Elliott adds another Iowa Senior Match Play title to long resume

Gene Elliott, an Iowa Golf Hall of Famer from West Des Moines, captured his fourth IGA Senior Match Play crown on Saturday. He defeated Terry Cook, also of West Des Moines, 3 and 2, in the championship match.

Elliott took command early in the final match by winning Nos. 2 through 5 and then No. 7 to go 5 up. After Cook won the eighth hole, Elliott won the 10th to go back to 5 up, which was plenty to withstand the run Cook made near the end by winning two out of three holes (Nos. 12 and 14). Ties at 15 and 16 secured the championship for Elliott.

Elliott advanced to the finals by defeated No. 1 seed Tony Newkirk of Pleasant Hill in the semifinals. Elliott came out on top by a margin of 5 and 4. Cook defeated Iowa Golf Hall of Famer Jon Brown of Adel in his semifinal match. A birdie on the first extra hole propelled him into the championship match.

Steve Kahler of Marion is the super senior champion. Kahler outsted Mark Hogenson of Cedar Rapids in the championship match, 2 and 1.

Kahler took control early winning the first two holes. He made the turn 3 up in the match and remained 3 up through 12. Hogenson then made his move, winning Nos. 14 and 15 to get within a hole. Kahler slowed the momentum by halving the 16th hole, then won the 17th to take the match.

Matt Weresh of Clive earned the president's bracket title by defeating Brian Persson of Elk Run Heights by a 4-and-3 margin. Marty Goetz of Marion defeated Doug Bryant, 6 and 5, to win the vice president's bracket.