Iowa Senior Am: Elliott Rebounds from U.S. Senior Knockout
September 1, 2017 | by Iowa Golf Association
see also: Gene Elliott, View results for Iowa Senior Amateur, Coldwater Golf Links
What better way to bounce back from a U.S. Senior Amateur exit than to race home and win the Iowa Senior?
BURLINGTON, IA (September 1, 2017) - Gene Elliott was on the short list of favorites for the U.S. Senior Amateur at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis this week.
He easily advanced through stroke play qualifying and won his first match in a rout over a former U.S. Senior Champion, Patrick Tallent of Virginia.
In his second round match he was cruising again, four under against the card and three holes up with five to play against another Virginian, Keith Decker of Martinsville. But five holes later his tournament was over.
A double bogey at 14, and unlikely chip-in by Decker at 15, a bogey at 16 and another at 18, and Elliott was headed home after getting knocked out by Decker, 1 up.
Good thing Iowa is only one state over.
The Iowa Senior Amateur was being played in Burlington, just over five hours from Minneapolis. Elliott was the defending champion. And suddenly he didn't have any other tournaments to play in. So Elliott headed south, got to Burlington, and teed up in the first round of the tournament the next day.
Two days later, and Elliott got his hands on the trophy--maybe not the one he would have hoped for at the start of the week--but a nice shiny one nonetheless. Elliott shot a final-round 66 to win his third overall Iowa Senior title, by eight shots over second-round leader Scott Briggs, who faded with a 75, and Tom Norton. Joe Palmer was alone in fourth, a full thirteen shots behind Elliott.
Elliott finished as the only player in the field under par, at 6-under 210. He held the lead after an opening 69, but fell back with a 75 in the second round as Briggs took a one-shot lead.
Related: Scott Briggs moves into Iowa Sr. Am Lead, Elliott One Back
But Elliott birdied the first two holes, picked up five shots on Briggs on the front nine, and continued to increase the margin all through the back nine. In the end, it was a bogey-free 66, a dominating performance, and a nice consolation for the disappointment earlier in the week.
Surely the rest of the field must have been wishing he would have won just one more match in Minneapolis.
He easily advanced through stroke play qualifying and won his first match in a rout over a former U.S. Senior Champion, Patrick Tallent of Virginia.
In his second round match he was cruising again, four under against the card and three holes up with five to play against another Virginian, Keith Decker of Martinsville. But five holes later his tournament was over.
A double bogey at 14, and unlikely chip-in by Decker at 15, a bogey at 16 and another at 18, and Elliott was headed home after getting knocked out by Decker, 1 up.
Good thing Iowa is only one state over.
Two days later, and Elliott got his hands on the trophy--maybe not the one he would have hoped for at the start of the week--but a nice shiny one nonetheless. Elliott shot a final-round 66 to win his third overall Iowa Senior title, by eight shots over second-round leader Scott Briggs, who faded with a 75, and Tom Norton. Joe Palmer was alone in fourth, a full thirteen shots behind Elliott.
Elliott finished as the only player in the field under par, at 6-under 210. He held the lead after an opening 69, but fell back with a 75 in the second round as Briggs took a one-shot lead.
Related: Scott Briggs moves into Iowa Sr. Am Lead, Elliott One Back
But Elliott birdied the first two holes, picked up five shots on Briggs on the front nine, and continued to increase the margin all through the back nine. In the end, it was a bogey-free 66, a dominating performance, and a nice consolation for the disappointment earlier in the week.
Surely the rest of the field must have been wishing he would have won just one more match in Minneapolis.
About the Iowa Senior Amateur
Must be an active Iowa Golf Association member and maintain a residence in Iowa. 54-hole stroke play tournament with Championship (ages 50+) and Super Senior (ages 65+) divisions.
Most Popular Articles
Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry
Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.
U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock
Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.
FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026
Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.
Yunseo Yang Wins Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at Royal Wellington Golf Club
Feb 15, 2026Yunseo Yang makes history as Korea’s first WAAP champion, earning major exemptions with a dominant win.
If You’re Entering the U.S. Open, Read This First: 2026 Qualifying Explained
Feb 16, 2026110 locals. One Longest Day. Zero margin. Here’s what you need to know before filing for the 2026 U.S. Open.