The Waterloo Jaycees Greater Waterloo Open Golf Classic is the oldest and largest

golf Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not use a standardized playing area, and coping wi ...

tournament in the state of Iowa. It has been played annually since 1934, and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008. It is traditionally played over the course of third week/weekend in the month of July. The tournament actually consists of five separate tournaments which are organized and run simultaneously by a volunteer committee of Waterloo

Jaycees The United States Junior Chamber, also known as the Jaycees, JCs or JCI USA, is a leadership training, service organization and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. It is a branch of Junior Chamber International (JCI) ...

. The tournaments are played on the three public golf courses in

Waterloo, Iowa Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census the population was 67,314, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. The city is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls ...

Don Narveson Memorial Youth Golf Clinic

The Waterloo Open has become nearly a week-long event, and kicks off annually with the Don Narveson Memorial Youth Golf Clinic. The Youth Clinic takes place at South Hills Golf Course on Wednesday morning of the week of the event. Local youth interested in becoming more acquainted with the game of golf (as well as those who already play) can receive one-on-one interaction with golf professionals to refine their swing, receive putting instruction, and learn basic

golf etiquette Golf etiquette refers to a set of rules and practices designed to make the game of golf safer and more enjoyable for golfers and to minimize possible damage to golf equipment and courses. Although many of these practices are not part of the formal ...

Pro-Am Tournament

The tournament itself begins on Thursday morning, when the Pro-Am tournament begins at Irv Warren Memorial golf course. The Waterloo Open receives sponsorship from many local and national businesses, and these sponsors' generosity is repaid partially by being invited to play a round of golf with a professional golfer. Groups of 5 (one professional with 4 amateurs/sponsors) tee it up on either Thursday or Friday. The professionals compete against each other for a special Pro-Am tournament purse. For those professionals who may not have played in the Waterloo Open before, the Pro-Am tournament serves as a practice round played on the course on which they will compete later that weekend in a competitive environment. The amateur/sponsor groups also compete for nominal gift certificate prizes awarded to the best overall teams.

Amateur tournament

The Amateur and Senior Amateur tournaments begin on Friday the week of the event. The amateur field consists of 272 golfers, one half of which play at South Hills Golf Course on Friday, while the other one half play at Gates Park Golf Course. The groups switch courses on Saturday and play a second round of golf. After Saturday's round, the top 36 amateur golfers (and ties), along with the top 4 senior amateur golfers (and ties) make the cut and are invited to play a third championship round along with the professional golfers on Sunday at Irv Warren Golf Course. The amateur with the lowest combined 3-day score is the champion and receives a prize in the form of gift certificates redeemable at the local golf course pro shops.

Professional tournament

The main events of the Waterloo Open are the Professional and Senior Professional golf tournaments. 192 professionals compete in a one-day qualifying "shoot-out" on Saturday at Irv Warren Golf Course. After Saturday's round, a cut is made and the top 60 golfers in the Open division, as well as the top 20 golfers in the senior division, play a second round on Sunday for the championship. Because of the Waterloo Open's relatively large top prize compared to other tournaments of its size ($40,000 to the golfer who wins in 2008) and its reputation as one of the most well-run and hospitable tournaments among professional golfers, it attracts many up-and-coming young golfers from all over the country. Golfers who have competed in the Waterloo Open include current PGA professionals

Zach Johnson Zachary Harris Johnson (born February 24, 1976) is an American professional golfer who has 12 victories on the PGA Tour, including two major championships, the 2007 Masters and the 2015 Open Championship. In 2023, Johnson will captain the U ...

Woody Austin Albert Woody Austin II (born January 27, 1964) is an American professional golfer who played the majority of his career on the PGA Tour, but now plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Austin was born in Tampa, Florida. He attended the University of Mi ...

Tom Lehman Thomas Edward Lehman (born March 7, 1959) is an American professional golfer. A former number 1 ranked golfer, his tournament wins include one major title, the 1996 Open Championship; and he is the only golfer in history to have been awarded th ...

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George McNeill George William McNeill Jr. (born October 2, 1975) is an American professional golfer. He is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour with victories at the 2007 Frys.com Open and the 2012 Puerto Rico Open. Biography McNeill was born and raised in Napl ...

Winners

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'' , , Nate Vance , - , 2019 , , Chandler Blanchet , , Jonathan Feldick , - , 2018 , , Richard Schembechler , , Dusty Drenth , - , 2017 , , Austin Quick , , Alex Schaake , - , 2016 , ,

Tom Whitney Tom Whitney (born May 16, 1989) is an American professional golfer. Amateur career Whitney was born in South Lake Tahoe, California and lives in Little Elm, Texas. He attended La Quinta High School in La Quinta, California. After high school, ...

, , Alex Higgs , - , 2015 , ,

, , Carson Schaake , - , 2014 , , Donald Constable , , Carson Schaake , - , 2013 , , Mark Blakefield , , Ricky Hearden , - , 2012 , ,

Ryan Blaum Ryan Stephen Blaum (born October 16, 1983) is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour, having previously played on Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamérica and the NGA Pro Golf Tour. Amateur career Blaum played colle ...

, , Ben Juffer , - , 2011 , ,

Nate Lashley Nathan Clark Lashley (born December 12, 1982) is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. Early life Lashley was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He played college golf at the University of Arizona. During his junior year, his pa ...

, , Gene Elliott , - , 2010 , ,

, , Justin Weber , - , 2009 , , Andy Winings , , Kyle Bermel , - , 2008 , ,

Derek Lamely Derek Lamely (born July 12, 1980) is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour. Background Lamely was born in Belleville, Illinois. He was a member of the Texas State Championship team at Montgome ...

, , Cole Peevler , - , 2007 , , Jay Reynolds , , Keith Jungen , - , 2006 , , Scott Hart , , Jamie Frazier , - , 2005 , , Brett Melton , , Matt Lowe , - , 2004 , , Jerod Turner , , Matt Steddom , - , 2003 , ,

Steve Friesen Steve Friesen (born April 12, 1977) is an American professional golfer who played on the Web.com Tour. Friesen attended the University of Nebraska where in 1999 he won the Ben Hogan Award for the nations top scholar-athlete and was also named Al ...

, , Marc Cahalan , - , 2002 , , Jon Troutman , , Matt Willmott , - , 2001 , ,

, , Brock Mulder , - , 2000 , , Jerod Turner , , KC Doland , - , 1999 , , Brad Klapprott , , Ryan Smith , - , 1998 , , Sean McCarty , , Cory Braunschweig , - , 1997 , , Jeff Schmid , , Dave Narveson , - , 1996 , , Jeff Schmid , , Nate Lubs , - , 1995 , , Pat Moore , , Paul Wurtz , - , 1994 , , Darrell Chivington , , Scott Brauer , - , 1993 , ,

, , Scott Brauer , - , 1992 , ,

Tom Gillis Thomas Charles Gillis (born July 16, 1968) is an American professional golfer. Early life Gillis was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and graduated from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan. He turned professional in 1990 after playing col ...

, , John Berg , - , 1991 , , Jerry Smith , , Curt Berggren , - , 1990 , , Ty Armstrong , , Bill Hoefle , - , 1989 , , Skip Holton , , Nick De Kock , - , 1988 , , Skip Holton , , John Dinnebier , - , 1987 , , Clark Burroughs , , John Dinnebier , - , 1986 , ,

, , Brad Clark , - , 1985 , ,

John Benda John Benda (born July 9, 1947) is an American professional golfer playing on the European Seniors Tour. Benda was born in Sheridan, Wyoming and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. His wife, Veronica, is a native of Chile, and they have no ...

, , Mike Ketchum , - , 1984 , , Tony Cerda , , Scott Morgensen , - , 1983 , , Mike Bender , , Chris Donielson , - , 1982 , , Bill Sakas , , Todd Hintgen , - , 1981 , , Curt Schnell , , Doug Dunakey , - , 1980 , , Tom Sieckmann , , Steve Statton , - , 1979 , ,

Lonnie Nielsen Lonnie Dean Nielsen (June 29, 1953 – January 20, 2021) was an American professional golfer. Nielsen was born and raised in Belle Plaine, Iowa. His father started him in golf as a youngster on the sand green courses in and around his hometown. ...

, , Jim Scheppele , - , 1978 , , John Jacobs , , Jeff Smith , - , 1977 , , Slugger White , , Steve Kehrer and Jeff Smith , - , 1976 , , Dick Orr , , Tom VanGerpen , - , 1975 , ,

Mac McLendon Benson Rayfield McLendon Jr. (August 10, 1945 – July 4, 2022) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s. McLendon was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Bato ...

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, - , 1974 , , Jack Rule, Jr. , , Steve Kehrer , - , 1973 , , Roger Buhrt , ,

, - , 1972 , , Bob Panasik , , Tom Chapman , - , 1971 , ,

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, , Bill Heldmar , - , 1970 , , Curtis Sifford , , Ron Worthington , - , 1969 , , Jack Rule, Jr. , , Bill O'Connor , - , 1968 , , Cliff Brown , , Joe Heinz , - , 1967 , , Frank Beard , , Bill Hird Jr. , - , 1966 , ,

Steve Spray John Stephen Spray (December 16, 1940 – May 15, 2020) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s. Spray was born in Des Moines, Iowa and reared in Indianola, Iowa. His first big win as an amateur came ...

, , Ralph Compiano , - , 1965 , ,

Rex Baxter Rex Bernice Baxter, Jr. (born February 28, 1936) is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour. A native of Amarillo, Texas, Baxter won the U.S. Junior Amateur at Tulsa's Southern Hills Country Club in ...

, , Jerry Heinz , - , 1964 , , Bob Harrison , , Ev Scheppele , - , 1963 , , Ron Letellier , , Jim Scheppele , - , 1962 , , Bob Shields , , Queston Boston , - , 1961 , , Joe Moore, Jr. , , Jim Jamieson , - , 1960 , , Joe Brown , , Queston Boston , - , 1959 , , Jack Ellis , , Jack Rule, Jr. , - , 1958 , , Labron Harris , , Jack Rule, Jr. , - , 1957 , , J. C. Goosie and Dave Ragan , , Luti Fontanini , - , 1956 , , Jack Jones , , Luti Fontanini , - , 1955 , , Gene Webb , , Art Koch , - , 1954 , , Gene Webb , , Jack Webb , - , 1953 , ,

Johnny Jacobs John Byron Jacobs (June 22, 1916 – February 8, 1982) was an American television announcer, often for Chuck Barris productions—namely, ''The Newlywed Game'' and ''The Dating Game''. Early life He was born in Wisconsin. Early career Rad ...

, , Bud McCardell , - , 1952 , ,

Jerry Barber Carl Jerome Barber (April 25, 1916 – September 23, 1994) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour. He had seven wins on tour, including a major title, the PGA Championship in 1961. Born in Woodson, Illinois, Barber was o ...

, , Merle Stimson , - , 1951 , ,

, , Johnny Jacobs , - , 1950 , , Wally Ulrich , , Tom Crabbe , - , 1949 , , Earl Wilde , , Art Koch , - , 1948 , , Leonard Dodson , , Loddie Kempa , - , 1947 , , Jack Hall , , Warren Riepen , - , 1946 , , Don Wilcox , , Babe Veum , - , 1945 , ,

Charles Burkhart Charles Burkhart is an American musicologist, theorist, composer, and pianist. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus in the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He is known especial ...

, , Ev Scheppele and Dixie Smith , - , 1944 , , Chuck Johnson , , Dick Graham , - , 1943 , , Bob Reed , , Merle Stimson , - , 1942 , , Joe Brown and Don Wilcox , , Merle Stimson and Joe Gardner , - , 1941 , , Joe Brown , , Ed Updefraff , - , 1940 , , Vic Bass , , Sid Richardson , - , 1939 , , Don Wilcox , , Dixie Smith , - , 1938 , , Bob Hartenberger and Pat Wilcox , , Gus Moreland , - , 1937 , ,

and Art Steingraber , , Gus Moreland , - , 1936 , ,

Johnny Revolta John F. Revolta (April 5, 1911 – March 3, 1991) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1930s, 1940s, and early 1950s. He won a major title, the 1935 PGA Championship, and had 18 career wins on tour. Born in St. Lo ...

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Fred Haas Frederick Theodore Haas Jr. (January 3, 1916 – January 26, 2004) was an American professional golfer. Amateur career Haas was born in Portland, Arkansas. After graduating from Dermott High School, he graduated from Louisiana State University ...

, - , 1935 , , Vic Bass , , Dick Graham , - , 1934 , , Vic Bass and Howard Martin , , Dick Graham

External links

Official site
Golf in Iowa Recurring sporting events established in 1934 1934 establishments in Iowa