IAPGA Executive Director Message from Greg Mason, PGA

Iowa PGA Executive Director Iowa PGA Golf Magazine – Winter Review of 2021

We were able to return to somewhat normal in 2021 over the year that 2020 was. As a staff we were so happy to see so many smiling faces whether on our Junior Tour, Pee Wee Tour, Drive, Chip & Putt, PGA Jr League or with our many PGA Professionals throughout Iowa and Western Illinois.

It was great to see three of our PGA Members get into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame. The Iowa Golf Association did a wonderful job of combining the 2020 and 2021 Classes. The 2020 Class included Judd Gibb, from Fort Dodge as he entered with John Benda and Beth Bader. Judd and his wife Mary did one of the best introductions and acceptance speeches I have ever heard at the Hall of Fame inductions ceremony held at Des Moines Golf & Country Club. The 2021 class included Chad Proehl from Urbandale, Jim Carney and the late Jerry Johnson of Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.

Golf is in a great position to see the impact all of the Class of 2020 and 2021 had on golf in Iowa and in the case of John Benda, throughout the world. John made his impact felt in South America, Asia and South Africa to name a couple of places that he led Golf Tours throughout his career. Amazing what a humble guy from Humboldt did on the world stage for golf. Congratulations to each of new inductee.

Gibb competed at this year’s US Senior Open held at Omaha Country Club held in July. He finished in a tie for 56th place with rounds of 72-7177-76=296, +16 over par. He even beat the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal, Rich Beem and Corey Pavin. Great playing by this Iowa Golf Hall of Famer. Mike McCoy also made the cut by shooting rounds of 73-74-76-76=299, +19 over par and a 62nd place finish. Former Oskaloosa native Jerry Smith also made the cut with rounds of 69-76-71-75=291, +11 and a tie for 42nd place. As you read this magazine, enjoy the celebration of our 2021 IowaPGA Award Winners highlighted by our PGA Professional of the Year Steve Watt. Watt is the Director of Golf at Glen Oaks Country Club.

We did have a couple of our members retire in 2021 as they stayed at their facilities for a number of years. Brad Clark of Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls spent 26 plus years as the Head PGA Professional. John Valliere of Glynns Creek in Long Grove, IA spent 33 years as the Head PGA Professional. Joe Butler of the Burlington Golf Club spent 36 plus years as the Head PGA Professional. Larry Gladson of the Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids also spent 36 plus years at the Head PGA Professional and Director of Golf. We congratulate these men on their long-time service to their facilities, to growing the game of golf and being great friends and mentors to so many.

Finally, I would like to thank our talented IowaPGA Staff for all of the hard work, perseverance and dedication. You can’t find a more cohesive group in 2020. With the support of our Section Officers and Board, our staff continues to a deliver high-level events to our Section Professionals and to the Junior Golfers throughout our Section.

For those interested in marketing with us, we will have spots available for you to place an ad. Just look for our special marketing page within the pages of our magazine. This digital magazine goes to over 15,000 people on our email list along with being sent over our social media channels. If you wish to be a part of something new in the Iowa Golf scene, please feel free to email me at gmason@pgahq. com. You can always call the office at 319-648-0026 as well.

Have fun, Play Well “Mase”

02 IAPGA Executive Director Message from Greg Mason, PGA 04 Board of Directors/Staff/PGA Of America Table of Contents 05 President’s Report Message from Erin Strieck, PGA 06 2021 Professional of the Year Steve Watt, PGA 07 2021 Iowa PGA Awards New Membership 09 District 8 Director Message from Greg Neujahr, PGA 10 2021 Iowa PGA Scholarships Charlie Burkart Recipients 12 Iowa Golf Association A Message from the IGA

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14 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Assistant Professional of the Year 15 Iowa Turfgrass Institute A Message from Randy Robinson 16 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Professional Players of the Year 18 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Junior Players of the Year 20 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Merchandisers of the Year 21 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Growth of the Game Awards 22 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Sales Rep/Teacher of the Year 24 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Patriot Award 25 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Bill Strausbaugh Award 26 2021 Iowa PGA Awards Professional Development Award 36 2021 Iowa PGA Results Book 176 PGA Members and Associates 182 PGA.Coach 188 High School State Golf Results

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