Honoring Jim Swartley's Time With the IGA
Try to think back to the last time you bought a new piece of furniture. You likely brought it home, and opened the box to begin assembling. Many of us try to pridefully push the assembly diagrams to the side, armed with the thoughts of “how hard can this really be?”
It’s nearly inevitable though, that we come back at some point to the instruction pamphlet. Whether it’s after staring at the pieces and parts for 15 minutes before we give up, or after we’ve finished the build and have five extra pieces left over.
If we were maybe a little more systematic and pragmatic in our approach though, we’d likely all learn that if we just slowed down and tried our hardest to learn the material and also learn why we’re doing it this way, that we’d be in a much better spot to operate from (and probably have a much sturdier piece of furniture).
It was almost 25 years ago that Jim Swartley started to wonder why about the game of golf. When he began to really think about it, it seemed so obvious.
“I thought that if I really wanted to learn to play the game of golf, I should know the rules. So, I started taking some rules seminars so that I knew what to do when something came up.”
That mentality didn’t stop there though for the retired Ophthalmologist. It wasn’t long after immersing himself in the rules of the game that he began to study a piece of golf paraphernalia that we all know (or at least think we do): the scorecard.
“I was so interested in the slope and course rating numbers, I knew I needed to educate myself a little more,” Swartley says.
So, it shouldn’t be surprising that he began volunteering for the Idaho Golf Associations Course Rating committee. It was there that Swartley learned the ins and outs of how courses in the state are rated for handicap purposes so that the game can be played fairly across a wide variety of players, with a wide variety of skills.
This all eventually led to Swartley becoming a member of the IGA’s Board of Directors, where he served as the secretary throughout his tenure. During that time, things at the IGA and within the state of Idaho changed. A lot.
“We’ve grown exponentially in our membership numbers as the state has grown, but we’ve also changed in many ways as far as our leadership, bylaws, and how the game is governed in Idaho,” Swartley says. “But I think the one place we’ve really grown is because of our President Russ (Peterson) and Lexie (VanAntwerp, Manager of Member Services). We’ve become so much more uniform in terms of how we rate courses, and how to make handicaps easily transferable. We’ve also become so much better at making sure that our handicap committees state-wide are well-informed and educated.”
After helping the IGA reach new heights, Swartley announced in December that he is retiring from his seat on the Board of Directors.
“Jim’s presence on the board of directors has been invaluable to the organization over the course of the last several years,” Caleb Cox, Executive Director for the IGA, said. “His leadership presence has shown us all what it means to be a team player with the IGA. His tireless efforts in improving the elements of the GHIN system in Idaho, both through being a course rater and through training others in the World Handicap System, have been second to none.”
Swartley will remain on the Course Rating Committee despite leaving the Board of Directors, and certainly hopes that the foundation he’s helped lay in the last few years serves the IGA well.
When asked if he had any advice for incoming Board members, Swartley was thoughtful but concise: “Really do your best to figure out where you can be the most useful. Finding the spot where you excel is maybe the best way you can help the organization.”
One has to wonder though if taking a page out of Swartley’s playbook is maybe not just a key to success in golf, but also in life. If we take a step back and just look at why we’re doing something, we can understand ways to make it better or more fulfilling so much easier.
After all, how hard can this game of golf really be?
Idaho Golf Association & Board of Directors Announce Annual Meeting Details
March 9, 2021
The Idaho Golf Association, and the Board of Directors have announced that the Annual Meeting for 2021 will take place virtually at 9 A.M. (MST) on Saturday, March 20.
To find out how you can participate in the meeting, please give the offices of the Idaho Golf Association a phone call at (208)342-4442.
Changes Coming for the 2021 Championship Season
With the Championship golf season fast approaching, the Idaho Golf Association would like to announce some new and exciting changes to not only tournament formats, but to the Championship schedule itself.
The 93rd IGA State Amateur Championship will be held at Falcon Crest Golf Course, July 8th-10th, 2021. This Championship has long had a history of great competition and great champions, and starting in 2021 three notable changes will be made to the tournament format to help continue the tradition of this event being of the highest caliber. The first of these changes will see an adjustment to the payout format, with only gross competition prizes being paid out for the event, eliminating the net payout aspect of the Championship. The field size will also be limited beginning this year to a maximum of 84 players, prioritizing the lowest handicap indexes of registered players. The final change introduces a cut after the second round (dependent on field size) to ensure the highest level of competition on the final day. This change in process not only allows for the highest level of competition to be maintained, it also allows for possible expansion to new venues without bringing the financial burden to participants.
With the changes to the IGA State Amateur beginning in 2021, this creates an opportunity for the introduction of a new Championship to be hosted in the state of Idaho. The Idaho Golf Association is excited to announce that Scotch Pines Golf Course will play host this year to the first IGA Net Amateur Championship, to be contested August 14th and 15th. While this will be the only event of its kind on the Championship schedule for Idaho, many states across the country host net only championships on an annual basis. We believe that this will be both a well-contested event, and will help bring a great concept to IGA Championships. The Net Amateur Championship will provide a flighted championship caliber experience to players of most any handicap level. This event will host both a men’s and women’s field, competing in a 36-hole individual stroke play format, where players are competing for net prizes only.
Finally for the 2021 Season, the Four-Ball Championship will take place June 3rd-5th, 2021 at Boise Ranch Golf Course. Last year the first round of the event was stroke play, which was meant to serve as qualifying round used to seed teams in to a match play format for the remainder of the event. This year the event will take place over the course of three days, with all rounds being played in the stroke play four-ball format, with a possible cut after the second round (depending on the size of field).
The Idaho Golf Association is beyond elated to add a ninth Championship to our schedule, while also introducing changes that we believe will only enhance the experience for our players around the state. We look forward to seeing you this summer, and can’t wait to get started!
View the 2021 Championship Schedule HERE
View the 2021 Tournament Books HERE
Two Idaho Golf Organizations Announce New Collaboration
BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Golf Association and the First Tee of Idaho announced on Monday that beginning this week, they will be co-tenants of a new office location on S Cole Rd, in Boise.
Though their mission statements may differ, both organizations are fixtures in the golf community throughout the state, and help to grow the game and enable participation in all age groups.
“We are so excited to share a space with the First Tee of Idaho,” said Caleb Cox, Executive Director at the Idaho Golf Association. “Though we’ll still operate independently from one another, we now also can collaborate on some new initiatives that we’ve been hopeful could happen for quite some time.”
“I’ve personally known the folks at the First Tee for a long time, so I’m extremely excited to be around them on a day to day basis,” added Cox.
Nick Blasius, the Executive Director of the First Tee of Idaho, echoed those sentiments, “We at the First Tee are elated to be under the same roof as the IGA. I’m excited at the prospect of collaborating with the Idaho Junior Tour, and helping make the game even more prominent in the state. Our main goal is to better the game of golf in Idaho and have a positive impact on youth in our communities, and I think this is a massive step in that direction.”
The new location is large enough to house the entirety of both staffs, meaning that all eight full-time employees will be under the same roof, working to push the game of golf forward in the state.
The office suite is located at 208 S Cole Rd.
The Idaho Golf Association’s contact number for phone is (208)342-4442.
The First Tee of Idaho’s contact number for phone is (208)938-3411.
2020 IGA Volunteer of the Year Announced
Kim Berrett
Boise, Idaho - 2020 has certainly been a strange year by most standards, but one thing, or one person rather, has been a constant just as he has in years gone by.
Kim Berrett, of Idaho Falls, has been named the Idaho Golf Association’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Kim’s presence is well known throughout the eastern side of the side, and chances are he may have worked on a club that you needed repaired at some point.
This year Kim went above and beyond his usual behind the scenes work to make sure that east Idaho was ready for the World Handicap system changeover.
“Kim spent countless hours traveling to numerous clubs in the Idaho Falls area and helping them transition to the World Handicap System software. He assisted in the efforts of IGA staff installing new GHIN posting machines, and providing tech support to Idaho Falls area golf clubs,” Caleb Cox, the IGA Executive Director, said. “In addition, Kim’s efforts were felt on site when Pinecrest served as the host site for the 2020 Idaho Junior Amateur, as he managed the golf cart fleet for spectators and IGA staff usage.”
Tim Reinke, PGA Professional at Pinecrest GC in Idaho Falls, has known Kim for over 38 years, and knows that people of Kim’s caliber don’t come around often.
“This year at Pinecrest, Kim took the time EVERY DAY to help get the 55 golf car fleet out of the shed each morning (around 5:30am). He was always enjoyable to talk to as he is always current on news events and the newest invention or discovery that happened in the world,” said Reinke. “We often times take the time to laugh about his dismal pay rate……..Zero. However, he refuses to be paid, and rather appreciates the time to “get going” early every day; a trait that he has done all his life.”
More than anything though, Kim is just the kind of person that you love to work and interact with, no matter what the project.
Reinke shared this final sentiment in reflection of Kim’s recognition, “He is always a true gentlemen and a fun person to be around. He feels most honored to be the IGA Volunteer of the Year; and I for one can truly say that he is most deserving. My only regret is that the IGA beat me to honoring him with this awesome volunteer award.”
Congratulations again to our IGA 2020 Volunteer of the Year award winner, Kim Berrett!
2020 IGA Tournament of Champions, presented by Silvies Valley Ranch
Women’s Champion, Kelli Ann Strand
Senior Women’s Champion, Stacey Camara
Senior Men’s Champion, Kip Reeder
Men’s Champion, Marc Rhoades
2020 IGA Tournament of Champions, Presented by Silvies Valley Ranch
Blue Lakes Country Club once again played host to the annual Tournament of Champions, which features club champions from all across the state vying to be the champions champion.
Great weather for early October meant lots of birdies were out there, and on the women’s side of things, Champion Kelli Ann Strand found all of them. After a first round 70 (-3), she was already seven shots clear, but that didn’t mean she was taking her foot off the gas. Round two saw seven birdies for the club champion from Challis GC , who finished the day with a 67 (-6), making her two day total an astounding 137 (-9).
The senior women’s division belonged to BanBury GC club champ, Stacey Camara, start to finish. A first round 75 (+2) was good enough for a two stroke lead going in to round two, and a 77 (+4) extended the lead two more, bringing the two day total to 152 (+6).
The senior men’s division saw plenty of action throughout the two day tournament, but in the end, even par was enough. McCall GC senior club champion, Kip Reeder, stayed steady both days posting consecutive even par rounds. That was good enough for a one shot victory over last year’s champ, Scott Masingill.
In the men’s division, the central mountains again made their presence known. McCall GC club champ, Marc Rhoades, posted a two day tournament total of 145 (+1) to outlast Keynan Fanslow, who shot 147 (+3). Rhoades shot rounds of 73, 72 to get the job done.
“Congratulations to all players who qualified to compete in the Tournament of Champions presented by Silvies Valley Ranch! Being invited to this event is a testament to your exceptional play and we were honored to host an event where we could celebrate your accomplishments this golf season! We hope you enjoyed this beautiful venue, and appreciate the effort it took for you to get here. Congratulations once again,” said Championship Director, Taylor Judy, after the tournament.
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
2020 Idaho Women's State Mid-Am - Final Round
Karen Darrington
Final Day - Idaho Women’s Mid-Amateur
The final round of the Idaho Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships at Jackpot Golf Club proved to be the round that let the legend grow.
Karen Darrington went wire-to-wire, and in the process, went back-to-back. With a tournament total of 225 (+9), the 2019 Women’s Mid-Am Champ became the 2020 champ as well, winning by three.
The first two rounds were nearly identical, with Darrington carefully plotting around the golf course. Rounds of 74-73 set Darrington up for success in the final round, but that didn’t mean that it would come easily.
The front nine on the final day only saw one birdie and a slew of bogies, but as she has done so many times before, Darrington dug her heels in and fought as hard as she could on the inward nine. A back nine 38 on the way to a final round 78 proved potent enough to give Darrington her 18th Idaho Golf Association Championship title.
Newly crowned Idaho Senior Women’s Am champ, Kareen Markle gave Darrington a run for her money, putting up a three day total of 228 (+12). Sandy Day rounded out the top three with a tournament total of 240 (+24).
Darrington was already the most decorated golfer in Idaho history, and with the 2020 Mid-Am title, she added to an already robust list. She now is an 18 time winner in IGA Championships, and will surely be working toward number 19 as soon as possible.
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
2020 Idaho Men's State Mid-Am - Final Round
Brady Stanger
Final Day - Idaho Men’s Mid-Amateur
The final round of the Idaho Men’s Mid-Amateur Championships at Jackpot Golf Club saw consistency prevail, and that sometimes you just need to trust the process.
Brady Stanger never shot a round over par for the week, and in the end, it was enough. He sustained runs of bogies, and at times, countered those with runs of birdies. When the dust settled though, it was consistency throughout all three rounds that shined brightest.
“I just kept making par putts. It didn’t matter if it was an uphill 8-footer, or downhill 3-footers, they just kept going in,” Stanger said after the final round. “We don’t normally play greens this fast, so I knew that if I could just keep making those putts or keep them close, I’d be in good shape.”
On the front nine of the final day, Stanger may have thought that things were slipping away. Making bogey on three straight holes, he fell out of the lead, but only for a moment. He managed to birdie three of the next seven to right the ship.
At the end of the week, Stanger made par on 36 of the 54 holes, and birdie on 11 holes. You might say that that’s a recipe for success.
Rounds of 70-71-71 brought his tournament total to 212, and was good enough to secure a one shot win. Stanger never left the top-5 all week, and was always within striking distance.
Lee Reed and Alan Barnhardt both made big runs on the final day, both posting rounds of 69. Reed made his move on the front nine, shooting three under to move into position, but stalled out on the way in. Barnhardt made a big move on the back nine, needing only 31 stokes to get in to the clubhouse.
Reed and Barnhardt finished with totals of 213 and 214, respectively.
Jackpot showed once again that sometimes bad streaks pop up, but if you can weather the storm, you’ll probably come out on top.
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
2020 Mid-Am - Day Two
Karen Darrington
Dan Stewart
Day Two - Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur
Day two of the 2020 Idaho Mid-Am in Jackpot, Nevada felt very similar to day one, but then the script was flipped as groups began to make the turn headed to the back nine.
Karen Darrington, the day one leader for the women, extended her lead from one to three at day’s end, posting a 73 (+1) that saw three bogies and 2 birdies.
Kareen Markle is in second after shooting a 75 (+3) for the second day in a row. The middle of the leaderboard saw the action today though on the women’s side. Sandy Day surged into third after posting an 81 (+9).
The top three women will play together in the final grouping tomorrow to decide the 2020 Women’s Mid-Am champion.
As the men began to make the turn though, conditions went from calm and serene, to windy and chaotic very quickly.
There were plenty of birdies out there though, and Dan Stewart might have found all of them. Stewart made five birdies in round number two on his way to a 68 (-4), leaving nothing but scorched earth behind him. He has a two stroke lead headed into the final round as he sits at -5 for the championship.
Day one co-leader Brady Stanger kept his foot on the gas as well, making three birdies en route to a 71 (-1) to bring his tournament total to -3. Stephen Hartnett made his move after posting a 70 (-2) on the day to put himself squarely in solo third, only two shots off of Stanger.
The third and final day of the 2020 Mid-Am is tomorrow, and a champion for both men and women will be crowned. Make sure to follow along throughout the weekend for more updates!
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
2020 Mid-Am - Day One
Day One - Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur
Day one of the 2020 Idaho Mid-Am in Jackpot, Nevada saw calm conditions, and a bunched up leaderboard on both the men’s and women’s side.
2019 Women’s Mid-Am champion, Karen Darrington, began her pursuit of a repeat in earnest, firing a very smooth 74 (+2). Darrington posted 37 on both sides on day one, and looked very comfortable plotting her way around the course.
She isn’t without company though.
Fresh off of a Senior Women’s title just over a week ago, Kareen Markle is hot on her heels after putting up a 75 (+3) to set her own pace after day one. Sheryl Scott rounds out the top-3 just four shots off Markle’s pace, with a 79 (+7).
Another defending champion on the men’s side had a pretty, pretty, pretty good day as well. 2019 Champion, Keynan Fanslow, put up a solid 70 (-2) to put himself in a tie for the top spot with Brady Stanger. They both shot identical numbers on both the front and back nines, but accomplished that feat in very different ways.
Stanger made three birdies in his first six holes on the back nine before giving a shot back to finish the round. Fanslow on the other hand, drove the green on the short par 4 14th hole, and then proceeded to make his put for an eagle two. He would make a few bogies and one more birdie to finish his round.
Lurking only one shot back at -1 (71) is Dan Stewart. Stewart made five birdies and an eagle en route to the -1 round, and looks to keep the momentum going heading in to round two.
Day two of the 2020 Mid-Am calls for great scoring conditions, and likely even lower numbers. Make sure to follow along throughout the weekend for more updates!
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
Men's Senior & Super Senior State Am - Final Round
Paul Lodge
Gary Vanier
Final Day - Idaho Men’s Senior & Super Senior Amateur
The final round of the Idaho Men’s Senior & Super Senior Championships at Jug Mountain saw two multiple-time winners, and they did it in amazing fashion.
Paul Lodge held the lead going into the final round of the Super Senior Championship, and kept his foot on the gas all the way through the final round, adding his name to the Super Senior trophy for the second time. Rounds of 73-72-70 brought Paul’s tournament total to 215, 10 shots clear of second place.
Lodge went bogey free on his final nine holes, making two birdies for good measure on the way in. The former University of New Mexico player made eight birdies for the week compared to seven bogies.
Kip Reeder (79) finished runner up with a three day total of 225. Brian McGourty (76) rounded out the group in third, with a three day total of 227.
At the end of Day Three for the Senior Men, it was two-time champion Gary Vanier that was the last man standing. An eagle and six birdies lead to a stellar 67, and a three day total of 210 (-6).
The week got off to a slow start for Vanier, shooting 74 on day one that included a 41 on the inward nine.
After that though, it was off to the races. He played the remaining 36 holes in eight under par, making only 4 bogies along the way.
“It’s watching battles between guys like this that make my bad heart tick well,” said Joe Malay during the trophy presentation, where he presented the Joe Malay cup to Vanier.
Calvin Fillmore posted a third round 74 to bring his tournament total to 213 (-3). Fillmore fought hard down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough. Scott Masingill rounded out the top three, shooting a final round 74 for a total of 220 (+4).
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
Women's Senior & Super Senior State Am - Final Round
Nancy Bastida
Kareen Markle
Final Day - Idaho Women’s Senior & Super Senior Amateur
The final day of the Idaho Women’s Senior & Super Senior Amateur Championship is in the books, and the 2020 champions have been crowned.
Nancy Bastida was the leader after round one, and after round three, she was the first ever Idaho Super Senior Amateur Champion. Surging ahead of the field with a final round 93 to bring her tournament total to 281. She is the first woman to have her name engraved on the Super Senior trophy.
Kris Hopkins fired a final round 101 to bring her tournament total to 288, and Joanne Odiaga shot a final round 105 for a total of 314.
Kareen Markle placed her name on the Karen Darrington Cup for the fourth time after posting a 75 to capture the title by five.
“I’m not sure whether to smile or cry,” Markle said during the trophy presentation.
The final round started with a little breathing room for Markle, after posting rounds of 77-74. Her tournament total of 226 was good enough for a five stroke victory.
Runner-up, Karen Darrington, fired a final round 76 to bring her tournament total to 231. Sheryl Scott rounded out the top three, shooting a three day total of 233 after a final round 79.
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
Men's and Women's Senior & Super Senior State Am - Day Two
Kris Hopkins
Kareen Markle
Paul Lodge
Calvin Fillmore
Day Two - Men’s and Women’s Senior & Super Senior State Amateur
Day two of the Idaho Men’s and Women’s Senior & Super Senior Championships saw a lot of movement on the leaderboards. Some of those names up top were new, and some were familiar.
Kris Hopkins trailed by two strokes starting the day on the Super Senior Women leaderboard, and at the end of the day she lead the way. Hopkins posted a 95 to take the lead (+43) over day one leader, Nancy Bastida, who shot 98 (+44). Joanne Odiaga rounded out the threesome, finishing the day with a +32, 104 (+65).
Kareen Markle put the pedal down on the back nine, and never looked back in round two. Finishing strong with a birdie on 18, Markle posted a stout 74, to take the lead by three. Sheryl Scott twinned her round one score, posting another 77 to bring her total for the championship to +10. Day 1 leader, Karen Darrington, is still lurking in third, just four shots back at +11 after posting a 79 in the second round.
Paul Lodge showed up to Jug Mountain with a score to settle, and it just so happens that that same score happened to be the low round for the Super Senior Men; 72. Lodge (+1) leads Kip Reeder (+2), and Mike Rawls (+4) heading into the final 18 hole stretch.
Calvin Fillmore was certainly in the mix after day one, and now he leads after day two. Posting a blistering 67, Fillmore leads the Senior Men at -5 for the championship, good enough for a four stroke lead. Fillmore has company though, with Gary Vanier (-1) shooting a solid 69 in round two, and day one leader Scott Masingill (+2) posting a 75 for the day.
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
Men's and Women's Senior & Super Senior State Am - Day One
Nancy Bastida
Karen Darrington
Greg Tatham
Kip Reeder
Scott Masingill
Day One - Men’s and Women’s Senior & Super Senior State Amateur
Usually, late August in McCall, Idaho feels like the perfect place to put your feet up and relax a little bit. At Jug Mountain Ranch on Thursday though, the air that hung over the golf course was not only filled with the light scent of smoke, it was also heavy in intensity.
The Super Senior Women lead the charge as the first group away at 9 am sharp, and at the end of the day Nancy Bastida lead the way shooting a +18 score of 90 to lead by two over Kris Hopkins who fired a score of +20 (92). Joanne Odiaga fought her way around the golf course, improving on her front nine score on the inward nine by nine strokes to finish the day with a +33, 105.
The Senior Women were hot on their heels with some familiar names at the top of the leaderboard. Karen Darrington began pursuit of her fourth consecutive title by posting the low round of the day, a four over par 76. She leads 3 other golfers at +5 in Sheryl Scott, Kelly Loeb, and Kareen Markle.
On the Men’s Super Senior side, it’s a very tight race. A two-way tie at the top is shared by Greg Tatham and Kip Reeder after they posted under par rounds of 71 (-1). Mike Rawls is right there in third after getting in to the clubhouse with an even par 72.
The Senior Men also saw a familiar name at the top, Scott Masingill. After a smooth 35 on the front nine, Masingill nearly left his card blemish free. A bogey on 18 though cut his lead to one, shooting a one-under 71. He leads Calvin Fillmore (E), and Bob Wheeler, Fran Matthias, and Gary Vanier (+2).
For full leaderboards, click HERE.
Clifford Masingill 1927-2020
On Thursday, August 13, 2020, the Idaho golf community said goodbye to a local legend and steward for the game in the state. The Idaho Golf Association would like to send our deepest condolences to the Masingill family.
2020 Idaho Junior Am - Day 3
Braylyn Bayer, Girls 13-14
Wheaton Ennis, Boys 13-14
Carly Carter, Girls 15-18
Lucas Rynearson, Boys 15-18
Idaho Junior - Round 3
The wind. Oh my goodness, the wind.
The final day of the Idaho Junior State Am saw Pinecrest Golf Course in its natural habitat. With a steady 25+ mile per hour breeze, the 13-14 year olds, and the 15-18 year olds took to the course to brave the elements. The results will blow you away.
The 13-14 year old girls were first off, and the first and second round leader was your leader at the end of round number three as well. Braylyn Bayer (2024) posted a third round 83 (+13) to take the title by two, and finished the tournament with a three day total of 242 (+32). Chloe Singpraseuth (2025) made a late round charge, making some clutch numbers coming in to shoot 79 (+9), and finish with a tournament total of 244 (+34). Avery Bayer (2024) rounded out the top three, posting an 81 (+11) for a three day total of 245 (+35).
The wire-to-wire finishes weren’t done yet. Wheaton Ennis (2024) tied the low round of the day, posting a rock solid 69 (-1) to bring his three day total fo 206 (-4). Teigen Brill (2026) and Reid Piron (2025) found themselves in the same spot that they started the day in, T-2. They matched one another with rounds of 74 (+4) on the day, which gave them a final tally of 215 (+5) for the championship.
In the 15-18 year old girls division, well, 2018 Champion Carly Carter (2021) came to play. Taking 74 (+4) strokes to get around, she finished the championship at 218 (+8), which was good enough for a two stroke victory. Elle McCord (2020) posted the round of the day on the girls side of things, an even par 70 for a tournament total of 220 (+10), finishing in solo second. Kelli Ann Strand (2022) completed the trio at the top after posting a 76 (+6) for a three day total of 223 (+13), and a solo third finish.
Keeping in step with the trend from the day, the boys 15-18 year old division finished with the same leader that it started round three with, Lucas Rynearson (2021). It was the tale of two nines for Rynearson, shooting a comfortable 34 on the outward side, and then managed to hang on on the way in to shoot 37 on the back. It was more than enough though, securing a two shot victory walking off the 18 green and into the week’s largest gallery. Zach Martin (2020) made a run, shooting 69 (-1) finishing at 213 (+3) in solo second. Carter Sheets (2021) shot 71 (+1) for the second straight day to finish in third at 214 (+4) for the week.
The Diamond Line Player of the Year Award was handed out at the completion of play today as well. The award is given to the player who accumulates the highest number of points based on finished throughout the season. The winners for the year are as follows:
Boys 12-U: Justin Anderson
Girls 12-U: Ella Wilson
Boys 13-14: Wheaton Ennis
Girls 13-14: Braylyn Bayer
Boys 15-18: Lucas Rynearson
Girls 15-18: Carly Carter
Everyone at the Idaho Junior Tour and Idaho Golf Association would like to extend our gratitude to all players and parents for your participation in the 2020 season. Thank you again, we’ll see you next year!
To view full results, click HERE.
2020 Idaho Junior Am - Day 2
Ella Wilson, Girls 10-12
Justin Anderson, Boys 10-12
Braylyn Bayer, Girls 13-14
Wheaton Ennis, Boys 13-14
Carly Carter, Girls 15-18
Lucas Rynearson, Boys 15-18
Idaho Junior Tour - Round 2
The second day of play was full of action, but maybe not the action you’d think
It all got started with the 12-U boys and girls divisions. On the girls side, it was an extremely tight race. Day 1 leader Mallory Higham (2026) fought till the very end, but some crucial late pars from Ella Wilson (2028) proved to be too much. Wilson shot a 38 on the back nine at Pinecrest to bring her two day total to 79, which gave her a one shot win. Cara Carter (2026) and Eliana Cho rounded out the top-3 with a two day total of 82.
For the boys, nine holes just weren’t enough to decide a champion. A three-way tie at the top gave the gallery at Pinecrest a real treat, as the sudden-death playoff determined first, second, and third. Justin Anderson (2026), Justin Krasselt (2027), and Ben Focke (2028) all shot a two day total of 66 to get into the playoff. Justin Anderson made a silky smooth stroke on the second hole of the playoff for birdie to secure the win.
The playoff though, wasn’t done yet. Krasselt and Focke went another three holes before second and third place was decided, with some incredible golf along the way. Krasselt made a great 4-footer for bogey on the fifth playoff hole to secure second.
After the playoff, it was the 18 hole crew’s turn.
“When it’s breezy, swing it easy.”
Surely that old golf adage was running through someone’s head during the afternoon wave, as Pinecrest really began to bare it’s teeth. With the wind kicking up, more and more players found themselves off-line and in the trees, and the bogies started to roll in.
Some were able to hang on though, and the round one leaders in both the boys and girls 13-14 year old division are also your round two leaders.
Braylyn Bayer (2024) leads by five after firing an 84 on day two, bringing her total to 159 (+19) for the championship. She is still trailed by her sister Avery Bayer (2024) at 164 (+24). Jane Barry (2024) made a move up the leaderboard with an 80 to bring her total to 165 (+25), and puts her in T-3 with Chloe Singprseuth (2025).
Wheaton Ennis (2024) leads the boys 13-14 division, fighting his way through the wind, and grinding out a 72 to bring his total to 137 (-3). He stands four shots clear of Reid Piron (2025) and Tiegen Brill (2026), who are knotted up at 141 (+1), and sit comfortably in T-2.
Carly Carter (2021) posted the round of the day for the girls to grab a commanding three stroke lead after posting a 70, to bring her championship total to 144 (+4). Day one leader, Kelli Ann Stand (2022), took a few steps backward after posting a 75, but she still sits alone in second at 147 (+7). Current Idaho Women’s State Am Champion, Brooke Patterson, finds herself in a tie for third with Gabrielle McCord at +10 (150).
The breeze really kicked up late, and wreaked havoc on the boys 15-18 year old leaderboard. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t some good scores posted though. 68 was the low number of the day, and it was shot by two players. Lucas Rynearson (2021) leads after Day 2 at 140 (E). The other 68 came from right behind him though, as Carter Williams (2023) sits at 141 (+1). Another Carter, Carter Sheets (2021), sits alone in third at 143 (+3). Ten players are within six of the lead.
Check out the full leaderboards here.
2020 Idaho Junior Am - Day 1
Dawson Moon
Kelli Ann Strand
Mallory Higham
Aiden Meyer
Braylyn Bayer
Wheaton Ennis
Idaho Junior Tour - Round 1
A day after the next big youth movement reared its head in the professional golf world, Idaho’s best juniors took to Pinecrest Golf Course in Idaho Falls for the first round of the Idaho Junior State Am, and you could say that players were feeling inspired.
The 15-18 year old boys and girls started the day, and the numbers were low early. Dawson Moon (2021) jumped out to a two-stroke lead with a 66 (-4). With only one bogey on each side, Moon kept the card nice and tidy. He’s followed closely by Zach Carter (2023) who posted a 68 (-2), and Hunter Eberhardt (2020) with a 69 (-1).
On the girls side, Kelli Ann Strand (2022) leads the way after posting a 72 (+2). Strand put up three birdies on the outward-nine, and then hung on to keep her lead on the inward half. She leads Gabrielle McCord (2020) at +3, and Carly Carter (2021) at +4.
The afternoon wave featured both the 13-14 year old boys and girls, and also the the 12-U boys and girls, with the 12-U crew playing the back nine only.
Mallory Higham (2026) leads the 12-U girls by one stroke after shooting a 5-over 39. After a shaky start, Higham righted the ship and made two birdies in her last 5 holes. Higham is trailed by Jada Nguyen (2025) at +6, and Ella Wilson (2028) and Eliana Cho (2026) at +7.
Aiden Meyer (2027) thought it would be a good day to have a good day, going low and posting a smooth 32. He leads three others, Justin Krasselt (2027), Ben Focke (2028), and Jacob McFarland (2026), who are all knotted up at -1.
The 13-14 year old crew wrapped up day one at Pinecrest, and they did it in style. Braylyn Bayer (2024) threw four birdies on her scorecard, and incidentally leads by four as well after shooting 75 (+5). She is chased by her sister Avery Bayer (2024) at +9, and Chloe Singpaseuth (2025) at +10.
The 13-14 year old boys proved exciting as well, with Wheaton Ennis (2024) posting the low round of the day, a five under 65, to lead by five strokes. With a lone bogey on the card, Ennis played the cleanest round of the day, with an eagle 3 on 11 to help the cause. Ennis is pursued by Reid Piron (2025) at even par, and Teigen Brill (2026) who sits at +2 for the championship.
Make sure to follow along tomorrow for scores and updates on all the action!
View full leaderboards HERE.
Hugo Townsend Goes Deep to Capture the 2020 State Am Title
Hugo Townsend
Day Three – Men’s State Amateur
You know that old saying in golf, “Sometimes a hole just fits your eye”? What if it was a whole nine holes that fit your eye?
The back nine at Elkhorn Golf Club might have been designed with Hugo Townsend in mind, or at least it seems like it. Townsend played the back nine at Elkhorn in a cumulative 11 strokes under par, shooting 33-31-33 throughout the week.
Starting the day a stroke behind the leaders, Townsend seemed to have stalled on the front nine, making one birdie and eight pars. Things started moving very quickly though on the back nine.
A bogey on 11 set him back for a moment, but a birdie on 13 put him just 2 shots back of Colt Sherrell.
Then it happened.
Townsend stuffed his approach on 15 and drained the putt, while Sherrell lipped out his par putt. A two shot swing.
Townsend had the honor on the 16th hole, a hole that had been shortened and was certainly reachable. Instead of giving it a go he elected to lay up just short. Then he played maybe the shot of the tournament. A crafty little bump and run into the hill in front of the green, letting it cozy to about three feet which he promptly buried for another birdie.
A routine par on 17, and a bogey for Sherrell gave Townsend a two shot lead headed to the 18th, and he never looked back. A very casual birdie on 18 brought him to -10 (206) for the tournament, and a comfortable win.
After losing his spring college season to the pandemic, Townsend sounded more relieved than excited after the round. “It just feels really good to play in a tournament. I’ve been working really hard in the gym and playing a lot with my teammates since I can’t go home (to Sweden) this summer. It just feels really good to have all the hard work pay off.”
At the end of the day, there’s certainly no better pay off than having a trophy waiting.
To view the full leaderboard click HERE.
Brooke Patterson Goes Wire-to-Wire to Win the 2020 Women's State Am
Brooke Patterson
Day Three – Women’s State Amateur
If you have a weak heart, don’t read this.
It took 75 shots in round three for Brooke Patterson to seal the deal at the 2020 Idaho Women’s State Am, but not all those shots carried the same palpability of the others.
There was that drive on one after being introduced as the leader, and the short iron on 11 to a few feet after bogey at 10, and the windy tee shot on 17 that forced her further to the right than she wanted to go, and the flip wedge on 18 that needed to be landed on a square the size of a blanket to win the tournament (catch the drift here?).
Yet, after all the nerve-wracking shots, Brooke kept her composure. It didn’t matter than it poured rain for 15 minutes on the 16th giving way to gusting winds, or that her playing partners were unrelenting throughout the day. She just stayed to the course, and found a way.
Brooke began the day with a two shot lead, and saw that lead get reduced to one quickly after two bogies and a birdie on the outward nine. But a timely birdie at 11 helped right the ship, and things were a little more steady the rest of the way in.
It didn’t come without charges from down the leaderboard though. Taylor Koch was red-hot after a front nine 32 to charge up to +5, eventually giving two shots back to finish with the only under par round of the day, a 70 (-2), to end her charge at +7 for the tournament.
The biggest charge though, came from Payton Fehringer. A front nine 35 put her squarely in contention, and after two birdies in the first 4 holes on the back, she was putting the pressure on Brooke. A few unforced errors on the last five holes ended the run though, finishing with an even par 72, ending the tournament at +4.
It just didn’t matter what came her way, Brooke held strong. The hug from her dad (and first time caddie) made all of the roller coaster twists and turns worth it.
And when she got off the ride that was the 2020 Idaho Women’s State Am at Elkhorn Golf Club, she had a trophy waiting for her.
To view the full leaderboard click HERE.