Team Kruse Goes Wire to Wire to Win the

Presented by Callaway Golf, Harris Golf Cars – Yamaha and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency, Nebraska PGA Professionals and their teams of Amateurs met at Rio Secco Golf Club for the final round of the 33rd Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic. After consecutive days of windy conditions, the 100-player field couldn’t have asked for better weather to cap off the destination Pro-Am. With scoring opportunities all over the golf course, we were setup for a day full of action that inevitably would bring drama to the final holes.

In the team division, Tim Kruse, PGA of Golf Galaxy – Omaha was joined by Jeff Wessel, Bob Klopnieski, Brock Peters and Aaron Knuth at this year’s edition of the Pro-Am. From the get-go, Team Kruse worked like an oiled machine in the Modified Stableford event. They opened the tournament with a total score of 111 to jump out to an early lead and they never looked back. On the week, Team Kruse made 50 netbirdies or better and their lowest nine-hole team total was 50 points. Team Kruse walked off their final green at Rio Secco Golf Club with a total score of 327 and they captured the 2023 Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic.

Leaderboards and Full Article: HERE

In the Professional-only division, more than 10 Nebraska PGA Professionals came into the final round with a chance to win. Lance Juelfs of Hillside Golf Course was in the mix from the start after an opening round of 66 (-6) while collecting 50 points. After scoring 34 points in the first round, the ageless Jim White, PGA MP of The Fairways at Lincoln scored 43 in the second round to climb to third place heading into the final round. Also deep in the mix, the duo of Steve Friesen, PGA and Mike Coatman out of Firethorn Golf Club came into the final round sitting in the top-5.

With two holes to play, Juelfs sat atop the leaderboard while Friesen and Coatman were right on his tail within four points. After Juelfs and Coatman stumbled, Steve Friesen stood on No. 5 tee facing one of the tougher holes on the golf course ahead of him. The only way Friesen could’ve walked away as a solo champion was with a birdie and that’s exactly what he did. After a strong 2022 tournament season, Friesen kicks off 2023 with Low-Professional honors at the 2023 Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic.

It is with heavy hearts that the family of “Captain/ Commander Kirk” Stanzel, PGA announce his passing onto greener fairways on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Survived by wife, Kathy; brothers, Greg (Dee) and Mark Stanzel; brothers-in-law: Joe, Steve, Larry, and Jerry Seitz; sister -in-law: Mary Lou Marcuzzo (Joe); many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Stanzel moved to Nebraska in April of 1985 where he worked at Fontenelle Hills Golf Club until February of 1988. In March of 1988, Stanzel was hired as our Section's first Executive Director until moving to the Iowa PGA to become their Executive Director in February of 1989 until his retirement in April of 2006.

Stanzel hired some wonderful people during his time with the Iowa PGA like current Assistant Executive Director, Tess Goudy, current Executive Director Kevin Helm (Michigan PGA), Executive Director Geoff Lofstead (South Florida PGA) and former Iowa PGA Executive Director Troy Christensen.

Stanzel was a pioneer in Player Development creating what is now Drive, Chip and Putt, the Iowa Junior Tour, Iowa Golf Pass, GHIN Handicap system and the Las Vegas Pro-Am to name a few programs that the Iowa PGA continues to this day. Captain was remembered as a tremendous mentor to many PGA Professionals across the entire Association.

“Kirk received his PGA Membership a little later in life than most but dedicated his professional life to the Nebraska and Iowa Sections. He was a loyal and caring person and had a tremendous enthusiasm for life. Kirk loved God and was dedicated to the love of his life, Kathy. He was a great man who touched many lives.”

“Kirk was instrumental in starting me in my career in association management and was an amazing mentor to me as a very young and inexperienced lover of golf trying to figure out how to make s career out of it. My wife and I were married during my three years working for Kirk and he and Kathy were so supportive They were great friends and role models for a young couple from Ohio beginning life together a long way from home in Iowa. RIP Kirk.”

Kevin Helm/Executive Director Michigan PGA

“Much like Kirk did with everyone, he immediately became my biggest fan and biggest supporter once he hired me. I was completely inexperienced, young and quick to make a mistake. None of that mattered to Kirk as he mentored me and supported my career growth. As I have said many times Kirk demonstrated to me how to treat people. Every person Kirk interacted with was the most important person in the world at that time. I learned a great deal in my three years with Kirk but how he treated others will be something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”

Geoff Loftstead/Executive Director South Florida PGA

Dear Nebraska PGA Members & Associates:

March is upon us, and Spring is around the corner! This is always an exciting time of the year as we work with our staffs to determine when the best time is to open the course. All the off-season planning invested in your programming and events is going to pay off as we open the doors to another busy golf season. It is important that your staff is prepared and educated on what is going on around your facility so they can provide the best customer service possible. I’m planning to play more golf this year with my membership/customers and hope you are too!

The new “Home of the PGA of America” is open down in Frisco, Texas and the entire property is getting close to opening in the next month. If you plan to be in the Dallas area, make it a priority to book a tour of our new home. The property is about 30 minutes from DFW airport and an easy UBER ride. They are prepared to provide PGA member tours anytime within office hours, scheduling in advance helps them provide a more personalized experience. The home of the PGA aspires to connect people, deliver memorable experiences, and amplify member and association stories. Learn and connect through impactful storytelling and the common thread of golf. Personalized tours can be made by contacting Sydney Jenkins at memberexperience@pgahq.com or by calling (214-308-6038.) Please plan to provide your PGA Member Identification Number prior to arrival and have your Member ID upon arrival so that the PGA Team can provide the best experience.

The PGA Championship criteria and eligibility of the field was released this past week and wanted to highlight a couple points as we get closer to the championship in May. Any player who qualifies through one of our PGA Championship exemptions – such as past PGA Championship winners and the winners of major championships the last five years will be eligible. The PGA of America also reserves the right to invite additional players not included in those categories in pursuit of our annual goal to deliver the strongest field in golf. The current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon but, in the meantime, as always, our focus will be on our mission to grow the game and improve our members’ lives.

Sincerely,

Greg Neujahr, PGA District 8 Director