Photo courtesy of Iowa Golf Association
The 119th Iowa Amateur came to an end after an electric finish at Wakonda Club.
Charles Jahn and
Nate McCoy battled until the very end, giving the gallery an unforgettable finish. At the 2019 Iowa Amateur, Jahn fell short by one shot, but that experience assisted Jahn during his final holes today.
“A couple of years ago I was tied for the lead going into the last hole and I three putted,” Jahn said. “I knew the last four or five holes I needed to finish strong instead of coasting in. I bogeyed 16 and that kind of woke me up. I wanted to finish out with pars and was able to do that. I learned from what happened two years ago and applied it to today.”
Jahn’s weapon of choice this week was the driver, and Wakonda Club wasn’t prepared. On the first hole during Jahn’s final round, he was able to get within 50 yards of the green by hitting over the trees lining the right side of the hole. That was not the only corners he was cutting today, Jahn drove the 11th hole, which played at about 400 yards on the day, setting himself up for an eagle putt.
“I have been hitting my driver well lately,” Jahn said. “The practice round this week allowed me to determine what holes I was going to hit driver. On hole five, most players had 260 going into that hole and today I had 180. My driver was my key club this week.”
Finding the trees on 18, Jahn was able to secure the win over McCoy with a clutch up-and-down to save par to won the championship by two shots. McCoy played amazing golf and only recording two bogeys this week. After posting a one-over 37 on his front nine in the final round, McCoy set was able to finish strong and card a 34 on his back nine, but it was not enough to overcome the hard-hitting Charles Jahn.
Six-time Iowa Amateur Champion and Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member,
Mike McCoy, raced up the leaderboard after firing a red-hot 63, including a 29 on the back nine. Mike was the clubhouse leader at seven-under for a short period of time, but
Mathew Garside snuck up behind him.
Garside carded a 66 with a 31 on his back nine.
Ian Johnston also played tremendous golf this week, finishing in a tie for third place with Garside at eight-under.
Defending champion,
Dennis Bull, stayed close to the top all week firing a 209 and finished tied for fifth alongside the two Iowa Golf Hall of Famers, Mike McCoy and
Jon Brown, the 2019 champion. Brown played two groups behind the final pairing and finished his tournament with a one-under 71.
ABOUT THE Iowa Amateur
54 hole stroke play championship of Iowa.
Three
qualifying sites will determine the final field of
156. The field is cut to the low 60 and ties for
the final round. Must be an active Iowa Golf
Association
(IGA) member.
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