Nebraska PGA April 2024 Newsletter

OFFICERS/BOARD

President Dawn Neujahr, PGA

Vice President—Mike Schuchart, PGA

Secretary Phil Palmer, PGA

Honorary President—Gil Russell, PGA

Board Member Nick Wanderscheid, PGA

Board Member Chris Cover, PGA

District 8 Director—TBD

NEBRASKA PGA STAFF

Executive Director/CEO David Honnens, PGA

Assist. Executive Director—Seth Scollard, PGA

Managing Director Renee Tyson

Tournament Director—Derek Carlson, PGA

Junior Golf Director Kurt Karcher, PGA

Digital Media Director Brett Renner

Development Officer—Bob Danenhauer

Community Relations Coord.—Margie Smith

Administrative Assistant—Tiffany White

Wilson exists to awaken the inner athlete within us all. We believe that being an athlete isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. It’s a universal code of conduct, a way of seeing the world and showing up every day. It’s a calling that pushes us to strive for something bigger, to dig deep and live with integrity, honor and heart. As PGA Member professionals we are athletes who live by those words and the Wilson Game Ball is the recognition of your inner athlete by your fellow PGA members, who know what you do, and why you deserve it.

Thank you to Wilson Sporting Goods and the Nebraska PGA for this recognition of our youth program called the 9/36 Challenge. The idea of youth playing the golf course from skill level appropriate distances has been around for a long time, but has become more popular in recent years. I’ve felt strongly that this particular program needs to be FREE and available to 100% of my youth golfers, so in the spring of 2020 I created a program with five distance levels and my own branding. It needed to be as simple as giving a child a scorecard and a pencil when they were headed out to the course with their parents. It’s been rewarding to see how it has our juniors hooked on the game and looking forward to their next opportunity to see if they can achieve a passing score. There are days of frustration and sometimes tears when trying to achieve a passing score, which makes it mean so much when they do break through and pass a level of the 9/36 Challenge. Suddenly pride and confidence takes over as we take their picture holding their certificate along with a voucher for a free pizza as well. We're all looking for ways to help inspire youth to love the game and this program is doing that. I'd be happy to help other facilities consider this method.

Congratulations to NEPGA Associate Brady Schnell for firing an impressive -9 to capture low-Professional honors while Team Schnell from Firethorn Golf Club also finished at -27 to win the team event. Another shoutout to our sponsors Harris Golf Cars, Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola, Cutter & Buck and Vinnie Krikac - State Farm Agent for making this all possible! VIEW FINAL RESULTS

Nebraska PGA’s spring season continued with the HCIS (Health Care Information Systems) Pro-3Am at Fremont Golf Club with 29 teams competing. The format for the Professional-only division was individual stroke play while the team event was one net and one gross score. On a golf course with tree-lined fairways, high winds made scoring extremely tough for the field.

In the Professional-only event, new PGA Associate Carson Schaake of Tiburon GC fired the lone under-par round of the day and finished at 70 (-1) to capture Low-Professional honors. Schaake’s round included five birdies and four bogeys in route to his first win in the Nebraska Section. Finishing runner-up was Ryan Vermeer, PGA of Happy Hollow Club with a round of 72 (+1). Kyle Schellpeper, PGA of Wayne CC and Justin Herron, PGA of Oak Hills CC carded rounds of 74 (+3) to tie for third.

In the team event, 28 Nebraska PGA Professionals teamed up with three amateurs each. Playing alongside Steve Friesen, PGA of Firethorn Golf Club, Pat Sullivan, Pat Wallace and Rick Wagner finished at 135 (-7) in the 1 Net/1 Gross format to win. The foursome made only one bogey on the day and played consistently in route to their victory. Team Mitchum & Team Vermeer tied at 5-under to share second place.

We would like to thank Director of Golf Nathan Kalin, PGA, Director of Agronomy Josh Hegy and the entire staff at Fremont Golf Club for hosting and providing great hospitality to our field. We would also like to thank our title sponsor HCIS as well as our supporting sponsors Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO), Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola, Mizuno Golf, Coors Light, Waterbird Spirits, Surfside, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency for making this event possible!

2024 HCIS Pro-3Am Professional-Only Results

2024 HCIS Pro-3Am Team Results

Nebraska PGA hosted a record number of teams at the 2024 Oak Hills Country Club Pro-3Am, presented by Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO) and Callaway Golf. 37 teams of Nebraska PGA Professionals and amateurs from across the Section competed as the spring season rolls on. The format for the team event was 2-Net Best-Ball on the Par 4’s and Par 5’s and 3-Net Best-Ball on the Par 3’s. Beautiful weather welcomed the field and tee times began at 8:30am.

In the Professional-only event, Firethorn Golf Club’s Brady Schnell added another Section win to his growing list since joining the Nebraska PGA in 2023. Schnell began his day with a birdie on his opening hole before a run of pars. Schnell then made an eagle on No. 6 and followed it up with consecutive birdies on No. 7 and No. 8 and he went out in 31 (5-under). Schnell finished his day with a 66 (5-under) to win Low-Professional honors.

Finishing runner-up to Schnell in the Professional field was last week’s victor, Carson Schaake of Tiburon Golf Club. Schaake carded four birdies and two bogeys on the day and finished with a solid 69 (2-under). Rounding out the top three was Jon Petersen, PGA of Tiburon Golf Club at 70 (1-under). After a tough first nine holes, Petersen shot a blistering 29 (6-under) on the back nine for an incredible rebound effort.

In the team event, 37 Nebraska PGA Professionals teamed up with three amateurs each. Playing alongside Alex Janssen, PGA of Oak Hills Country Club, Brandon Reilly, Cole Stobbe and Derek Hill finished at 145 (-12) in the team event to win. The foursome played No. 17 and No. 18 at 5-under to cap off the victory in exciting fashion. Team Jonell finished runner-up at 11-under and just one shot shy of splitting the team event with Team Janssen.

We would like to thank General Manager and COO Mike Zadalis, PGA, Director of Golf Bobby O’Keefe, PGA, Director of Grounds Andy Rhylander and the entire staff at Oak Hills Country Club staff for hosting! We also want to thank both our presenting sponsors Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO) and Callaway Golf as well as our supporting sponsors Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola, Gregg Young Automotive Group, J.R. Barger & Sons, Coors Light, Waterbird, and Surfside, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency. See Results HERE

Opportunity is NOWHERE

How did you read the headline of this article? You may read it as “Opportunity is No Where.” Look again, and you will see that is also says “Opportunity is Now Here.”

The message is disguised because opportunity itself is usually not obvious. Opportunity is where we unexpectedly find it or take the initiative to go find and retrieve it. The famous Milton Berle is quoted saying, “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.”

Opportunities for improvement are everywhere. However, we must take the initiative in searching for them - reviewing each process we are involved in (and some we are not involved in). Just like the headline “OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE” we can view life from different aspects. We must not fall into the trap of doing the same mundane tasks in the same mundane manner they have always been done. There is always another approach that could be taken that often leads to a different more advantageous result. If you are continuing to conduct business as you have in the past, YOU are going nowhere.

The recent surge in golf will present new opportunities for the PGA professional. Opportunities that for some will be easily obtained and for others…well, hard work is in store. The PGA of America has a tremendous Lifelong Learning Education Platform. an outline of programs that will increase your value as a PGA professional and communicate that value to your employer. As your PGA Career Consultant, I want to take the “opportunity” to speak with you about goals and programs that will help you and your facility. Each professional will need to embrace the opportunities that will make them withstand the tough times, make them a more valuable golf professional, and enhance their value to the facility.

Lifelong learning must be part of the life plan for ALL PGA professionals. Progression is the key to success and facing new challenges. Our profession is continually changing, and we need to take the opportunity to change with it or be left behind. As we begin this season, take the opportunity to assess your skills and facility needs. What new skills must you acquire to succeed and remain an important asset to your facility? With an open mind and seeking attitude, you will find “opportunity” in many places.

Kevin

Save Today With T-Mobile

The PGA of America selected T-Mobile as its Exclusive 5G Wireless Innovation Partner! As a PGA of America Member, you are eligible for exclusive benefits for you and your family as well as your facility or PGA Section.

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Help Your Fellow Members

PGA of America Members face tough times that can strain their families financially. You can have a positive impact by contributing to the PGA Medical and Disaster Relief Fund. This crucial fund assists PGA Members during medical crises or natural disasters. Find out how you can contribute today.

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Complimentary Access to Events

Championship season is upon us! Enjoy one of the many benefits of PGA of America Membership by attending events such as the Masters, PGA Championship, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and more!

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PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup celebrates the PGA HOPE Program by providing a unique and memorable experience for our military Veterans and the PGA Professionals who work tirelessly to positively impact Veterans' lives. This annual event in conjunction with the week of PGA Championship, began in 2016 and is named after the Secretary of Veteran Affairs in recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding between PGA REACH and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Each team is made up of four Veterans from a PGA HOPE program and one PGA or LPGA Professional.

The 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup will be hosted on May 13, 2024, at The University of Louisville Golf Club in Kentucky. Continue Reading

Championship Season Webinars

What we want most is that each of you are able to leverage PGA Jr. League to elevate your life—-Personally, Professionally & Financially.

Championship Season is obviously the route to the National Championship. But, it is so much more. With the addition of All Star Play Days, pros have the opportunity to form Travel Teams and reap the financial benefits.

Most importantly, it is about the moment when you get to tell a young golfer that you think they are an All Star! Many of you were chosen as an All Star in various sports as a kid and probably remember it decades later.

What will be covered:

• How to make a great All Star Team experience, win, lose or draw

• Why All Star Play Days presents the largest economic opportunity in PGA Jr. League

• Changes to the Champ Season Rules

• 2024 Schedule of Events & Deadlines

May 6 - 4 pm Central / 3 pm Mountain

May 14 - 9 am Central / 8 am Mountain

The start of a new season of PGA Jr. League is sure to spark a few questions for parents and guardians, whether their players have participated before or are brand new to the program. Most questions will likely focus on practices and games, but others like wrong-sized jerseys will require help from the PGA Jr. League support team. Please encourage parents to reach out directly to the support team rather than directly to a Player Engagement Consultant by using the blue chat bubble at the bottom right corner of PGAJrLeague.com

Spring is on the horizon, so now’s the time to start planning and scheduling your 2024 PGA Jr. League games.

As a Coach, you can schedule events (game days, practices and team events) from your Coach Dashboard at PGAJrLeague.com or using the PGA Coach app. For instructions on how to schedule and add teams to your events using the Coach Dashboard or the mobile app, click the appropriate button below.

2024 Summer NJG events are open for registration. The summer event schedule can be found on the NJG website.

Joseph J. Finnegan, PGA 5/2

Turner C. Ham, PGA 5/3

Thomas R. Everett, PGA 5/3

Scott W. Harmelink, PGA 5/7

Matthew T Feauto, PGA 5/8

Timothy T. Kruse, PGA 5/16

Mardi L. Kvidera, PGA 5/16

Clay D. Stevens, PGA 5/17

Andrew W. Inggs 5/17

Mark Mooberry, PGA 5/18

Brian M. Steventon, PGA 5/18

Seth R. Scollard, PGA 5/19

Kyle E. Bullerman, PGA 5/19

Thomas R. Potvin, PGA 5/21

Kirk L. Hogen, PGA 5/22

Robert W. Eaks, PGA 5/22

Eric C. Kovarik, PGA 5/24

Thomas M. Jeffers, PGA 5/25

Loudan T. Steffes, PGA 5/27

Drew L. Seubert, PGA 5/27

Jacob M. Burling, PGA 5/29