Mike McCoy eyeing sixth Iowa Amateur title

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Mike McCoy and Gene Elliott have good friends and household names on the amateur golf scene in Iowa for many years. The duo will find themselves in the last group on Sunday at the 113th Iowa Amateur at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City. McCoy, playing in the afternoon wave, fired a sizzling 68 (-4). At -7 overall, McCoy will take a three stroke lead in the final round over his good friend. Elliott (-6), of West Des Moines, posted the low round of the morning wave with 69 (-3). McCoy has hoisted the trophy at the conclusion of five previous Iowa Amateur Championships. On a day in which the wind blew in every direction (and sometimes not at all), any score around par moved players up the leaderboard. Only five players broke par on Saturday. Not one golfer shot even par. Others near the top of the leaderboard and giving chase include Booneville’s Bret Taylor (-3), Norwalk’s Dennis Bull (-2) and West Des Moines’ Jeff Swegle (-2). Jim Curell, of Boone also made some noise – Not only for his own 71 (-1) on Saturday, but for his ace on the 6th hole! The feat marks Curell’s 13th career hole-in-one. The final round of the 113th Iowa Amateur will conclude on Sunday, July 26.