Written by Caleb Cox, Executive Director
I’ve always been intrigued by history books and by the people who have gone before us. I believe there is
a very important role for us all to play in preserving the history of the golf community, and the remembrance of the ones who brought us here.
It’s possible that, like myself, you may not have lived here long and are still experiencing things for the first time as an Idahoan. Still, others have lived here for many years and may remember the stories that have made up the history of Idaho golf.
I invite each of you to join me in the coming season in exploring and learning the history of the game in Idaho and remembering those who have blazed a trail for us today.
There are several endeavors that the IGA has embarked upon this year in the honor and preserving of our rich history. In previous writings, I announced that the IGA will be launching the Idaho Golf Hall of Fame. I am very pleased to say that the first class of members of the Idaho Golf Hall of Fame will be inducted in a ceremony scheduled to be held in the late summer of 2024.
This endeavor has been one that the IGA has been working on tirelessly and is an effort that we are greatly looking forward to launching in the coming months. Having an Idaho Golf Hall of Fame is a great looking glass for us to continue to honor those who have been major contributors to the wonderful history that this state possesses in the game.
In addition to the Hall of Fame, the IGA will be looking to bring back two different competitions from our history this year that possess great tradition in the IGA and will enhance our current events.
Jackie Gasser of Twin Falls was well known in the amateur golf community as a fun and lighthearted personality, a fierce competitor, and an individual dedicated to the support of amateur golf in the region. In addition, Jackie was a vital member of the IGA Board of Directors for more than a decade and a member of the PNGA Board of Directors for nine years.
Jackie Gasser (far right) competed in numerous IGA championships, including the event that was named after her.
In 1982, the Gasser Cup was created as a team trophy awarded within the Idaho Women’s Amateur competition. Pitting participants from across the state in a club vs club competition, the Gasser Cup was a staple of the Idaho Women’s Amateur for nearly 40 years and is sure to be an integral part of this competition in 2023.
Keith Stanwood was a PGA Professional at Purple Sage Golf Course in Caldwell. Keith was well-known and dedicated to the teaching and coaching of players. He was a two-time recipient of the Golf Professional of the Year in the Northern Chapter of the Rocky Mountain PGA.
Keith Stanwood
In 1987 the IGA created the Stanwood Cup as a memorial to Keith’s untimely and unfortunate passing. The Stanwood Cup was contested as part of the Idaho State Amateur for more than 30 years as a bragging rights competition for clubs around the state. The competition format is where the best two of three scores are taken each day from three-player teams from the top three handicaps of each club, thereby creating
a two-day team score where the best club team wins. This format was a stalwart of the State Amateur for many years, and we are very excited to bring it back to the Amateur in 2023.
These are the stories of loved ones of the IGA community, and it is truly an honor to begin this journey in learning and remembering the names of these icons of Idaho golf.