November/December 2024
OFFICERS/BOARD
NEBRASKA PGA STAFF
President—Mike Schuchart, PGA
Executive Director/CEO—David Honnens, PGA
Vice President—Phil Palmer, PGA
Assist. Executive Director—Seth Scollard, PGA
Secretary— Bobby O’Keefe, PGA
Managing Director—Renee Tyson
Honorary President—Dawn Neujahr, PGA
Tournament Director—Derek Carlson, PGA
Board Member—Tony Baranowski, PGA
Junior Golf Director—Kurt Karcher, PGA
Board Member—Joe Wiegand, PGA
Digital Media Director—Brett Renner PGA Works Fellow—Amber Bogle
DISTRICT 8 DIRECTOR
Administrative Assistant—Tiffany White
Phil Anderson, PGA
Development Officer—Bob Danenhauer Community Relations Coord.—Margie Smith
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On behalf of my fellow officers and the PGA of America Board of Directors, I’m thrilled to announce that PGA of America Member Derek Sprague has been selected as the new Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America. A news release will be going out to the media at a later time. Derek is the consummate PGA of America Golf Professional. His dedication to the Association, his passion for empowering PGA of America Golf Professionals and his service as an officer position him for success as CEO. To have a leader at the helm who knows every detail of the Association and what it means to be a PGA of America Member will enable our Association to succeed far into the future. Derek will be reaching out to you in the new year to share his vision for the future of our Association and our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals. This is the vision that was shared with our hiring committee and, let me tell you, we are incredibly excited about our future with a PGA of America Member who has the passion and skillset of Derek at the helm. Additionally, we should all give a special thank you to Chief Championships Officer Kerry Haigh who served admirably as our interim CEO. Kerry, thank you for all that you’ve done and will continue to do on behalf of our Association. Finally, we look forward to seeing many of you at the PGA Show next month. When you see me and Derek walking around, please introduce yourself. We would love to meet you and hear how you are doing. Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year. Sincerely,
Don Rea Jr., PGA President, PGA of America PAGE 4 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
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"I think both would be excited and proud that I have chosen to follow in their footsteps." Schuchart reflects on being elected 41st President of the Nebraska PGA and the Section celebrates Neujahr on her way out. See Full Story Here. PAGE 5 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Tom Johnson, PGA of Norfolk Country Club as their Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball recipient for the month of November.
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. Tom Johnson and his staff continue to ignite a love and passion for the game in their junior golfers at the club, and that was proven through one of their new events in 2024. Junior golf is essential to the mission of Norfolk Country Club and their staff looks for ways to enhance the experience year in and year out. In 2024, they decided to create a new event for not only current junior members at the club, but for young athletes across the area. “It wasn’t just about our members’ kids but also being able to showcase our facilities and experiences to their friends as well”, said Johnson. “Duckfest 2024” was created and promoted ahead of the 2024 season and took place this summer on July 29th. 30 teams and 60 junior golfers competed in the golf tournament but more than 100 kids took part in the full day event at the club. It wasn’t just about golf or the tournament, participating kids enjoyed lunch together, a pool party and movie night on the driving range. “One of the best things about NCC is that both our members and our surrounding community support anything that involves juniors. Being able to get donations and sponsors for the inaugural Duckfest event allowed for it to go above and beyond anything we could have imagined in its first year”, said Johnson. It was a fun-filled day for everyone involved and they expect the event to grow each year. Continue reading..
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The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Brad Goetsch, PGA of UNL PGM as their Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball recipient for the month of December.
The University of Nebraska offers one of the country’s 18 PGA Golf Management programs and throughout the last few years, the UNL PGM Program has grown to new heights. The program is currently at it’s biggest size in history, with 204 students enrolled and attending the University. The current retention rate within the program is 84%, which is also a record number. There seems to be a rising desire in young people to become PGA Golf Professionals and many of them are flocking to Lincoln, Nebraska to earn their degrees. With the incredible growth of the program, that’s led to staffing changes and bigger responsibilities for the Professors within PGA Golf Management. Goetsch has taken on more hours in the classroom and a bigger leadership role over the past semester. In 2011, Goetsch took a job within the program and became the Assistant Professor of Practice & Instruction Coordinator. Since then, he has grown within his role and he strives to make a lasting impact on the students through various different ways. His position allows him to focus on instruction, student advising, teaching & coaching and he spends a lot of time with Player Development modules. “When I think of winning a monthly game ball, I think of someone who put the team before themselves. This Fall, that’s exactly what Brad has done,” said Joe Canny, PGA of the UNL PGA Golf Management Program. “The PGA Golf Management Program is in a staffing transition that has left him responsible this semester for advising over 200 students, teaching over 20 credit hours, and grading tens of thousands of pages of PGA Work Experience. He’s done it all and excelled in each area while making sure students still receive the best experience possible,” said Canny. Continue reading…. PAGE 7 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
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It’s with heavy hearts that we share with all of you that we lost Honorary Nebraska PGA Member, Jack Crowley on Friday, November 15, 2024. Jack was 86 years old. Jack was born in Kearney on October 21, 1938, to Edward and Marie (Dougherty) Crowley. He graduated from Kearney High School, obtained his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College, and an MBA from Ohio State University. Jack married Judith Hellman on June 6, 1960. During his time he worked as the Executive Director of the Central Community College Foundation, he partnered with the Nebraska Section PGA and the Nebraska Public Power District to revamp the Nebraska Open golf tournament. The tournament recently celebrated it’s 33rd year and more than $2 million in scholarships has been raised and donated to local students within the Nebraska Community College system. During the week of the 2024 Wells Fargo Nebraska Open, Honorary Nebraska PGA Member, Jack Crowley was surprised with the Nebraska Section PGA adding his name to the trophy. Many Nebraska PGA Members reflected on Jack at their annual Fall Meeting and what he meant to the golf business and his surrounding community. Jack was honored at a memorial service on November 25th. PAGE 10 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
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Thank you all for the opportunity to speak at the Fall meeting and to showcase the exciting developments within our Section. As a follow-up, I'm sending additional information concerning a few of the slides from my presentation, specifically about Seasonal Education and the recent updates to the Department of Labor Law. Seasonal Education- Player Engagement PDRS Register for our 2024-2025 Seasonal Education HERE. Also, feel free to visit our "video library" tab on the top right of the website and watch 15+ topics from the 2023-2024 season and earn 1 PDR upon completion of each video.
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Department of Labor Law “Overtime Rule” Update As indicated below, The National Club Association has confirmed that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas had granted summary judgment in favor of the State of Texas. This ruling invalidates the new overtime rule nationwide in its entirety. Please see the message below for more details. NCA - ALERT: Federal Court Throws Out Department of Labor Overtime Rule Friday, November 15, 2024 Today, Judge Sean D. Jordan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted summary judgment to the State of Texas and a coalition of business groups in their lawsuit against the Department of Labor’s (DOL) regulation expanding overtime eligibility to millions of workers. The ruling invalidated the overtime rule in its entirety nationwide by affirming a duties-based overtime standard consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) executive, administrative and professional definitions, which form the so-called EAP Exemption. The DOL’s final regulation, “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees,” increased the standard salary level as well as the highly compensated employee (HCE) total annual compensation threshold used to determine a worker’s eligibility for overtime under the FLSA. When the rule went into effect earlier this year, the current overtime salary threshold was, beginning on July 1, 2024, raised from $684 a week, or $35,568 per year, to $844 per week, equivalent to $43,888 per year.
By vacating the rule, the current overtime salary threshold will return to $35,568 per year. The rule would go further by raising the overtime salary threshold to $1,128 per week, equivalent to $58,656 per year, on January 1, 2025. Additionally, the salary threshold would be automatically updated every three years beginning July 1, 2027, based on current earnings data. The plaintiffs in the case argued that the final overtime rule's changes to the salary level and the implementation of an automatic-updating mechanism were “in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations” and were “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance.” Notably, Judge Jordan’s ruling references the Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision, which expanded the judiciary’s power to review and reject interpretations of statutes adopted by federal agencies. In the final judgement, Judge Jordan wrote, “And when there is an ambiguity ‘about the scope of an agency’s own power...abdication in favor of the agency is least appropriate.” In 2016, a different federal judge in the Eastern District of Texas struck down a nearly identical rule created by President Obama’s Department of Labor. The judge in that case ruled that DOL erred in only considering salary for determining overtime eligibility. Given that precedent, the National Club Association submitted comments to DOL about the Biden administration’s proposed rule when it was released last year. NCA raised concern that DOL once again neglected the duties test and informed the agency of the financial burden this new rule would place on private clubs. Contact NCA President & CEO Joe Trauger at trauger@nationalclub.org if you have any questions or comments. PAGE 13 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Application is Open 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. For more information, click here.
Apply Now Calling All Coaches Join us at the 2025 PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit! Gain insights from Bill Harmon, Chris Como, Kevin Weeks, Valorie Kondos-Field, Jim McLean, and more. 16 PDR credits available for attending both days.
Register Today Clear Excess Inventory Before 2025 Wrap up the year with the PGA of America Value Guide's excess inventory program. Maximize returns on surplus goods, including items with club logos, and streamline your stock for the new year. It's the perfect solution to turn excess into profit efficiently.
Check Values PAGE 14 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
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!
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Nebraska PGA Professionals, PGA REACH Nebraska representatives, and PGA HOPE graduates gathered for a monumental day at the Nebraska State Capitol. Governor Jim Pillen declared Monday, December 16th, as the official PGA HOPE Day in Nebraska. The PGA of America President Don Rea joined us for this special occasion.
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In 2024, PGA HOPE will impact over 17,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military nationwide, taught by over 3,000 PGA Professionals from around the country. There are currently more than 500 PGA HOPE programs across the country, hosted in all 50 States. Veteran suicide is a major issue in the Veteran community, and statistics show 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. PGA HOPE is working to change this statistic by utilizing the game of golf as a form of therapy.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6 week curriculum, led by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans. PAGE 17 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
Serving Those Who Served
Veterans have given everything to be there for our country when we need it most. We need to be there when they come back. PGA HOPE aims to serve more than 17,000 Veterans in 2024 alone at program locations nationwide. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE is introducing and teaching golf through a 6 week curriculum while creating a path forward for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members. $330 Provides 6 weeks of V.A endorsed instruction for 1 U.S. Veteran or Active Duty Service Member
DONATE HERE PAGE 18 Nebraska PGA News December 2024
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College Golf Night, hosted by the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s PGA Golf Management Program, provided local high school students and parents an informative evening of how to make golf a career.
Speakers: Nick Wanderscheid, PGA Morningside Head Golf Coach Jeanne Sutherland, PGA Huskers Women’s Head Golf Coach Kevin Drew, PGA PGA of America Career Consultant Joe Canny, PGA Director of UNL PGM Treve Florom Education Quest
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REGISTER FOR JANUARY 9TH
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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!
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Alex Janssen, PGA Justin Arlt, PGA Teague Stewart Ryan Norman, PGA Ryan Atchley Samuel Martin, PGA Kurt Karcher, PGA Ryan Vermeer, PGA Tony Pesavento, PGA Matthew Nice, PGA Dennis Fruchtl, PGA Nicholas Murcek Stuart Moore Shane Hess Craig Marsh, PGA Scott Brunzell Sr., PGA
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Steve Ritz-Woller, PGA Matthew Shaner, PGA Bill Thomas, PGA Scott Carlson, PGA Santiago Garcia Keegan Lyon, PGA Derek Jensen, PGA Jordan Hart Andrew Sahling Nathan Auffet Ryan Douglas, PGA Scott Larson, PGA Casey Wroot, PGA Terry Heskett, PGA Amber Bogle Jeffrey D. Brake, PGA
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