Mike McCoy defeats Gene Elliott in playoff to win sixth Iowa Amateur
(Iowa Golf Association photo)
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Eyeing his sixth Iowa Amateur title, Mike McCoy of West Des Moines entered with a three-shot lead over good friend Gene Elliott. McCoy needed a birdie on 18 to force a playoff with Elliott, who shot 71 on Sunday. Spectators got the show they came to see as McCoy rolled in the putt. The 52-year old Insurance Executive knocked in the seven-foot putt that traveled nearly all the way around the hole’s edge before dropping.
After Elliott missed his par putt on the opening playoff hole, all McCoy needed was a two-putt par to secure another victory. With rounds of 69-68-74, McCoy captured the 113th Iowa Amateur Championship.
Both players found the fairway on the first playoff hole, with McCoy hitting his approach to the back fringe and Elliott missing the green left. Elliott chose to putt his ball, which he rolled about 20 feet past the pin, leading to an eventual bogey.
The runner-up Elliott was looking to become just the fourth individual to win the Iowa Match Play Championship and Iowa Amateur in the same year. Defending champion, Nate Dunn of Cedar Rapids, accomplished the feat a year ago. Dunn finished in 13th in this year’s competition after shooting even, 72, in his final round.
Two other players have accomplished the task, including Jon Brown (2006) and Jerry Smith (1986).
Tying for third place were Connor Peck, who fired a final-round 68, and Jeff Swegle. Peck and Swegle, along with Joe Palmer and Dennis Bull, shared the opening-round lead with McCoy at three-under 69 at Whispering Creek Golf Course in Sioux City.
The Iowa Golf Association contributed to this story.
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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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