January 2024
OFFICERS/BOARD
NEBRASKA PGA STAFF
President—Dawn Neujahr, PGA
Executive Director/CEO—David Honnens, PGA
Vice President—Mike Schuchart, PGA
Assist. Executive Director—Seth Scollard, PGA
Secretary— Phil Palmer, PGA
Managing Director—Renee Tyson
Honorary President—Gil Russell, PGA
Tournament Director—TBD
Board Member—Nick Wanderscheid, PGA
Junior Golf Director—Kurt Karcher, PGA
Board Member—Chris Cover, PGA
Digital Media Director—Brett Renner
District 8 Director—Joel Burger, PGA
Development Officer—Bob Danenhauer Community Relations Coord.—Margie Smith
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Greg Neujahr, PGA, Director of Golf at Champions Run, was selected for the Section’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2023 Nebraska PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Neujahr was elected to membership into the PGA of America in 1992. While serving for the past 30 years, he recently completed his term as a National PGA Board Member for the PGA of America. Early in Neujahr’s career, he served as chairman for various committees, including junior golf, tournament, employment, membership, and scholarship. As an officer of the Section from 2008-2013, Neujahr was very instrumental in updating the Section’s current Constitution and Bylaws and establishing a Section investment policy that diversified the Section’s portfolio and resulted in considerable growth since 2010. After his term as President of the Nebraska PGA Section, Neujahr helped launch the charitable arm of the Nebraska PGA Section called PGA REACH Nebraska, where he served as a Foundation officer for the next six years. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact people’s lives through the game of golf. In 2013, the Foundation started with a golf program called Golf N Schools. Ten years later, the Foundation now has five programs that impact over 37,000 people annually. Neujahr’s vision and passion are what started the Foundation and can be found in the success of PGA REACH Nebraska today.
In 2019, Greg was selected to be the District 8 Director for Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. With his leadership skills and passion to serve the Association, he helped navigate the Association through the pandemic, helped with the new home of the PGA (PGA Frisco), protected the Association through an insurrection, hired a new COO for the PGA, and helped with the rebranding of the PGA logo to help tell the story of what the PGA Professional does in growing the game. During his time as a National Board member, Neujahr was the chairman of the Scholarship committee that gives out $400,000 annually and the National Awards Committee, which is responsible for selecting nine of the Association’s most prestigious annual awards. Outside of serving the Association, Neujahr has been leading the golf operations at Champions Run since 2001. He strived to exemplify leadership within his team and the Champions Run Community. In the last 22 years, Greg has mentored PGA Professionals who have gone on to fill roles as Director of Golf, General Managers, Teachers, and Sales Representatives in the golf industry. “Leading by example through both service and action fosters a culture of trust, which is critical in creating an environment where people can both be themselves and grow personally and professionally,” said Neujahr. Champions Run has a tradition of contributing to the game by extending its facilities and hosting events on a local and national level. In his 22 years as the Director of Golf, they’ve hosted numerous tournaments that raised money for charities and supported women’s golf, high school and junior golf, amateur and PGA tour events. These and many other contributions have resulted in Champions Run being named Facility of the Year by the Nebraska Section PGA in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2016. In closing, when asked to summarize his past 30 years, Neujahr said, “Golf has been an important part of our family over the past 30 years, and to be able to enjoy this journey with my wife Dawn and the boys has been very special. Our two sons enjoy playing the game, and we’ve enjoyed playing great golf courses, traveling around the world, and enjoying special moments as a family that we will remember forever. I have received more than given and appreciate what the PGA has done for me over my career.”
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Congratulations to both Karrie Van Ravenswaay, PGA of The Ridge Golf Club and Jeff Porter, PGA of First Tee - Omaha on being named 2023 PGA Jr. League Game Changers!
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The PGA Show Demo Day in Orlando, Florida is behind us so PGA of America Golf Professional Ryan Adams discusses his four favorite takeaways from Demo Day. See the latest golf balls, training aids, eyewear, and more.
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DATE
GOLF COURSE
EVENT TYPE
2/26 - 2/28
VEGAS CLASSIC
Pro-4Am
4/8 4/15
Tiburon G.C.
Pro-3Am (27 holes)
The Players Club
Pro-Pro-Pro (27 holes)
4/22
Fremont G.C.
Pro-3Am
4/29
Oak Hills C.C.
Pro-3Am
5/6
Iron Horse G.C.
Pro-Pro (Legends of Golf)
5/13
Country Club of Lincoln
Pro-3Am (Pro+Ladies)
5/20
Omaha C.C.
Senior /Junior Championship
5/28
Oak Hills C.C.
Facilities Championship
6/3
Wild Horse G.C.
Pro 3-Am (308 Cup)
6/10
Bent Tree G.C.
Pro-3Am
6/17
Happy Hollow Club
Pro-4Am (Foundation ProAm)
6/24
Wilderness Ridge C.C.
Pro-3Am (Golf FORE The Troops)
7/1
Beatrice C.C.
Nebraska Qualifier - PBC
7/9
Landmand G.C.
Pro-3Am (Tuesday)
7/22 - 7/23
Champions Run
Section Championship
7/29
Happy Hollow Club
Assistant Championship
7/29 - 7/30
Happy Hollow Club
Senior Championship
8/5
Monday Qualifier - Pinnacle Bank Championship
8/19
Shadow Ridge C.C.
Team Championship
8/26
Hillcrest C.C.
Pro-3Am
9/3
Firethorn G.C.
Pro-3Am
9/9
Benson G.C. - Birdie Bonanza - All Day for PGA REACH Nebraska
9/13 - 9/15
Elks CC
Wells Fargo Nebraska Open
9/23
Wild Horse G.C.
Pro/Assistant Championship
9/30
The Players Club
Pro-3Am (27 holes)
10/3
Highlands G.C.
Cup Series Championshp
10/7
The Club at Indian Creek
Pro-3Am
10/8 - 10/11
Wilderness Ridge C.C. - Stage 1 Q-School **All Match Plays - Assist/Senior/Regular will go live on 4/15 **Women's Professional Championship - TBD
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July 22-July 23 - Section Championship at Champions Run
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August 5 - Monday Qualifier for the Pinnacle Bank Championship at Bent Tree and Highlands GC
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September 13-15 - Nebraska Open at Elks CC
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October 8-11 - Stage 1 Q School at Wilderness Ridge CC If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events this season, please email Renee Tyson at rtyson@pgahq.com or call 402-489-7760. Thank you for your willingness to help!
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In the Unlikely Event…. We have all sat on uncomfortable seats on an airplane waiting for takeoff. We witness the flight attendants demonstrate the safety briefing. Often, we hear the words “in the unlikely event” of an unexpected landing like the odds are it will never happen. However, we do know it has happened and the possibility is there. This brings the idea of a member’s employment to mind as many PGA members never expect the unlikely event to happen with their jobs. Let’s think of this in the event of losing your job unexpectedly and how you will react. Perhaps just like the majority of the passengers would react during an emergency. Most have heard the evacuation procedures numerous times but would likely be chaos on what to do. There are many items when losing your job that a professional must think about. First, there are not that many opportunities in today’s market and the ones that are available will require a flight plan. A plan that many do not think about when they are comfortable with their job. The best plan may be to take care of the job you have to ensure that you have some longevity as an auto pilot instead of having to use a parachute. These are some items that professionals need to keep in mind in the unlikely event of losing their job. Consultants have to counsel with our professional job seekers: •
Relocation- You will probably have to relocate. However, relocation has become more difficult for several reasons. We live in a dual income society and the spouse plays a huge role such as he/she has a good job with great benefits. The significant other cannot give up their respective jobs and have to find them comparable employment.
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Housing- we have witnessed this multiple times since the recent recession and housing slump where we speak to members that are upside down in their mortgages and could not sell their house to relocate. Many did not want to separate from their families for an unpredictable length of time while trying to sell or they could not afford two mortgages. On the flip side, we are now seeing high mortgage rates where a job relocation could double a PGA family’s current mortgage which could be a significant number.
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Family- We live in a strong family bond era where family is the top priority and relocation decisions include the entire family. Schools and friends play a vital role in the decision making process and if the family is happy, then relocation is often out of the question. We hear more now about elderly parents needing attention and it is harder for people to relocate further away from their respective immediate family.
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Financial Condition of Potential Club- Before a member can embrace a new opportunity in the current golf industry; he or she must access the new club’s financial well-being to make sure that the club is on solid financial foundation so the move will be a long term success.
All of these items should be considered for pursuing another job in the unlikely event of losing your job. This is why it is of utmost importance to take precautions and make sure you have a smooth flight and a safe landing with the job you currently have so take care of the job you have with some preventive maintenance. Kevin Drew- Career Consultant Website Kevin Drew, PGA,ARWC PGA Career Consultant Iowa & Nebraska 402-670-2973 kdrew@pgahq.com Book a Meeting: Kevin Drew's Meeting Calendar PAGE 23 Nebraska PGA News January 2024
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The Open Championship Tickets Royal Troon will stage The Open Championship for the 10th time in 2024 and despite this being a soldout 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.
PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Program 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. The application for the 2024-2025 school year is officially open and will be available until April 10, 2024. All funding comes from contributions made by PGA of America Members.
LEARN MORE Deferred Comp Plan Year Ending Soon! As we look ahead to 2024 we wanted to remind you that there are only a few months remaining to submit your points for the inaugural year of the PGA Deferred Compensation Plan. As a reminder, the 2023-24 plan year ends March 31 and you have 60 days from the completion of an activity to submit it for points. You can submit your activities by clicking below or by using the PGA Member App.
Golf Business Advocacy Update A lot has happened on the course and on Capitol Hill in 2023 and into the new year. Our partnership with the NGCOA presents the Golf Business Advocacy Winter Update, which provides legislation updates that impact our industry.
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More than 800,000 American women started playing golf and the multibilliondollar golf industry is responding By: Sydney Page When Cindy Miller was a teenager, women’s golf apparel was so scarce she decided to teach herself to sew. “I made skirts and collared shirts,” said Miller, 67, who was the only girl in her lesson group during the 1970s. Despite the bafflement of her friends who questioned why she wanted to play a sport advertised to boys and men, Miller persevered, eventually competing professionally on the LPGA Tour from 1979 to 1981. More than one-third of junior players today are girls and Miller, now a golf coach in Buffalo and a member of the Legends of the LPGA Tour, has watched the number of women she instructs soar. “I think they’ve finally realized that women want to play as much as men do,” Miller said of golf industry leaders, noting that, particularly since the pandemic, more women than ever are keen to learn golf — whether it’s for business or pleasure. Indeed, the pandemic spurred a stunning surge in interest in the sport among women. According to the National Golf Foundation, from 2020 to 2022, more than 800,000 American women took up the sport to bring the total to 6.4 million female golfers. While the number of female golfers rose about 15 percent, the male golf pool increased by just 2 percent in the same time frame. As a result, the historically male-dominated, multibillion-dollar golf industry — including elite courses, equipment companies and clothing brands — is responding accordingly. “It’s kind of a perfect storm for female participation right now,” said Joe Beditz, executive chairman of the National Golf Foundation. Continue Reading…….. PAGE 27 Nebraska PGA News January 2024
DONATE HERE
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Are you ready to help make a difference? PGA HOPE continues to positively impact our Veteran's lives through the game of golf. We are excited for another record-breaking year in 2024 with the PGA HOPE Program. We currently have over 200 Veterans on a waitlist to sign up for 2024 programming. We need your help, and it all starts by getting PGA HOPE Adaptive Trained. Attached is a list of the Nebraska PGA Professionals and Associates who are currently trained. As a reminder, you MUST complete this training to help instruct during a PGA HOPE program. Our first opportunity to get trained will be on Monday, March 18th, at Miracle Hill Golf Course in Omaha, NE. Please see below for the schedule and registration link. Join us on March 18th at Miracle Hill GC in Omaha, NE. — 7 PDR Credits for attending
SIGN UP HERE
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Coach Sign-Up Create a Location Publish a Program
Apply for your 2024 Scholarships Today! PAGE 31 Nebraska PGA News January 2024
REGISTER FOR YOUR LOCAL DCP
2024 Nebraska Junior Golf Schedule will be released on Monday, Feb. 5th. The Spring, Summer and Fall event schedules can be found on the NJG website. PAGE 32 Nebraska PGA News January 2024
Robert Brown, PGA Jesse Schellen, PGA Michael Ten Eyck, PGA Joel Gann, PGA Bentley Benson, PGA Alan Briggs, PGA Scott Schonts Nickolas Muller, PGA Nicolaus Latcham, PGA Scott Holly, PGA Ron Gunia, PGA Robert Saffer, PGA Zane Pfau PAGE 33 Nebraska PGA News January 2024
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