February 2022
OFFICERS/BOARD
NEBRASKA PGA STAFF
President—Dawn Neujahr, PGA
Executive Director/CEO—David Honnens, PGA
Vice President—Mike Schuchart, PGA
Managing Director—Seth Scollard, PGA
Secretary—Kevin Drew, PGA
Tournament Director—Vincent Bachteler, PGA
Honorary President—Gil Russell, PGA
Nebraska Junior Golf Director/PGA REACH Programming Assistant—Kurt Karcher, PGA
Board Member—Nick Wanderscheid, PGA
Operations Manager—Renee Tyson
Board Member—Chris Cover, PGA
Development Officer—Bob Danenhauer
District 8 Director—Greg Neujahr, PGA
Digital Media Specialist—Brett Renner
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Mike Antonio, PGA, Director of Golf at Happy Hollow Club, was selected for the Section’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2021 Nebraska PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Antonio was elected to membership into the PGA of America in September of 1984. Antonio’s professional career began at Council Bluffs Country Club, then to Happy Hollow Club, Norfolk Country Club and back to Happy Hollow Club where he has served as the Director of Golf since 2001. Antonio was the 1990 Nebraska Section PGA Champion and runner-up in 1993, 1994 and 2002. He has also teamed up with numerous of his Assistant Professionals to capture the Pro-Assistants Championship seven times. In addition to his stellar playing career Antonio has been recognized as the Merchandiser of the Year – Private in 1999; the PGA Professional Development Award winner in 2009; Golf Professional of the Year in 2014; the Bill Strausbaugh Award in 2020 and Happy Hollow Club was recognized as the Facility of the Year in the Nebraska Section PGA in 2010 and 2020. Antonio’s contributions to the Nebraska Section PGA span four decades and during this time frame he has served in all four officer roles of the Section as well as on the Junior Golf Committee, Education Committee, Player Development Committee, Finance Committee, Scholarship Committee, Tournament Committee, Membership Committee and Special Awards Committee. Happy Hollow Club has also been the host site on several occasions for the PGA REACH Nebraska Pro Am. During his time as President of the Nebraska Section PGA (2013-2015), Antonio’s desire to see the next generation of golfers come to the game is evident in the Nebraska Section PGA establishing PGA REACH Nebraska, the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA in 2013.
Today, PGA REACH Nebraska serves over 25,000 youth annually through the Golf N Schools program in over 19 Nebraska School Districts. PGA HOPE Nebraska, the flagship military program of PGA REACH Nebraska, recently celebrated over 100 Veterans graduating from this program that introduces golf to Veterans by enhancing their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. In 2021, PGA REACH Nebraska introduced its newest inclusionary program, “Clubs FORE Youth.” Through this program every Omaha Public School female high school team was equipped with new clubs from Callaway Golf, pushcarts and PGA Professional instruction. Antonio embodies the PGA of America’s mission in establishing and elevating the standards of the profession and growing interest and participation in the game of golf and this latest achievement solidifies these accomplishments. PAGE 5 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
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Team Weaver Goes Wire to Wire to Win the 32nd Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic; Shane Zywiec Captures Low-Professional Honors
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Presented by Callaway Golf, Harris Golf Cars and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency, Nebraska PGA Professionals and their teams of Amateurs teed it up at Cascata for the final round of the 32nd Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic. The private facility and Rees Jones Design featuring a 3,600-foot Red Mountain set up for a fantastic finish to the 32nd edition of the event. After an extremely tough day at Rio Secco Golf Club due to high winds, scoring conditions were much better during the final round of the event resulting in great scores and late drama. Like past years, the 32nd NEPGA Vegas Classic played through a Stableford format featuring point totals for each hole rather than stroke-play.
Leaderboards and Full Article: HERE PAGE 19 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
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As a courtesy extended by Augusta National Golf Club; Class A PGA Members, Life Members and Master Professional Members only may receive complimentary daily access to the 2022 Masters Tournament. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
The PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship application is available. The scholarship is available to the children and grandchildren of PGA Members and must have a minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA. The deadline to submit the application and supporting documents is April 8, 2022. Visit PGA.org for more information.
The golf industry launched a unified movement that invites golfers from all backgrounds to #makegolfyourthing. To connect this movement with our targeted audiences, we need help from YOU, the PGA Member. Download and utilize this toolkit for
PGA Members Nathan Charnes, Tony Martinez and Daniel Pasternak are the three declared candidates for the office of PGA of America Secretary. The election will be held during the 106th PGA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Click here to learn more about each candidate. PAGE 22 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
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Jacqueline Madison, PGA Career Consultant PGA Career Services Proudly serving the IA, MN, & NE
Link to District 8 Career Services Website
jmadison@pgahq.com Office: 612-852-4910 Mobile: 785-341-6047
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Dear Nebraska Section Members and Associates, Welcome to Spring and I hope you were able to recharge over the Winter and get ready for a new season. I know the weather was mild and dry so hoping that we can get some moisture for the golf courses soon! Wanted to update you on a few things going on at the National level: —PGA Frisco and our new home of the PGA is getting close to opening and the new logo for the property was just approved at our last board meeting. The first floor will be opening in March with staff starting to move in the first part of April. Education programming for the Associates program will be starting the first week of May. Level 1 education will continue to be virtual while Level 2 and 3 will require a visit to Frisco to attain membership. The 500 room Omni Resort and 2 golf courses plan to open later this year or early 2023 and the first championship will be held in May of 2023. (Senior PGA Championship) —The officers and Executive Directors of District 8 will be attending the election super regional down in Houston, Texas the first part of March. It is an election year for national secretary of the PGA and there are 3 candidates running. Tony Martinez, PGA from the North Texas Section, Nathan Charnes, PGA from the Gateway Section and Dan Pasternak from the New Jersey Section. —A couple member benefits you don’t want to miss out on are the PGA Operations Benchmark, Golf Retirement Plus and the PGA Scholarship Fund. Go to PGA.org and learn more about these fantastic member benefits and how to get signed up. —Congratulations to Zach Johnson the new PGA Ryder Cup captain for 2023. Zach will represent us well and has served as assistant captain over the last couple Ryder Cups In closing I’d like to wish you a great start to your season as the golf courses start to open. I know staffing continues to be a challenge as the demand for golf continues to grow. Recruitment and retention are discussed at every board meeting and section meeting. How can the PGA of America help grow our membership and retain those already in the business? The Career Services department is working hard every day helping to fill jobs, recruiting those who want to make the golf business their career and increasing compensation. I look forward to seeing at the Spring meeting at the end of the month in Lincoln. Please let me know if you ever have any concerns or questions. Sincerely, Greg Neujahr, PGA PGA of America District 8 Director
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BECOME A CHAMPION Help our cause by creating your own fundraising page today! Your individual fundraising page allows you to share your story and set a goal. The funds you raise will help make our mission a reality! Visit our Campaign Page HERE
The application process for PGA REACH Nebraska Grants and the Tasha Keiter Scholarship is now open. For more information about the PGA REACH Grant criteria and Tasha Keiter Scholarship qualifications, please visit our website HERE. Application links for both opportunities are currently available. Deadline to apply is March 16, 2022. PAGE 26 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
Adaptive Training Workshop PGA Professionals and Associates Dear Nebraska PGA Professionals and Associates, On Wednesday, March 23rd, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., we will conduct a PGA HOPE adaptive training workshop at Eagle Hills Golf Course in Papillion, NE. National PGA HOPE Trainer Brian Oliver will be here with us to train our Nebraska PGA Professionals and Associates interested in going through the adaptive training. I encourage EVERYONE to consider attending this unique opportunity. This will challenge the way you are currently giving golf instruction and prepare you to work with anyone who may have a disability or limitation in their life. Remember, EVERYONE can play golf, regardless of their circumstances. We have to think a little more creatively, and Brian Oliver will show us several ways to help. Please remember all Professionals and Associates that want to help with PGA HOPE MUST go through this training. Once you have completed the training, you are good to go for the years to come.
In addition to your service, you will receive 6 required MSR Education Credits for the training session on March 23rd. Taking part in this training session will help you become a well-rounded instructor as it primarily focuses on adaptive training and serving those with disabilities. VERY POWERFUL!
SIGN UP NOW! PAGE 27 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
Feb. 7th: 2022 Event Schedule will be released
Registration for the 2022 Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifiers is now OPEN! Register HERE PAGE 28 Nebraska PGA News February 2022
Kyle W. Schellpeper, PGA
1
Hunter C. Giesselmann
19
Travis L. Anderson, PGA
4
Caleb J. Malenke, PGA
20
Bradley J. Neunaber, PGA
8
Brett C. Bennett, PGA
23
Ron Block, PGA
8
Jesse D. Brodersen, PGA
23
Patrick H. Johnson, PGA
8
Anthony W. Baranowski, PGA
23
Karrie A. Van Ravenswaay, PGA
8
Jason L. Meininger, PGA
9
Travis J. Loudner, PGA
23
Adam L. Bradfield, PGA
10
Jordan M. Williams, PGA
24
Trevor L. Chesnut, PGA
12
Denis M. Vontz, PGA
25
Nathan M Kalin, PGA
13
Timothy M. Whalen, PGA
27
Zach P. Wetovick, PGA
13
Juan Elizondo, PGA
27
Tom Weekes, PGA
16
Troy M Arfsten, PGA
28
Kevin D. Boehler, PGA
17
Charlie Borner, PGA
28
Christopher C. Jacobson, PGA
18
Christopher R. Cover, PGA
29
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