Omaha, NE – The birdies were flying, the competition was fierce, and the impact was greater than ever at the 2026 Birdie Bonanza at Benson Golf Course in Omaha.

Twenty-four two-person teams of PGA Professionals, joined by special teams representing the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department and Omaha Fire Department, took to Benson Golf Course for a one-of-a-kind 54-hole golf challenge designed to raise funds for PGA REACH Nebraska and its mission to positively impact people’s lives through the game of golf.

When the final putt dropped, the event had exceeded its fundraising goal, generating an incredible $180,000, surpassing the original $170,000 goal.

Along the way, the 24 teams combined to make an impressive 790 birdies.

But Birdie Bonanza was about much more than birdies and fundraising. The day served as a powerful celebration of community, an opportunity to honor local heroes, and a reminder of the impact golf can have on people’s lives.

Honoring the Heroes of 9/11

The day began with a special opening ceremony at the entrance of Benson Golf Course, where the Omaha Fire Department displayed its fire trucks for participants and spectators.

Battalion Fire Chief John Stolinski delivered the opening remarks, focusing on September 11 and the heroes who stepped forward to serve and protect others during one of the most tragic days in American history.

Stolinski emphasized the importance of never forgetting the events of 9/11 and the men and women who lost their lives while trying to save others. He also highlighted the value of events like Birdie Bonanza in creating opportunities to continue telling those stories and keeping the memories of those heroes alive.

PGA of America representative Amber Bogle also addressed the participants, sharing how the event would directly impact local Veterans through PGA HOPE Nebraska.

“PGA HOPE is about so much more than golf,” Bogle emphasized. “It’s about community, camaraderie, and getting Veterans connected again.”

The funds raised through Birdie Bonanza will help PGA REACH Nebraska continue providing meaningful opportunities for Veterans through the game of golf and its other youth, military and inclusion programs.

The Hero Holes

One of the most unique features of the event came from the PGA HOPE Veterans themselves.

Throughout the 54-hole competition, Veterans participating in PGA HOPE Nebraska were stationed at two designated “Hero Holes” — No. 6 and No. 14.

Teams could call upon a Veteran “Hero” to help motivate them and even assist with their birdie putts on the designated holes.

The Veterans became an integral part of the competition, cheering on the PGA Professionals, helping increase birdie totals and bringing plenty of energy to the course.

The activation provided a fun and meaningful way for PGA HOPE graduates to be involved while demonstrating exactly what the program is all about: building relationships, creating community and reconnecting Veterans.

A Firehouse Rivalry on the Golf Course

The event also featured a special “match within the match” between the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department and Omaha Fire Department.

Representing Lincoln Fire & Rescue were Joel Johnson and Joe Kalina, while Captain Nick Winey and Firefighter John Kava represented the Omaha Fire Department.

The friendly rivalry came down to the final holes, with both teams battling to see who could make the most birdies. The winning team would earn additional bonus funds toward its department’s charitable give-back.

When the competition ended, Lincoln Fire & Rescue came out on top with 25 birdies, narrowly defeating Omaha Fire Department’s 24 birdies.

The friendly competition added another layer of excitement to a day already filled with plenty of it.

54 Holes, 790 Birdies and Plenty of BBQ

With 54 holes on the schedule, keeping the PGA Professionals fueled was critical.

PGA Professional David James, from Kearney, Nebraska, and his BBQ partner Ed Wiltgen spent the day smoking BBQ and keeping players fed, energized and motivated throughout the marathon event.

Representatives from both the Omaha and Lincoln Fire Departments also maintained a tent near the first hole throughout the day, encouraging the players and thanking the PGA Professionals for their support of the event and their communities.

And with cloud cover providing ideal conditions, Benson Golf Course was ready for the challenge. The course was in terrific shape, particularly the greens, giving the players plenty of opportunities to attack the flagsticks.

They took advantage.

By the end of 54 holes, the field had combined for 790 birdies.

The Birdie Bonanza Shootout

While every team was focused on raising money and making birdies, another competition was taking place throughout the day.

The top three fundraising teams and the top two birdie-making teams earned a spot in the Birdie Bonanza Shootout, a four-hole elimination competition to determine the day’s champions.

The shootout was played in an alternate-shot format, adding another layer of strategy, pressure and excitement. With teammates alternating shots, every decision and every swing carried even more weight as teams battled for the championship.

The shootout delivered plenty of drama.

Hole No. 1: Tony Pesavento and Alex Schaake defeated Ryan Vermeer and Carson Schaake.

Hole No. 2: Tony Pesavento and Alex Schaake defeated David Honnens and Nathan Kalin.

Hole No. 3: Tony Pesavento and Alex Schaake defeated Dominick Mitchum and Austin Miller.

That sent Tony Pesavento and Alex Schaake of Omaha Country Club into the final showdown against Al Peterson and Nick Muller of the Country Club of Lincoln.

The final hole turned into a thriller.

With darkness quickly approaching, Peterson and Muller ultimately defeated Pesavento and Schaake after an incredible four extra holes, followed by a chip-off to finally determine the winner.

When the dust settled, Al Peterson and Nick Muller of the Country Club of Lincoln were crowned the 2026 Birdie Bonanza Shootout champions.

A Day That Made an Impact

At its core, Birdie Bonanza was never simply about golf.

Every birdie made, every pledge collected and every dollar raised will help PGA REACH Nebraska continue its mission to positively impact people’s lives through the game of golf.

The event also provided direct support to the Omaha Fire Department and Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department, recognizing the important work their firefighters and first responders do for their communities every day.

Most importantly, the $180,000 raised will help create opportunities for people across Nebraska through PGA REACH Nebraska’s programs, including PGA HOPE, which uses golf to help Veterans build relationships, find community and improve their overall well-being.

From the first fire truck arriving at Benson Golf Course to the final chip-off in the darkness, Birdie Bonanza delivered a day filled with competition, camaraderie, laughter and purpose.

And ultimately, the biggest victory wasn’t a shootout trophy or a birdie total. It was the $180,000 impact created by everyone who came together to make the day possible.

PGA REACH Nebraska would like to thank Benson Golf Course staff, the PGA Professionals who competed, the Omaha Fire Department, Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department, PGA HOPE Veterans, volunteers, donors, sponsors and everyone who supported the 2026 Birdie Bonanza.

Together, they proved once again that when a community comes together around golf, the impact can reach far beyond the golf course.

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About the PGA REACH Nebraska

PGA REACH Nebraska is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA. PGA REACH Nebraska is program-based and supported by the Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professionals. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact lives through the game of golf. The Foundation has 3 core pillars of focus: Military, Youth and Inclusion. Each pillar is supported by programs that are executed to carry out our mission.