Greenside - Official Podcast of the Iowa Golf Association

Katelynn Hogenson, IGA COO, visits the podcast to chat about her experience as a Rules Official at the 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur, which included some priceless memories on the grounds of and around Augusta National Golf Club. Simply surreal...

Clive's Jordan Weber joins the podcast to discuss his recent success on a worldwide professional golf tour, the NEXT Golf Tour. Enough success to earn him a spot in a handful of Challenge Tour starts and one on the DP World Tour events in Europe - what a deal!?

Tyler Johnson, of Mason City, joins the podcast to chat about his latest venture that he can't keep in stock – Toddler Golf Bags. Johnson, the 2019 IGA Match Play Champion, and his Charlie Golf Co. has taken on a life of their own. Sit back and listen to how it all started.

Spencer Groessl and Jeff Webb join the podcast to the speak about the Evans Scholars Foundation and their caddie program that is in place at a few IGA member clubs around the state and those that are starting one this year! It's exciting times ahead for sure with this program in the state of Iowa. As background, the Western Golf Association promotes the use of youth caddies and supports the Evans Scholars Foundation's efforts to award full tuition and housing college scholarships, now at the University of Iowa, to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means.

Molly Biggs and Thomas Gould, both with ties to Iowa, stop by the podcast to kick off 2024. Both were interns in 2023 with the USGA's Green Section and were excited to share their experiences from that chapter of their lives. You might even hear a couple stories about recent Greenside guest, Zach Nicoludis - USGA!

Reilly Smidt, former P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern with the IGA, joins the podcast to chat about his love for golf and the architecture that goes along with it. Smidt has had the fortune of playing several great facilities recently and shares with the listeners what that has been like and what to look for when you are out playing one of your favorite spots!

Brian Hickey, of Palmer Hills Golf Course, and Paul Miller, of Paul Miller Design, Inc., join the podcast to share some exciting news and things still in the works for the course in Bettendorf. If you haven't visited Palmer Hill GC recently, we're willing to bet you'll want to in 2024 after listening to this episode!

Zach Nicoludis, Regional Director, Central Region, joins the podcast to speak on and about the USGA's Green Section and his journey in the turfgrass business along the way. Working on a golf course during high school inspired Zach to pursue a degree in turfgrass science at Penn State University. Upon completing his degree, he worked as an assistant superintendent at St. Clair Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pa., French Creek Golf Club in Elverson, Pa., and Bidermann Golf Course in Wilmington, Del. Zach went on to become the South Course Superintendent at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Del., where he spent four years before joining the USGA Green Section.

Hogan Hansen, winner of the 74th Herman Sani Tournament joins the podcast to chat about his recent win, growing as a player and the ups and downs of being a golfer in college. Don't miss interviews with recent champions at the 45th Iowa Senior Amateur too – Ben Peters (Senior Division) and Tom Norton (Super Senior Division) as they drop by as well!

Charlie Hoyle, recent 121st Iowa Amateur champion and U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier, joins the podcast to chat about his early days in England, going to college in South Carolina, mini-tour life (the grind!) and his current position as Assistant Men's Golf Coach for the University of Iowa. Oh...and we'll talk about his recent success as a player too!

Kaitlyn Hanna, winner of the 99th Iowa Women's Amateur Championship, joins the podcast to discuss her recent win at Iowa City's Finkbine Golf Course. Hanna, an Omaha native, is quite the businesswoman and has some pretty 'cool' clients. Oh, and she's been to Augusta with driver, putter and wedge in hand!

Ethan Blomme, recent winner of the Iowa Junior Amateur, joins the podcast to talk about his recent success, including qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur to be contested in South Carolina. Blomme, who likes to compare his game year to year using various stats, tells us about a new hobby he's picked up when not on the course – chasing turkeys...kind of! Also, hear from our recent IGA Match Play and Women's Match Play Champions, Zach May & Hannah Bermel.

Derek Peng, Gavin Matthias and Paige Hoffman join Clint on the podcast to talk about their background in the game of golf, what they are looking forward to this summer as a PJ Boatwright Jr. Intern with the IGA and their picks for the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Did you know – In 1991, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Jr. Internship Program. This program is designed to give experience to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in golf administration, while assisting state and regional golf associations in the promotion of amateur golf, on a short-term, entry level basis. All five of the IGA's full-time staff were once PJ Boatwright Jr. Interns.

Sam Herrmann, of Muscatine, winner of the 38th Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship hosted by Geneva Golf & Country Club. Herrmann talks about his three days of success on his current home course, growing up on a course where he could hit a lot of wedges and sharpening his game at Loras College. Sit back and enjoy!

Clint talks with both Open and Senior Division winners of the 27th IGA Four-Ball Championship hosted by Burlington Golf Club. The course yielded some birdies, but but far from an easy walk in the park according to many players, including our champions.

David Combs, of West Des Moines, joins the podcast to relive his days growing up playing multiple sports, including golf in Minnesota. Combs recounts stops along at the way at Simpson College, working for the IGA and now continuing his passion of teaching and coaching – while trying to play the game he loves when time allows. Combs, who had a strong 2022 campaign on the course, including his first USGA national championship at the U.S. Mid-Amateur last year, looks forward to this season and improving his already solid game.

Dr. Adam Thoms, Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University, joins the podcast to talk and educate about the ups and downs of the turf industry - specifically being a golf course superintendent. Dr. Thoms provides valuable feedback that you can take back to your club or facility and help other understand why things happen when and how they do on the course.

Trevor Ullestad, 2017 Iowa Amateur champion, joins the podcast to catch us up on what he has been up to since graduating from the University of Missouri and his life chasing professional golf as a career. Ullestad, who grew up in Jewell, played with some of the best in college and feels like he has what it takes to make it.

Rick Tegtmeier joins Clint and Chad on the podcast to chat about his life in the turf industry. Tegtmeier has been in the golf course maintenance business for 40+ years and is currently the Director of Grounds for Des Moines Golf and Country Club, a 36 hole, Pete Dye designed, private club in West Des Moines. Tegtmeier became a Certified Golf Course Superintendent in 1985 and earned the Master Greenkeeper Certificate in 2015 - learn about both distinctions on this episode. You might even hear a story about the police showing up one time during his career....helicopter and all!

Iowa Golf Hall of Fame member Ken Schall joins the podcast to talk about his days growing up and playing a lot of golf in Waterloo. Schall shares tales of his trip to New Mexico State to play college golf (and his first night in town), life on the PGA Tour, teaming up with a young phenom in Michigan and playing with Lee Trevino with a few 'great' players in the group behind him at the U.S. Open.