Nebraska Junior Golf Newsletter 5-1-2013

In This Issue…

Letter from NJGT Director … 2 Featured Facility … 3 GolfTEC Tour Tips … 3 Site Director Spotlight … 3 Tournaments … 4-5 Swoosh Moments … 6 Fitness Facts … 10 Fore! Program… 11

Welcome I hope you are as excited as I am for a great 2013 golf season with the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. This year we feature nearly 50 events at many of the best golf courses in Nebraska and Western Iowa. Nike Golf will once again be the presenting sponsor of the NJGT and will provide each registrant with a gift in the membership packet.

We have added three new sponsors this year who will be helping enhance all the events on our schedule:

Farmers Mutual Insurance of Nebraska is the new presenting sponsor of all regular season events. The Farmers Mutual Series consists of 40 events for NJGT members of all ages.

Premier Events are now part of the GolfTEC – Omaha Series. The GolfTEC – Omaha Series will feature five events in 2013 for NJGT members playing in the 18-hole divisions.

Five Points Bank is the presenting sponsor of the Central Nebraska Junior Ama-

teur. A new event on the schedule, the Central Nebraska Junior Amateur presented by Five Points Bank will be the first 36-hole event for the NJGT and will be played at Riverside Country Club and Jackrabbit Run Golf Course in Grand Island, NE. A special thank you to all our sponsors who help us deliver a first class and affordable golf experience to youth in the Nebraska Section.

Sand Hills Golf Club is another exciting addition to

the 2013 NJGT Schedule. Sand Hills has consistently ranked as one of the United States’ best courses since opening in 1995 and will serve as our host for the Tour Championship for all 18-hole divisions. Qualification for this event will be based on NJGT point totals throughout the year. Points for each NJGT Member will be a cumulative total of their best eight finishes. Point breakdowns for Farmers Mutual Regular Season and GolfTec – Omaha Premier Events can be found on NJGT.org. I will also be updating you on the current standings in each NJGT Newsletter in a section called Race for the Sandhills.

Thank you for your early registration in the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. Membership packets will be mailed to each registrant this week. I appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you on the course!

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

Cover Photo: Junior golfers competing in the NJGT Event at Elmwood Park GC on June 26, 2012.

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

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

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

Featured Facility Holmes Park Golf Course

‘s Tour Tips The season is here and GolfTEC hopes you are as excited to play as we are! One of the most frustrating parts of the spring season is all the silly shots around the green.

Chunky wedges, three putts and sculled chips are some of the shots that find their way back into the bag. Yet when you look on the range you find people hitting drivers for hours to “get back into the swing”.

Though the driver is important, the first practice sessions of the year should primarily take place on and around the putting green. Focusing on solidly striking the golf ball around the green will translate over to your full swing and set you up much better for your early season rounds.

Holmes Park Golf Course is the first course on the NJGT schedule and our featured facility for the month. Holmes Park GC was built in the early 1960's and has been a favorite in the city of Lincoln for years! The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is laid out over gradual hills and has some great views of beautiful Holmes Lake. When standing on the #5 tees you are standing at one of the highest points in Lincoln and have the opportunity to view the entire city. Locals also love hole #12, a long par-3 that has you aiming at the state capital.

GolfTEC’s Tour Tips are provided by GolfTEC Omaha on North 114th St off West Dodge Road. GolfTEC Omaha has five accomplished instructors on staff who have the ability to help your golf game year round. To learn more about GolfTEC Omaha, meet the instructors and book a lesson; CLICK HERE.

This year you will notice a new, modern design clubhouse adding to your overall golf experience. Holmes Park Golf Course is open to the public and you can learn more by visiting HolmesGolfCourse.com.

Site Director Spotlight ~ Hobart “Hap” Gay My name is Hobart Gay, but most know me by “Hap”. I spent my teens on one of the great golf courses of the country, Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, though I rarely played golf.

We lived within walking distance from the Club and my parents belonged. We played tennis and I caddied during the summers for spending money. As most kids in the 60’s in southern California I spent most of my time at the beach surfing and hanging out with my friends (golf was for ol’ guys back then) while I could have been learning from one of the best teaching pros on one of the great courses in the country. I didn’t take golf seriously until much later on. I was 36 years old when I was drawn back into the game. I have since grown to love the game for the traditions and principles that it is grounded in and the mental challenges that it presents. I retired from a career in the Air Force and now use my time to give back to my community with volunteering for several organizations such as CASA, Lancaster Foster Care Review Board and the NGA, PGA of America and of course the NJGT. It gives me a lot of joy to watch our young kids learning a great game and competing at such high levels, being helped along by organizations such as the NGA and the NJGT. I really look forward to another great year as a Site Director here in Lincoln and seeing all the great kids I met last year, again.

3

n listed i Events are d font bold, re ts.

R even PREMIE

DATE

EVENT

CITY

DEADLINE

May 28

Holmes Park GC

Lincoln

May 20

May 29

Council Bluffs CC

Council Bluffs, IA

May 21

May 29

Indian Trails CC

Beemer

May 21

May 30

Quail Run GC

Columbus

May 22

May 30

West Nine GC

Lincoln

May 22

June 5

Tregaron GC

Bellevue

May 28

June 6

Eagle Run GC

Omaha

May 29

June 7

GC at Table Creek

Nebraska City

May 31

June 10

Crooked Creek GC

Lincoln

June 2

June 11

Eagle Hills GC

Papillion

June 3

June 11

Indianhead GC

Grand Island

June 3

June 12

College Heights CC

Crete

June 4

June 12

Whispering Creek GC

Sioux City, IA

June 4

June 13

Centura Hills GC

Cairo

June 5

June 13

Warren Swigart GC

Omaha

June 5

June 17

Yankee Hill CC

Lincoln

June 9

June 20

Benson Park GC

Omaha

June 12

June 20

Wayne CC

Wayne

June 12

June 21

Lake Maloney GC

North Platte

June 13

June 24

The Pines CC

Valley

June 16

June 25

Elmwood Park GC

Omaha

June 17

June 25

Heritage Hills GC

McCook

June 17

June 26

North Bend GC

North Bend

June 18

June 26

Westwood Heights GC

Omaha

June 18

June 27

Willow Lakes GC

Bellevue

June 19

July 2

York CC

York

June 24

July 3

Tiburon GC

Omaha

June 25

July 8

Woodland Hills GC

Eagle

June 30

July 9

Cross Creek GL

Cambridge

July 1

July 9

Pioneers GC

Lincoln

July 1

July 10

Meadowlark Hills GC

Kearney

July 2

July 11

Old Dane GC

Dakota City

July 3

July 11-12

NJGT Central Nebraska Junior (36 holes) Grand Island Jackrabbit Run GC & Riverside GC

July 3

July 12

The Knolls CC

Lincoln

July 4

July 15

Kearney CC

Kearney

July 7

July 15

Tara Hills GC

Papillion

July 7

July 17

Eldorado Hills GC

Norfolk

July 9

July 18

Highlands GC

Lincoln

July 10

July 22

River Wilds GC

Blair

July 14

July 23

River's Edge GC (Parent/Child)

North Plattte

TBD

July 24

NJGT Tour Championship Sand Hills GC

Mullen

Invitation

July 29

Mahoney GC

Lincoln

July 21

July 29

Sunset Valley CC

Omaha

July 21

July 30

Stone Creek GC

Omaha

Jul 22

July 31

Hidden Valley GC

Lincoln

July 23

July 31

Wild Horse GC

Gothenburg

July 23

August 1

Beatrice CC (Four-Ball)

Beatrice

July 24

August 1

NJGT Tour Championship Wilderness Ridge GC

Lincoln

Invitation

4

NJGT Endorsed Golf Tournaments Check out these other great and prestigious events taking place in Nebraska in 2013: Nebraska Girls’ Match Play Championship The Country Club, Lincoln June 3-5 Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship The Country Club, Lincoln June 3-6 Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Junior Golf Tour membership is open to boys and girls beginning at age 7 and extends through the summer following a golfer's graduation from high school, regardless of age.

2013 Season Membership Dues:

$60 annually for boys ages 12 & up and girls ages 14 & up $50 annually for boys ages 7-11 and girls ages 7-13 All dues are non-refundable. A golfer's age on July 1, 2013 determines their age group of competition for the entire summer and their applicable membership dues.

Eligibility: Boys ages 12 and older and girls ages 14 and old-

er receive eligibility to participate in all NJGT events. Boys ages 7 -11 and girls 7-13 receive eligibility to participate in regular NJGT events only.

Benefits: NJGT members receive the following benefits: 2013

PGA Junior Series

ArborLinks, Nebraska City June 10-12, 2013 Click Here to Register!

Junior PGA Championship

Wilderness Ridge Golf Club (13-18 yr division) June 18-19, 2013 Click Here to Register!

Jim Ager Memorial Golf Club (7-12 yr division) June 27, 2014 Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Girls’ Amateur Championship Stroke Play Oakland Country Club July 16-17 Click Here to Register!

Membership Gift from Nike Golf, Subsciption to the NJGT Electronic Newsletter, Membership Bag Tag, Membership Sticker, 2012-2015 USGA Rules of Golf Booklet, Consideration for the NJGT Tour Championship and Player of the Year Awards, Nebraska Golf Association Membership which includes a USGA Handicap Index, complimentary Cox Classic tickets, subscriptions to both Nebraska Golfer magazine and the NGA E-newsletter (24 editions) and eligibility to compete in NGA competitions.

Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship Stroke Play Oakland Country Club July 16-17 Click Here to Register!

To become a member & register for events, visit…

US Girls' Junior Amateur Championship Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Ind.

www.NJGT.org

USGA Championship Qualifiers Local Qualifier:

Elks Country Club, Columbus – July 1 Click Here to Register!

US Junior Amateur Championship Martis Camp, Calif.

Local Qualifier:

Yankee Hill Country Club – July 1 Click Here to Register!

5

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.

Send Us Your “Swoosh”

6

Some good times from 2012!

7

8

To be considered for the Summer Experience, candidates must apply directly to the University hosting the session they wish to attend. A current USGA handicap of 18 or less is required.

The PGA Golf Management University Program is available at 20 universities across the country.

A list of accredited universities can be found at PGALinks.com.

Find out more about the PGA Golf Management University Program, including contact information, at www.pgalinks.com.

9

Fitness Facts Presented by The PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare The PGA Sports Academy is a youth golf program that will help you learn and develop golf skills using sports, games and other fun activities. Fitness and nutrition are very important in the PGA Sports Academy and this guide will provide you with exercises and information on how you can get more active. By making healthy food choices you will feel better and play better. So start making healthy choices today!

HAPPY, HEALTHY EATING

Eating is an important part of our lives. The healthy foods we eat help our body to grow, run, walk, think, move, sleep, and fight off germs. But did you know that some foods can actually hurt our bodies? Here are some tips on how to make sure you are getting enough of the foods your body needs to do its job well: EAT THE RAINBOW: A fun and tasty way to make sure you are eating enough fruits and vegetables is to eat as many different colors as you can at each meal. For example, some carrots, blueberries, and red bell peppers are all different colors and are all good for your body. Help your parents the next time you go grocery shopping to pick out the most colorful fruits and vegetables. How many can you find?

IN THE CAFETERIA: There are many options to choose from in the lunch line at school, some of them are healthier than others. Try to choose fruits and vegetables instead of French fries or chips and ask for grilled meat instead of fried. When it comes to something to drink grab some water or fat-free milk instead of soda or juice. It may be hard to make these changes, especially if your friend’s aren’t, but you will be keeping your body healthy and will feel much better!

SNACK ATTACK: After a long day at school or an afternoon of playing your tummy may be telling you it’s time to eat. But before you reach for that bag of chips, consider choosing one of these healthier options instead: Instead of soda or juice, grab some water or fat-free milk. Instead of chips or crackers, grab a piece of fruit or veggie sticks. Instead of cookies or cake, grab a sugar free ice pop or unsweetened, fat-free yogurt.

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

10

Play More with FORE! As an extension of other initiatives that first introduce the game, the Nebraska Golf Association created FORE!, a program that provides 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! started in the Omaha Metro area in 2012 as a pilot program. This year FORE! will begin a statewide push.

FORE! membership will be open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: Boys & Girls Club PGA Sports Academy Program, 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.

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

FORE! membership is open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: & Girls Club PGA Sports Academy Program, 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! How long does my FORE! membership last?

FORE! membership is good during the months of June and July only in 2013.

What are the age restrictions for FORE! participation?

FORE! membership is available to golfers aged 7-17.

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.

More information on the FORE! Program to follow in future newsletters and on NebGolf.org.

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.

Am I limited on rounds I can play?

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.

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

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.

11