Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Brad Goetsch, PGA of UNL’s PGA Golf Management Program as the Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball recipient for the month of December.

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. This mission is carried out by Goetsch each day that he walks through the University doors. His passion for teaching is evident and he strives to make an impact on the program’s future PGA Golf Professionals.

The University of Nebraska offers one of the country’s 16 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.

During his tenure, Goetsch has taught more than 400 hours in the classroom and has bloomed into an incredible Professor, one who truly cares and wants his students to be the best they can be. He has a clear passion for teaching and he’s mentored many young students that have turned out to be stars in the industry.

“The stunning growth of the program over the past couple of years has been an exciting and, quite frankly, challenging thing to be a part of. Our industry is in need of talent, and it’s been a lot of fun working to develop that talent”, said Goestch.

“Joe (Canny) has done an amazing job selling the program, and I’ve done everything I can to deliver on that. It’s what the students deserve. We’re at a point where we’re a model program on a national level, and it’s an incredible thing to be a part of that”, said Goetsch.

The UNL PGA Golf Management Program has become a leader in the country and it all starts with individuals like Canny and Goetsch. Goetsch has taken his love and passions for the game of golf and all that it’s brought to his own life, and he’s now spreading that love to his students.

In addition to leaving an impact on students within the program, Goetsch is involved in his community outside of the University.

“After his work days, he teaches PGA HOPE to our nation’s Veterans, coaches the Nebraska Club Hockey Team with three of our golfers on it, and still is an amazing father to his kids taking them all over for sports and activities”, said Canny.

It’s for these reasons and more, Goetsch was nominated and chosen by his fellow PGA Professionals to be honored as Nebraska PGA’s Wilson Game Ball recipient for the month of December.

“To be recognized is great affirmation of my efforts here. Like a lot of people, I just go about my job and do my best because I’m passionate about what I do and I care about our mission. This just helps confirm that I’m on the right track”, said Goetsch.

Nominations for the next Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball open on January 1st and will close at 11:59 PM on January 15th.

About the Nebraska Section PGA

The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 340 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf.  The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton.  The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike.  Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.

Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf.  They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.