Incomparable Anderson does it again
West Des Moines resident wins fourth straight Interstate Amateur title
By Barry Poe, Journal sports writer | Posted: Monday, June 09, 2008
Tourney champion J.D. Anderson of West Des Moines putts on the third green during final nine-hole round of the 72nd Amateur Golf Championship at Two Rivers Golf Club in Dakota Dunes on Sunday. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
The runaway freight train known as J.D. Anderson conquered Two Rivers Golf Club once again Sunday, laying claim to his fourth consecutive Interstate Amateur Championship title.
Anderson, a West Des Moines resident who grew up in Pocahontas, fired a 6-under-par 64 over his first 18 holes on Sunday, giving him a four-shot cushion heading into the final nine. And that's how many shots he ended up in the clear of runner-up Troy Arends.
Anderson's 64 included a sizzling 29 on the back nine and he lipped a birdie putt on No. 18. Both Anderson and Arends, an Orange City resident, shot 1-under 35 over the last nine holes.
After carding a 35 on his opening nine holes, Anderson went to work on his remarkable 5-under 29, which eventually won him the 72nd Interstate crown.
"I don't know what I have on this course, but I sure like it," said the 34-year-old Anderson. "I was a little frustrated coming off the front nine this morning and just decided to take dead aim.
"I had a little six-inch putt on 10 and perfect yardage on 11 for about a six-footer and then I parred the next two, which are pretty good pars.
"Then I made a 20-footer and a couple of eight-foot birdie putts and all of a sudden I'm 5-under. I parred 17 and 18 pretty easily and the putt on 18 was one of those you thought would fall in because it wasn't going very hard."
Anderson finished the 54-hole event with a 69-64-35--168 while Arends totaled 71-66-35--172. Todd Sapp of Sioux City (70-67-38) and Brad Van Roekel of Boyden (68-71-36) wound up tied for third at 175.
Arends, the Sioux Center High School boys basketball coach and the last person other than Anderson to win this tournament, trimmed the margin to three shots with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6. Anderson, though, very nearly chipped in for eagle on the last hole, a 510-yard par-5, after he sent his second shot over the back of the green.
The ensuing tap-in birdie gave him another Interstate trophy, something that has become commonplace.
"There is some pressure trying to win this every year and you almost play mind games with yourself," said Anderson, who began the day two shots behind first-round leader Vern Van Peursem. "Today I was behind in my group after nine holes thinking I get to come from behind. Then all of a sudden the tables turn and I get the lead going into the final nine again and I have to play conservatively.
"I've learned from years past how to play that a little better. You have to be conservative but play somewhat aggressively. Try to get the ball to the hole and don't leave yourself four-foot par putts."
Arends, the 2004 champion, was back after missing last year's tournament because of a family vacation.
"He (Anderson) doesn't make any mistakes so you have to make a whole lot of birdies to catch him," said Arends. "I played very well and I'm happy, and one day we're going to get this thing back from him, I know that.
"I love playing in this tournament, but we're just going to have to play a little better to catch him."
Al Pottebaum of Le Mars and Nate Barbee of Dakota Dunes tied for fifth at 176. Barbee, a University of Kansas golfer, shot 34 for the lowest final nine score.
Rounding out the top 10 were Jeff Donaldson (177), Brian Schultz (178), Tyson Bodlak (179), Van Peursem (180) and Jim Anderson (180).
A total of 24 players made the cut for the final nine.
Anderson will defend his title in the Sioux Valley Amateur Match Play Championship this weekend at Cherokee Golf & Country Club. He beat Brian Schultz of Le Mars in the championship match a year ago.
The top one third of the field in the Interstate earned a spot in the Dakota Dunes Super Amateur Championship set for Sept. 20-21 at Dakota Dunes Country Club.
Because of heavy overnight rains, the par-5 500-yard fifth hole was converted to a par-3 for the morning rounds. It was, however, back to a par-5 for the last nine holes.
The next "major" in Sioux City is the River-Cade tournament July 12-13 at Green Valley. Barbee is the defending champion.
A complete list of scores can be found on Sports Detail, page B4.
Anderson, a West Des Moines resident who grew up in Pocahontas, fired a 6-under-par 64 over his first 18 holes on Sunday, giving him a four-shot cushion heading into the final nine. And that's how many shots he ended up in the clear of runner-up Troy Arends.
Anderson's 64 included a sizzling 29 on the back nine and he lipped a birdie putt on No. 18. Both Anderson and Arends, an Orange City resident, shot 1-under 35 over the last nine holes.
After carding a 35 on his opening nine holes, Anderson went to work on his remarkable 5-under 29, which eventually won him the 72nd Interstate crown.
"I don't know what I have on this course, but I sure like it," said the 34-year-old Anderson. "I was a little frustrated coming off the front nine this morning and just decided to take dead aim.
"I had a little six-inch putt on 10 and perfect yardage on 11 for about a six-footer and then I parred the next two, which are pretty good pars.
"Then I made a 20-footer and a couple of eight-foot birdie putts and all of a sudden I'm 5-under. I parred 17 and 18 pretty easily and the putt on 18 was one of those you thought would fall in because it wasn't going very hard."
Anderson finished the 54-hole event with a 69-64-35--168 while Arends totaled 71-66-35--172. Todd Sapp of Sioux City (70-67-38) and Brad Van Roekel of Boyden (68-71-36) wound up tied for third at 175.
Arends, the Sioux Center High School boys basketball coach and the last person other than Anderson to win this tournament, trimmed the margin to three shots with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6. Anderson, though, very nearly chipped in for eagle on the last hole, a 510-yard par-5, after he sent his second shot over the back of the green.
The ensuing tap-in birdie gave him another Interstate trophy, something that has become commonplace.
"There is some pressure trying to win this every year and you almost play mind games with yourself," said Anderson, who began the day two shots behind first-round leader Vern Van Peursem. "Today I was behind in my group after nine holes thinking I get to come from behind. Then all of a sudden the tables turn and I get the lead going into the final nine again and I have to play conservatively.
"I've learned from years past how to play that a little better. You have to be conservative but play somewhat aggressively. Try to get the ball to the hole and don't leave yourself four-foot par putts."
Arends, the 2004 champion, was back after missing last year's tournament because of a family vacation.
"He (Anderson) doesn't make any mistakes so you have to make a whole lot of birdies to catch him," said Arends. "I played very well and I'm happy, and one day we're going to get this thing back from him, I know that.
"I love playing in this tournament, but we're just going to have to play a little better to catch him."
Al Pottebaum of Le Mars and Nate Barbee of Dakota Dunes tied for fifth at 176. Barbee, a University of Kansas golfer, shot 34 for the lowest final nine score.
Rounding out the top 10 were Jeff Donaldson (177), Brian Schultz (178), Tyson Bodlak (179), Van Peursem (180) and Jim Anderson (180).
A total of 24 players made the cut for the final nine.
Anderson will defend his title in the Sioux Valley Amateur Match Play Championship this weekend at Cherokee Golf & Country Club. He beat Brian Schultz of Le Mars in the championship match a year ago.
The top one third of the field in the Interstate earned a spot in the Dakota Dunes Super Amateur Championship set for Sept. 20-21 at Dakota Dunes Country Club.
Because of heavy overnight rains, the par-5 500-yard fifth hole was converted to a par-3 for the morning rounds. It was, however, back to a par-5 for the last nine holes.
The next "major" in Sioux City is the River-Cade tournament July 12-13 at Green Valley. Barbee is the defending champion.
A complete list of scores can be found on Sports Detail, page B4.
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