January 2025
OFFICERS/BOARD
President Mike Schuchart, PGA
Vice President Phil Palmer, PGA
Secretary— Bobby O’Keefe, PGA
Honorary President—Dawn Neujahr, PGA
Board Member Tony Baranowski, PGA
Board Member Joe Wiegand, PGA
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
PGA Works Fellow—Amber Bogle
DISTRICT 8 DIRECTOR
Phil Anderson, PGA
Administrative Assistant—Tiffany White
Development Officer Bob Danenhauer
Community Relations Coord. Margie Smith
INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOGOS HONORING OUR SECTION’S 100 YEAR HISTORY:
Written by Stu Pospisil | Omaha World Herald Reporter & Lead Writer
They were Scottish- or English-born, apprentices from golf courses of the auld
But of all the golf professionals who predate the founding of the Nebraska Section of the PGA in 1925, Johnston was the best combination of the Pied Piper and Johnny Appleseed. He banged the drum for golf in the state.
Read Full Story
The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Max Hadenfeldt, PGA and Robert Thomason, PGA as co-recipients of the Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball recipient for the month of January.
The mission statement of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is to ignite the true potential in every athlete, and no one does it better than PGA Professionals when it comes to growing the game of golf. This mission was carried out by both Hadenfeldt and Thomason in 2024 when they introduced PGA Jr. League at their respective facilities for the first time.
Throughout the past decade, junior golf has risen to a new level across the Nebraska Section, and the same can be said all the way out in the panhandle. Max Hadenfeldt, PGA is the Director of Golf at Scotts Bluff Country Club while Robert Thomason, PGA is the Head Professional at Monument Shadows Golf Course. The two PGA Professionals love to grow the game of golf and in 2024, they bought into PGA of America program to help them do so.
PGA Jr. League has become a leading program for PGA Professionals across the Nebraska Section and the evidence is in the numbers. In 2024, more than 2,000 junior golfers participated spanning across 41 different facilities. Three of the eight largest programs in the country were hosted in the Nebraska Section (First Tee of Omaha, The Ridge Golf Club and Pine Lake Golf & CC). The unprecedented growth featured Max and Robert's programs out in the panhandle which brought PGA Jr. League to that region of Nebraska for the first time. Continue Reading....
Dear Nebraska PGA Members & Associates:
For almost 35 years, I have had the opportunity to work in the golf industry. As I retire, I want to thank everyone I have met and done business with throughout my career. As I move on to focus more on playing golf, I want to express my gratitude to all my colleagues and clients.
I am confident that Cobra Puma Golf is poised to achieve significant growth and continue to establish itself as a key player in the industry.
Pat Dunphy has been hired as your representative moving forward. Pat brings extensive experience in this territory and will continue to promote and grow the Cobra Puma brand. Please remember you can still contact me anytime; I’m always here to support you and answer any questions.
The Tito’s Handmade Vodka “Cocktail of the Season” is headed to The Player’s Club Golf & Country Club!
Their staff selected Youth Employment Service in Omaha as the recipient of a $500 donation to help their cause.
Eric McPherson of Omaha Country Club and his sidekick Riley were selected as our 2024 Tito’s Handmade Vodka for Dog People Superintendent of the Year! McPherson has chosen National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network to receive a $500 donation to help with their mission!
January 2025
NEW Hole-in-One Club. Entry into the club is only required one time until the next Hole-in-One is made. Entry fee is $20.00.
The inaugural Associates Workshop at The Field Club of Omaha was a huge success and a very impactful day for the Associates and Class A members who attended. Please consider joining us for the second workshop on February, 19th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the UNL East Campus Student Room.
From Derek Sprague, PGA to You: A Look Ahead
Last week's PGA Show marked Derek Sprague, PGA's debut as CEO of the PGA of America. Discover his drive to support our PGA of America Golf Professionals, through initiatives like the Medical and Disaster Relief Fund, and hear his vision for the Association's future.
PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Application is Open
Are you a PGA of America Member with a child or grandchild who is applying for or attending college? The PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship provides scholarships based on evidence of academic achievement during high school or college. Learn More
The Open Championship Tickets
The 153rd Championship will take place at Royal Portrush in 2025 and despite this being a sold-out event we are pleased to advise that a daily allocation of tickets has been reserved for PGA of America Members. The number of available tickets per day is limited and will therefore be allocated on a first come first served basis. The ability to purchase tickets will remain open until February 7, 2025 or until the daily allocation has sold out. Apply for tickets
Stay Ahead: Earn PDRs
This Winter With Cycle 17 ending June 15, 2025, now's the time to fulfill PDR requirements. Check your status on PGA.org and explore ways to earn! Not sure where to start? Learn more here!
Deferred Comp Plan Year Ending Soon!
As you kickstart 2025, keep in mind that there are only a few months remaining to submit your points for the 2024-25 PGA Deferred Compensation plan year, ending March 31. It takes less than 3 minutes through the PGA Member App! All activities need to be submitted within 60 days of completion. Submit Points
DONATE HERE
It was May of 2023, Amber Bogle was sitting at her desk, back at work after graduating from PGA HOPE Nebraska’s veteran golf program.
She was feeling rejuvenated, grateful for the six-week program. PGA HOPE brought her new friends, a new passion in golf and a sense of purpose. Upon reflecting on her journey through the program and what it meant to her, she thought to herself that this couldn’t be the end.
Bogle wanted to give back in the same way PGA Professionals had for her. With that, she remained engaged with her fellow Veterans while continuing to volunteer at future HOPE programming.
Bogle recalls listening to Dr. Terry Riordan, PGA speak to PGA HOPE veterans at a fall program in Lincoln. Riordan spoke about how he became a PGA Professional later in life. Listening to his story, Bogle thought to herself, “Why not me?”
With that thought in her head, Bogle was riding in a car alongside Seth Scollard, PGA en route to another PGA HOPE session. She brought up the idea of becoming a PGA Professional and asked Scollard, the Managing Director of PGA REACH Nebraska, if he thought she was capable.
Without hesitation, Scollard said, “Absolutely you could do this.” In that moment, Bogle’s life would change, and her career was headed down a different, but fulfilling path.
“Sometimes all it takes is having another person believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself,” said Bogle. Continue Reading
During the 2025 PGA Show, PGA Jr. League Coaches took the stage Wednesday, Jan. 22nd for the #GameChanger Awards ceremony emceed by NBC’s Lauren Thompson, celebrating their accomplishments in expanding opportunities for kids to learn and enjoy the game of golf.
The full list of 2024 #GameChanger Award recipients organized by category (25 largest programs in the country, largest program in each PGA of America Section and Player Engagement Award) can be found here.
Karrie is pictured receiving her award in Orlando, FL at the PGA Merchandise Show.
Alphonse Peterson III is pictured with Steve Hogan Jr. accepting on behalf of Jeff Porter and the 1st Tee of Omaha.
PGA Jr. League provides an “easy button” for you to offer a world-renowned junior program with the flexibility to tailor it to the needs of your players, community and facility. That will continue in 2025, with a few specific updates to make it easier for you!
The annual #GameChanger Club fee is increasing to $110.
The platform fee will be reduced from 5% to a standard processing fee of 3%. The #GameChanger Club fee, which is paid by players and their families, will still include access to the local league, custom uniforms and Team Kit gear, league management software through the PGA mobile app and participation in as many PGA Jr. League seasons as your players and their families want in 2025.
New uniform designs in 2025!
The updated uniforms honor the traditional blue and orange of PGA Jr. League but also feature other colors from the PGA Jr. League brand. Uniforms will reflect U.S. sizing standards, and adjustments have been made to allow for more comfortable sizing on girls’/women’s jerseys.
Team Kits will be updated on a yearly basis from here on out.
Plus, uniforms will be individually packaged by player, making the process of distributing gear easier for you.
No changes to the Conditions of Play in 2025.
Major Conditions of Play revisions are reviewed on a two-year cycle through the PGA Jr. League National Committee. Minor changes, such as pace of play timing, will continue to be reviewed annually as needed.
Get excited! You can start creating your 2025 programs NOW!
Robert Brown, PGA 2/1
Jesse Schellen, PGA 2/1
Michael Ten Eyck, PGA 2/3
Joel Gann, PGA 2/6
Bentley Benson, PGA 2/8
Alan Briggs, PGA 2/8
Britton Barrier 2/11
John Brightmore, PGA 2/12
Brian Radebaugh 2/16
Nickolas Muller, PGA 2/20
Nicolaus Latcham, PGA 2/22
Scott Holly, PGA 2/25
Robert Saffer, PGA 2/26
Ron Gunia, PGA 2/26
Colin Kitson 2/27