Having a limited amount of time to play in tournaments due to coaching responsibilities hasn’t stopped Jay Horton, head coach of ISU men’s golf, from putting up an impressive showing in the Iowa Section PGA player of the year standings so far.

Horton is currently in third place with 149.67 points, even though he has only played in three of the nine events sanctioned by the Iowa Section PGA so far this season.

“It’s a real credit to Jay that he does as well as he does, because his playing time is limited by his coaching responsibilities at Iowa State,” Kirk Stanzel, Executive Director for the Iowa Section PGA said.

Horton started off his season in style by winning the 2002 Precept Classic on April 20 at Otter Creek and Briar Wood golf courses by one shot under John Bermel.

He followed up that victory with a seventh-place finish two days later at the 2002 Pro-Pro #4 at the Fort Dodge Country Club and a fourth-place finish, just two shots back, at the Iowa Section Pro-Am #1 at Ames Golf and Country Club on May 13.

If Horton had been able to play in the Iowa Cup, which he was a qualifier for, it would have given him an additional 50 points, he said.

Those 50 points would be enough to put him in second place in the standings.

It can be tough to balance coaching responsibilities and personal playing time, Horton said.

“During the summer I usually spend Monday through Thursday on the road recruiting and Friday, Saturday, Sunday playing in tournaments,” Horton said. “I’m almost never home.”

Horton said the ISU golf camps in June also take him out of a number of tournaments.

That’s OK with Horton, though.

“My top priority is the 12 guys on the team now,” Horton said. “I’m not as concerned with my own game as I used to be. I would trade my place in the player of the year standings for victories for ISU golf anytime.”

Horton said winning player of the year would be gratifying, though, especially with his limited playing time.

“I’d be proud,” Horton said. “I’d know I had to play extremely well with my limited number of events.

“I don’t set out with that as a goal every year like I may have when I was just a pro, but it still would be nice.”

Horton said he likes to stay competitive because it helps with the team.

“Everything the kids are going through, I have been through myself,” Horton said.

Horton said he likes playing in some of the other tournaments not sanctioned by the Iowa Section during the summer because it gives him a chance to play side by side with his team.

He said getting his name out there in these tournaments can also help the recruiting process as well.

“Having my name out there can be helpful to Iowa State. It helps lend credibility and it’s nice publicity,” Horton said.

Horton has been a member of the Iowa Section PGA since 1996.

Stanzel said the Iowa Section PGA has about 275 members and apprentices, and is part of the larger PGA of America.

“The PGA of America was founded in 1916 and the Iowa Section was in the mid-’40s,” Stanzel said.

Stanzel likened the difference between a member and an apprentice to that of a college graduate versus a college student.

“The members have finished their education and training, and apprentices are still taking the classes and training required for membership,” Stanzel said. “It usually takes about two to five years to complete.”

The Iowa Section PGA tournament season runs April through October, Stanzel said. There are usually 30 to 35 events.

Stanzel said the top qualifiers from the Sectional Tournament in August advance to regionals, and then potentially the National PGA Championship.

Stanzel said there are several reasons why the members compete in the tournaments and strive for player of the year honors.

“It’s a feeling of accomplishment that they’ve reached the pinnacle of their level,” Stanzel said. “The top 14 players and top six seniors also qualify for the Iowa Cup.

“They play the 20 best available amateurs.

“There’s a lot of incentive to represent their association in the Iowa Cup.”