Greg Mason

Greg Mason, owner of G3 Golf, scored a double eagle on the 501-yard hole #2 during the first round of the Iowa PGA TaylorMade-adidas 36 Hole Classic which was held Monday, April 26th at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.  This is Greg’s first double eagle of his golfing career.

Greg’s weapon of choice was a twenty degree hybrid that he hit from 218 yards.  Greg’s double eagle earned him a skin which was worth $102.50, CLICK HERE for round 1 skins results.

Congratulations Greg!!

The University of Iowa Sports Information Office

Men’s Golf Contact: Nick Hegland

April 18, 2010

IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa men’s golf team dominated the ten-team Hawkeye – TaylorMade/adidas Invitational at Finkbine Golf Course, owning a 12-stroke lead over second place Miami of Ohio.  The Hawkeyes carded a final round of 277, tying the third lowest 18-hole team total in program history, while finishing the tournament with an 863 (-1), the fourth lowest 54-hole total in program history.

Barrett Kelpin shined for the Hawkeyes as he worked his way from a share of 29th place to finishing tied for fourth.  The sophomore sunk ten birdies in his final round for a 64 (-8), the second lowest 18-hole score carded in Iowa history.  Kelpin finished the tournament with a score of 216 (E).

“I got off to a great start and after that I felt really comfortable the entire day,” said Kelpin.  “The putter was rolling well the whole day, so I knew if I gave myself opportunities, my score could have gone as low as I wanted.  It was a good day because I put myself in the right spots on the green and it really paid off.”

Sophomore Chris Brant also tied for fourth.  After firing a third round of 69 (-2), he finished at even par 216.

“I think the course definitely changed a lot from yesterday and that really helped,” said Brant.  “Finkbine is a course where if you don’t hit it in the right spots, you’re in trouble.  Today it was easier to find those spots when the wind wasn’t as strong and things just worked out for me.”

Vince India carded a final round of 73 (+1) as he finished in sixth place.  The sophomore shot a 54-hole total of 217 (+1).  Junior Brad Hopfinger finished in a tie for 15th.  With a third round of 77 (+5), he recorded a total score of 221 (+5).  Freshman Ryan Marks fired a 1-under par 71 during Sunday’s round, bringing his total to 225 (+9).  The sophomore finished in a tie for 26th.

As one of four Hawkeyes competing individually, Brad George finished tied for ninth, making him the fourth Hawkeye golfer to finish in the top ten.  The sophomore finished with a score of 219 (+3) after a final round of 71 (-1).  Sophomores James Reiss and Jared Walahoski also fired a 71 Sunday.  Reiss finished tied for 26th with a score of 225 (+9) while Walahoski tied for 37th with a 228 (+12).  Sophomore Dusty Koth finished with a score of 229 (+13) and tied for 41st.

“I think we came out a little rusty on day one, on a competitive level as well as mechanically,” said Head Coach Mark Hankins.  “We were more focused today and determined to go out and play well.  This win will definitely help us prepare for next weekend.”

The Hawkeyes will return to the links April 24 when they travel to West Lafayette, IN, for the two-day Boilermaker Invitational.

“We have a week of hard work ahead of us,” added Brant.  “A lot of tough teams will be at the Boilermaker and it’s a very tough golf course.  We need to stay focused this week and not get complacent after this win.”

Team Results

1.      IOWA                                  291-295-277=863 (-1)

2.      Miami (Ohio)                   296-293-286=875 (+11)

3.      Western Illinois               298-296-285=879 (+15)

Drake                                  300-294-287=881 (+17)

5.      UMKC                                 300-300-283=883 (+19)

6.      Missouri State                 299-306-290=895 (+31)

7.      South Dakota St.            301-306-292=899 (+35)

8.      Northern Illinois             298-305-298=901 (+37)

9.      Western Kentucky        298-306-309=913 (+49)

10.    Bradley                               315-311-297=923 (+59)

Individual Results – Par 72 (Top 3 + Iowa)

1.          Alex Hogben (UMKC)                 73-72-64=209 (-7)

2.          Kyle Peterman (WIU)                 70-72-73=215 (-1)

Brad Reierson (Drake)               71-73-71=215 (-1)

4.          Barrett Kelpin (IOWA)               76-76-64=216 (E)

Chris Brant (IOWA)                     73-74-69=216 (E)

6.          Vince India (IOWA)                    70-74-73=217 (+1)

T15.      Brad Hopfinger (IOWA)            72-72-77=221 (+5)

T26.      Ryan Marks (IOWA)                    79-75-71=225 (+9)

Volunteer organizers for the Brokers International Ltd. Iowa Open are making a special effort to encourage players to bring their spouses and children to the event.

The tournament will be held Aug. 19-22 at Lake Panorama National (LPN), located just north of Panora. This annual event isn’t new to the LPN – it was previously held there from 1985 to 1998.

A contract between the Iowa Section PGA and Brokers International Ltd. brings the annual golf tournament to the LPN for five years. The Panora insurance marketing company committed $25,000 annually to the event, making it the major sponsor.

The 144-player field is open to professionals and amateurs who live in Iowa, as well as golfers with Iowa ties. The deadline for entering the tournament is Aug. 10, but organizers think the field will fill before that deadline.

One reason for that is an increase in prize money. Another is the addition of a senior division for players 50 years of age and older on or before Aug. 20, 2010. Seniors will be competing for $5,000 added sponsorship along with senior division entry fees.

Two special events are being planned for players’ spouses. On Friday, Aug. 20, limos supplied by Brokers International will take participants to Prairie View Bed & Breakfast for an afternoon of wine tasting, snacks and lounging at the swimming pool. On Saturday, a boat tour of Lake Panorama that includes lunch on the boat will be offered.

Childcare services will be available at the LPN conference center during the spouses’ outings. What’s offered will depend on the ages of the children involved, but options include toys, games and life-guard-supervised time in the LPN swimming pool.

Once a player submits his registration, a packet will be mailed that includes additional information on these special offerings for spouses and children, plus a form to complete so organizers will know how to plan. The packet also will include the player’s identification clip, information about the Panora and Lake Panorama area, and more details about the tournament and associated activities and events.

Housing in private homes for players and their families will be arranged for those who request this when they register. Most motel rooms and townhomes at Lake Panorama are already booked for this event, but tournament organizers can assist with accommodations in private homes or offer information on motels in surrounding communities.

A pro-am event will be held Aug. 19. The three-day, 54-hole tournament will begin Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. Everyone who enters the tournament will play both Friday and Saturday, with tee times assigned and the players in groups of three. Sunday’s final round will be limited to a set number of players with the lowest combined score for the first two days.

Personalized invitations have been distributed to about 150 professional and amateur golfers who would be eligible to participate in the tournament. The registration and private housing form also can be accessed online at the Iowa Section PGA Web site here: http://iowapga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iowapga10/event/iowapga1025/index.htm

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Prairie View Bed & Breakfast

Lake Panorama National Conference Center

Throughout the last few months, the Iowa PGA has created a presence on the popular social networking site, Facebook. A fun and immediate way to communicate with fans of the Iowa PGA, the Iowa PGA Junior Tour and golf in our region, the Iowa PGA often runs contests or trivia to engage with fans online. During the course of Masters, the Iowa PGA ran many games, culminating in a Contest during the final round on Sunday. Fans of the Iowa PGA simply needed to post in the comment section, their pick for the winner and their score relative to par. The first person to guess the correct champion and score would receive a 2010 Iowa PGA Golf Card, Iowa PGA cap and a dozen premium golf balls. Midway through the contest, it was added that anyone who posted a player who finished in the top ten, with the correct score, would also win an Iowa PGA cap. The “guesses” came streaming in and the winners are as follows:

Ben Kern  – Prize Package WINNER! – Phil Mickelson at -16
Tony Lutz - Hat winner – Westwood at -13
Jerry Morris – Hat winner, Woods at -11
Lee Williams – Hat winner, Westwood at -13

Thank you to those who participated! It is fun and easy to become a fan of the Iowa PGA, simply Click Here!

Iowa PGA Facebook Masters Contest Prize Package!

Have you registered for the 2010 Iowa PGA Junior Tour or Pee Wee Tour?  If not, NOW is the time.  Both online directories are now available with tournament registration underway!  Another great schedule full of great venues and events for the 2010 season.  CLICK HERE for more information and to register now!  Make sure to scroll down and click the “Become a Member” button graphic.

THE IOWA PGA WOULD AGAIN LIKE TO THANK THE PRINCIPAL CHARITY CLASSIC FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP AS TITLE SPONSOR OF THE 2010 IOWA JUNIOR TOUR.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS GREAT CHAMPIONS TOUR EVENT, CLICK HERE OR THE LOGO.