Nebraska Junior Golf Newsletter - May 15, 2014

Learn more about this inaugural event on page 3!

In This Issue…

Letter from NJGT Director … 2 FootGolf Championship … 3 Tournament Info … 4-7 Swoosh Moments … 8 Special Features … 9-10 PGM Summer Experience … 11 Photo Highlights … 12 Fitness Facts … 13 Fore! Program… 14

Welcome

From the Desk of NGJT Director Joe Canny, PGA We are so very close to starting the 2014 Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Season and I couldn’t be more excited. In just oneand-a-half weeks we are getting started with fun courses such as West Nine @ Firethorn, Warren Swigart and the first ever TEAM GOLF event hosted at Knolls Country Club in Lincoln, NE. A reminder that the deadline for those first events are in the next couple of days!

NJGT Registrations have been flying in and it got me thinking about what you get when you join the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. It is our goal at the Nebraska PGA & Nebraska Golf Association to make sure that you get the most out of joining the NJGT. We also want to ensure you know all that is open to NJGT registrants so you can take advantage of any programming you are interested in. So here are some of the many things you can take advantage of this year:



NJGT Packets containing NJGT Bag Tag, USGA Rules Book, NJGT Car Decal, Gift from Nike and more...These have already started to go out!



18-HOLE DIVISIONS have access to all NJGT Stroke Play Events



9-HOLE DIVISIONS have access to all Farmers Mutual Stroke Play Events and NJGT TEAM GOLF Events



Participate in FUN NJGT Outings: ~ Nebraska’s first ever FootGolf Championship June 21st ~ College Golf Nights ~ GolfTEC Open Houses, Clinics & Lesson Discounts



FORE! Membership Eligibility



Points toward NJGT Player of the Year, Nebraska Golf Association Player of the Year, Nebraska Golf Association Select Teams and NJGT Championships at The Prairie Club & Wilderness Ridge.

These benefits will grow along with the program and I would love any input you may have.

Again, thank you for your continued support of and participation in the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. If there is anything we can do to make your summer experience better please reach out to me directly or contact our NJGT Intern at Info@njgt.org.

Sincerely, Joe Canny, PGA Junior Golf Director – NJGT (402) 730-8364 jcanny@njgt.org

Cover Photo: The NJGT FootGolf Championship is this Summer! Check out page 3 for more information.

Follow all of the latest Nebraska Junior Golf action on Facebook!

Visit www.NJGT.org to check out the 2014 schedule and more!

Questions? Contact NJGT: Ph: (402) 730-8364 E: jcanny@njgt.org

Click Here to Download the Entry Form & View the Rules

3

Path to The Prairie Club This year’s 18-hole division NJGT Championship will be hosted at The Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska. The Prairie Club has received remarkable praise with both courses currently ranked in Top 100 Resort Courses (Golf Week), with the Dunes Course ranked as high as #19. It also received a spot on the Top 100 Courses You Can Play from Golf Magazine. The Prairie Club annually supports junior golf in Nebraska, South Dakota and Western Iowa and in 2014 will host the NJGT Championship for the 18-Hole Divisions.

To keep up to date on the current points race and learn more about the NJGT Points System visit http://www.njgt.org/background/.

Race to Wilderness Ridge The 9-hole division championship will be hosted on the executive course of Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska. The home course of the University of Nebraska Husker Golf Teams, Wilderness Ridge hosts a variety of other championships including a Web.com Pre-Qualifier (Q-School), Nebraska PGA Championships, NAIA National Women’s Championship and more.

The executive course is the perfect place to end the season featuring a wonderful course and great amenities. You can learn more about the points system and stay in touch with your current standing at http://www.njgt.org/background/.

TEAM GOLF Leaderboard Often called Nebraska’s Home for Junior Golf, Fremont Golf Club is the host of the first ever NJGT TEAM GOLF Championship. A 16team field of our top TEAM GOLF teams will compete in a pooled competition ending in a round robin championship for the coveted NJGT TEAM GOLF Championship Belt.

Click HERE to view the TEAM GOLF schedule.

4

THE JOURNEY TO AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB BEGINS WITH ONE SWING…

Local Qualifiers LINCOLN Saturday, June 7th Highlands Golf Course

OMAHA Saturday, June 28th Eagle Hills Golf Club

GRAND ISLAND Friday, July 11th Riverside Golf Club

Drive, Chip & Putt BACKGROUND

ELIGIBILITY

Drive, Chip & Putt Champion-



Open to boys & girls ages 7-15.

ships are a free and nation-

Boys & girls will compete in separate

wide skills competition brought to you by the Masters Tourna-

divisions in four age categories: 7-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15

ment Foundation, United States Golf Association and



Professional Golfers Association of America. Concluding at



Age as of Sunday, April 5, 2015 will determine age.

Local qualifiers in Nebraska will

Augusta National Golf Club the

move on to the Sub-Regional in

Sunday before the Masters Tournaments, this competition

Omaha and Regional in Kansas City. Winners of each division in

has now come to Nebraska!

Kansas City move on to Augusta

Registration Opens April 6th!

National for the Championship.

REGISTER TODAY

NJGT.ORG/REGISTRATION/

5

*Please Note Please note the change in our Yankee Hill Country Club GolfTEC Premier Event. Due to circumstances outside the control of the NJGT and the Yankee Hill team the originally scheduled date will no longer work. Yankee Hill is extremely accommodating allowing us to come out on the only open date on the junior golf schedule, July 3rd. I apologize for any inconvenience and frustration this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

DATE

SITE

CITY

DEADLINE

May 28

West Nine GC

Lincoln

May 20

May 29

Warren Swigart GC

Omaha

May 21

June 2

Crooked Creek GC

Lincoln

May 25

June 2

Indianhead GC

Grand Island

May 25

June 3

Highlands GC

Lincoln

May 26

June 4

Council Bluffs CC

Council Bluffs, IA

May 27

June 5

Quail Run GC

Columbus

May 28

June 6

GolfTEC Premier at Table Creek GC

Nebraska City

May 29

June 9

Sunset Valley CC

Omaha

June 1

June 10

Westwood Heights GC

Omaha

June 2

June 11

Whispering Creek GC

Sioux City, IA

June 3

June 11

Meadowlark Hills GC

Kearney

June 3

June 12

Eagle Run GC

Omaha

June 4

June 12

Centura Hills GC

Cairo

June 4

June 13

The Ridge GC

Sioux Center, IA

June 5

June 16

River Wilds GC

Blair

June 8

June 17

Elmwood GC

Omaha

June 9

June 18

North Bend GC

North Bend

June 10

June 19

Holmes GC

Lincoln

June 11

June 19

Wayne CC

Wayne

June 11

June 24

Eagle Hills GC

Omaha

June 16

June 25

Two Rivers GC

North Sioux City, SD

June 17

June 26

Benson Park GC

Omaha

June 18

June 27

Sioux City CC

Sioux City, IA

June 19

June 30

GolfTEC Premier at The Pines CC

Valley

June 22

July 1

York CC

York

June 23

July 2

Tiburon GC

Gretna

June 24

July 3

GolfTEC Premier at Yankee Hill CC*

Lincoln

June 25

July 7

GolfTEC Premier at Kearney CC

Kearney

June 29

July 8

Woodland Hills GC

Eagle

June 30

July 8

Old Dane GC

Dakota City

June 30

July 9

Tregaron

Bellevue

July 1

July 9

Knolls CC

Lincoln

July 1

July 10-11

Central Nebraska Junior Amateur Jackrabbit Run & Riverside CC

Grand Island

July 2

July 14

Green Valley GC

Sioux City, IA

July 6

July 15

Pioneers GC

Lincoln

July 7

July 16

Awarii Dunes

Axtell

July 8

July 17

Mahoney GC

Lincoln

July 9

July 18

Wildwood GC

Nebraska City

July 10

July 21

Tara Hills GC

Papillion

July 13

July 21

Hidden Valley GC

Lincoln

July 13

July 22

Heritage Hills GC

McCook

July 14

July 22

Willow Lakes GC

Bellevue

July 14

July 24

College Heights

Crete

July 16

July 24

Indian Trails GC

Beemer

July 16

July 27-28

NJGT Championship - The Prairie Club

Valentine

Invitation

July 29

Wildhorse GC

Gothenburg

July 21

July 30

Stone Creek GC

Omaha

July 22

August 1

NJGT Championship - Wilderness Ridge Lincoln

Invitation

6

Date

Site

City

Deadline

May 29

Knolls CC

Lincoln

May 21

June 3

Elmwood Park GC

Omaha

May 26

June 10

Mahoney GC

Lincoln

June 2

June 18

West Nine GC

Lincoln

June 10

June 24

Kearney CC

Kearney

June 16

June 26

River Wilds GC

Blair

June 18

July 2

Miracle Hill Golf & Tennis

Omaha

June 24

July 8

Fox Run GC

Yankton, SD

June 30

July 9

Crooked Creek GC

Lincoln

July 1

July 16

Pacific Springs GC

Omaha

July 8

July 22

LeMars GC

LeMars, IA

July 14

July 24

Jackrabbit Run GC

Grand Island

July 16

July 30

Two Rivers GC

North Sioux City, SD

July 22

August 6

Championship - Fremont GC

Fremont

Invitation

Other Local Junior Golf Championships Boy’s 2014 Championships

Date

Event

Site

Deadline

June 16-19

Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship

Heritage Hills GC, McCook

June 11

June 25

Nebraska Section Junior PGA Championship (12 & Under) conducted by the Nebraska PGA

Jim Ager GC, Lincoln

June 18

June 29-30

Little Junior Amateur Championship (6-11)

Sunset Valley CC, Omaha

TBD

July 8-9

Nebraska Section Junior PGA Championship (13-18) conducted by the Nebraska PGA

Wilderness Ridge GC, Lincoln

July 1

July 14-16

Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship

Beatrice CC , Beatrice

July 8

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

Girl’s 2014 Championships

Date

Event

Site

Deadline

June 16-18

Nebraska Girls’ Match Play Championship

Heritage Hills GC, McCook

June 11

June 25

Nebraska Section Junior PGA Championship (12 & Under) conducted by the Nebraska PGA

Jim Ager GC, Lincoln

June 18

June 29-30

Little Junior Amateur Championship (6-11)

Sunset Valley CC, Omaha

TBD

July 8-9

Nebraska Section Junior PGA Championship (13-18) conducted by the Nebraska PGA

Wilderness Ridge GC, Lincoln

July 1

July 14-16

Nebraska Girls’ Amateur Championship

Beatrice CC , Beatrice

July 8

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

conducted by the Nebraska Golf Association

Click HERE to view registration information for these events.

7

Send Us Your “Swoosh” Moments In each of the NJGT Junior Newsletters, we will be featuring NJGT members wearing and using gear from NIKE GOLF, presenting sponsor of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. Show off your swoosh videos and pictures by posting them to the NJGT Facebook Page or on Twitter by using #theNJGT.

68

‘s Tour Tips

Featured Facility

Tournaments start next week and your friends here at GolfTEC cannot wait to see what unfolds this year. Last year the NJGT featured two hole-in-ones during the season including by one of our very own students at GolfTEC of Omaha. There were also record low rounds, big turnouts and other great things that make golf so much fun.

Whispering Creek Golf Club Sioux City, IA

We’d like to provide you with a few helpful tips to tournament play as you prepare for your first NJGT Tournament of 2014:

1. Practice Like You Play

The State of Iowa’s 2007 Golf Course of the Year, Whispering Creek Golf Club is prairie golf at its finest with big skies, open vistas, wonderful views, wide fairways, and rolling fast greens. Natural brome areas surround the course and not only present a challenge but also give the golf course a majestic look. It is unique in that it challenges golfers but remains extremely playable to all.

Whispering Creek has hosted prestigious events such as the Iowa State Amateur and Iowa State Four-Ball and will host our NJGT Golfers on June 11th. It is a quick hour and fifteen minute drive north of Omaha and I would strongly recommend this course as it is worth the trip. Families can make a day of it playing golf in the morning, shopping right next to the course and visiting world-famous La Juanitas Mexican Restaurant for lunch. La Juanitas was recently rated

by Esquire Magazine as fifth best in the nation quoting “The Most Life-Changing Burrito in America”.

For more information on Whispering Creek Golf Club visit WhisperingCreekGolfClub.com and start planning your trip today!

When practicing, create scenarios like you will face in a tournament. This may mean playing to tournament conditions or creating games and challenges to add pressure. Also make sure to always aim at a target on the range and finish those short putts on the practice green.

2. Develop a Plan and Stick to it

Develop your strategy and stay with it during the tournament. It may be to hit a three-wood off the tee or keep the ball low with knock-down shots all day. Much like Zach Johnson did when he won the Masters. He decided to lay-up all week and stay in contention. The hardest part is not falling victim into what other players are doing. Just because they hit driver doesn’t mean you should.

3. Come Prepared

Having confidence in your swing, knowing your clubs are fitted to your swing and getting advice from experienced tournament professionals like the staff at GolfTEC goes a long way in this mental game.

We love supporting the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour each season and look forward to seeing you at a GolfTEC Premier Event this summer. To learn more about GolfTEC of Omaha please click HERE.

Site Director Spotlight ~ Terry Hexum NJGT Market: Omaha Hometown: Cameron, Wisconsin Resides in: Omaha Occupation: Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska College of Medicine Hobbies: Golf, Old Cars and Gardening Favorite Sports Teams: Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Kansas Jayhawk Basketball Favorite Golf Moment: Lip out double eagle on Hole 8 of Johnny Goodman with a 5-iron Favorite Golf Course: Benson Park Notes: Truly enjoy working with the parents and golfers on the NJGT

9

Download this Free Mobile App: Started right here in Nebraska by a Cornhusker, GolfStatus is a free mobile app that captures a golfer’s moments of achievement. Golfers can earn free golf, merchandise, exclusive deals, and more just by posting their scores. Using GolfStatus you can also post all your scores to your GHIN Handicap provided by the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. It is a cool new way to keep records of your game while practicing, have parents track your round while watching at an NJGT event and possibly win some prizes along the way.

I see many of you are already using this application and I love following our golfers. If you haven’t created an account you can register online or download the GolfStatus App in the App Store or Marketplace.

Site Director Spotlight ~ Brandon Burns NJGT Market: Omaha Hometown: Overton, NE Resides In: Gretna Occupation: Private Client Advisor @ Bank of the West Hobbies: Time with Family, Running, Basketball and Home Projects Favorite Sports Teams: Huskers Favorite Golf Moment: Golf Trips with Father Favorite Golf Course: Prairie Dunes Notes: Married and Father of Three. Former PGA Professional (ArborLinks & Pacific Springs)

10

2014 PROGRAM INFO: June 16-19, 2014 Eastern Kentucky University July 13-16, 2014 Mississippi State University

Click Here for Details!

11

Some good times from 2013!

12

Fitness Facts Presented by The PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare Proper nutrition is key for all golfers and probably one of the most overlooked elements of a successful golf program. Proper nutrition and hydration play a key role in your performance on and off the golf course. This issue will cover how hydration impacts your game while next issue will dive deeper into proper eating on the course and in preparation for golf.

Dehydration causes reduced aerobic endurance performance and muscular strength. Even minor dehydration (1-2% of bodyweight) can decrease muscular performance by 10% during your golf round. This means that your 150 yard shot into the green only goes 135 yards and ends up the water hazard.

Other side effects include vomiting, nausea, headaches, dizziness and more.

TIPS TO STAY

HYDRATED Come Fully Hydrated

• Drink 16 ounces of water a couple hours before your round and another 8 ounces 15 minutes before you tee off.

Stay Hydrated

• You want to drink water roughly 6 ounces every 4 holes. A good tip is A

Sip on Every Tee Box.

Rehydrate

• Immediately following your round drink another glass or bottle of water.

• This is where it is good to have Gatorade or other beverages containing carbohydrates, electrolytes and fluid in correct proportions.

Apply the same principles to practice

Signs of Dehydration

• Thirst (Of Course!) Thirst is often a delayed response so don’t rely on • Irritability • General discomfort followed by the side effects highlighted above • Loss of appetite • Chills & Skin Flushing • Dry Mouth

MAKE SURE TO

STAY

HYDRATED! To find a PGA Sports Academy program near you, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com.

13

Play More with FORE! What is Fore?!

As an extension of other initiatives that first introduce the game, the Nebraska Golf Association created FORE!, an access program that provides junior golfers the opportunity to play golf more frequently at participating NGA member clubs during the months of May, June, July and August. FORE! members can play participating courses across the state for just $4 per round.

Who’s eligible for FORE! membership?

FORE! is not simply a discount card. Although the NGA wants to be as inclusive as possible it also wants members that have been introduced to the game through some sort of instruction and have a basic understanding of both the Rules of Golf and proper Etiquette. That said we require that FORE! applicants meet the following age and eligibility criteria: Age: No minimum age, a golfer is no longer eligible for membership once they hit the date of September 1 following graduation from secondary school (high school).

Eligibility: Golfer must meet one of four eligibility requirements that meet the criteria of proper introduction:

• 2014 participant in one of the following certified programs: First Tee; Golf ‘N’ Schools; Great Golf Expectations; LPGA/USGA Girls Golf; NGA Youth on Course; Nebraska Junior Golf Tour; Panhandle Junior Golf Tour and PGA/USGA Sports Academy.

• 2014 participant in a junior golf program at an NGA member club.

• 2013-2014 high school golf team participant • Other golfers approved by senior official at NGA member club (i.e.

PGA Professional or Club Manager).

How do eligible golfers join the FORE! program?

Applications are available on the FORE! web site (nebgolf.org/FORE), in both paper and online forms. The fee for membership is $10, and in addition to their membership cards, FORE! members receive a NGA membership.

Where can FORE! rounds be played?

FORE! is a statewide initiative in 2014, and is available in most regions of the state with over 40 participating golf courses. For a full list of participating courses, including contact information, please visit the FORE! website at nebgolf.org/ FORE.

How is the FORE! program funded?

The FORE! program is funded by the Nebraska Golf Foundation, whose mission is to promote the growth of golf in Nebraska with an emphasis on making the game and its life-enhancing values accessible to youth. A sizable donation was made to the NGF from the 2013 U.S. Senior Open Championship in support of FORE! In addition, the NGF earmarks a portion of its own fundraising efforts to support the program.

Visit NebGolf.org for more information and to register!

14