Ihm joins PGA hopefuls at GCRO

CEDAR RAPIDS – The field is set for the 2014 Greater Cedar Rapids Open, encompassing previous champions, PGA hopefuls and younger professions who are all aiming to cash in on the grand prize.

In its 19th year, the 54-hole tournament features a reunion of championed golfers at Hunter's Ridge Golf Course. Champion trio Sean McCarty, Andy Winings and Garrett Jones will be joined by other golfers playing for a $20,000 grand prize at the end of the week.

GCRO co-founder Jim McPartland said the tournament has featured marquee names before and hopes to produce more professional tour candidates out of this year's play.

'We've had a group of golfers come through the event over the years, starting with Zach Johnson winning in 2001,' McPartland said. 'George McNeill placed well here; he didn't win it but he went on to play in the PGA tour.'

Competing in this year's tournament is the homegrown name of Steven Ihm, University of Iowa graduate, and the runner-up at last weekend's Waterloo Open, Jeffrey Kellen. McPartland said having these names playing in the GCRO does greater good for the game of golf in the Cedar Rapids area.

In his third professional event, Ihm said he isn't intimidated by the highest competition. Ihm said it'll be good for him to hit the ball around in his own backyard.

'It's always nice to play in Iowa,' Ihm said. I'm really comfortable with the courses.'

Ihm said to come away with a victory on Saturday, it will be important not to rush his game and techniques.

One change that comes to this year's GCRO is a change of days. In the past, the GCRO has been held on Friday, Saturday and the final round on Sunday. Due to scheduling conflicts, McPartland said the decision was made to push the tournament up a day to bring in more golfers.

'We wanted to make this a hospitable place to come and play,' McPartland said. 'And we thought if they could get done on Saturday, they'd have another day to travel.'

Heading into the 2014 tournament, McPartland said the field is shaping up to be a competitive one. With the recent heat and dry weather, the course has been molded into a make-or-break platform for the golfers.

'The quality of the players this year is pretty good. The course is hard and fast,' McPartland said. 'There's going to be a lot of birdies and a lot of double bogeys but should be a fun thing to watch.'