Age not a factor for Senior Amateur winner

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

JEROME, Idaho—It’s safe to say that no script was followed at this week’s Senior Amateur Championship.   Two first-time winners hoisted their respective trophies, while the third held it like it was their first. For a field featuring the top senior players in the state, both men and women, age seemed to be less of a factor than one would have imagined. And for being one of the more recognized courses on the “rota” for the Idaho Golf Association, Jerome Country Club proved it was once again worthy to host such a tournament by keeping players at even par or higher about 97 percent of the time—only yielding five sub-par rounds to the field for the week.

Having to play extra holes to capture his victory, Scott Masingill went 73-69-72 for a total of 214 (-2).

Senior Men’s Division

Standing in the middle of the fairway on No. 17, each player in the final group watched his opponents stick their approach shots close to the pin—each golfer having a birdie putt that was less than 10 feet. Vermeer, the leader by one at this point, was the furthest from the hole. Stepping up to his putt, he soon watched his ball barely miss and what would have been a huge advantage going into the final hole. Moments later, Vermeer’s lead disappeared as Masingill and Stephen Hartnett sunk their birdies to tie for the lead.

"You really have to play this golf course from the fairway,” Masingill said. “You have to drive it straight. There is disaster pretty much around every corner.”

With all three tied for the lead, Masingill and Vermeer had each hit their drives in the fairway. Hartnett, who had had the lead earlier in the day, put himself behind a tree and was left with a nearly impossible shot to the green. As players waited to hit their second shots, the group was asked to wait as a ruling needed to play out—causing the three players to anxiously wait for 10 minutes to hit what were already nerve-wracking shots before the delay.

The best Hartnett could do was punch the ball out short of the green—leaving himself an awkward 30-yard shot into a tucked pin. Masingill and Vermeer both hit their second shots roughly 15 feet from the hole. Despite each having a chance to win with a birdie—Hartnett’s chip over the green had eliminated him from the winner’s circle—neither could find the bottom of the cup with their putts.

"If you are playing halfway descent and you go through kind of a lousy stretch, you are OK,” Masingill explained. “If you don’t have that confidence going in and you go through a lousy stretch, you can just completely fall apart. I have been in both places.”

Extra holes it goes.

Each made par on the first extra hole, despite Masingill nearly going out of bounds with his tee shot. On the second hole, both players found the fairway. Masingill, whose tee shot was roughly 25 yards behind Vermeer, played his second to roughly 60 yards from the hole—giving himself a perfect distance and angle to what was another tight pin. Vermeer followed up by pulling his second shot right into the rough. Immediately gaining the advantage, Masingill nearly holed out for eagle and soon after watched his ball drop for birdie and the win after Vermeer couldn’t recover.

"Vermeer is a very, very difficult guy to beat,” Masingill said. “He is really consistent, really tough, [and] a good competitor. I really had to kind of  bear down the last couple of holes, and I was really able to hit the shots that I needed to hit.”

Masingill, who could be considered the G.O.A.T. when it comes to men’s golf in Idaho, had yet to etch his name on the Senior Men’s Amateur trophy until this point. At the age of 71, it is clear that he is not done yet and doesn’t plan on being done anytime soon.

CLICK HERE for the complete leaderboard.

Senior Men’s Division Payout

-1st Place Gross $550 Scott Masingill
-2nd Place Gross $400 Scott Vermeer
-3rd Place Gross $200 Stephen Hartnett
-4th Place Gross $100 Randal Cross

-1st Place Net $450 Bob Roberts
-2nd Place Net $300 John Austin
-3rd Place Net $150 Dan Pickens
-T4th Place Net $100 Bret Rupert
-T4th Place Net. $100 Steve Nelson

Hard work and perserverance pay off for first-time victor

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

JEROME, Idaho—It’s safe to say that no script was followed at this week’s Senior Amateur Championship.   Two first-time winners hoisted their respective trophies, while the third held it like it was their first. For a field featuring the top senior players in the state, both men and women, age seemed to be less of a factor than one would have imagined. And for being one of the more recognized courses on the “rota” for the Idaho Golf Association, Jerome Country Club proved it was once again worthy to host such a tournament by keeping players at even par or higher at about 97 percent of the time—only yielding five sub-par rounds to the field for the week.

Fran Matthias, who had to win it on the 54th hole, is crowned the champion of the Super-Senior Men’s division by posting scores of 74-76-74 to finish at 224 (+8).

Super-Senior Men’s Division

After moving to Idaho four years ago, Matthias hasn’t wanted many more things in life than to stand in the winner’s circle of an IGA Championship. He’s competed in various tournaments with hopes of breaking through but has pulled a U.S. Open Phil Mickelson (sorry to use his name for those who are anti-LIV) by finishing in second place on several occasions.

Having been in pursuit of Mike Rawls—the eventual runner-up in this event—for the four years he has been in Idaho (his words), Matthias finally found himself ahead of his playing competitor as he stood on the tee of the par-4 11th. Matthias had just watched the “Snake River part” as Rawls double-bogeyed the hole—producing a four-shot swing between the two and a narrow path to victory. Knowing that it wouldn’t be easy, Matthias buckled down and played the remainder of the tournament the way he knew how—having spent hours honing his game at the range and investing in clubs that were fitted specifically to his swing.

Matthias stated: “It was the first time I’ve been in the lead in a state championship tournament in my life, and instantly you can feel the nerves coming on. I thought ‘my goodness, you play a lot of golf, come on.’”

The lead dropped down to a single shot as Matthias bogeyed the difficult par-3 12th. Doing his best to maintain his lead, Matthias’ par putt lipped out on No. 17, and with frustration showing on his sleeve, Matthias approached the 18th tee box now tied for the lead and knowing this was what he had been working toward.

Probably wishing it didn’t have to come down to the final hole of the championship, the soon-to-be winner watched as Rawls sent his drive nearly out of bounds down the right side of the hole. With a little sense of peace, Matthias put his tee shot on the left side of the fairway, which gave him a perfect angle to the green with a back-right hole location.

"I thought here is an opening, so take advantage of it,” Matthias said. “So, I hit a good drive right down the middle, left-edge of the fairway…Thank goodness, we found [Mike’s] ball. I didn’t want to win with [him] going out of bounds.”

Rawls, having to hit his next two shots out from under a tree, left himself with a tough putt down the slope for par, while Matthias laid three just a few feet from the hole. Missing his putt, and knowing his errant tee shot may have cost him, Rawls walked away from the hole with his hands on his head as he shook it back and forth.

Matthias, having “never felt this nervous on a golf course before,” stepped up and knocked in his putt from about three feet for his first Super-Senior Men’s Amateur victory!

CLICK HERE for the complete leaderboard.

Super Senior Men’s Division Payout

-1st Place Gross $500 Fran Matthias
-2nd Place Gross $400 Mike Rawls
-3rd Place Gross $200 Bob Lutz

-1st Place Net $450 Joe Malay
-2nd Place Net $250 Mike Prohorenko
-3rd Place Net $150 Jody Boline

Humility in victory

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

JEROME, Idaho—It’s safe to say that no script was followed at this week’s Senior Amateur Championship. Two first-time winners hoisted their respective trophies, while the third held it like it was their first. For a field featuring the top senior players in the state, both men and women, age seemed to be less of a factor than one would have imagined. And for being one of the more recognized courses on the “rota” for the Idaho Golf Association, Jerome Country Club proved it was once again worthy to host such a tournament by keeping players at even par or higher at about 97 percent of the time—only yielding five sub-par rounds to the field for the week.

Karen Darrington claimed the title of victor for the Senior Women’s division—going 76-69-73 for a final score of 218 (+2).

Senior Women’s Division

Humbled would be the word to describe Darrington’s mood following what is now her EIGHTH Senior Women’s Amateur victory. In an event where even the trophy is named after her, Darrington proved yet again that her name will go down in Idaho golfing history as being one of the best players, of either sex, to compete in an IGA event.

Darrington stated: “It’s humbling. I really appreciate the IGA for naming it after me. That mean’s a lot. Some day I am not going to be here, and who knows what my legacy will be if I have a legacy…I just hope I can keep going.”

As day one finished, Darrington found herself trailing her Four-Ball partner, Kris Fenwick, by a stroke. In what may be considered an uncharacteristic round of golf for her, Darrington struggled to get anything going on that opening day. Despite only having one birdie to offset her five bogeys, the newly-crowned champion held tight and waited for another day to bounce back.

Round two was a day-to-night difference in terms of scoring for Darrington. Having made three bogeys, her ability to roll in four birdies and hole out for eagle on the ninth really separated her from her competition. While the rest of the women’s field continued to struggle with the contours and shot-shaping required at JCC, Darrington relied on experience, the confidence in her swing, and the trust she had in her caddie. Darrington left the course following her second round as the new leader in the clubhouse, and it was by a substantial margin: an eight-shot lead.

"This week, I really hit the ball probably as good as I have hit it all summer long,” Darrington said. “Hit my driver well and my irons. I really did miss a lot of putts, but I am not complaining. I had a really good week of hitting the ball.”

Though not quite as flashy as round two, Darrington continued to put her pedal to the metal as the gap between her and the remainder of the field grew larger and larger as the round progressed. Non-chalantaly, Darrington made the turn at one under par with a birdie on the first and eight straight pars to follow. Coming down the closing stretch, Darrington hit a couple of bumps as she made three bogeys in her first five holes on the back nine—having missed several four-footers, which would have stretched her already impressive margin of victory by more.

After sticking her tee shot on the par-3 15th to 12 feet, Darrington just missed her birdie putt and emphatically stated, “You got to be kidding me!”

As her round came to a close, the sizeable crowd that surrounded the 18th green cheered for Darrington and greeted her with hugs and congratulatory remarks—causing an even bigger smile to appear, and one might I add that may still be there.

CLICK HERE for the complete leaderboard.

Senior Women’s Division Payout

-1st Place Gross $400 Karen Darrington

-1st Place Net $300 Melinda Howard

A culture shift within golf that's benefitting all who play

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

Golf, just like society, has been evolving ever since its invention across the pond in the mid-1400s. The first written rules, named the Thirteen Articles, weren’t recorded until 1744 by a group that called themselves the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. It was 20 years later that golf changed from 22 holes to 18. The sport continued to grow and expand—making its way to the United States where the first American 18-hole course was built in Yonkers, New York, in 1888. Golf equipment changed as technology grew. (Thank goodness for that!) In current times, we have seen golf and its influence touch the four corners of the earth—providing an opportunity for all (young and old, black and white, male and female) to pick up their first club and start on a path one hardly ever leaves.

Golf has become universal, and we see evidence of that every day as people from around the world line up and down the fairways of country clubs and municipal tracks. Even beyond nationality or social class, we’ve seen the sport of golf become accessible to every person—as was hinted at earlier. The 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open proved just that—ensuring a path for anyone who desires to play or be a part of golf.

Evolution and change are key components of the IGA's figurative DNA and serve as the foundation for its products and services. The goal has always been to offer the best while constantly striving to improve. With change comes growth, and with growth comes quality.

Though evident from all facets of the IGA, the championship department is what is immediately recognized and open to public praise and scrutiny—showcasing at the highest level what the company is all about.

Championships for a long time have been under the care of men—who, I might add, have and continue to do a great job. But, as the culture within the golfing community continues to grow and shift in different directions, new ideas and ways of thinking are being introduced into tournament operations and the overall cognition of golf as more and more women work in this industry. The IGA staff is a perfect example of this by having a 2:1 ratio of women to men.

At the IGA, all championships and qualifiers are run and organized by Nicole Bird. As someone with quite a background in golf—many know her as the former head coach of the Boise State University Women's Golf Team—Bird brings a new and refreshing perspective and outlook to tournament golf. Her philosophy is unique and exactly what the IGA needs.

To help our members, and even those beyond the IGA’s jurisdiction, better understand her philosophical approach to tournament setup as the Manager of Rules and Competitions, Bird sat down to answer the following questions:

In your eyes, what is the most important aspect of your job/role as the Manager of Rules and Competitions? The most important aspect of my role is to set up championships in a manner that is fair and competitive for all players in the field so they all have a positive experience, regardless of their score. This includes choosing which golf course to host the event, as well as how the course is set up for the championship.

Being in a position traditionally held by males, what would you say might be some of the biggest differences between how you view a golf tournament and how it has always been done? Typically, a championship for male players is set up from the longest yardages, so whatever the back tee boxes say is where the men play. The course cannot get any longer. It may be shortened a bit, depending on the quality of players in the field, but it is traditionally set from a particular set of tees found on the scorecard. However, for women, the course can vary drastically because there are so many options for yardages. Females don’t usually play from the “tips,” but there are three to four different tee pads that can be used. When I coached college golf, I always designed the course with hole-by-hole yardages in mind, rather than just trying to get the total yardage that I liked. I think that helps me be more creative when it comes to setting up the tees for all divisions within championships, especially for the women. I’m not sure how many male tournament directors would think of things that way.

What are some of your greatest strengths as the Manager of Rules and Competitions?
I think my biggest strengths are that I’m detail-oriented and organized. The success of an event is in the little details and making sure nothing is overlooked.

In what ways have you helped championship golf in Idaho grow, and where do you hope to see things in the future? How will we get there?
I’m not sure that I have helped championship golf grow, yet, as I’ve only been in this position for a little over a year. However, I hope to do so as I run championships by making the experience a positive one for players so that more people will want to play in our events. I specifically want to help grow the women’s fields for our events, and I am working through some ideas on how to do that. It will include running championships for women differently than we do for men, such as flighting the event or creating more net opportunities. I hope in the future we can separate some of the fields into two different events instead of combining them because we have so many people who want to play!

What has been your greatest triumph when it comes to championship events? What was a key lesson you learned early on in your current role that has now positively influenced IGA events?
I’m not sure if I’ve had any triumphs yet, but I do feel a sense of pride when players tell me they enjoy my course setup or venue. I try really hard to think about how the architect intended the course to be played and what can make it fun for players, and possibly experience something different even on a course they routinely play. I learned early on as an intern for the AJGA how to mark courses and what to look for, and that is what I always go back to and think about when I’m setting up a course. I also send questionnaires after our events to get feedback to continue to improve. Criticism isn’t always easy, but if it is constructive, I really take it to heart. I try to figure out if that is what will be best for the field, and if it is, I make those little changes for the next event I run.

What made you want to be a tournament director? Favorite part of the job?
I love event planning from start to finish. I always thought I could be a party planner, but I know more about golf, so this is perfect. My favorite part is setting up the course and marking it. It’s peaceful to walk the course, paint, and see all of the beauty of nature.

How might someone know they are playing in a tournament that is run by Nicole Bird?
I would hope someone would know they are playing in a tournament I am running because it is challenging but fair, and it is well organized.

What goes into setting up a tournament? How long (roughly) does it take you from start to finish to put everything together for an event and see it out until the end?
Well, six months to a year ahead of time, I try to secure the golf course, which is the first step. But after that, it is about a month out to put everything together as far as coordinating the details of the course with the head pro or general manager, getting players registered, and sending out all of the information. About two days before the championship is when I start the actual course marking, choosing hole locations, putting up signage, etc. It is usually over about three days after the event when I can send the questionnaire to the players, finalize the payments with the golf course, and get all of the paperwork wrapped up.

Have you ever felt that you needed to prove you belong in this industry and your role?
No, I don’t feel the need to prove myself. I think my experience speaks for itself. I learned early on, right after I graduated from college, how to set up golf courses, and then I went into college coaching for almost 20 years. I’ve been involved in golf at the highest peak of all levels from the AJGA to NCAA Division I golf, to the LPGA Tour, and everything in between. I believe that qualifies me to do this job successfully and that players will trust me to set up a fair competition.

How would you describe the state of golf?
I think the state of golf as a whole is better than it’s ever been. Golf courses right now are flooded with people, and it’s difficult to get a tee time almost anywhere in the country. I think there has been a big spotlight on golf from so many different areas, and it’s just helping the sport to grow. Many opportunities didn’t exist just 20 years ago, such as Top Golf and other ways to play other than traditionally. But with these new ways to get involved as a player or as a career, it’s great for everyone!

As time continues to progress, so will the culture within golf. Changes will continue to happen, and the sport that millions of people around the world love will only get better—including in Idaho. The goal for the IGA is to continue to strengthen its men’s championships and grow its women’s—making sure the needs of each are met, and in this case, the championships being offered. It is safe to say that the right person is in charge to accomplish such a task in this ever-changing culture and demographic of Idahoan golfers.

Divisional plots thicken after opening round

Written by Isaac Staszkow, Championships Intern

After day one, Jerome Country Club proved an adequate challenge for the state’s best senior men and women. 

Swirling winds, muggy heat and small greens created a serious test for a field filled with seven senior women and 57 senior men—allowing only two competitors to shoot under par.

JCC reminded us all that consistency will win out in a war of attrition. 

Senior Men’s Divison

2021 Champion Scott Vermeer continued his success in the event by shooting a four under par 68 on the day to lead the Senior Men’s Division. 

His day one push was led by six birdies, four of which came on the back nine. 

This performance would have been reason for a celebration for most but not for Scott Vermeer. 

Following his bogey on the 18th, he stated, “That hole will haunt me,” as he headed to the practice green to roll some more putts. 

Super-Senior Men’s Division

Mike Rawls has taken the lead in the Super-Senior Men’s Division after round one—reminding us all that par is your best friend. 

While others bounced back and forth from birdie to bogey, Rawls stayed calm and parred on as he carded a total of 16 for the day. It was that consistent effort that has given him the two-shot lead on his closest contender. 

Senior Women’s Division 

After round one, the line between leader and challengers remained blurred as the top of the leaderboard filled up with well-known names full of rich herstories. 

Kris Fenwick has once again found herself with another opportunity to break through that figurative glass ceiling with a victory this week after having finished as the runner-up at the IGA Match Play earlier this year.

Tied for second at four over par are two more familiar faces: Karen Darrington (six-time winner of this event) and Stacey Camara. Both have proven they have more than enough firepower to make a run at the top on day two.

Potentially the most intreating story of the tournament is Shawna Ianson.

Finishing day one with a five over par 77, Ianson has found herself in contention despite the fact that she would typically play this event as a Super-Senior Woman.

For a complete look at the leaderboard, click here. 

Girls Junior Americas Cup Final Round

Helena, Mont.

The 44th Girls Junior Americas Cup at Green Meadow Country Club saw Southern California run away with the team competition after shooting a team score of 202 (-14) for the final round and totaling 620 (-28) a whopping 24 shots ahead of defending champion, Mexico.  The Mexican team posted a final round 209 (-7) to finish four-under-par for the event with a total of 644.

Arizona shot even par 216 in round three and took home the third place medal at 646 (-2) for the tournament.  Hawaii was even par 648 for the event after shooting 212 (-4) in the final round, good enough for fourth.  Rounding out the top five was Washington at eight-over-par 656 after a final day tally of 221. 

Each team score is based on the top three individual scores. 

In the individual competition, day two leader Jasmine Koo saw her lead vanish as Kelli Ann Strand of Idaho was on the course early putting together a strong showing.  It didn’t take long before Koo regained the lead with a late flourish eliminating any doubt.  Koo finished with five consecutive 3’s on holes 14-18.  That streak was six-under-par as she went birdie, par, eagle, birdie, eagle to complete her final round at 66 (-6) her best day of the event and capping a magnificent performance that saw Koo post three days in the 60s (69-67-66) for a 202 total and 14-under-par.  Koo made six birdies and two eagles on Thursday.

Strand, last year’s runner-up and soon-to-be Nebraska golfer made things interesting early as she went out in 32 (-3) on the front nine and starting four-under-par in her first four holes.  Strand was steady on the back nine with 35 (-2) to, but she didn’t have quite enough fire power in the end.  Strand closed with 67 (-5) and 205 (66-72-67) and 11-under for the tournament.

Kylie Chong, last year’s champion put together a strong closing round with 67 (-5) and birdied the final four holes to end the day capturing third place at 207 (-9).  Chong shot 68-72-67 over the three days to provide enough firepower with Koo to overwhelm the field in the team competition.

Raya Nakao of Hawaii tied for fourth after a stellar final round 66.  Nakao made only one bogey with five birdies and an eagle giving her a 209 total (70-73-66).  Gracie McGovern tied Nakao at 209 (67-72-70) with two days in red numbers.

Elise Lee of Southern California was sixth overall with 211 (-5) after shooting 71-71-69.  Kyra Ly of Oregon was seventh overall at 213 (-3) she posted 72-69-72. 

Mexico’s Larissa Carrillo posted the lowest round of the tournament with a 65.  Carrillo went out in 35 with a bogey and birdie and then turned it on during her closing round with 30 (-7) with an eagle and five birdies to close out her tournament.

Complete leaderboard can be found online here. 

Nick Dietzen

Executive Director (Montana State Golf Association)

Hiskey Family Legacy Still Growing in Idaho and Beyond →

by Michelle Hiskey

When you play certain tracks in southern Idaho like Twin Falls Golf Course and Highland Golf Course in Pocatello, you connect to the Hiskey family. Starting in the Great Depression of the 1930s, Pete Hiskey helped build and run many public courses.

And when you see PING golf equipment, that’s part of the story too. Babe Hiskey, the youngest of Pete’s three sons, was the first PGA TOUR player to win with PING irons.

Fifty years after winning the PGA TOUR’s Sahara Invitational, Babe Hiskey holds the original PING clubs he used in that tournament.

If you watched Scottie Scheffler win the 2022 Masters and solidify his ranking as the World’s No. 1 player, you got another peek at the Hiskey legacy. Scheffler met caddie Ted Scott through the PGA TOUR Bible Study, which was co-founded in 1965 by Babe and brother Jim Hiskey with Seattle native Kermit Zarley, all being players on the tour at the time, and which still flourishes on the tour today.

That’s the living story behind the Hiskey Family Cup, the new perpetual trophy given by the Idaho Golf Association to the winner of the Idaho Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Born in the family’s house on Burley (Idaho) Golf Course, a course which is now called River’s Edge, Babe played professionally for 25 years and won three PGA TOUR events.

Now in their 80s, Babe and Jim brought three generations of Hiskeys from around the country to Boise’s Crane Creek Country Club in September to bestow the 2021 Hiskey Family Cup to Alan Barnhardt, winner of that year’s Idaho Men’s Mid-Amateur.

“Golf has been a great game for our family,” said Jim’s son Pete Hiskey, who is now a high school golf coach in Annapolis, Md. “Golf has brought us together with a lot of friends.”

In the 1950s, it was one or the other of the three Hiskey brothers (Babe, Sonny, Jim, left to right) who would win eight of nine Idaho State Amateur titles.

Flat broke at the time, Babe Hiskey came out of nowhere to win the PGA TOUR’s Sahara Invitational in 1970. He is holding his son Bryant, and with him are his young daughter D’Anne, and his wife Eunice is holding their daughter Suzie. (Photos courtesy Babe Hiskey)

Jim (left) and Babe in September 2021 at Crane Creek, holding the Hiskey Family Cup.

In September 2021, the Hiskey family held a reunion at Crane Creek Country Club for the Idaho State Mid-Amateur, where they presented the Hiskey Family Cup, the championship’s perpetual trophy, to winner Alan Barnhardt.

After stocks crashed in 1929, the elder Pete Hiskey found employment building golf courses with the Works Progress Administration. He had little knowledge of golf, but did have an intense drive to take care of his growing family. He managed work crews and courses while his family lived on site.

Pete worked on or advised superintendents at many southern Idaho courses, including Blue Lakes Country Club and Riverside Golf Course. He retired as Pocatello’s superintendent of parks, and when he passed away, several Hiskey generations celebrated his life by playing Highland Golf Course.

Pete and wife Valna raised daughter Beverly and sons Peter Marion (Sonny), Jim and Bryant (Babe). From their house on the grounds of Twin Falls “Muni,” the boys played three holes on their way to the school bus.

In the 1950s, the brothers would win eight of nine Idaho State Amateur championships.

“Dad was ornery,” Babe said at a reception for the Mid-Amateur contestants last fall. “If we didn’t win, we didn’t want to come home. And Dad didn’t play a lick.”

Sonny became the first Hiskey to attend college. He led North Texas State to the NAIA golf championship, and Jim would help power the University of Houston to three NCAA national golf titles.

By the time Babe joined Jim at Houston, though, the family’s charmed life in golf had shattered.

In March 1956, Sonny was fulfilling his military service as he prepared to play the PGA TOUR. In a night-time Air Force training flight near Waco, Tex., his plane went down. He was 25.

While serving in the Air Force, Sonny Hiskey was killed in a plane crash in 1956, cutting short his attempt to play on the PGA TOUR.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to play golf anymore,” Jim recalled.

But by the mid-1960s, Babe was playing the PGA TOUR full-time and Jim part-time, a schedule that limited church attendance, which is why they formed the PGA TOUR Bible Study group.

On the tour, Babe struggled with his putting. In desperation, he listened to an engineer sell him on the handmade putters out of his car trunk. Karsten Solheim, who grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, had created PING golf clubs in his garage, and Babe got hooked. “He was almost like a dad to me,” Babe said.

He became one of the first tour players sponsored by PING, and helped talk other players to try the equipment. Babe’s victory in the 1970 Sahara Invitational was the first for the PING K-1 irons.

He had earlier won the 1965 Cajun Classic, and in 1972 he won the PGA TOUR’s National Team Championship with Zarley as his partner. Zarley, by then an established tour player, had won the PNGA Men’s Amateur in 1962.

Babe played 15 years on the PGA TOUR and a decade on the PGA Senior Tour. He and wife Eunice now live in Galveston, Tex., and have three children and six grandchildren.

Jim is a mentor to golfers around the world and co-author of “Choices of Champions: 8 Critical Decisions Winners Make to Power through Adversity.” He and wife Lorraine, who met as children in Twin Falls, now live in Annapolis, Md., and have three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

They are now busy making plans for their next family golf reunion in Idaho.

Michelle Hiskey is an Atlanta-based writer who attended Duke University on a golf scholarship. Her golf writing has appeared on USGA.org and ESPN.com, and in The New York Times.

Playing own game brings victory to Am winners

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho—If there is one thing to be taken from this year’s State Am and Women’s State Am it is that every golfer is different, and if you own your game, you have a chance. Distance off the tee or the age of a player doesn’t guarantee one a win. The book of golf doesn’t tell you how or what your approach to the game should be, and the winners proved that by writing their own chapters.

Carly Carter, the Women’s State Am winner, entered an elite club as the 89th winner of the event. Finishing at two-over-par for the championship, Carter pulled away from the field with a four-stroke victory over last year’s champion, Kelli Ann Strand. In the 94th playing of the State Amateur, it was the 43-year-old hometown hero who walked away victorious. Jeffrey Anderson signed his final scorecard to finish the tournament at seven-under-par—beating second-place finisher, Jake Slocum, by two strokes.

IT IS WHAT IT IS

Staring down a 50-footer for eagle on the second green, Carter found herself trailing perhaps the most confident female golfer in Idaho. Stepping up to hit the putt, Carter, just as she had all tournament long, struck the ball with confidence and watched it drop from deep. Quickly erasing the two-stroke deficit, Carter showed her playing partners that she was there to play and wasn’t going to go anywhere.

“I came into today [knowing] it was going to be tough with [Strand], especially coming from behind,” Carter said. “But, I just came into it, and I [told myself] I was going to play as good as [I] can…The eagle on two really helped get things going because then it was all square.”

Fast forward to the turn, Carter and Strand found themselves locked in a battle for the ages. Brooke Patterson, the first-round leader, had shot herself out of contention with four bogeys and a double-bogey on the front—making the remaining nine holes a two-woman contest for the Jean Lane Smith Cup.

Carter decided to take a page out of Strand’s playbook by pulling driver on the short par-4 13th. While Carter knocked it nearly hole-high in the left rough, Strand laid back off the tee—sticking her approach shot to five feet. Strand walked away from the hole with a one-shot lead after Carter failed to take advantage of the great drive.

Carly Carter (middle) posing with family following her Women’s State Am winner.

Momentum didn’t last long for Strand as the tides began to turn in favor of Carter. Doing as she had all day, Carter hit a solid drive on the next hole and then found herself walking off the green with a solid two-putt par.

Strand, on the other hand, gave up her lead and left the 14th hole trailing by one. In what was a case of bad luck, Strand’s third shot ricocheted off the flagstick back to the front part of the green, and then proceeded to three-putt for double bogey.

Carter continued her strong play as she sank a 10-footer for birdie on the next hole, while Strand left her birdie attempt short.

“I think on hole 15, I made a birdie there,” she said. “I was one or two up at that point with a couple of holes to play. Then I [told myself to] just stick with it, and see how low you can go from here.”

Fast-forwarding again, but this time to the final hole of the event. Carter striped her tee shot down the middle of the fairway and then proceeded to hit the 3-wood of her life near the front of the green. With pressure mounting and a need to hit a similar shot to Carter’s, Strand pull-hooked her second into the trees left of the green—sealing her fate and Carter’s.

Tapping in her two-foot birdie, the crowd that had gathered around 18 erupted in cheers for the newest winner of the Women’s State Amateur.

Following the trophy presentation and a plethora of congratulations, Carter sloganed her round with the phrase “It is what it is.” She explained that no matter what had happened, good or bad, it happened and there was nothing you could do about it.

Carter said: “I knew it could keep changing throughout the round. So, whatever ended up happening, happened, and it just happened to be in my favor, which obviously is good.”

She played her game: fun, fast and loosy-goosy—a method that gave her the win and a share of the course record for women. She marathoned the event to her own beat and walked away victorious.

“On, Wisconsin” as they say.

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

1- Carly Carter (+2)
2- Kelli Ann Strand (+6)
3- Emily Cadwell (+13)
4- Brooke Patterson (+14)
5- Madison Gridley (+22)
T6- Claire Moon (+24)
T6- Gabrielle McCord (+24)
T6- Lauren Parish (+24)
T10- Lindsey Lloyd (+25)
T10- Emmy Sundby (+25


Women’s State Amateur Payout

1st Place $850
2nd Place $600
3rd Place $450
4th Place $325
5th Place $200

A WIN IN WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE HIS LAST AMATEUR

Beginning his round with two bogeys in his first six holes, Anderson found himself in a position that he had not been in all week—trailing. It was his home course, one he had grown up playing ever since he could first lift a golf club. He was one of the favorites to win the event—being the course-record holder at Idaho Falls Country Club.

Knowing something needed to change, Anderson reflected on advice his son had given him prior to the round: “Dad, sometimes you get frustrated…if it’s not going your way…Just relax. You can make a ton of birdies out here at this golf course, and you can always turn it on.”

Bouncing back from a rough start, Anderson chipped in for a birdie on seven and gained the momentum he had desperately desired—claiming his chip was a good chip but a lucky one at that. Anderson then went on to birdie the eighth to get back to his original score of four-under-par.

Anderson then continued what was an impressive showing of ball-striking. Only being out of position once or twice off the tee for the entire week, yes, the entire week, Anderson hit fairway after fairway and green after green. Placing the pressure on his playing partners and the rest of the State Am field as he continued to trust his game and self with each shot.

“I hit my driver in play all week,” Anderson said. “With my driver, I was never out of position. I was in play all the time..My wedge game and iron game [were] so good this week. I shoot 66 the first day, 31 on the back, and I probably hit it better on the front…I just never made a putt…My ball-striking was really good this week.”

Jeffrey Anderson (center) poses with his wife and children as the newest State Am winner.

After hitting his approach shot over the 14th green, Anderson hit what one spectator called “his second-best hit” after his chip-in on seven. He proceeded to show his soft touch around the greens at IFCC by leaving his chip just inches from the cup on a hole that had a green sloping back to front.

Staying steady at six-under-par, the final group was forced to wait nearly 10 minutes on the 18th tee box as the group in front of them waited to hit their shots into the green.

Wondering away from the small group, Anderson waited patiently in the shade by himself. Preparing for what might be the biggest accomplishment of his golfing “career,” Anderson had checked the leaderboard and saw someone from one of the groups ahead of him had nearly caught him and sat with the lead in the clubhouse at five-under-par.

Knowing that he needed par or better to avoid a playoff with Slocum, the now runner-up, Anderson put his ball in the middle of the fairway off the tee. He then flushed his approach shot to 10 feet on the par-5.

“I already knew [where I stood because] I looked at the scores,” Anderson said. “I had three putts to still win by one. So, it was just staying in the moment.”

After tapping in for a birdie and claiming the next line on the Scott Masinglill Cup—who actually participated in the event this week at the age of 70 and carded a final round 69 (-3)—Anderson lifted his arms over his head in response to the elation felt from a goal he had always wanted: winning the State Amateur at his home club.

“I didn’t know if this day would ever happen,” he stated. “At this point in my career, this was the course that I felt that if I was ever going to win it that this was the place I was going to do it…I’ll probably play another State Am now that I have won, but this was actually, in my mind, going to be my last State Am.”

After what was a long, hot week in Idaho Falls, Anderson was sure to sleep well as the newest winner of the State Amateur.

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

1- Jeffrey Anderson (-7)
2. Jake Slocum (-5)
3. Nate Smith (-4)
4. Zachary Martin (-2)
T5- Tanner Higham (-1)
T5- Kristopher Sayer (-1)
7- Jason Struhs (E)
T8- Austin French (+1)
T8- Seth Jones (+1)
10- David Bishop (+2)


State Amateur Payout

1st Place $850
2nd Place $600
3rd Place $500
4th Place $450
T-5th Place $375
T-5th Place $375
7th Place $300
T-8th Place $265
T-8th Place $265
10th Place $225
T-11th Place $180
T-11th Place $180
T-11th Place $180
T-14th Place $130
T-14th Place $130
16th Place $100
17th Place $80
T-18th Place $80
T-18th Place $80
20th Place $80

A big thank you to the entire staff at Idaho Falls Country Club! Our next event will be the Senior Amateur at Jerome Country Club from August 4-6, 2022. Click HERE for a complete look at both the Women’s State Amateur and State Amateur leaderboards.

Scoring conditions get tougher

The pressure mounted during Friday’s second rounds of the State Am and Women’s State Am at Idaho Falls Country Club. For the men, the cutline fell at 16-over-par, eliminating half of the field from tomorrow’s final round. For the women, it was the true definition of “Moving Day” as players slid up and down the leaderboard—having no cut due to the women having a smaller field size.

Kelli Ann Strand (+3) finished the day with a two-shot lead over Carly Carter (+5) as the current leader of the Women’s State Am. After an impressive five-under-par round, Ashton McArthur (-4) caught the first-round leader, Jeffrey Anderson, to tie for first with one round to go in the State Am.

STATE AMATEUR

With the greens firming up at IFCC due to rising temperatures, players in the State Am field found themselves having to work just a little harder than on day one to stay in contention for the coveted trophy. Despite the scoring average (80.16) being the same for both days, it was apparent that the players were having to scramble for par, and perhaps bogey, more often than their opening 18.

It was McArthur, however, who made the biggest move on day two with his 67 (-5). With only four other male competitors shooting in the red, McArthur bested the next lowest score by three shots—set by Nate Smith and Toby Header with a two-under-par 70. On putting surfaces that have been giving the field fits all week, McArthur defied the odds by rolling in nine birdies during his second round—bringing his birdie count to 13 for the week.

Will the kid from Rexburg, Idaho, take home the trophy tomorrow, or does the hometown hero, Anderson, have something else in mind? For all we know, it might be someone else!

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

T1- Ashton McArthur 73-67=140 (-4)
T1- Jeffrey Anderson 66-74=140 (-4)
T3- Kristopher Sayer 69-72=141 (-3)
T3- Seth Jones 70-71=141 (-3)
5- Austin French 71-71=142 (-2)
T6- Nate Smith 74-70=144 (E)
T6- Toby Heider 74-70=144 (E)
T6- Jake Slocum 71-73=144 (E)
T9- Zachary Martin 67-79=146 (+2)
T9- Jason Struhs 71-75=146 (+2)


WOMEN’S STATE AMATEUR

As mentioned above, round two was “Moving Day” at the Women’s State Am. Players shuffled up and down the leaderboard—creating major changes at the top of the standings. It was a near 50-50 split between the women regarding those who had improved their score in round two and those who did not. With most of that movement happening near the top, it became clear that there would be no clear-cut winner at this stage in the game.

The difference between days one and two was as clear as night and day for the women’s leader, Kelli Ann Strand. Shooting a three-under-par 69, Strand moved up five spots to claim the top line on the leaderboard. Rolling in seven birdies on a day where no other player shot under par, Strand proved no lead is safe with her in the field.

Strand will take her two-shot lead into Saturday with a target on her back as the ladies look to battle it out at IFCC to have their name etched as the 89th winner of the Women’s State Am.

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

1- Kelli Ann Strand 78-69=147 (+3)
2- Carly Carter 72-77=149 (+5)
3- Brooke Patterson 71-79=150 (+6)
4- Emmy Sundby 82-74=156 (+12)
T5- Rianna Garland 84-73=157 (+13)
T5- Emily Cadwell 75-82=157 (+13)
T7- Lauren Parish 77-82=159 (+15)
T7- Madison Gridley 85-74=159 (+15)
9- Lindsey Lloyd 80-80=160 (+16)
10- Gabrielle McCord 79-82=161 (+17)

Click HERE to see who made the cut at the State Amateur and a more in-depth look at the Women’s State Am leaderboard.

Make a statement early and come out swinging

Day one of the 2022 State Amateur and Women’s State Amateur proved to be a test for Idaho’s elite players. With 116 players to begin the week for the two championships—94 of them being men and 22 of them being women—only eight were able to shoot below par. With high temperatures baring down, Idaho Falls Country Club showed its teeth with its slopy greens and changes in elevation.

STATE AMATEUR

Jeffrey Anderson, the IFCC course-record holder, claimed the top spot as the leader in the clubhouse in the race for one of the Idaho Golf Association’s most coveted prizes: the Scott Masingill Cup. Posting a score of 66 (-6), Anderson had three birdies and two eagles to counter his lone bogey on the first.

With seven birdies to his name, Zachary Martin found himself one back of Anderson and the leader of the pack of those chasing the said player in first place.

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

1- Jeffrey Anderson 66 (-6)
2- Zachary Martin 67 (-5)
3- Kristopher Sayer 69 (-3)
4- Seth Jones 70 (-2)
T5- Jake Slocum 71 (-1)
T5- Austin French 71 (-1)
T5- Jason Struhs 71 (-1)
T8- Joe Gustavel 72 (E)
T8- Josh Nunamaker 72 (E)
T10- Ashton McArthur 73 (+1)
T10- Arnulfo Quintero 73 (+1)
T10- Nate Nelson 73 (+1)

WOMEN’S STATE AMATEUR

Brooke Patterson, the 2020 winner, found herself the lone woman under par after the opening round of play. On a day where scoring proved to be a little tougher for those with afternoon tee times, Patterson ground out a round of one-under-par 71. She circled three holes on her scorecard to overcome the two squares from holes two and 15.

Carly Carter’s even-par round left her just one shot back of Patterson and in second place. Playing alongside last year’s winner, Kelli Ann Strand, Carter’s front nine was more up and down with her three birdies and two bogeys in comparison to her single bogey on the back on hole No. 16. Sitting three shots behind and in third place, Emily Cadwell shot a three-over-par 75.

TOP-10 LEADERBOARD

1- Brooke Patterson 71 (-1)
2- Carly Carter 72 (E)
3- Emily Cadwell 75 (+3)
4- Lauren Parish 77 (+5)
5- Kelli Ann Strand 78 (+6)
6- Gabrielle McCord 79 (+7)
7- Lindsey Lloyd 80 (+8)
8- Tyler Erickson 81 (+9)
9- Emmy Sundby 82 (+10)
10- Ainsely Snyder 83 (+11)

Click HERE for a complete look at day one’s leaderboards!

Ms. Consistency

Written by Isaac Staszkow, IGA Championship Intern

Nampa, Idaho —On a hot Tuesday afternoon in the hills of Nampa, Idaho, Kelli Ann Strand secured her second win in less than a week by winning the U.S. Junior Girls’ Qualifier at Redhawk Golf Course.

After her round, Strand was relieved to say, “I did what I had to do to win.”

Following a double bogey on the fifth hole, where Strand hit her bunker shot out of bounce and struck a poor iron shot off the tee on the following hole, her caddie could only describe that stretch of holes as rough.

Strand, a native of Challis, Idaho, recovered from those slight struggles on the front as she birdied holes seven and nine to shoot two-under-par 34. She then signed for even par on the back to win by five strokes: 34-35—69 (-2).

Following our interview, Strand headed directly to the range to hit balls in the 90-degree heat… I guess you could say there is no rest for the best!

Finishing in second place and joining Strand at the 73rd U.S. Girls’ Junior at The Club at Olde Stone will be Natalie Vo from San Jose, California—who shot a 35-39—74 (+3) to finish tied for second place but beat out two other competitors in a playoff to advance.

In the U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier, the following individuals are those who claimed the available qualifying spots for the said event:

-Jay Leng Jr. 32-31—63 (-7)

  San Diego, California

-Jaden Dumdumaya 32-34—66 (-4)

  Fairfield, Californa

CLICK HERE for the complete leaderboard of each qualifier.

A week for records, high-seeded wins, consistency

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

BOISE, Idaho—What…A…Week…Not entirely sure there is a better way to describe what went down at the 2022 Match Play Championship than that. A journey through the figurative peaks and valleys of The River Club presented each golfer a chance to reach the summit or stumble by the wayside. Some caught lucky breaks that gave them new life; others were not as fortunate.

Five golfers separated themselves from their respected divisions to hoist their new, shiny hardware. In the Women’s Division, Kelli Ann Strand defeated Kris Fenwick, 5 and 3. In the Super-Senior Men’s Division, Mike Rawls defeated Fran Matthias, 2 and 1. In the Senior Men’s Division, Scott Vermeer defeated Bruce Robinett, 19 holes. In the Men’s Master-40 Division, Gilbert Livas defeated Garrett Stephenson, 2 and 1. In the Men’s Division, Seth Jones defeated Kyle Delorey, 1 up.

MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF

It was Tuesday afternoon on the 18th green. Strand was faced with a 10-foot putt that was ever so slightly downhill. After lining up her putt, and keeping her playing partners and caddie waiting in anticipation, Strand struck her putt and watched as her ball fell in the hole. Those present erupted in applause as each had just watched history take place.

Strand had just broken the course record at The River Club for women, carding a phenomenal 64 (-7) with her back-nine score equalling a 28 (-7)—a score that left many of us having to pick up our chins off the floor. Rightfully taking the No. 1 seed heading into the match-play portion of the event, Strand clearly made a name for herself and established the fact that she was the one to beat.

She explained: “So, I played OK on the front nine. I had two birdies, and then I had a double, so that was kind of disappointing…The back nine came around and just started playing good and [didn’t] care about my score that much…I know I was playing good but wasn’t sure exactly where I was at. I just kept making as many birdies as I could.”

To say she was in the zone would be the understatement of the century.

Kelli Ann Strand hits tee shot during the Final Match against opponent, Kris Fenwick.

When asked about what her greatest weapon was in regards to her golf game, Strand was quick to identify that her ability to hit the long bomb was a huge advantage—finding herself with more scoring opportunities than her opponents. With how the course caught her eye, Strand put the pedal to the metal each time she made the turn. Besides the 18 holes played during the stroke-play seeding round, Strand didn’t see holes 16-18 during any of her four matches.

"Honestly, I don’t really know how much different it was from the front nine like as far as my drives,” she said. “I think maybe a few of the holes were more gettable and I could get closer to the green on my drives. I don’t know, something was set up right for me there. I don’t know why I played better on the back nine, but maybe a few of the holes were more gettable.”

Despite being the youngest lady in the field, Strand got to truly test her game against the women who have both elevated and carried women’s golf in the state of Idaho for many years. From past champions like Karen Darrington and Sheryl Scott—both who watched Strand post her record-breaking round—to one of her mentors, Fenwick, who she ousted in the final match of the event. Having made a name for herself, if she hadn’t already, Strand looks ready to take the mantle in an effort to further women’s golf in Idaho.

When asked about her experience, she said: “Oh, it was super cool. It’s my first time playing match play, so it was a really cool experience. Even playing with older women who [are] super good…and have amazing short games.

Here are the matches that Strand won:

ROUND OF 16

(1) Kelli Ann Strand (BYE)

ROUND OF 8

(1) Kelli Ann Strand def. (8) Peggy Hicks, 6 and 5

ROUND OF 4

(1) Kelli Ann Strand def. (5) Abby Black, 5 and 3

FINALS

(1) Kelli Ann Strand def. (2) Kris Fenwick, 5 and 3

A BATTLE FROM ALL ANGLES

Finding himself two strokes over par after his first four holes of the event, Rawls knew things needed to change and needed to change fast. With seeding on the line and a chance to better control his destiny within the tournament, Rawls dug his heels in deep. Carding a final score of 73 (+2), the ship leveled out for the No. 1 seed in the Super-Senior Men’s Division. He used his trusty TaylorMade Spider to roll in three birdies during the remainder of the round to counter his bogey and double bogey.

Mike Rawls (right) shakes hands with Fran Matthias (left) after ending the match on 17.

It was then smooth sailing from there for the Super-Senior victor. Playing on his home course, Rawls used his local knowledge and a red hot putter to win his next three matches. Getting to play this course multiple times a week provided him with the advantage of knowing “where to hit the ball and miss it on the greens.”

"There are times, obviously, for all of us golfers that we go out and not have our best stuff in a certain portion of our games,” Rawls said. “So, you have to make up for that in other areas. For me, yesterday in the afternoon, I started struggling hitting the ball a little bit. [I was] getting a little tired, but I started putting better. I started making some putts and that sustained me…”

The common golf cliché “Drive for show and putt for dough” would be the perfect slogan for Rawls’ campaign trail through the Match Play Championship. There didn’t seem to be a putt that he would miss. At one moment during his finals match on Thursday morning, he was seen shrugging his shoulders as he walked off the green in complete amazement in response to the putts he was making.

Rawls said: “Putting is very important. Obviously, you got to get there at some point to have that opportunity to make a putt, but ya, it is very important.”

Here are the matches that Rawls won:

ROUND OF 8

(1) Mike Rawls def. (8) Mark Broz, 6 and 5

ROUND OF 4

(1) Mike Rawls def. (4) Bob Ianson, 2 and 1

FINALS

(1) Mike Rawls def. (2) Fran Matthias, 2 and 1

STAY TRUE TO YOU

Vermeer’s golf game in every facet could be described with a single word: “consistent.” Not only does the word consistent apply to his ability to find fairway after fairway, or to have a short game like the late Seve Ballesteros, but it applies to his demeanor or friendly nature with any person with whom he comes into contact, especially those he plays with during tournaments. And, that didn’t stop during the Match Play Championship.

I couldn’t help but notice it each time I interacted with him or simply observed Vermeer from a distance as I watched his matches. The most profound example that I saw came shortly after Robinett missed a crucial putt on the 19th hole of the Senior Men’s final match. Robinett’s putt scraped the side of the cup in an attempt to extend the match another hole. In what could have been a moment of total elation for Vermeer, he stayed consistent with who he is as he patted his playing competitor on the back and said something that brought a slight smile to Robinett’s face, which was then followed up by a small chuckle. Being kind and thoughtful toward others, Vermeer showed respect to his playing competitor.

Another example of Vermeer’s consistency came from an additional moment during his final match. Making the turn, I said hello to Vermeer and asked how his match was going by giving him a thumbs up and thumbs down. With a smile on his face, he gave me a thumbs down. He said it wasn’t going as well as he had hoped for. He quickly followed up his original statement, as he walked to the 10th tee, by saying the match wasn’t over. Even in a moment where he could have easily thrown in the towel and allowed for self-doubt to creep into his game, he stayed consistent in understanding every golfer has bad moments and that he belongs in this event and deserves to be there.

Scott Vermeer makes birdie putt on 19th hole to win the Men’s Senior Division.

“Overall, I thought I played really well,” Vermeer said. “I had three or four holes in a row that just kind of just fell apart on the last round. [I] brought it back together with some good thoughts. Instead of thinking bad things, it was ‘Just get in. You’ve been hitting the ball for a long time. Just put a good swing on it.’ {And], it paid off on the last hole.”

The last example of how Vermeer stayed true to this defining word was his play throughout the entire week, especially his short game. Despite the “slick greens” as he called them, Vermeer made the putts he was supposed to.

With smaller greens than most courses, golfers had to have the perfect touch when it came to their pitching and chipping. Vermeer’s chip from ten yards off the front of the green on the first playoff hole demonstrated this skill perfectly. Expecting for the ball to release once it landed on the green, he played a beautiful chip to a back hole location where he had stopped the ball about two feet from the hole—then hearing the ever-popular phrase “you’re good” from his playing partner.

With a slight grin on his face, Vermeer told me after his round: “Arnold Palmer said something…the more you practice, the luckier you get. I’ve been practicing quite a bit [and] taking a lot of time out at different courses.”

Maybe it would be safe to say in his case, “The more consistent you are, the luckier you get.”

Here are the matches that Vermeer won:

ROUND OF 16

(1) Scott Vermeer def. (16) Mike Pulsipher, 7 and 5

ROUND OF 8

(1) Scott Vermeer def. (8) Bret Rupert, 5 and 4

ROUND OF 4

(1) Scott Vermeer def. (5) Bo Davies, 3 and 1

FINALS

(1) Scott Vermeer def. (2) Bruce Robinett, 19 holes

CATCHING FIRE AT THE RIGHT TIME

Livas had hardly touched his sticks in the last month or so leading up to this week’s tournament. While others looked to be mid-stride when entering the event, Livas, for some reason or another, claimed to be a little rusty—using the qualifying stroke-play round as his way to shake off whatever rust there may have been. (Heck, if that is what rusty looks like, I’ll take it!)

It is safe to say that Livas got hot and found his game at the right time, especially with the flat stick. As mentioned above, the greens at The River Club were fast. They were measured at about a 12 on the stemp meter, similar to speeds that PGA Professionals play every week. Having been a former member of the club, Livas had “a sound understanding of the breaks and speeds of those greens”—giving him an advantage over his playing competitors.

Gilbert Livas hits a stinger off the tee on hole No. 13.

What impressed me when watching Livas play was the combination of length and accuracy off the tee. No, he didn’t hit every fairway but rarely was Livas too far off the short grass. When one has both distance and putting as strengths, it sure is hard to put out their flame. I even watched Gilbert send a stinger up the middle of hole 13 with his ball on an ignited string.

When your game is working as it did for Livas, any and every golf course opens up for creativity to be used throughout. Fades and draws could be used on the same shot. You could play bump and runs or the “one hop and stop” shots to show you can use spin.

Livas said: “There are some tough tee shots and so many different ways to play each hole…It really allows one to use their imagination. I pretty much utilized every type of shot I’m capable of hitting this week, and it’s that kind of playing that makes playing The River Club so enjoyable.”

Getting hot at the right time and in the right manner helped Livas make his way through one of the toughest brackets in the tournament with wins over the likes of Edward Hanson, Brian Swenson (who is always a tournament favorite) and Garrett Stephenson (another player who has been playing well and has been in contention at this year).

"I [am] ecstatic to be a participant this year and beyond elated to claim the championship trophy,” Livas stated. “I have won so many golf tournaments, but an IGA Championship has always eluded me. I’ve been close on many occasions but had just never managed to seal the deal. It certainly feels nice to finally win one!”

Here are the matches that Livas won:

ROUND OF 8

(5) Gilbert Livas def. (4) Edward Hanson, 1 up

ROUND OF 4

(5) Gilbert Livas def. (1) Brian Swenson, 3 and 2

FINALS

(5) Gilbert Livas def. (2) Garrett Stephenson, 2 and 1

WAIT…WHO?

Seth Jones walks in the winning putt on the 18th hole of the Men’s championship match.

Not much is known about this year’s Men’s Match Play champion: Seth Jones. Having come in under the radar, the hockey-first and now-turned IGA Champion has introduced himself to the IGA world. Just as the higher seeds in March Madness aren’t expected to make as much noise in the “Big Dance” as the better-seeded teams, so was the case at this year’s Match Play Championship; however, Jones pulled out the upset and made quite a bit of noise.

This soft-spoken assassin wasn’t someone who expressed his enthusiasm or confidence with the use of his vocal cords. He allowed his game to do the talking—blasting his ball off the tee close to 325 yards on average. Yet, Jones showed he had the discipline to lay back when a long-iron or hybrid was needed for better positioning into the green. Nowadays, many players deal with the consequences of a sprayed drive, as long as they have a short wedge or punch shot into the green for their second. Yet, when Jones chose to play aggressively, his chipping was on point as it helped him advance from match to match.

Jones said: “I think I hit only five greens the first day. I still shot 73. I think I chipped in twice…My putter and wedges saved me.”

In what was a battle of endurance with an extreme amount of heat bearing down on the golfers, Jones proved he could out tough and outlast the field. Having Tuesday’s round as his first look at The River Club, Jones continued to improve each match. Facing tough competition every day, Jones played the role of underdog beautifully.

Now, he can’t hide…

Here are the matches Jones won:

ROUND OF 16

(12) Seth Jones def. (5) Dustin Ianson, 2 up

ROUND OF 8

(12) Seth Jones def. (13) Colton Sisk, 2 and 1

ROUND OF 4

(12) Seth Jones def. (1) Jason Azzarito, 6 and 5

FINALS

(12) Seth Jones def. (10) Kyle Delorey, 1 up

FINAL THOUGHTS

The IGA wishes to express its gratitude to each individual who helped put on and participate in this event. The River Club was a phenomenal host, and the golf course was in great shape.

The next IGA Championship will be the State Amateur and Women’s State Amateur at Idaho Falls Country Club on July 7-9, 2022.

No one safe in first two rounds of Match Play

In what could be considered by some to be both the longest day of the year in Idaho (Summer Solstice) and the longest day of tournament golf for the Idaho Golf Association, Wednesday pushed players to the max at The River Club as the long day made the field grind from dawn to dusk. Some made short work of their opponents by finishing off their matches early—never reaching the No. 18 hole—while others grinded through extra holes.

Regardless of the route one took, each divisional bracket proved no player was safe as upsets happened both left and right. And despite the number of upsets, four of the five No. 1 seeds advanced to either their bracket’s Final Four or Finals matches that start this morning—the lone No. 1 seed not advancing came from the Men’s Master-40 as the No. 5 seed, Gilbert Livas, took down Brian Swenson.

Here is a look at how each of the brackets stand going into the final day of play.

WOMEN’S

SUPER-SENIOR MEN’S

SENIOR MEN’S

MEN’S MASTER-40

MEN’S

CLICK HERE for live scoring and a complete look at the leaderboard.

Women's course record set during opening-round seeding of 2022 Match Play Championship

History was recorded Tuesday afternoon as Kelli Ann Strand carded an impressive 64 (-7) en route to her taking the No. 1 seed in the Women’s Match Play bracket. With what was a course-record round for any lady, Strand played her back nine in style with five birdies and an eagle to shoot a 28 (-7)—an impressive nine-hole score by even a pro’s standards.

Jason Azzarito was only a shot off the course record with his impressive six-under-par, 65. Taking the No. 1 seed in the Men’s Match Play bracket, Azzarito’s lone dropped shot was his bogey on the par-3 14th.

Brian Swenson, the No. 1 seed in the Men’s Master-40 Match Play bracket, also found himself in the red by shooting a two-under-par, 69. Scott Vermeer had the lone sub-par round in the Senior Men’s Division—shooting a 68 (-3)—to claim that division’s No.1 seed. Last but not least, Mike Rawls bested the men in the Super-Senior Division by posting a two-over-par, 73, to take the No. 1 seed.

As play gets underway on day two, here is a look at the opening round of matches for each division:

WOMEN’S

SUPER-SENIOR MEN’S

SENIOR MEN’S

MEN’S MASTER-40

MEN’S

To follow today’s matches and the rest of the tournament, be sure to click here!

Ham and egging it essential at 2022 Four-Ball Championships

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media of Communications

BOISE, Idaho—Nestled just across the Idaho border is a course that—for only the fourth time in Idaho Golf Association history—played host to an IGA Championship event. Proving to be a hidden gem, Jackpot Golf Club welcomed the 2022 Four-Ball Championships in what was a phenomenal tournament for players in each of the three divisions: Men’s, Senior Men’s and Women’s.

Despite decent weather the first two days—with the appearance of wind in the afternoon—Saturday’s final round proved to be a dog fight as the rain, wind and cooler temperatures looked to take any player hostage and away from the gleaming trophies for which they played. For two of the three divisions, it was whether or not the leaders could hold on to the lead. For the other, it was going to be who was left standing at the end of the day.

In the Women’s division, it was Karen Darrington and Kris Fenwick who posted a final round 73 (+1) to claim the title. The long-time friends finished with a score of 70-72-73=215 (-1). In the Senior Men’s division, the unstoppable duo of Jay Sutton and Dan Pickens claimed what is now their FIFTH win in a row at this event. The two shot a final round 70 (-2) to win by two. The defending champs finished with an overall score of 66-67-70 = 203 (-13). The Men’s division came down to the wire with three teams in contention, but it was Chris Boquette and Bryan Lawley who won by carding a six-under-par, 66. Going 65-67-66 = 198 (-18) for the tournament, the partners did just enough to leave Jackpot, Nevada, victorious.

Women’s Four-Ball Division Winners: Karen Darrington (left) and Kris Fenwick (right).

WOMEN’S FOUR-BALL DIVISION

You know when you have something special when your playing partner knows your game better than you do yourself, and that is exactly the case with this year’s winners in the Women’s division. Darrington and Fenwick, as mentioned above, have been friends for a long time. They’ve had the chance to play against each other on countless occasions in stroke-play events; however, when the opportunity presented itself to play together, it was too good to pass up. What both would describe as “having pretty similar games,” the two trusted each other to hit the necessary shots, no matter how much pressure there was.

“I think it is a really comfortable partnership,” Fenwick stated. “…She tells me where to hit it and which club to hit. It turns out great.”

It was evident during this championship that these two ladies would be hard to stop. When one of the two would hit a bad shot or have a bad hole, the other playing partner would come through with whatever was needed—whether that was making a crucial par-saving putt or simply providing support at any moment. Each shot was methodically talked out—putting equal weight on both teammates’ shoulders with a zero percent chance of a grudge being held if one couldn’t execute to perfection.

Following a momentum-saving par putt by Darrington on No.11, Fenwick emphatically shared her support by stating: “Boom! Nice putt!”

On a course that had its challenges—playing about 5,500 yards from the red IGA tees, consistently having windy and semi-wet conditions, and a greater elevation change than most courses in the Treasure Valley—Darrington and Fenwick used their length to their advantage, as well as their ball-striking. It was the perfect display of “driving for show and putting dough.” But in this case, both sides of the saying worked.

“I really love this golf course,” Darrington said. “I’ve played it many, many times. I feel real comfortable with it and the greens. The greens are tricky, and so I felt like we putted really well…There is a lot of local knowledge.”

The partnership worked so well that they beat the second-placed team, which was Stacey Camara and Peggy Hicks, by 13 shots! Knowing the course played tough, a final score of 228 (+12) for Hicks and Camara was impressive. It just speaks to how well the winners of this division played.

SENIOR MEN’S FOUR-BALL DIVISION

Excluding what some may call the “COVID Year,” the partnership of Pickens and Sutton did what many have tried to do and have rarely done in the past: win the same tournament five times in a row. Being challenged on the last day by the groups behind them, the two seniors went out and did what they have done so many times before: make birdies and bounce back quickly after finishing a hole over par. Saturday’s round was foolproof as the team responded with five birdies to their three bogeys.

“[On] the very first hole, [Glenn Coiner and Chris Damico] bombed it in from about [40 feet] for eagle,” Pickens said. “[Jay] was already [close] for birdie, but they made that eagle and we gave them a shot already. We made the turn a little flat because I missed a short one on eight, so we knew we were in a dog fight.”

Senior Men’s Four-Ball Division Winners: Dan Pickens (left) and Jay Sutton (right).

However, the real threat to ending the dynasty came from a pairing in the group in front of them: Scott Vermeer and Darren Kuhn. Trying to make a push, Vermeer and Kurn shot an impressive five-under-par, 67, on a day when they needed to. Making four birdies on the front, they found themselves within one shot of the lead after Pickens and Sutton bogeyed No.11. Yet, with a bogey of their own on Hole No.12, Vermeer and Kuhn faded—giving Sutton and Pickens a clearer path to the winner’s circle.

Try as they may, the path they had hoped for was bumpier than they had anticipated. Still, the duo displayed trust in one another as they have so many times before. Following that outcome on No.11, Pickens and Sutton steadied the ship amidst a rocky part of their round by carding pars until their back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17.

“The weather definitely was tough, but lucky for us, it was tough on everybody,” Pickens gratefully said.

Having played some exceptional golf the first two rounds, the two had been brought to reality on day three, which had started with the team’s first bogey of the week on hole No.3.

“That, I think, set both of us back a little bit because we hadn’t made one [all week],” Sutton stated.

Weathering the barrage of attacks from all angles, the two friends kept their cool and walked away with yet another piece of merchandise to add to their respected trophy cases back home after maintaining a two-shot lead over Vermeer and Kuhn.

MEN’S FOUR-BALL DIVISION

Having just left his approach shot 20 yards short of the putting surface on No.17, Boquette was faced with a delicate chip to a hole location placed on the front part of the green. Having just watched both his playing competitors, Nick Travers and Kody Rathe, hit their approach shots close, and knowing his partner, Lawley, was out of the hole after dunking it in the water twice, Boquette needed to make something happen if his team wanted the title. Little did he know, the two-some of Ryan Blair and Daniel Stewart in the group ahead of him was about to post a score of 65 (-7) to tie them.  After stepping up to hit the shot, Boquette pumped his fist with enthusiasm after watching his ball drop for a birdie—leaving both his opponents stunned as each missed their birdie putts.

“Watching both [Cody] and [Nick’s] balls go a little bit long, I was trying to hit [it] more in the front portion and let it roll up there,” Boquette said about his thought process going into his approach shot on No.17. “I don’t know what happened. It was about 20 yards short… [The chip was then] about [trying to get] it close [and] trying to walk out of there with par, and it went in.”

Fast-forwarding a few minutes later, Boquette again found himself facing a shot he needed to execute. This time, it was a three-footer for par on the final green. Travers and Rathe were in with a par and had left their fate entirely up to the outcome of the putt that was about to be hit. Blair and Stewart joined the small crowd that had surrounded the green to watch the final group finish—but also waiting to see their fate as all groups waited in limbo. With what must have looked like a 10-footer, Boquette showed no sign of nerves as he stepped up and sank the winning putt.

“I’ve played a lot of golf with [Chris] over the years, and he is just very consistent and a great player,” Lawley said as he complimented Boquette on his play for the week. “Lucky to have him on my side today for sure coming down the stretch.”

Though the final two holes were merely played by Boquette himself, the entire round, and in fact the entire championship, was a team effort for the Boquette-Lawley pairing. It was crucial shots like Lawley’s par-saving putt on No. 16 from 10 feet that showed how this championship was won by two people and not by one—a common theme amongst each of the divisional winners from this year’s event.

“I started [out] not hitting it well,” Lawley said. “[Chris] played the first five holes phenomenally with me not hitting it very well and providing [little] help. And then mine today was making a 15-foot eagle putt up the hill on [No.10] that really put us out in front by two. That was huge, but Chris came up huge all day.”

Boquette solidified his teammate’s comments by saying: “I think [a key point]…was No.14, the par-4 up the hill. We both sprayed it way right. I mentally [took] the [entire] hole off. [Bryan] is in front of [No.13] tee just about, and he knocks it to six feet and rolls it in for birdie…You don’t know how huge that was...”

The Rathe-Travers and Stewart-Blair pairings finished tied for second by being one shot back at a 17-under-par, 199.

Men’s Four-Ball Division Winners: Chris Boquette (left) and Bryan Lawley (right).

FINAL THOUGHTS

The IGA would like to again congratulate each of the winners from this week’s championship event. It was said best by a competitor that players in general embrace the opportunity to play this sport in a teamlike atmosphere. The teams that usually come out on top are those that work together and lean on one another through the thick and thin of the event.

The IGA would also like to thank Jackpot Golf Club for hosting the event and making all the players and staff feel welcome and at home.

The next major tournament for the IGA will be the Match Play Championship on June 21-23, 2022, at The River Club in Boise, Idaho. To find out more about this upcoming event and all other IGA Championships, visit our website at www.idahoga.org.

'Moving-Day' maneuvers make for what could be an interesting final round

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communication

On a day that required moves to be made, nearly half the field at the Idaho Golf Association’s opening championship shot below par. With just one day remaining in the 2022 Four-Ball Championships, Saturday’s final round at Jackpot Golf Club will come down to who can execute and who will waffle under pressure. No lead is safe in any division as those chasing the leaders find themselves within striking distance.

It was the pairing of Nick Travers and Kody Rathe who shot today’s low round for the entire field. With a 65 (-7) in the bag, the two have found themselves now tied for the lead at 12-under-par with yesterday’s leaders: Chris Boquette and Brian Lawley. Holing three birdies on the front and four birdies on the back, Travers and Rathe had the ball rolling on a day when every club in the bag needed to be hot. Sharing the lead, with the third-place team just two strokes behind, tomorrow’s round should prove to be nothing less than entertaining for the Men’s division title.

As was the case with round one, the wind showed its gnarly teeth as the day progressed into the afternoon. With a subtle amount of rain mixed into the things, it required today’s later tee times, which affected the Women’s division the most, to grind a little more than those who went out first. Karen Darrington and Kristin Fenwick weathered the challenges the best as the pairing shot an even-par (72) to keep their lead on the other groups. Having got as low as five-under-par, the dynamic duo stumbled slightly as they gave back their shots by bogeying three of their final five holes.

Jay Sutton and Dan Pickens increased their lead today by shooting a four-under-par, 68. Taking a four-shot lead into the final round, Sutton and Pickens look to be the favorites as they seek to be repeat champions. At 11-under-par, the duo simply needs to take care of business—playing steady golf and controlling the nerves. (Easier said than done, I know.)

CLICK HERE for a look complete look at each division’s leaderboard, and be sure to visit the IGA's social media channels for pictures from today’s action.

IGA takes first championship of 2022 south

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

The first championship of the 2022 Idaho Golf Association season had golfers travel south of the Idaho border to Jackpot, Nevada. In a small town with a population of just over a thousand people, individuals partnered-up to face what have proven to be pretty formidable tests: Jackpot Golf Club, the entire field and a case of the jitters. With one round in the books, it is safe to say that things are lining up for a fantastic week of championship-level golf.

Shooting a tournament-best, Chris Boquette and Bryan Lawley carded a 65 (-7) on the par-72 course. With six birdies and an eagle, the Men’s division leaders had its only hiccup with a bogey on the dogleg-right, par-4 third hole. With a two-shot lead heading into day two over Kody Rathe and Nick Travers, who posted a 67 (-5) themselves, the leaders still have their work cut out for them with the course offering its fair share of scores in the red.

With a barrage of birdies on the back nine, Karen Darrington and Kris Fenwick fought their way back to take the lead in the Women’s division by posting a score of 70 (-2). With the likes of Stacey Camara and Peggy Hicks on their heels at one-over-par (73), the duo of Darrington and Fenwick will have to do its best to not duplicate the score from today’s front-nine.

Jay Sutton and Dan Pickens picked up where they left off last year—no pun intended—by leading the Senior Men’s division by shooting the second-lowest round of the day, a six-under-par, 66. As defending champions, Sutton and Pickens had a balanced attack by making three birdies on each nine and avoiding any scores over par. With each partnership within 10 strokes of the lead, the two remaining rounds will show if this power-duo is ready to repeat.

For a complete look at today’s leaderboard, be sure to click here. Photos and videos from the round can be found on the IGA’s social media channels.

Second Boatwright welcomed to IGA staff

BOISE, Idaho—The Idaho Golf Association is pleased to welcome a second intern to its team for the 2022 season.

Isaac Staszkow, the newest United States Golf Association P.J. Boatwright, has accepted a three-month role with the IGA as its Championship Intern.

Over the summer, Staszkow’s main responsibilities will be to help assist with each IGA Championship. However, because of his versatility and capacity to be a quick learner, he will be given the opportunity to enjoy each aspect of golf administration.

Staszkow is pursuing two bachelor's degrees (Political Science and Communications) from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He brings a certain level of understanding to his new role by having past experience in event management and athletics. 

“I am ecstatic to begin my position at the IGA and be named a [Boatwright Intern],” said the native from Moscow, Idaho. “I'm getting paid to eat, breathe, and sleep golf for a summer. How amazing is that?”

When not on the course, Staszkow enjoys spending time in nature. He is an avid snowboarder and loves to rock climb and camp. He would even consider himself an expert chef—cooking a variety of delicious dishes in the kitchen.

Welcome to the team, Isaac!

Local player takes low-medalist spot at U.S. Open qualifier

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications

BOISE, Idaho—On a day filled with snow, rain, wind and sunshine, players from all over the North American continent layered-up to endure Open-like weather conditions at Banbury Golf Course in Eagle, Idaho. Though the elements represented a different major than the one the field sought, this U.S. Open qualifier produced scores possibly symbolic of this summer’s U.S. Open in Brookline, Massachusetts.

As the field did its best to champion the weather and higher than normal scores, two local chaps and a golfer from Houston took their rightful spots on the figuratively wet podium—having endured the barage of bogeys and double bogeys the best.

With three birdies, three bogeys and 12 pars, Carson Barry shot the round of the day, an even par 70, to best the field. On a track that he knew like the back of his hand, the Oregon State University senior and native Idahoan relied on what some may call “home-field advantage.”

“I feel so comfortable here,” Barry said. “I don’t have to think about things. [I can] just grab the club and go.”

Just a stroke behind Barry at a 1-over par 71, Ty Travis (Eagle, Idaho) and Austen Christiansen (Houston) claimed the two remaining medalist positions.

Well done, gentleman.

For a complete look at today’s leaderboard, please click here.

Updated 5/11/22 by Beaux Yenchik

A journey unlike any other

Written by Beaux Yenchik, Manager of Media and Communications
(Photos credited to Bruce Martini and Larry Kirk)

BOISE, Idaho—There he was, sitting in his chair—which happened to be next to mine—at the annual Course Rating training for the Southwest District. Larry Kirk, having pen and paper in hand, paid attention to the presenter as if it was his first go-around. He frequently contributed to the discussion, occasionally turning to his friend and fellow rater, Carl Adams, to chat about the class.

I had met Kirk for the first time a few days before our training when he stopped by my office for a chat. From that initial epilogue, through our classroom training, and several discussions after, I’ve been in awe of his passion for Course Rating and golf. He is someone who loves this sport and all that it has to offer.

As the training neared its end, Russ Peterson, Chairman of the Course Rating Committee and former Board President of the Idaho Golf Association, handed the class a 10-question quiz. Each rater then used the remaining time to answer the provided problems. Kirk methodically worked his way through each one like the rest of us. (Little did everyone know that they were the most frequently missed questions from one of this year’s USGA Calibration Seminars for Course Rating.)

What caught my attention, specifically during this exercise, was Kirk’s determination to be the best he could be at Course Rating and golf in general. He seemed to question nearly every step in the process —making sure he understood each minute detail.

After going through the quiz as a class, Kirk found himself stuck on one question. Despite the efforts of those at the table to clarify the solution, Kirk was still unable to grasp the answer. Yet, still determined to understand it, Kirk took the quiz home to work through the question that had given him trouble until the correct answer made sense in his mind.

Larry Kirk on the green at Elk Valley’s Hole No. 6.

Kirk’s interest in Course Rating came from his desire to understand the entire process when he thought some ratings for a couple of local courses weren’t correct. He initially planned to volunteer for only a year or two but has now found himself 11 to 12 years deep—having spent five of those on the Course Rating Committee. He has strived to attend nearly every rating with hopes of making the game of golf that much better for every golfer who steps foot on a course he rates.

Explaining how he started, Kirk mentioned: “[Peterson] came down to Plantation [now called The River Club} because the ladies complained about the rating. So, he gave a little spiel... [And}, when he asked for volunteers, I called him up later and said I would love to volunteer to be a rater. That is what got me started in rating [in] about 2010.”

Born in Oregon and having later moved with his family to the Treasure Valley area, Kirk didn’t start playing the game of golf until he was in his mid-30s. Despite being athletic—having played sports like baseball and softball growing up—Kirk always enjoyed the challenge of doing something athletic. Despite being horrendous at the start, the game of golf became more natural to him when he finally caught the bug 10 to 15 years after his first day on the links with his friends.

“As you age, [baseball and softball] become harder and harder,” Kirk said. “Golf was a game you could play for the rest of your life...My friends and the fact that I could play and not hurt myself got me interested.”

However, Kirk credits his impressive progression in golf to one of Idaho’s golfing legends, Scott Masingill. Finding himself at Quail Hollow Golf Course with Masingill and his father, Kirk took advantage of the situation by playing phenomenal golf that day, shooting a personal best, 76. For Kirk, a 76 was quite impressive as an 18-handicap. Using that newfound momentum, Kirk worked extremely hard over the next couple of years to bring that 18 down to about a five, which he then held onto for nearly 30 years.

During this personal voyage to play golf for the rest of his life, Kirk accomplished a feat that hardly any golfer in the state has ever done—play every golf course. (Folks, mind you, that is 129 of them.)

Having stolen this idea from Allen, who could not fulfill the dream himself “due to getting sidetracked for various reasons,” Kirk set out to tackle the daunting list. He knew that he’d have some difficulty getting onto courses like the Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club, but he went ahead with it anyway.

Starting this journey over 20 years ago, Kirk traveled several paths to tick every box. He volunteered as a Course Rater and played golf as a weekend warrior. His work trips were planned in areas with courses he had yet to check off, and he used his vast network of connections to play some of the most private clubs in the state—with The Golf Club at Black Rock being his favorite amongst Idaho courses.

“We did 25 or 30 courses the first couple of years I rated,” explained Kirk. “So, that got a few more of the courses I hadn’t played. Then, I was down to very few left. Bruce Martini [and I], on some of our rating trips, would stay an extra day, and he’d drive me over someplace, so we’d play another one. So, that is what really got the final ones in because I joined the rating crew.”

Kirk’s quest to play all 129 courses—determined by the geographical boundary of the state of Idaho, including the courses that no longer exist & excluding the ones in other states despite them being in the IGA’s jurisdiction—had him checking off the final box at Journey’s End Golf Course in Shelley, Idaho. Though appropriately named, it was completely unintentional as Kirk’s final destination.

Larry Kirk’s final course sign.

Playing with Martini—a constant companion through all of this—Kirk sealed his journey by penciling a 35 (E) into the final square of his final scorecard. Maybe a little teary-eyed, Kirk said those final moments were a little emotional for him—feeling elated as he reminisced on it all. It was a day he rightfully joined the ranks of the very few who have ever had the privilege of playing every course in their respected place of residence.

Though the purpose of his journey was golf, Kirk found himself walking away with so much more. He met so many incredible people. These individuals were those he met while playing a round, people he rated courses with, and even the course professionals that helped him along his way. If fact, many of these very people have become his lifelong friends.

Speaking of helping him along the way, Kirk shared this: “I can think of one case [when] the [pro] said get there at daybreak. I won’t be [there, but] play, and when you get done, if I am not [there] yet...leave your money inside the door. Afterward, he happened to be there when I got done. We had a pretty good discussion.”

Larry Kirk takes in his surroundings at Bear Lake while playing a round of golf.

Kirk loved to take in the beautiful topography that paints the entire state and to see the variety of course designs. He also noted that he would put up many of Idaho’s finest against some of the world’s best like Harbor Town Golf Links in South Carolina and Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

At 77 years of age, Kirk has found himself without sight in one eye due to Macular Degeneration. However, he still plays golf about twice a week and loyally attends nearly every IGA Course Rating. And on top of that, he spends additional time throughout the week volunteering at several places in our community.

Kirk could say he has nearly accomplished everything he has set out to do in the game of golf. He has five holes-in-one, shot his personal best, 66 (-6), at RedHawk Golf Course, and has played rounds at The Old Course at Saint Andrews and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Yet, his passion for the game is still burning bright, and he’d tell you the top course he’s ever played is “the one I’m playing tomorrow.”