Newsletter
Dear Nebraska Junior Golf Tour, We are pleased to announce a couple of hires to help us in our continued pursuit of serving the scholar athletes and their families of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and TEAM Golf. Spencer Schaulis – Originally from Wisner, NE, Spencer is a student at the University of NebraskaLincoln majoring in PGA Golf Management. While in Lincoln, his home course is Mahoney Golf Course. He has employment experience at Maroon Creek Club in Aspen, Colorado and Westmoreland Country Club in Willmette (Chicago), Illinois. Spencer enjoys golfing, wakeboarding, attending sporting venues/ watching sports and playing basketball. His favorite teams to cheer for are the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Spencer Schaulis
The highlight of his golf career thus far was qualifying for the State Tournament both as a team and individually, breaking 70 and scoring double eagle. Cordell Weber – Originally from Welcome, MN is also a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in PGA Golf Management. Cordell’s current home course in Lincoln is Yankee Hill Country Club. He has also spent time working at Fox Lake Golf Club (Sherburn, MN); Rose Lake Golf Club (Fairmont, MN) and Interlaken Golf Club (Fairmont, MN.) In his free time, Cordell enjoys golfing, basketball, tennis and fishing. The teams that he cheers for are the Minnesota Wild, Vikings, Timberwolves and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The highlight of his golf career has been becoming a state tournament champion in Minnesota in 2012.
Spencer and Cordell have already made significant contributions to the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and in fact, Cordell was our meteorologist at our last Pro-Am with his expertise in this area! Cordell Weber
Please help me in welcoming Spencer and Cordell when you see them this summer.
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska – Presenting Sponsor of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Five Points Bank – Presenting Sponsor of NJGT TEAM GOLF & Central Nebraska Junior Amateur GolfTEC of Omaha – Presenting Sponsor of all Premier Championships PGA TOUR – Supporting Sponsor of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour
Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents Association – Presenting Sponsor of the Capital City Championship Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (Lincoln and Grand Island) – Supporting Sponsor of the NJGT Golf USA – Presenting Sponsor of the NJGT Points Race and Player of the Year Awards
We encourage you to review the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour website at NJGT.org to view all the 2017 season has in store including the complete schedule, new Stableford formats and more. It is an honor to serve you and your families! Sincerely,
Craig Ames Executive Director Nebraska Golf Association
David Honnens, PGA CEO Nebraska Section PGA 3
Cyber security has become headline news lately with a number of industries taking credit card information being hacked with card information being stolen. In order to ensure your credit card information is secure the PGA of America along with its’ partner organizations (NJGT) utilized Presidio Cyber Security to conduct a PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance evaluation. To protect your financial information and privacy, we need to make some changes to the way we interact with your credit card information. At this time, the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour is establishing information handling standards related to our member and guest information, including a strict prohibition against accessing or interacting with your credit card information in any form or medium. To reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure or loss, all credit card information must now be processed only through our event service provider – Tournament Pairing Program (TPP) Online (system you already use). How does this affect you? *We will no longer be able to accept credit/debit cards onsite, over the phone, or via email for any Section tournament or event. -This means no late registration options are available in 2017 and beyond. *All credit/debit card transactions will need to be done through Tournament Pairing Program. We know there will be a learning curve for all of us and we are happy to answer any questions that you might have on this issue. We will still be available to offer assistance in getting you registered for any tournament. Once our review and training process is complete, we will communicate any additional information to you as needed. Thank you for your patience during this transition and continued support of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour.
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PGA Sports Academy Fitness Tips
Power is important in golf and I know all of us strive to hit the ball further. For that reason we are going to start of the PGA Sports Academy Fitness Tips with some exercises for more power and in turn more distance. It is important to remember that gaining “golf power” is more than just lifting the big weights. It is important to work on increasing strength as well as flexibility for max distance. Below are a few exercises you can do at home or the gym to gain those extra yards:
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Goblet Squats
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Russian Twists
Single Leg Deadlift
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Hand Speed Drill
You are going to look crazy doing this, however it is very effective for your hand speed. Hold out your hand shoulder height. Open and close your hand as quick as possible for 30 seconds – 1 minute. Take a short break and repeat.
Image: workoutlabs.com
In all exercises make sure you are being safe and practicing good form. 5
This year’s 18-hole division NJGT Championship will be hosted at Dakota Dunes Country Club, ranked best in the state of South Dakota by both Golf Digest and Golf Week. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the course is a diamond in the Midwest with immaculate conditions, first class dining and more. The top point winners in each division as of July 21st will earn their spot in the field for this majestic golf course. Invitation numbers will be posted on the points page of NJGT.org on July 1st. Dakota Dunes Country Club is generously offering NJGT participants and parents practice rounds this season for a significantly reduced rate of $45 per player. Practice rounds are Tuesday-Sunday and must be booked through PGA Head Professional Justin Arlt at least nine days early. To keep up to date on the current points race and learn more about the NJGT Points System visit http://www.njgt.org/background/. 6
The 9-hole division championship will be hosted at The Field Club of Omaha once again for 2017. The oldest country club west of the Mississippi River, historic Field Club was the site of the 1941 US Amateur Championship as well as the home course for Nebraska legend Johnny Goodman. This tree-lined course will be the perfect ending to what looks to be another great season. Golfers will earn points through July 21st which will position them for an invite to the NJGT Championship. Invitation figures will be posted on the points page of NJGT.org on July 1st. You can learn more about the points system and stay in touch with your current standing at http://www.njgt.org/background/.
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This year’s NJGT TEAM GOLF Championship will feature a post-season playoff. Facilities in the North Division will have a 16-team playoff at Fremont Golf Club July 26th with facilities in the South Division hosting their 16-team playoff field at Holmes Golf Course August 3rd. The top 15 teams in points within each division July 21st will be guaranteed a playoff spot in their division. The top two teams from each playoff site will move on to the NJGT TEAM GOLF Championship hosted at the Country Club of Lincoln.
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Date
Site
City
Deadline
June 6
The Knolls
Omaha, NE
May 29
June 8
Firethorn Short Course
Lincoln, NE
May 31
June 9
The Bluffs
Vermillion, SD
June 1
June 14
Shoreline
Carter Lake, IA
June 6
June 15
Wilderness Ridge Talon Course
Lincoln, NE
June 7
June 19
Floyd Park
Sioux City, IA
June 11
June 20
Ashland GC
Ashland, NE
June 12
June 23
Riverside
Grand Island, NE
June 15
June 28
Miracle Hill
Omaha, NE
June 20
June 29
Sioux City CC
Sioux City, IA
June 21
June 29
Jackrabbit Run
Grand Island, NE
June 21
July 5
Council Bluffs CC
Council Bluffs, IA
June 27
July 5
Jim Ager
Lincoln, NE
June 27
July 10
Mahoney
Lincoln, NE
July 2
July 11
Pacific Springs
Omaha, NE
July 3
July 11
Hidden Valley
Lincoln, NE
July 3
July 12
Dodge Riverside
Council Bluffs, IA
July 4
July 13
Lochland CC
Hastings, NE
July 5
July 19
Crooked Creek
Lincoln, NE
July 11
July 19
Tara Hills
Bellevue, NE
July 11
July 20
Two Rivers
North Sioux City, SD
July 12
July 26
North Division Playoffs
Fremont GC
Qualify
August 3
South Division Playoffs
Holmes GC - Lincoln
Qualify
August 11
NJGT TEAM GOLF Championship
Country Club of Lincoln
Qualify
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Boy's 2016 Championships NEBRASKA JUNIOR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association June 6-9, 2017 Wild Horse, Gothenburg Register on NebGolf.org
Girl's 2016 Championships NEBRASKA GIRLS' MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association June 6-8, 2017 Wild Horse, Gothenburg Registration on NebGolf.org
NEBRASKA SECTION JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP (13-18) conducted by the Nebraska PGA June 14-15, 2017 The Pines Country Club, Valley Registration on NebraskaPGA.com
NEBRASKA SECTION JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP (13-18) conducted by the Nebraska PGA June 14-15, 2017 The Pines CC, Valley Registration on NebraskaPGA.com
NEBRASKA SECTION JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP (12 and Under) conducted by the Nebraska PGA July 13, 2017 Jim Ager Golf Course, Lincoln Registration on NebraskaPGA.com
NEBRASKA SECTION JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP (12 and Under) conducted by the Nebraska PGA July 13, 2017 Jim Ager Golf Course, Lincoln Registration on NebraskaPGA.com
NEBRASKA JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association July 12-14, 2017 Indian Trails Golf Course, Beemer Registration on NebGolf.org
NEBRASKA GIRLS' AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association July 12-13, 2017 Indian Trails Golf Club, Beemer Registration on NebGolf.org
LITTLE JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP (6-11) conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association July 13-24, 2017 Site: Sunset Valley Country Club, Omaha Age Divisions 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 Registration on NebGolf.org
LITTLE JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP (6-11) conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association July 23-24, 2017 Site: Sunset Valley Country Club, Omaha Age Divisions 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 Registration on NebGolf.org 11
Date
Site
City
Deadline
June 5
GolfTEC Premier @ Norfolk CC
Norfolk, NE
May 28
June 6
Westwood Heights
Omaha, NE
May 29
June 6
River's Edge
North Platte, NE
May 29
June 6
River Wilds
Blair, NE
May 29
June 7
Tregaron
Bellevue, NE
May 30
June 8
Quail Run
Columbus, NE
May 31
June 12
GolfTEC Premier @ Kearney CC
Kearney, NE
June 4
June 13
Pioneers Park
Lincoln, NE
June 5
June 13
Cozad CC
Cozad, NE
June 5
June 14
Meadowlark Hills
Kearney, NE
June 6
June 14
Council Bluffs CC
Council Bluffs, IA
June 6
June 14
Whispering Creek
Sioux City, IA
June 6
June 15
Eagle Run
Omaha, NE
June 7
June 16
GolfTEC Premier @ Table Creek
Nebraska City, NE
June 8
June 19
Sunset Valley CC
Omaha, NE
June 11
June 19
Lake Maloney
North Platte, NE
June 11
June 19
Beatrice CC
Beatrice, NE
June 11
June 20
Elmwood Park
Omaha, NE
June 12
June 20
Hidden Valley
Lincoln, NE
June 12
June 21
Wild Horse
Gothenburg, NE
June 13
June 21-22
NGCSA Capital City Championship (Mahoney/Highlands)
Lincoln, NE
June 13
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June 26
GolfTEC Premier @ Ashland CC
Ashland, NE
June 18
June 27
Holmes Park
Lincoln, NE
June 19
June 27
Old Dane
Dakota City, NE
June 19
June 27
Warren Swigart
Omaha, NE
June 19
June 29
Two Rivers
North Sioux City, SD
June 21
June 29
Jim Ager Memorial
Lincoln, NE
June 21
July 5
Awarii Dunes
Axtell, NE
June 27
July 6
Indian Trails
Beemer, NE
June 28
July 6-7
Five Points Bank CNJA (Jackrabbit Run & Riverside)
Grand Island, NE
June 28
July 10
Tara Hills
Papillion, NE
July 2
July 10
Woodland Hills
Eagle, NE
July 2
July 11
Wildwood
Nebraska City, NE
July 3
July 11
Tiburon
Omaha, NE
July 3
July 12
North Bend CC
North Bend, NE
July 4
July 13
Willow Lakes
Bellevue, NE
July 5
July 14
Centura Hills
Cairo, NE
July 6
July 18
Wayne CC
Wayne, NE
July 10
July 18
Eagle Hills
Papillion, NE
July 10
July 19
Stone Creek
Omaha, NE
July 11
July 20
College Heights
Crete, NE
July 12
July 20
Prairie Hills
Pleasanton, NE
July 12
July 27
NJGT Championship @ Dakota Dunes CC
Dakota Dunes, SD
Invitation
August 7
NJGT Championship @ Field Club of Omaha
Omaha, NE
Invitation
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My teaching philosophy is about keeping it simple and tailor the lesson plan to the each student’s desired goals. Some students want to be able to play social golf with their friends and some want to be the best on their team or in their state. I have been privileged as being named one of Best Teachers in America state to state by Golf Digest. I have been nominated for Teacher of the Year for the Nebraska PGA several times. I teach a wide variety of junior golfers. It has been a passion of mine to see improvement and growth of their golf game and a heightened level of competitiveness. I feel privileged on nights when I receive messages about their play and excitement after a good score in a tournament or even looking for tips to improve a recent round. These kids are no longer just clients in my book but peers in the golf game. I respect their willingness to learn and work hard and know when to ask for help. I am excited to see where their careers in this game take them.
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Kate Strickland- 13 years old, Made it to National Drive Chip and Putt at Augusta. Won Denver Junior open for 18 and under shot even par 72 in round 1. Five time player of year award winner with over 50 tour wins
Nate Vontz - #1 player at Lincoln Southwest- 3rd at Class A state last year, Accepted Scholarship to Creighton
Ty Crandon - #1 player at Lincoln Southeast-Qualified for state as individual Devin Darnell - #1 player for Bancroft/Lyons-Top 20 at State last year as a freshman, plays on NGJT Tyler Welsh - #1 player for Seward-Medaled at state last year as a freshman, Plays on NGJT
Jeremy Peters- #1 player for Paxton as a freshman this year-drives 4 hours to see me for lessons! Plays on NGJT
Kendra Placke - #1 player for Seward-Won state as sophomore, 2nd at state last year, won Lincoln City Girls Championship
Jack Hesson - #3 players for Lincoln Southwest- plays on varsity as a freshman, plays on NJGT Ben Christensen - sophomore varsity player for Lincoln Southwest, plays on NJGT Zac Cepure – varsity player for Lincoln Southwest
Riley Podliska – #1 junior varsity player for Lincoln South West
Conner Podliska – Plays in NGJT events in Nebraska
Logan Eschliman – varsity player for Lincoln Lutheran- plays on NJGT
Erika Smith- Medaled at state senior yearplayed on NJGT
Geran Sander- plays on NJGT Olivia Hughes- plays on NJGT Greta Hughes-plays on varsity for Seward Brynn Sunquist- varsity player for Lincoln Southwest- plays on NJGT
Kyle Luebbe- #1 junior varsity for Lincoln Lutheran – plays on NJGT
By Shane Zywiec PGA- Coach for many NJGT Participants
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USGA Rules of Golf Videos
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USGA Handicap System Q & A USGA Course Rating™, Slope Rating®, and Bogey Rating™ Q. What is a USGA Course Rating™, Slope Rating®, and Bogey Rating™? Slope Rating®, and Bogey Rating™?
Q. What is a USGA Course Rating™,
A. Course Rating defines the USGA® mark indicating the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as strokes taken to one decimal place, and is based on yardage and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring ability of a scratch golfer. Course Rating is equivalent to the better half average of a scratch golfer’s scores under normal playing conditions. Bogey Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for the bogey golfer under normal course and weather conditions. It is based on yardage, effective playing length and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring ability of the bogey golfer. Bogey rating is equivalent to the better half average of a bogey golfer’s scores under normal playing conditions. Slope Rating defines the USGA mark indicating the measurement of the relative difficulty of a course for nonscratch golfers compared to the Course Rating. Slope Rating is computed by the following formula: Bogey rating minus Course Rating multiplied by (5.381 men, 4.24 women) equals Slope Rating. The USGA Handicap Department has a National Course Rating and Slope Database™ consisting of ratings for all courses in the United States. Please visit Section 13 of the USGA Handicap System manual for further reference.
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Each newsletter GolfTEC of Omaha provides you with swing tips, practice drills and more to help you improve your game. Watch the video below to see this month’s GolfTEC Tour Tip:
Tune in each newsletter to learn how to take your game to the next level. Next time you are looking for an instructor, visit the certified coaches at GolfTEC of Omaha:
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2017 SITE DIRECTORS: Lincoln Market Hap Gay (5th Season) Mike Cobelens (5th Season) Kendra Trumbley (4rd Season) Omaha Market Mimi Ramsbottom (5th Season) Terry Hexum (5th Season) Derrick Thompson, PGA (3nd Season) Central Market Ryan Clark (1st Season) Northeast Nebraska, South Dakota and Northwest Iowa Market Kevin Peterson (5th Season) West Market Job Vigil (2nd Season) Interns: Spencer Schaulis – University of Nebraska, PGA Golf Management Cordell Weber – University of Nebraska, PGA Golf Management Bios on each will be included in future newsletters! 19
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Snapshots of the NJGT Regular Season Event presented by Farmer’s Mutual of Nebraska May 31, 2017— Indianhead—Grand Island, NE
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Snapshots of the NJGT Regular Season Event presented by Farmer’s Mutual of Nebraska May 31, 2017— Indianhead—Grand Island, NE
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Snapshots of the NJGT Regular Season Event presented by Farmer’s Mutual of Nebraska May 30, 2017- York CC– York, NE
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Snapshots of the NJGT Regular Season Event presented by Farmer’s Mutual of Nebraska May 30, 2017- York CC– York, NE
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Snapshots of the NJGT TEAM GOLF presented by Five Points Bank May 31, 2017 -Platteview Golf Club- Bellevue, NE
1ST Place– Happy Hollow Heat
2ND Place– Platteview Pacers
3RD Place– Happy Hollow Blaze 26
Snapshots of the NJGT TEAM GOLF presented by Five Points Bank June 1 ,2017- Awarii Dunes- Axtell, NE
1ST Place– Riverside Stingrays
2ND Place– Jackrabbits Jackals
3RD Place– Riverside Stingrays
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Have you just about had enough of gnats, deer flies, and mosquitoes this summer? Well then, you better think twice before coming out to the golf course! Golf courses are home to a vast number of insects, and it is not surprising that there are a number of Rules and Decisions on the Rules of Golf that mention insects. Here are just a few examples:
What can you do if you are stung by a bee during a tournament? According to Decision 6-8a/3 [Discontinuing Play Due to Physical Problem], you can discontinue play and may be allowed up to 15 minutes to recuperate. Just make sure you let a tournament official know as soon as possible why you needed to discontinue play.
Did you know that insects are loose Decision 1-4/10 [Dangerous Situation; impediments under the Rules? The Rattlesnake or Bees Interfere with Play] Definition of “Loose Impediments” points out that you may take relief if states, in part: “Loose impediments are your ball comes to rest near a bee’s natural objects such as … insects … nest or other dangerous situation. provided they … do not adhere to the However, if it is clearly unreasonable ball.” Decision 23-1/5 [Removal of for you to play a stroke because of Insect on Ball] clarifies that a live insect interference by anything other than that is on your ball is not considered to the dangerous situation, e.g., if your be adhering to the ball and therefore ball is under a large bush, then relief is a loose impediment. without penalty is not available and you will have to proceed under Rule 28 So, can you gently pick a butterfly off your ball before you make your stroke? [Unplayable Ball]. The answer depends on where your Speaking of dangerous situations, ball is located on the golf course! Decision 33-8/22 [Local Rule Treating Decision 23-1/5 [Removal of Insect on Ant Hills as Ground Under Repair] explains that the removal of a fire-ants’ Ball] indicates that, if your ball is not on a putting green or in a hazard, then mound will cause the fire-ants to you may remove the insect with your swarm out of the ground. When that fingers or blow the insect off the ball. happens, anyone nearby is in danger of being bitten by the ants, and the However, if this causes your ball to bite of a fire-ant can cause serious move, there is a penalty under Rule 18 illness. Therefore, if your ball is so -2 [Ball at Rest Moved by Player …]. close to a fire-ants’ mound that you If your ball lies on the putting green, are in danger, you may take relief as you may take the same actions, and prescribed in Decision 1-4/10. there is no penalty if you cause the
ball to move provided the movement is directly attributable to the removal of the loose impediment. If your ball lies in a hazard, the insect is considered to be in the hazard, and you may not touch or physically remove the insect from the ball per Rule 13-4 [Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions]. However, as the insect is capable of moving on its own, you may take some action, such as waving your hand or a towel over the ball, to encourage the butterfly to move. If the butterfly moves, there is no penalty provided you have not touched the insect while it was on the ball, nor touched the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with your hand, or caused your ball to move. What if you putt your ball and it is deflected by a beetle crawling across the putting green? Rule 19-1 [Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped by Outside Agency] states, in part, “If a ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by … any moving or animate outside agency, except … an insect, the stroke shall be canceled, the ball replaced and the stroke replayed.” [Emphasis added]. Thus, you must play your beetle-bumped ball from where it came to rest. It’s your lucky day if the beetle deflected your ball into the hole! 29
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