Anderson wins first career Iowa Mid-Amateur, Palmer tops in Senior Division
J.D. Anderson wasted little time sprinting out to the lead in the second round of the 32nd Iowa Mid-Amateur at Beaver Hills Country Club in Cedar Falls.
Anderson (Johnston), following a par on the opening hole, holed out for eagle on the second and birdied the third hole to pull away from his group, somewhat, early in the round. Anderson, who admitted his goal was to stay aggressive, notched four more birdies to add to his round of 67 (-5) and a 138 two-day total (-6). The win secured Anderson’s first-ever Iowa Mid-Amateur title and his first individual title of an IGA administered event.
“This means a lot,” Anderson said. “I am really happy. I had a lot more nerves today that I expected, because of what it meant. The bigger goal is to win all three (Mid-Am, Match Play, State Amateur).”
Anderson said his quick start to the round helped calm his demeanor early on.
“I was forced to lay up on two and then holed out,” Anderson said. “Then I made a 15-foot putt on three and that settled the nerves. It was a solid day. I got away with some bad shots. My main focus was to stay aggressive. I assumed someone from behind was keeping pace, so I wanted to keep making birdies.
Anderson, who assumed another ‘low’ round was out there in a group ahead of him, was right. Dusty Drenth (Davenport) put together his own magic, firing a tournament low 66 (-6), but was unable to catch Anderson. Drenth shot 142 (-2) for the two-day event and finished second.
A trio of golfers, Dennis Bull (Norwalk), Kevin Ault (Cedar Rapids) and Scott Hart (West Des Moines) finished in third place at 145 (+1).
In the Senior Division, West Des Moines’ Joe Palmer (above) battled back after an opening round 75 to post two under-par 70. Palmer commented that he had not seen or played the course for some time, but was able to put together a good round on Tuesday.
“I make some mistakes (yesterday),” Palmer said. “Today I played better. My goal was to get it back to par. I thought if I shot 69 that would make the leaders have to shoot something under par too. I really didn’t know how I stood until the last putt. I am excited about the summer.”
This title adds a new accomplishment to the résumé for Palmer.
“This trophy is one I had never won, this one and the State Amateur, Palmer said. “I have been fortunate to get the others, now I just need to concentrate and see what we can do at the State Amateur.”
Anderson also made the comment that he is looking forward to keeping his positive momentum going on Monday in the U.S. Open Local Qualifier, being held at Burlington’s Spirit Hollow Golf Course.
“I am really looking forward to the U.S. Open Local (at Spirit Hollow Golf Course),” Anderson said. “Hopefully I make five birdies and an eagle there too.”