC Champion.
Harper held strong all week as she was constantly pursued by the likes of Katie Dearing (Eagle Hills Club Champion) and Abby Black (The Club at Spurwing Club Champion). Dearing, who finished in second place, had found herself with two shots as the final women’s group made their way to the closing nine. Knowing no lead is safe in the game of golf, Harper remained steady as she had all week by executing shots like her huge 12-footer for par on the 15th hole. At one point during her round, Harper was heard saying, “I love long putts!”
Jesse Hibler shortens the dogleg-left par-4 17th with a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway.
Hibler, who is an absolute beast when it comes to ball striking, put on a clinic for all those who watched this fall weekend. Needing particular angles into some of these contoured greens, Hibler had his ball on a rope as he moved it around the course at will. Watching his competitors fade by the wayside, like first-round co-leader Marc Rhoades who shot an 83 (+11) on day two, Hibler continued to execute like he has all summer—finishing second at the IGA’s Mid-Amateur and then winning the PNGA’s Master-40 Men’s Championship. Even though Hibler did not have the most birdies in the field, he was the most consistent—eliminating crucial mistakes that happened to many this past weekend.
Playing at roughly 6,500 yards for the men and 5,300 yards for the women, Elkhorn GC had pulled out its bag of tricks as it provided a tough but fair venue for the men and women. With drivable par-4s like hole No. 1—which saw Dearing about pin-high in the bunker after her tee shot landed on the green—and par-5s that could be stretched northward of 650 yards, players were kept on their toes and forced to play every club in their bag. The field was forced into thinking its way around the course and had there been no rain, players could have pulled another Phil Mickelson from their repertoire by taking the driver out of the bag and going with multiple long irons or 3-woods instead.
Trying something new this year, players were welcomed to the event with walk-up songs during their opening rounds like those who competed in the Senior TOC event. Having been given the option to choose their songs, some participants selected traditional songs like Thunderstruck by AC/DC or Seven Nations Army by The White Stripes. On the other end, players who did not choose a song during the registration process were gifted a song by the IGA, which made for some kicks and giggles as players were welcomed to choices like Who Let the Dogs Out by Baha Men or Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson.
The IGA wanted to express its appreciation to all those who participated in its events this year and hope to see you all next year!
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