Lincoln, NE – In 2021, PGA REACH Nebraska—the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA—launched Clubs FORE Youth, a program dedicated to using golf as a vehicle to positively impact young lives.
To better understand the challenges facing girls golf, PGA REACH Nebraska partnered with the Nebraska School Activities Association to study more than 70 high school programs across the state. The findings were eye-opening: 56% of female golfers did not have clubs of their own, and 43% of the equipment in use was outdated, damaged, or barely playable.
Motivated to address these barriers, PGA REACH Nebraska created Clubs FORE Youth to provide much-needed resources and equipment to underserved programs. Leading up to 2026, the initiative has delivered more than 250 brand-new Callaway club sets and push carts to 44 high school girls golf programs throughout the Nebraska PGA Section. Beyond equipment, the program also offers players and coaches access to PGA-led instruction during the summer, helping further develop skills and confidence on and off the course.
PGA REACH Nebraska is excited to announce the selection of five new high school girls golf programs for 2026. Designed to remove barriers to participation, Clubs FORE Youth equips students—particularly those without access to the game—with the resources and support needed to learn, play, and grow through golf.
- Alliance High School
- Bruning-Davenport High School
- Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson High School
- Garden County Junior-Senior High School
- Syracuse High School
We spoke to the representatives of each school to get their reaction to the news.
2026 Clubs FORE Youth Recipients
Alliance High School
Reaction from Coach Berlyn Clear:
When I received the call, I was ecstatic for our girls and our program as a whole. This opportunity allows us to upgrade our equipment, which will help us attract more girls to the game. The support from PGA REACH Nebraska means a great deal. Golf doesn’t always receive the same attention in the headlines as other sports, so it’s exciting to see this level of recognition and investment. Golf is truly a lifelong sport, and I’m thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity for our girls—both in middle school and high school—to experience the game and grow to love it.
Bruning-Davenport High School
Reaction from Coach Micah Dolnicek:
I was really excited to get the call. Our program is still very young, and this opportunity to help jumpstart it is incredible. Right now, nearly 80% of our team doesn’t have the proper equipment to compete at a high level. Being selected for the Clubs FORE Youth grant changes that. It gives every one of our players the chance to see just how good they can become. What PGA REACH Nebraska is doing for golf—especially girls golf—is truly impactful, and I believe it will create a ripple effect for years to come. Golf has a relatively high barrier to entry, which can keep new players from getting involved. Providing schools with the equipment they need opens the door for more girls to step into the game and discover what’s possible.
Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson High School
Reaction from Coach Rob Dittmer:
It meant a great deal to me and our program to be selected. I personally was elated to get the word, and I was eager to tell everyone associated with our program. This year, we had more girls out than ever before, and very few of them had their own clubs. So it's not an exaggeration to say that we have girls playing golf who would not have been able to play without the new clubs, and all of the girls will appreciate the opportunity to use push carts at our meets. I want our girls to love golf. To do that, they have to see improvement in their games and achieve a certain level of competence that allows them to enjoy playing. This new equipment will turn that dream into a reality.
Garden County Junior-Senior High School
Reaction from Coach Michelle Dormann:
It means so much to a small, rural program like ours in Garden County—we’re continuing to build our team with three returning players and recruiting many new players. When I got the call, I felt incredibly grateful that our girls are being supported through this incredible opportunity. This is a game changer for us because access to equipment is one of the biggest barriers for our players. It ensures every girl has the opportunity to try golf and feel confident doing it. PGA REACH Nebraska has shown a commitment to growing girls golf across the state and that every program—no matter the size or location—is worth supporting.
Syracuse High School
Reaction from Coach Kieren Feeney:
Our school receiving this grant has made all the difference in how we are going to approach the program in the future. The team has been working hard in the off season and doing their best, but there hasn’t been much recognition for their efforts at meets, as they have just started golfing. Now, the team has the recognition from the Clubs FORE Youth program that acknowledges their dedication to the sport and that there is someone outside of the community who supports them. Our team receiving this gift will be the fuel that keeps athletes engaged, and it will be a part of their support system for the rest of their high school careers. The lessons that they have learned and will continue to learn with this opportunity will continue for the rest of their lives.
The club drop-off presentations kicked off this week, beginning at Bruning-Davenport High School.
This initiative goes beyond providing equipment—it’s about creating opportunity, building confidence, and strengthening community through the game of golf.
Once all deliveries are complete, the PGA REACH Nebraska team will partner with Nebraska PGA Professionals to host golf camps at each participating school, further enhancing the impact of the program.
PGA REACH Nebraska remains committed to sustaining and growing this initiative for years to come and is grateful for the continued support of donors and local communities. Together, we are helping change lives through golf.
Follow along for updates on social media at @pgareachneb as the program continues to make a lasting impact.
ABOUT 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.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 300 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.