The Principal Charity Classic’s first round was played in Des Moines on Friday. For one golfer, the tournament had a personal connection.
Judd Gibb, a Fort Dodge native who is a member of the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, will represent Iowa this weekend at the Wakonda club. It took Gibb a strong performance on an unfamiliar course to make it through.
He shot a 6 under par in the qualifier on Tuesday at Veenker memorial Golf Course in Ames, earning a place in this weekend’s PGA Tour Champions. Gibb was familiar with his course, as it’s the place where he played college golf at Iowa State.
Gibb said, “It was wonderful” after finishing the first round. “I love Veenker golf course, it’s where I played my college golf. Hasn’t always been a fan of mine, but I played well on Tuesday. It was a good start to the week.
Gibb’s first PGA Tour Champions tournament was this year. He shot 3-under on his back nine, and finished the Principal Charity Classic on day one with a score of 2 under. Gibb, 54, said that although he had tried to qualify before for other events, this was the first time he made it.
Gibb commented, “It feels wonderful because this course beats me every time I play it.” Gibb has played Wakonda a lot of times. “I had a rough start, but made some solid putts and hung in there.”
Gibb is confident that he will enjoy the next two rounds of the tournament, no matter what happens. Gibb and his family have lived in West Des Moines, Iowa for more than a decade. He has many friends and family who are supporting him.
He’s not the only one on the course. Andrew Gibb, Gibb’s caddy at the three-day event is Simpson College men’s basketball player Andrew Gibb.
Gibb stated, “I don’t spend much time with him so any time I get is wonderful and this time on the golfing course is especially special.”
The top 10 finishers on Day 1 of the Principal Charity Classic
Steve Stricker is leading the pack after the first day. He scored 64 after shooting -under in the first round. After 66s, Rod Pampling, Stephen Ames and the defending champion Jerry Kelly are tied for second. Tim Herron, Mark Hensby Vijay Singh Steve Flesch Miguel Angel Jimenez are all tied for second after 66s.
Stricker explained, “I went home after last week and didn’t pick up a club for two days.” “I have been getting away too from the game, despite playing a lot.” I take a couple of days off before the next event and feel fresh and ready.
Stricker leads the Schwab Cup standings. He has won three events in this season including his two last PGA Tour Champions tournaments: The Regions Tradition, and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.
The weather worsens in the opening round
The first day of the tournament was impacted by bad weather. Play stopped for more than an hour and half between 2:41 pm and 4:15 pm.
The storm on Friday passed quickly, and the chances of rain are lower for Saturday and Sunday. Golfers will face temperatures of up to 90 degrees for the next two day, and little respite from the sun.
The wind can still affect the game, even if the competitors get a respite from the rain. On Saturday, wind gusts up to 15 miles per hours are expected. The forecast for championship day calls for 10 mile per hour gusts.
Alyssa is the Des Moines Register’s college sports recruiting reporter. Alyssa can be reached at [email protected], or via Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
