Nebraska PGA July 2014 Newsletter by David Honnens

Featured on pages 8 & 9 inside!

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Monday November 10th

Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, PGA

PGA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Founded in 1986, the PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.4 million to 2,666 students. Since the inception of the program, $122,000 has been awarded to 63 children or grandchildren of Nebraska Section PGA Members.

PGA of America Scholarship Winners Lauren Davies – Daughter of Lawrence Davies, PGA Jaiden Dufek – Granddaughter of Terrance Riordan, PGA Katharine Garland – Daughter of Sean Riley, PGA

Founded in 2007, the Nebraska PGA Scholarship Fund has awarded $45,250 to 59 children or grandchildren of Nebraska Section PGA Members.

Nebraska PGA Scholarship Winners Savannah Dennis – Daughter of H. Gregory Dennis, PGA Nicholas Knopik – Grandson of Dave Williams Tanner Lubach – Son of Bruce Lubach, PGA Ashton Mattingly – Daughter of Mark Mattingly, PGA Kelsey Petersen – Daughter of Jon Petersen, PGA Alison Sutter – Daughter of Joe Sutter, PGA Hayden Thomson – Son of Chris Thomson, PGA Parker Cyza – Grandson of Ron Gunia, PGA Elijah Hirsch – Grandson of Ron Gunia, PGA Nicklaus Jensen – Son of Russell Jensen, PGA Clayton Malone – Son of Dave Malone, PGA Morgan Wiemers – Daughter of Chris Wiemers, PGA Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street, Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

As the “Experts in the Game and Business of Golf” the power of education is the single most important way to help enhance and transform our industry. Many of today’s thriving industries outside of the golf industry have alluded to the fact that there is a strong correlation between the economic viability of an industry and its education attained by those who work in it. It is a priority of the Section to provide meaningful educational opportunities for you to meet these requirements. To review your current MSR status, please go to www.pgalinks.com and login. Under “your membership data” will be your current credits earned and what is still required. To receive MSR’s for your Player Development Program, please complete the “MSR Report Form” and submit it to Nebraska Section Player Development Coordinator, Joe Canny, PGA at jcanny@pgahq.com or by fax 402-489-1785.

What:

Complimentary PGA Online Education

Information:

1 MSR will be received per video and upon completion of the assessments with a 70% or higher. You will be allowed (1) re-take opportunity. MSR credit may be earned only one time for any online MSR course. For the complete list of available online PGA Education, click here.

At Hillcrest Country Club we believe we have become the premier family club in the Lincoln, Nebraska golf club market. This is not by mistake. Hillcrest’s amenities include a challenging, but family friendly golf course, inviting swimming pool, tennis courts along with excellent junior programs in all areas. Additionally, Hillcrest provides a full service club house. All these features are important, but it’s the Hillcrest membership that makes it the success it is today. With that in mind, it is tremendously important for our new members to feel a part of the Hillcrest family. Two programs implemented this year at the club aimed at helping these individuals feel “at home,” and connected to the established membership. In the spring we created our New Member Scramble event. These new members were invited to participate in an afternoon of golf followed by a welcome dinner. Golf pairings were created to include ambassador members along with board members and golf staff. This event assisted in forming new friendships along with learning more about Hillcrest, and why it is so special to many people. In July, Hillcrest hosted a poolside dinner and cocktail party for these individuals and those families who were not able to take part in the scramble. We strongly believe the connections made during these events helped to strengthen their ties to Hillcrest and its other members. These friendships assisted in making the new members’ experiences more enjoyable.

Mike Brown, PGA Director of Golf - Hillcrest Country Club Lincoln, Nebraska

Dear Nebraska PGA Membership, I am pleased to announce the hiring of our new Tournament Director, Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, PGA. Sean is in his third year as PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Country Club of Lincoln. Sean was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he completed the PGA Golf Management Program while also earning a minor in Business Administration. In June of 2012, Sean obtained his Class A membership to the PGA of America. During his internship at The PGA of America Tournament Department he established a passion for tournament operations. Sean was able to travel across the United States with the PGA Junior Series, administering and officiating golf tournaments for top junior players in the country. Sean also got to shadow a rules official during the 2011 PGA Championship at The Atlanta Athletic Club, which enhanced his appreciation of tournament operations and the rules of golf even more. Sean has been happily married to his wife, Kelsie, since August of 2012. Kelsie is currently employed as a 1st grade teacher at St. John the Apostle Catholic School, while also serving as an assistant coach for the Lincoln Pius X Volleyball and Girls Basketball teams. Sean will spend the latter part of this month and the first few weeks in August working with our current Tournament Director Thomas Harmon, PGA on transitioning into the position. Sean has a tremendous work ethic and will continue the tradition of outstanding Tournament Directors this Section has had for decades. Please help me in congratulating and welcoming Sean.

Our condolences on the passing of Glen Blakeman, PGA A member in our Nebraska Section PGA family, Glen Eugene Blakeman, PGA, 82 of Norfolk, NE died at his home on July 4, 2014. Glen was born August 6, 1931, in Sioux City, IA, the son of Kenneth and LaVerne (Carroll) Blakeman. He moved with his family to Norfolk graduating from Norfolk High School in 1949 where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Norfolk Junior College where he was a member of the Norfolk Junior College basketball team who gained a berth in the National Junior College tournament in 1951. Later he joined the Air Force where he was stationed in Landstuhl, Germany, where he served in the 86th Fighter Bomber Wing. He was a member of the all Air Force baseball championship team and a member of the USAF Baseball European Champion team. Glen attended Wayne State College graduating with a degree in secondary education. He began his career in education as a social studies teacher and basketball coach in Herman, NE. His basketball teams participated in the finals of Nebraska State Basketball tournaments and were runners up in Class D in 1963 and 1964. In addition to teaching, he continued his career in officiating football and basketball which lasted 46 years. His partner was Jerry Neely. They mentored many young officials in Northeast Nebraska. In 1964 he became a member of the Professional Golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association where teaching golf was his passion. It took him to all parts of the United States, Hong Kong, China and Macaw. Glen enjoyed attending major sporting events: the Masters, the Final Four, the Super Bowl, the World Series and the World Bowl. He attended and supported the local middle school, junior high, high school and college games, becoming an advocate of the athletes and coaches. He was a Life Member of the PGA, Elks, Legion, VFW, Norfolk Country Club, and the YMCA. Glen married Marlene (Niebur) at Sacred Heart Church and they had two sons, Brad and Clete. Glen is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and LaVerne. He is survived by: his wife, Marlene; two sons, Brad and Clete (Katie); 3 grandchildren; brother, Gary (Sumter, SC) and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. "I've had great experiences and fulfilled a lot of my dreams and then some. I felt surrounded by my family's love at all times." Glen Blakeman, PGA Card/notes of support can be sent to: Marlene Blakeman 713 Northdale Dr. Norfolk, NE 68701 Please keep the Blakeman family in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come.

Sam Meuret of Brunswick, NE and Hannah Thiele of Wahoo, NE won the 2014 Nebraska Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks Wednesday, July 9 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, NE. By winning the boys’16-18 and overall girls’ divisions respectively, Meuret and Thiele qualified for the 39th Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks, July 29-Aug. 1, 2014, at Miramont Country Club in Bryan/College Station, Texas. Meuret, 18, posted a final-round 70 for a two-day total of two-under par 140 and a six-stroke victory over Noah Hofman of McCook, NE. Thiele, 16, had a final-round 70 for a two-day total of two-under-par 140 and a five-stroke victory over her older sister Haley Thiele of Wahoo, NE. Jackson Hayes of Omaha, NE won the boy’s 13-15 division after a final round 79 for a two day total of 21over par and a two-stroke victory over Alex Zillig of LaVista, NE, Cade Niehaus of Fremont, NE and Brandt Radloff of Blair, NE. Nia Station of Omaha, NE won the girl’s 13-15 division after she posted a final round 80 for a two day total of 20-over par 162 and a 12-stroke victory over Spencer Roach of Paillion, NE. The Junior PGA Championship, Presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks, is open to one boy and one girl champion from each of the 41 PGA Sections, champions of the eight PGA Junior Series events, select national junior tournaments conducted throughout the year and special invitees who have yet not reached their 19th birthdays as of the final round of the championship. The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally been a stepping-stone for many of today’s PGA and LPGA Tour professionals as well as current collegiate stars. Past Junior PGA Championship competitors who have gone on to successful professional careers include: In-Bee Park, Jim Furyk, Luke Guthrie, Trevor Immelman, Cristie Kerr, Justin Leonard, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Grace Park, Dottie Pepper, Jordan Spieth, David Toms, Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie and Tiger Woods. Sam Meuret

Jackson Hayes

Noah Hofman

Alex Zillig Cade Niehaus

Alex Schaake Boys 13-15

Boys 16-18

Nia Station

Hannah Thiele

Spencer Roach

Haley Thiele

Lindsey Thiele

Katie Irvin Girls 13-15

Girls 16-18

Junior golfers from across the state gathered at Jim Ager Memorial Golf Course for the 12 and under divisions of the 2014 Nebraska Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks. Jason Kolbas of Lincoln, NE stole the spotlight in the boys 10-12 age division by posting a one-under â&#x20AC;&#x201C;par 53 for a six stroke victory over Rex Soulliere of Omaha, NE . Brynn Sundquist of Lincoln, NE captured the girls 10-12 age division by making a crucial par on the last hole to shoot a 16-over-par 70 to win by one stroke over Lauren Thiele of Wahoo, NE. There was a lot of great golf played in the boys 7-9 age division but Connor Steichen of Omaha, NE prevailed to win after shooting a five-over-par 32 to win by two strokes over Trevor Gutschewski of Omaha, NE. Steichen got off to a slow start but settled down and was able to play his last six holes in just two-over-par. Nicole Kolbas of Lincoln, NE joined her older brother as champion after shooting a nine-over-par 36 to best Pari Sarangdevot of Omaha, NE and Isabelle Gutschewski of Omaha, NE in the girls 7-9 age division. Kolbasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; round was capped off by a 50 foot putt on her final hole for birdie. Connor Steichen

Jason Kolbas

Trevor Gutschewski

Rex Soulliere

Isaac Graff

Luke Gutschewski

Boys 7-9

Boys 10-12 Brynn Sundquist

Nicole Kolabas

Lauren Thiele

Pari Sarangdevot

Kaitlyn Hanna

Isabelle Gutschewski

Girls 7-9

Girls 10-12

Zywiec and Nice Tie at Golf Fore the Troops The eighth annual Golf Fore the Troops Pro-Am featured lots of great golf on a beautiful day at the difficult Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln. Shane Zywiec, PGA, of Highlands Golf Course, and Matt Nice, PGA, of The Ridge Golf Club, led the Professional division with a one over-par 72 in the windy conditions. Jim White, PGA MP, of West Nine and Learning Center, and Ryan Vermeer, of Tiburon Golf Club, finished one shot behind the leaders.

PGA of Happy Hollow Club. Vermeerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s round was highlighted by an eagle on the third hole and six birdies. Vermeer was also a part of the winning team after teaming up with Shane Zywiec, PGA of Highlands Golf Course, to post an 11-under-par 59 in the fourball competition and win by four shots over the team of Ted DiGiacomo, PGA of Council Bluffs Country Club and Jim White, PGA MP of West Nine and Learning Center. View more. Vermeer Comes Through at TaylorMade 36-Hole Pro-Am

Sioux City, IA- Ryan The team division was a one team show as Tony Vermeer of Tiburon Golf Baranowski, of Shadow Ridge Country Club teamed Club captures the 2014 up with Mike Hershberger, James Hershberger and TaylorMade 36- Hole Dustin Hershberger to shoot 21-under-par and win by Pro-Am at Green Valley ten shots over the team of Mike Schuchart, PGA, Golf Course after shootBryce Brown, Alan Friesen and Scott Tridle. The team ing a final round fiveformat was one net plus one gross of the four on the under-par 67 to beat Shane Zywiec, PGA of Highlands Golf Course by four shots. Vermeer was able to track front nine and two net of the four on the back nine. down the overnight leaders after Zywiec and Matt The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event started with special guest, Col. Anita Nice, PGA of The Ridge Golf Club, by making seven birdies despite the breezy conditions. Currington, who shared her appreciation of how the Golf Fore the Troops scholarships have directly The team division was won by the team of Pat Schiltz, impacted her and her children. Golf Fore the Troops Jeremy Nichols and Jamie Wilshire who teamed up helps military families by awarding scholarships to with Ryan Norman, PGA for round one and Billy family members of active personnel serving here locally or abroad. To date, this event has awarded over Keane for the final round to post a 35-under-par total. Their total was good enough for a one shot vic$97,000 in scholarships. tory over the team of Mike Winklepleck Jr., Tracey Vermee/Zywiec win Team Competition at Ginger and Tony Ginger who was helped by Bob Club Car Pro/Pro Walker, PGA for round 1 and Tony Baranowski for the final round. York, NE- York Country Club played host to the Club The Nebraska Section PGA would like to extend a Car Pro-Pro where Ryan special thank you to tournament sponsor, Tod Puetz of Vermeer of Tiburon Golf TaylorMade, and to Scott Harmelink, PGA and his Club finished in first place in staff for playing host to this wonderful event. the professional division after shooting a four-under- Click Here to see full field results. par 66 to win by two strokes over Chris Wiemers, Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street, Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

Nebraska PGA 2014 Tournament Schedule Date

Tournament Nebraska PGA Professional Championship Aug 4-5 ArborLinks - Nebraska City, NE Nebraska Assistants Championship Aug 11 Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE NE PGA Senior Professional Championship Aug 11-12 Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE Harris Yamaha Golf Cars 27 Hole Pro - 3 Am Tiburon Golf Club - MGW - Omaha, NE Aug 14 Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE Tiburon Golf Club -HM - Omaha, NE TaylorMade/adidas Pro-3 Am Aug 18 Oak Hills - Omaha, NE E-Z-GO Facility Championship Aug 25 Shadow Ridge CC - Omaha, NE All Star Pro Golf Team Championship Sep 2 Beatrice Country Club - Beatrice, NE Laser Link Golf Pro - 3 Am Sep 8 Fremont GC - Fremont, NE Wells Fargo Nebraska Open Sep 12-14 Elks Country Club - Columbus, NE Nebraska PGA Cup Series Championship Sep 22 Quarry Oaks - Ashland, NE Nebraska PGA Rookie/Veteran Challenge Sep 29 Wild Horse Golf Club - Gothenburg, NE Club Car / Cutter & Buck Pro-3 Am Oct 13 The Country Club of Linco - Lincoln, NE

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PGA members, apprentices, PGA Golf SAN FRANCISCO Management students, – The PGA of and accompanying America, the PGA immediate family TOUR and the City (spouse, children and and County of his and her parents -San Francisco andoes not include nounced today a member's grandparents, partnership that will brothers/sisters, spouse bring the 2020 PGA Championship, The Presidents of children, etc.). Must Cup 2025 and the 2015 World Golf Championships- show membership card Match Play Championship to TPC Harding Park, a and photo ID each day. municipal course owned by the City and County of PGA members (only) may bring a guest instead of San Francisco. The announcement builds upon a their spouse. Section employees and their spouse may strengthening relationship between the PGA of receive a complimentary daily ticket. Section employAmerica and the PGA TOUR and furthers the TOUR's ees must show current Section Employee card and 20-year partnership with the City and County of San photo identification. Spouse must accompany the SecFrancisco that began with the rebuilding of TPC tion employee to receive ticket. Go to the Will Call trailer located near admission gate to pick up daily Harding Park in 2002-03. ticket. Today's announcement was made at San Francisco's 2015 PGA Championship: Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wis. City Hall, bringing together governmental officials, 2016 PGA Championship: Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J. including San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, and 2017 PGA Championship: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C. representatives of two of the game's leading organizations: PGA of America President Ted Bishop and PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. The partnership also includes a continued commitment to The First Tee of San Francisco, which is located at TPC Harding Park, by both the PGA TOUR and the PGA of America. "TPC Harding Park is a world-class facility and San Francisco is a mecca of the best sports, cultural and entertainment events the world has to offer, so today's exciting announcement only serves to further the City's stature in that respect, and is a wonderful extension of our long-standing partnership with the PGA TOUR," said Lee. "San Franciscans should be thrilled – and proud – to know they will be hosting both a major championship in the PGA Championship, a preeminent, international team event in The Presidents Cup and – in only 10-months' time – a World Golf Championships event with a thrilling match-play format. Our city will shine in all respects, I have no doubt, as we welcome fans, players and an international television audience with open arms." Click here to continue reading.

New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter welcomed PGA of America President Ted Bishop and the PGA’s executive staff to Yankee Stadium on June 4th. The PGA presented Jeter, who will retire at the conclusion of the 2014 season, with a PGA golf bag and golf clubs as a retirement gift. From left: Bishop, CEO Pete Bevacqua, COO Darrell Crall and Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh.

The inaugural PGA Fashion & Demo Experience formerly the PGA Expo) will be conducted at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and Cascata Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada, on Aug. 18-20. PGA Magazine’s August edition will preview the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience. The PGA Education Conference will be offered all three days of the Experience. PGA Professionals will have the opportunity to earn more than 20 MSR education credits toward both the PGA Required and Total categories in this, the final year of MSR Cycle 14A. You can register now to attend the Experience and participate in the PGA Education Conference at pgalasvegas.com.

What: Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Genesis Networks When: July 29 – Aug. 1, 2014 Where: Miramont Country Club, Bryan, Texas Presenting Sponsors: Under Armour and Genesis Networks 2013 Champions: Girls’ Division – Amy Lee, Brea, California Boys’ Division – Tyler McDaniel, Manchester, Kentucky

Know where you stand on the compensation scale compared to your fellow professionals, both locally Eligibility: One boy and one girl champion from each and on a broader scale. Use the online tool to create an analysis of current compensation levels and employee ofthe 41 PGA Sections, champions of the eight PGA Junior Series events and champions of selected benefits. View results national junior tournaments conducted earlier in the year and past Junior PGA Championship champions who have not reached their 19th birthdays.

August Birthdays

Dale Giebler, PGA Jamie D. Bodwell, PGA Steve Diehm, PGA Mike Antonio, PGA Evan R Erickson David L. Johnson, PGA Christopher D. Wise, PGA Greg D. Neujahr, PGA Nick A. Colabello, PGA Rodd T. Slater, PGA

8/3 8/4 8/5 8/6 8/7 8/8 8/9 8/10 8/11 8/11

Nathan C. Munford, PGA Patrick J. Kilbride, PGA Don Dravland, PGA Jeffrey R. Henry, PGA Alex J. Shives Derrick D. Thompson, PGA Anthony J. Driscoll, PGA Thomas H. Hearn, PGA Marc Cruse, PGA Jared R. Keenan, PGA

8/15 8/18 8/21 8/21 8/22 8/22 8/23 8/25 8/26 8/31

STAFF David Honnens, PGA Executive Director dhonnens@pgahq.com

Thomas Harmon, PGA Tournament Director tharmon@pgahq.com

Joe Canny, PGA Junior Golf Director/ Player Development Coordinator jcanny@pgahq.com

Renee Tyson Operations Manager rtyson@pgahq.com