Golf Fundraiser a Huge Success
The Iowa Rugby Foundation hosted the 3rd annual iteration of its hugely successful golf outing on May 24 at Finkbine Golf Course with beautiful weather and a large field of golfers from all across the United States. 120 golfers started the morning's event with an introduction by Head Coach Tyler Dailey of the current Iowa Hawkeye rugby side that recently placed second in the CRAA Sevens National Championship. The course was in good early-season shape and even with cooperative whether posed a stiff challenge for the event's 30 teams. The highlight of the course is the famed 13th hole with an island green which saw more than a few tee shots land in the water! Men's and women's hole challenges included longest drive (Cole Horton, Lindsey Gilbert), longest putt (Brooke Rier) and closest to the pin (Tyler Vroegh, Lindsey Gilbert). The winning team in the scramble event was Daniel Holterhaus, Dustin Pierson, Rob Rutt and Kevin Eslick; second-place finishers Ron Ehrman, Dominic Ehrman, Spencer Ehrman and Schuyler Brown; and third place was a team of Des Moines Rugby alumni, Matt Conners, Aaron Helmrichs, Scott Appenzeller and Kevin Dotseth. Following the golf event the foundation hosted a barbecue lunch and raffle drawing.
Coach Dailey said "This year’s golf outing was a major success, bringing together 30 teams for a day of competition, camaraderie, and community impact. Despite the challenge of hosting the event over Memorial Day weekend, the turnout and enthusiasm were outstanding. We are grateful for the generosity of our participants and sponsors. With their help we raised meaningful funds that will go directly toward strengthening our endowment and supporting the future of Rugby in Iowa. This event served as a powerful bridge between alumni, current players, families, and friends—fostering relationships, sharing stories, and the legacy of Iowa Rugby."
Finkbine Golf Course recently announced plans for a complete renovation of the course starting this fall which will take around 18 months and necessitate a change in venue for next year's Golf Fundraiser. Alternate sites for the event are being discussed now with a location to be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned!
