Aug. 17, 2020
Event host Bill Reed reports on the Heart of America Tournament.
On July 9 the City of Des Moines, Iowa, informed the tournament director of the annual Heart of America Hickory Championship that the municipally-owned clubhouse of the Bright-Grandview Golf Course would not be available for the scheduled receptions, dinners, and trade and raffle tables that are a major part of this event. The timing was 22 hours before the first tee time of the practice round on Friday July 10, and 30 hours before the start of the inside festivities. Though unwelcome, this directive was not unsurprising to the board members of the Hickory Golf Association who had contingency plans in place for just such an event.
Social gatherings were switched to an alternate venue with an outdoor deck and lawn area with tents and canopies to handle the dozens of attendees in accordance with current social distancing requirements, and yet still experience the feel and warmth of the character of the HoA that has been its hallmark since 1978.
Thus would the 43rd annual Heart of America Tournament proceed.
The reception and tournament dinners consisted of Angus steak and cheese burgers, 100 percent Kosher hot dogs, smoked Polish sausages, various pasta dishes, off-the-bone Virginia pit ham, Swiss cheese and choice of French baguette or ciabatta buns, Boston baked beans, southern-style potato salad, and a chef’s salad with julienne ham, kalamata olives, cheeses, sweet red onions, all tossed with an olive oil/red wine dressing.
Tournament winners were as follows:
Open Medal Champion – Gary Youngberg of Ames, Iowa, 74-71 for 145
Proving that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, Youngberg’s sons, Kirk and Kyle, tied for second, both shooting 154.
Ladies Open Medal Champion was Jeanne Swenson, who defended her 2019 title with a 175.
Gold in the Open Reserve Division was won by David Hanson of Gowrie, Iowa, with 139.
Rick Sanders took Silver with 141 and GHS Region 7 Director Kirk Watson took Bronze with 150.
In the Senior Division, the Open Medal Champion was a repeat by Scott Rosheim who turned in 153. Mike Needleman took Silver with 167, and Daniel Norstedt claimed Bronze with 171.
Senior Reserve winners were Mark Larson of Rushford, Minn., with 130 for the Gold; Chris Hardy of Port Byron, Ill., with Silver with 142; and John Ausen of Hyperion Field Club as the Bronze champ with 147.
In the Statesman Division, it was Jim Fisher of Boone, Iowa, who took the Gold with 163. Calvin Whitman of Galesburg, Iowa – who paid close attention to the instructions of his caddie, wife Janet – was the Silver medalist at 175. Gentleman Jim Koss of Wisconsin was the Bronze winner with 183.
Kelly Kirk Gay, of Des Moines, took Gold in the Statesman Reserve with 127.
The Scramble team of Rives McBee, Gary Proctor, Dereck Hannah, and Terry Hannah shot a 124, which ought to have won most such events, but they were the Silver winners. They were outgunned by Texans Scott Pilgrim and Gary Krupkin and their partners Braid Baird of Wilmette, Ill., and John McKenzie of Des Moines, who shot a Scramble record for this tournament of 118.
We thank you all for making this such an enjoyable and memorable tournament.
The photos below are courtesy of Cal and Janet Whitman.
The Hickory Golf Association is closely associated with the Heart of America, as is the Golf Heritage Society. 
The Bright-Grandview Golf Course. 
A little trade show action before golf. 
Tournament host Bill Reed wondering where you were and why you hadn’t checked in. 
The players at the 43rd Heart of America Tournament 
Bill Reed and Janet Whitman. 
A foursome, in descending order. 
Another group of gents preparing for action at the 43rd Heart of America Tournament. 
Handsome woods ready for play. 
Checking the list for cart partners. 
Bill Reed in the kitchen. 
The Heart of America always puts on a good spread for its players 
Wally Koss, left, Cal Whitman, and Dan Norstedt – all from Wisconsin and representing 218 years of experience.