More end-of-the-year awards
Area golfers had another season to remember
By Barry Poe, Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
This time of year, according to some, is the best time to play golf. Plenty of people have already put their clubs away for the season, which means the courses aren't as crowded and the weather -- unless it's raining -- is perfectly comfortable.
That's not to say there wasn't plenty of good golf played during the summer months. In fact, when it came time to announce my end-of-the-year awards, it took a little extra thought.
And that, of course, is never a good thing when I'm involved.
Please remember, as always, these awards are strictly for fun and, in the grand scheme of things, mean absolutely nothing. However, it does make for some good conversation among players from our area, especially those who follow what's going on in the local tournaments.
If you've read this column over the years, you've probably noticed my telephone number and e-mail address are listed every week. If you care to discuss things with me, feel free to contact me. But, once again, remember this is all in good fun.
Here, then, are one man's opinion of the best Siouxland golf had to offer in 2008:
Player of the year: This one was almost too close to call. In fact, there really isn't much separating the top two choices, Todd Sapp and Ayron Corporon.
Sapp, who should also be recognized as bridesmaid of the year, lost to Ben Keane in a playoff for the Men's City Championship. That was one of a number of runner-up finishes for the former North High standout who now coaches golf at Morningside College.
Sapp was also second to Nate Barbee in the River-Cade tournament, third in the Interstate Amateur Championship and eighth in the Tri-State Masters. His list of second-place finishes also includes the Cherokee Open, Whispering Creek club championship and the prestigious Worthington (Minn.) Match-Play tournament, which attracts top players from a number of Midwest states.
In addition, Sapp reached the quarterfinals of the Iowa Golf Association Match-Play Championship. He qualified for and even won a match in the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, a match-play tournament that includes talented players from around the country.
Corporon, meanwhile, won his third consecutive Tri-State Masters title in May, finished third in the city and tied for fifth in the River-Cade. Only a playing date at historic Pebble Beach Golf Links prevented him from playing in the Interstate.
But, of course, we'll excuse Ayron for choosing Pebble Beach over Two Rivers. Corporon played at East High School and Creighton University and is a former men's city champion.
Breakthrough Performance: Mike Kelley.
The chief construction engineer for the city of Sioux City, who knocked at the door all season long, came through with his first Siouxland victory on Sunday, winning the second Covington Fall Classic at Covington Links in South Sioux City.
Kelley, who moved to Sioux City from San Diego, Calif., two years ago, shot 68-73 in the 36-hole event, edging Tom Merry of Oklahoma City by two shots. Kelley made the cut in three of the four "majors" and was the leading point getter for the Green Valley team for the River City Shootout, set for later this month.
The River City Shootout matches Green Valley against Two Rivers. The teams are determined through finishes in each of the season's four "major" tournaments.
Ready to Explode: Chris Rager.
The South Sioux City native and recent Morningside College graduate was in the hunt for the men's city title before settling for a tie for fourth place.
Rager was also fourth in the River-Cade and held off Sapp for the Whispering Creek club championship. A couple of years ago, Rager stole the show in the Iowa Amateur Championship at Whispering Creek, firing a 68 to wind up in one of the final groupings in the last round.
In short, look for big things out of him in the near future.
Most Improved: Cam Jacobs.
Jacobs, an East High graduate who played a season at Kirkwood Community College before transferring to Morningside, gave us a glimpse of the future by shooting 3-under-par 33 over the final nine holes in the men's city tournament to finish in a three-way tie for fourth. If not for a lipped putt on No. 18, Jacobs would have tied Briar Cliff linkster Billy Keane for the low final nine and moved up to a tie for third.
Jacobs also finished in the top 15 of the River-Cade and was second after one round of the Herman Sani Open, another of the IGA's marquee events that is open to both amateurs and professionals. Jacobs trailed eventual champion Sean McCarty, the head professional at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville, Iowa, by two shots after the opening round.
The come back next year and try again award: J.D. Anderson.
Someday, somebody will step up and beat J.D. Anderson in the Interstate Amateur. But until it happens, the West Des Moines resident who grew up in Pocahontas can simply be called the king of Two Rivers.
Anderson won his fourth consecutive Interstate title in June, beating Troy Arends of Orange City by four shots.
Shot of the year: Ben Keane.
The former Bishop Heelan and Briar Cliff standout, who won the men's city title and lost in a four-hole playoff to fellow Heelan graduate Adam Fields in the Green Valley club championship, came through with a clutch shot on the next-to-last hole of the city.
Facing a 217-yard shot and trailing Sapp by two shots, Keane rifled one within four feet and made birdie. Sapp, meanwhile, made bogey and the two eventually went to a playoff, which Keane won with a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
That's not to say there wasn't plenty of good golf played during the summer months. In fact, when it came time to announce my end-of-the-year awards, it took a little extra thought.
And that, of course, is never a good thing when I'm involved.
Please remember, as always, these awards are strictly for fun and, in the grand scheme of things, mean absolutely nothing. However, it does make for some good conversation among players from our area, especially those who follow what's going on in the local tournaments.
If you've read this column over the years, you've probably noticed my telephone number and e-mail address are listed every week. If you care to discuss things with me, feel free to contact me. But, once again, remember this is all in good fun.
Here, then, are one man's opinion of the best Siouxland golf had to offer in 2008:
Player of the year: This one was almost too close to call. In fact, there really isn't much separating the top two choices, Todd Sapp and Ayron Corporon.
Sapp, who should also be recognized as bridesmaid of the year, lost to Ben Keane in a playoff for the Men's City Championship. That was one of a number of runner-up finishes for the former North High standout who now coaches golf at Morningside College.
Sapp was also second to Nate Barbee in the River-Cade tournament, third in the Interstate Amateur Championship and eighth in the Tri-State Masters. His list of second-place finishes also includes the Cherokee Open, Whispering Creek club championship and the prestigious Worthington (Minn.) Match-Play tournament, which attracts top players from a number of Midwest states.
In addition, Sapp reached the quarterfinals of the Iowa Golf Association Match-Play Championship. He qualified for and even won a match in the Trans-Mississippi Amateur, a match-play tournament that includes talented players from around the country.
Corporon, meanwhile, won his third consecutive Tri-State Masters title in May, finished third in the city and tied for fifth in the River-Cade. Only a playing date at historic Pebble Beach Golf Links prevented him from playing in the Interstate.
But, of course, we'll excuse Ayron for choosing Pebble Beach over Two Rivers. Corporon played at East High School and Creighton University and is a former men's city champion.
Breakthrough Performance: Mike Kelley.
The chief construction engineer for the city of Sioux City, who knocked at the door all season long, came through with his first Siouxland victory on Sunday, winning the second Covington Fall Classic at Covington Links in South Sioux City.
Kelley, who moved to Sioux City from San Diego, Calif., two years ago, shot 68-73 in the 36-hole event, edging Tom Merry of Oklahoma City by two shots. Kelley made the cut in three of the four "majors" and was the leading point getter for the Green Valley team for the River City Shootout, set for later this month.
The River City Shootout matches Green Valley against Two Rivers. The teams are determined through finishes in each of the season's four "major" tournaments.
Ready to Explode: Chris Rager.
The South Sioux City native and recent Morningside College graduate was in the hunt for the men's city title before settling for a tie for fourth place.
Rager was also fourth in the River-Cade and held off Sapp for the Whispering Creek club championship. A couple of years ago, Rager stole the show in the Iowa Amateur Championship at Whispering Creek, firing a 68 to wind up in one of the final groupings in the last round.
In short, look for big things out of him in the near future.
Most Improved: Cam Jacobs.
Jacobs, an East High graduate who played a season at Kirkwood Community College before transferring to Morningside, gave us a glimpse of the future by shooting 3-under-par 33 over the final nine holes in the men's city tournament to finish in a three-way tie for fourth. If not for a lipped putt on No. 18, Jacobs would have tied Briar Cliff linkster Billy Keane for the low final nine and moved up to a tie for third.
Jacobs also finished in the top 15 of the River-Cade and was second after one round of the Herman Sani Open, another of the IGA's marquee events that is open to both amateurs and professionals. Jacobs trailed eventual champion Sean McCarty, the head professional at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville, Iowa, by two shots after the opening round.
The come back next year and try again award: J.D. Anderson.
Someday, somebody will step up and beat J.D. Anderson in the Interstate Amateur. But until it happens, the West Des Moines resident who grew up in Pocahontas can simply be called the king of Two Rivers.
Anderson won his fourth consecutive Interstate title in June, beating Troy Arends of Orange City by four shots.
Shot of the year: Ben Keane.
The former Bishop Heelan and Briar Cliff standout, who won the men's city title and lost in a four-hole playoff to fellow Heelan graduate Adam Fields in the Green Valley club championship, came through with a clutch shot on the next-to-last hole of the city.
Facing a 217-yard shot and trailing Sapp by two shots, Keane rifled one within four feet and made birdie. Sapp, meanwhile, made bogey and the two eventually went to a playoff, which Keane won with a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole of sudden death.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
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