Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Derek Jensen, PGA of Under Par Golf Studio as February’s Wilson Sporting Goods Game Ball recipient.

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 has been carried out by Jensen on a daily basis through teaching & coaching players of all levels at his new studio he opened in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Teaching the game of golf has always been a part of Jensen’s life, even dating back to high school when he first began assisting with junior golf camps. His passion for teaching and working in the golf industry continued to grow and it led to him enrolling into the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to study within their PGA Golf Management Program.

While at the University, Jensen began teaching individual lessons in 2012, and each year the amount of lessons continued to grow. After graduating in 2017, he received Class A PGA Membership before taking a job at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. During his time at the facility, he worked closely with Director of Instruction Shane Zywiec, PGA learning more about the craft of teaching & coaching.

Three years went by, and Jensen decided it was time to take a chance with full belief in his teaching & coaching product. He created and opened ‘Under Par Golf Studio’ in Lincoln where he serves as their Director of Instruction.

“I wanted to help junior golfers in Nebraska have access to the best technology, coaching programs, ideas, and philosophies that will help them play in college and beyond,” said Jensen.

Since it opened, the teaching facility has flourished.

“The new studio has helped immensely. We have a better layout in the new space and we added a WellPutt Big Tilt that can change slope up to 5% left to right. The better layout has helped me coach my high school and college players more efficiently,” he said.

In 2024 alone, Jensen taught 1,460 individual lessons which included current students from UNL’s PGA Golf Management Program. In order for students and PGA Associates to become Class A PGA Golf Professionals, they must pass a ‘Playing Ability Test’ first. Jensen has worked closely with students within the program in order to help them with swing adjustments, course management and everything that goes into posting the score they need to pass. He’s found a way to give back to a program that gave so much to him.

“The experience is always exciting to help the PGM students. I remember what it was like being in their shoes trying to get ready to pass your PAT. No matter how good you are, it always seemed different as you were playing for your future and your career in the industry. It’s didn’t feel like just another golf tournament,” Jensen said.

Helping the UNL PGM students is just one example of the many ways Jensen has grown the game of golf. From working with beginners that want to enjoy the game more to teaching competitive junior golfers, Jensen works with all skill levels within the sport. One of Jensen’s students is rising high school golfer Eden Larson, the 2024 Class A Girls Golf Individual Champion in the state of Nebraska. Larson has taken her game to the next level over the course of the past few years, and Jensen has been alongside her every step of the way.

He also worked with the entire boys varsity golf team at Lincoln Northeast. This past season, that same team went on to qualify for the state golf tournament for the first time in 27 years. More than 10 of Jensen’s students qualified for individual state golf championships and in total, 90% of his students made their respective high school golf team rosters.

“I enjoy seeing everyone achieve their goals and watching them start to enjoy the game more. That’s what I truly love about teaching,” he said.

Jensen has developed a strong passion in not only teaching, but helping his students succeed, no matter the skill level.

Jensen credits his personal success to the PGA Association, the UNL PGM program and all of the mentors and relationships he’s built over the course of his career.

“Being a PGA Member has allowed me to meet a lot of awesome people in the industry. I’m grateful for all of the connections and people that have helped shaped me into the Golf Professional that I am today,” said Jensen.

There’s not one but many different reasons that Jensen was selected as this month’s Wilson Game Ball recipient and he joins an impressive group of Nebraska PGA Professionals that have been selected since the program began.

“It means a lot to be recognized by my fellow PGA Professionals. There are so many great people in our Section that are deserving or have already won the game ball and it’s an honor to be associated with those PGA Members,” he said.

Nominations for the next Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball opened on March 1st and will close at 11:59 PM on March 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.