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In This Issue… Newsletter Introduction … 1 NJGT Schedule … 2 Tournament News … 4-6 Fore! Program … 7 Health Tips … 9-10 Swoosh Moments … 12

Welcome

The Nebraska Junior Golf Tour is excited to launch our first ever junior golf newsletter this year! This newsletter will focus on all things junior golf… and most importantly, YOU! All issues of the newsletter will feature the latest tournament results, junior golf news and pictures of your Nike Golf gear. The Nebraska PGA and the Nebraska Golf Association look forward to providing you with a fun, informative, inspiring read. We hope you enjoy your newsletter as much as we enjoy growing the game through junior golf.

YOUR Junior Golf Tour The Nebraska Golf Association and the Nebraska PGA joined forces in 2009 to bring young golfers the state’s premier junior golf organization – the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour (NJGT). There are 37 REGULAR TOUR EVENTS. Regular tournaments feature the following age divisions for each gender: 7-8; 9-11; 12-13; 14-15 and 16+. Prize and point recognition will be given to the top finishers in each category. Male golfers in the 7-8 & 9-11 age categories and females in the 7-8; 9-11 and 12-13 age categories play nine-holes. All other age divisions play 18 -holes. The fee for regular tour events is $20 (9-holers) and $25 (18-holers). Please note that we’ve removed the partner requirement for 9-hole golfers, all events will return to individual stroke play tournaments. In addition to the regular tour events we’ll offer FOUR PREMIER COMPETITIONS. Premier competitions are reserved for golfers in the 18-hole classification and will be higher level tournaments. Golf course set-up (yardage) will differ for the 12-13 year old boys. Those 14 & older will play the same gender tees. Prizes and double points, however, will be awarded based on performance within age divisions. Premier events are run similar to a championship event and are priced at $40. Our new season ending championship is called the Nike Golf NJGT TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP. It replaces the North -South Junior Cup and rewards a deeper pool of players for their regular season success. The Tour Championship will be played Thursday, August 2 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln. Invitations will be extended to

golfers in every age and gender division based on their position in their respective NJGT point standings published July 19. An awards luncheon will follow the tournament where we’ll honor the top finishers and our player of the year recipients in each age and gender category. A great way to cap the season. To participate in the NJGT in 2012 you’ll need to join the organization. MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION on the NJGT web site opened March 1. You can either download a paper application for submission or join on-line with a credit card (www.njgt.org). Fees are $55 for those in the 18-hole division and $45 for 9-holers. 2012 benefits include a subscription to the new NJGT Electronic Newsletter, Membership Bag Tag, 2012-15 USGA Rules of Golf Booklet, Nike Golf Valuables Pouch, Membership Sticker and Nebraska Golf Association Membership which includes a USGA Handicap Index through GHIN, Eligibility to Participate in NGA Competitions, Complimentary Cox Classic Tickets, Subscription to Both Nebraska Golfer Magazine and the NGA E-Newsletter (24 editions). Membership packets will ship on the 15th of every month beginning May 15. We hope to see each of you playing golf this summer. Please pass details regarding the NJGT along to your friends. The more participants the more enjoyable the competition. Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. We can be reached at: NEBRASKA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR www.njgt.org (402) 505-4653, x105 info@njgt.org

Cover Photo: 2011 Little Junior Amateur 7-8 division champions ~ 1st Place: Brynn Sundquist of Lincoln and P.J. Davis of Omaha, 2nd Place: Neely Adler of Lincoln and Tanner Walling of Wayne, 3rd Place: Ivan Yabut of Omaha. Follow all of the latest Nebraska Junior Golf ac on on Facebook!

Visit www.NJGT.org to check out the 2012 schedule and more!

Ques ons? Contact NJGT: Ph: (402) 505‐4653 ext 105 E: info@njgt.org

DATE

EVENT

CITY

START TIME

May 29

Holmes

Lincoln

8:00 TT

May 30

Four-Ball

Beemer

9:00 SG

May 31

West Nine

Lincoln

9:00 TT

June 4

Hidden Valley

Lincoln

8:30 TT

June 5

Indianhead

Grand Island

8:30 SG

June 7

Warren Swigart

Omaha

10:00 TT

June 7

Quail Run

Columbus

8:30 TT

June 8

Table Creek

Nebraska City

9:00 TT

June 12

Eagle Hills

Omaha

9:00 TT

June 13

College Heights

Crete

9:00

June 18

Tara Hills

Omaha

9:00 TT

June 20

Sunset Valley

Omaha

8:30 TT

June 22

Lake Malony

North Platte

9:30 TT

June 26

Wayne CC

Wayne

9:00 SG

June 26

Elmwood Park

Omaha

9:00 TT

June 27

Westwood Heights

Omaha

9:00 TT

June 28

Willow Lakes

Bellevue

8:00 TT

July 2

Beatrice CC

Beatrice

9:00 SG

July 2

Kearney CC

Kearney

9:30 TT

July 3

York CC

York

9:00 SG

July 9

Woodland Hills

Eagle

8:00 TT

July 10

Tregaron

Omaha

10:30 TT

July 11

Shoreline

Carter Lake, IA

8:00 TT

July 11

Meadowlark Hills

Kearney

9:00 TT

July 12

The Knolls CC

Lincoln

9:00 SG

July 12

Eagle Run

Omaha

9:30 TT

July 16

Heritage Hills

McCook

8:00 TT

July 17

Johnny Goodman

Omaha

11:00 TT

July 17

Cross Creek

Cambridge

8:00 TT

July 18

Council Bluffs CC

Council Bluffs, IA

8:00 SG

July 18

Eldorado Hills

Norfolk

9:00 TT

July 19

North Bend CG

North Bend

9:00 TT

July 19

Pioneers

Lincoln

8:00 TT

July 23

River Wilds

Blair

9:00 TT

July 24

Highlands

Lincoln

8:00 TT

July 25

Tiburon

Gretna

8:00 TT

July 26

Yankee Hill

Lincoln

9:00 TT

July 26

Benson Park

Omaha

9:00 TT

July 30

Mahoney

Lincoln

8:00 TT

July 31

The Pines

Valley

9:00 SG

July 31

Wild Horse

Gothenburg

9:00 TT

July 31

Stone Creek

Omaha

10:00 TT

August 2

NJGT CHAMPIONSHIP

Lincoln

8:00 SG

Events listed in bold and red font are PREMIER events.

NJGT poster

Tour Championship NEW in 2012 is the chance to earn a spot into the

NJGT Nike Golf Tour Championship. The top point getters in each of their respective divisions will be given an invitation to the Tour Championship that will be played on August 2nd at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club. Points will be awarded to each participant in every event and a running total will be kept on NJGT.org.

Spots Available into the Tour Championship: 7-8 Year Old Division- 6 Girls and 6 Boys 9-11 Year Old Division= 9 Girls and 9 Boys 12-13 Year Old Division- 15 Girls and 15 Boys 14-15 Year Old Division- 15 Girls and 15 Boys 16-18 Year Old Division- 15 Girls and 15 Boys Potential Premier Event Points:

How Points are Awarded: Place

Points

Place

Points

Place

Points

Place

Points

1 2

50 45

16 17

15 14

1 2

100 90

16 17

30 28

1.5

For events that have over 30 competitors, each competitor finishing after 31st place or higher will receive 1 point.

*31st Plus will receive 2 points.

Meet Brett Bender ~ NJGT Intern My name is Brett Bender and I am the newest intern at the Nebraska Golf Association! I am originally from Omaha, NE and working on my last year at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln in the pursuit of my Professional Golf Management degree. This major has provided several opportunities to travel around the United States for different events and internships. I have been out to play beautiful courses in Oregon and had an internship all the way out in Syracuse, New York. I have also met a lot of famous golfers such as Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, and Hunter Mahan along with many celebrities such as the Baldwin brothers, Howie Mandel and professional football players. Even though all of these things are great, I am happy to spend some time home with my family in Omaha. When I am not golfing, I like to spend time on the lake boating with my friends. I really enjoy wakeboarding and dirt bike riding. All three of these activities vary so much that they keep me very active during the summer. This internship at the NGA has been really interesting and very eventful so far. I really like doing all of the administrative duties for the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. I am looking forward to meeting many other friendly faces in the business and around the state!

NEBRASKA PGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP Date: June 20-21, 2012 Site: Highlands Golf Course, Lincoln, NE Entry Deadline: Thursday, June 14 12 & UNDER SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

Date: June 19, 2012 Site: Jim Ager Memorial, Lincoln, NE Entry Deadline: Thursday, June 14 Entry Fees: 7-9 (9 Holes) 10-12 (18 Holes) 13-18 (36 Holes)

$30 $35 $75

SEND OFFICIAL ENTRIES TO: Thomas Harmon, PGA

Complete both Entry Applica on and Medical Release forms and submit to the Nebraska PGA Oﬃce prior to your Championship. Submit your release forms via fax or onsite. Click HERE to view the registration forms for each age division.

Play More with FORE! As an extension of other initiatives that first introduce the game, the Nebraska Golf Association created FORE!, a program that will provide opportunities for juniors to play golf more frequently. This statewide initiative will offer deserving youth the opportunity to play some of the area's best courses for $4 putting to use the life skills and values training they learn prior to membership. FORE! will begin in 2012 as a pilot program in the Omaha Metropolitan area. In 2013 FORE! will begin a statewide push. FORE! membership will be open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: First Tee of Omaha, Great Golf Expectations Omaha, Junior Golf Programs at Host Facilities, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Omaha, Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and Omaha Metropolitan Area High School Golf Teams. FORE! members will be labeled "Full Access" or "Supervised Access" based on age and or playing ability. "Supervised Access" members must be accompanied by an adult at 18-hole facilities. The fee for both membership classifications is $10 which includes NGA membership. Members will receive their FORE! membership cards once their program director has submitted the completed application and individual memberships are paid. Participating Facilities

Omaha Municipal Golf Courses (Benson, Elmwood, Johnny Goodman, Spring Lake, Steve Hogan, Warren Swigart & Westwood) Papillion Municipal Golf Courses (Eagle Hills & Tara Hills) Funding FORE! is based on the following formula. The NGA has negotiated a preferred junior golf rate with participating facilities. The FORE! member will pay a $4 fee for a round of golf (for 9 or 18 hole rounds). The NGF subsidizes the difference between the preferred rate and the FORE! member payment. Duration FORE! will take place during the months of June and July only. Membership forms and payment may be submitted to the NGA office at 6618 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68137. Contact Contact NGA Executive Director Craig Ames at (402) 5054653, ext. 102 or Junior Golf intern, Brett Bender at 402.505.4653, ext. 105 with questions.

Landscapes Unlimited Public Facilities (Pacific Springs & Shoreline)

FORE! FAQ’S How do I become a FORE! member?

Am I a NGA member when I receive my FORE! membership card? Yes. FORE! members will receive NGA membership information including details on maintaining a GHIN Handicap Index along with their membership card.

FORE! membership is open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: First Tee of Omaha; Great Golf Expectations, Omaha; Junior Golf Programs at Host Facilities; LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Omaha; Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and Omaha Metropolitan Area High School Golf Teams. Qualified candidates must submit a membership application to the NGA. Applications are available in the Junior section of the NGA web site (nebgolf.org) under FORE!

Am I limited on rounds I can play?

How long does my FORE! membership last?

Are there any restrictions on when I can play for the reduced FORE! rate?

FORE! membership is good during the months of June and July only in 2012. What are the age restrictions for FORE! participation? FORE! membership is available to golfers aged 7-17.

No. Play as many rounds as you can, the more the better as far as we’re concerned. Are there any additional fees besides the $4 per round for golf? The fee for membership is $10. Each 9 or 18-hole round is $4. That’s it.

No. Participating golf courses may limit some rounds based on availability. FORE! members cannot make a tee time reservation more than 48 hours in advance. Prior to that full paying customers have priority.

Family Time On-the-Go! When I was growing up, my family would be on the road every weekend traveling to a sporting event. My parents had seven children who were all involved in sports and as a family we showed our support by attending. As you can imagine it wasn’t cheap eating on the road and there was no such thing as a “dollar menu”. One way that my parents cut costs was to pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches and fruit. We would have a comic book or a toy to keep us entertained on the drive. It was family time and we got to hear our dad tell stories about our family and about Oklahoma. This was a time that some may call the “good ol’ days”.

Nowadays, the traveling isn’t on weekends only. We find ourselves driving to an event on a weekday(s) and/or during the weekend. We have lost time for the family sit down dinner. We are driving our kids from school to practice; from practice to the gym; from gym to home. We stop at a fast food restaurant to pick up lunch or dinner, while trying to catch up on our kid’s day all at the same time. It seems as though our time is jam packed with activities or obligations. We can take advantage of this time instead of letting time get away from us.

Here are a few helpful ideas:  Get a cooler, or an insulated bag, and or a water jug.  Pack a large umbrella, sunscreen, and bug spray.  Visit a “super store” for discounted soda and food items.  Freeze bottles of water.  Freeze fruit (grapes, a peeled banana on a stick, orange slivers, etc.). It’s a cool and healthy treat.  Wash and cut vegetables. Place in snack size bags.  Advise the kids that the time spent in the car is family time. There will be no electronic devices used. At first, you may want to set a limited time period for usage of electronic devices.  Find out information about where you are going. Locate a park or a place where you can park and get out of the car.  Leave early.  Use the drive time to talk with the kids about what is going on in their lives.  Share the information you learned about where you are going.  Play games with the kids (I-Spy, Slug Bug, sing along etc.)  Before arriving at the site, you can stop at a park to have lunch/dinner. If there is no place close by, arrive at the site early and find a place to have a picnic or tailgate.  Put some of the frozen fruit in plastic snack bags to put in the kid’s bag so they will have something to munch on while playing.  Put frozen water bottles in their bag.  Try to make the drive time a stress-free time.  Make this time the “good ol’ days” for your kids.

Have a great tip for family fun during trips to events?

We’d love to share it! Send your tips to info@ngjt.org.

Send Us Your “Swoosh” Moments In each issue of the NGJT Junior Newsletter, we’ll be featuring our NJGT junior golfers wearing and using gear from presenting sponsor of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour, Nike Golf. Show some love for our sponsor and send in your pictures or videos of your Nike moments to Brett Bender at info@njgt.org.

Send Us Your “Swoosh”