Omaha, NE – The Field Club of Omaha hosted the 2023 Nebraska PGA Senior – Junior Championship with 20 duos of Nebraska PGA Professionals in the field. Each team consisted of one Professional age 50 or older and one Professional age 49 or younger. Mark Baumann, PGA of Eagle Hills GC and Andrew Storm, PGA of Shadow Ridge Country Club came into the event as defending champs, and many teed it up in the event for the first time. The format for the event was one best-ball between the two competitors.
After the 11:00am shotgun start, several teams got off to quick starts. Justin Herron, PGA of Oak Hills CC and Ty Stewart, PGA of Lost Rail GC birdied two of their first three holes to take an early lead. After four straight pars to begin, PGA Life Member R. W. Eaks, PGA and Kyle Schellpeper, PGA of Wayne CC birdied five of their next seven to reach the top of the leaderboard midway through the round. While many teams hovered around four to five under, Steve Friesen, PGA of Firethorn GC and Charlie Borner, PGA of Hillcrest CC caught fire.
After a par-bogey start, the Friesen/Borner duo birdied 5 in a row between holes 13-17 to get right back in it. Just when that streak came to an end, they started a new one. Friesen reached the par 5 – 3rd in two and made eagle and followed it up with three birdies in the next four holes. With two holes to go, Friesen and Borner found themselves tied at the top of the leaderboard with the defending champions Storm and Baumann at nine-under.
Baumann and Storm shot six-under on the front nine and their lone bogey came on No. 17. The duo posted a 58 (nine-under) and watched as the Friesen/Borner duo went to their final hole of regulation tied for the lead and needing a birdie for the win. Friesen went right of the green and failed to get up and down putting the pressure on Borner to save par after he came up short of the green. Borner chipped it to a roughly 4 feet and rolled in the clutch par setting us up for a playoff in consecutive years.
After the two teams tied the first two playoff holes, Friesen drove it pin high but left of the green on No. 18. Needing a birdie to win, Friesen put his chip to three feet and rolled in the winner. Playing in their first Senior – Junior Championship, Friesen and Borner celebrated a win that will be remembered for a long time.
“This win is special for us for a few different reasons. Not only did we win a Professional-only Championship, but we did it together being longtime friends in the golf business”, said Borner.
“There’s just something about team events for me, I want to get the job done and today I was able to do it alongside someone that has been a mentor to me since I began my golf journey,” said Friesen.
We would like to thank our presenting sponsor Nebraska Golf & Turf (Club Car) as well as our supporting sponsors Sterling Cut Glass, Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola, Bushnell Golf, Coors Light, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Devant Sport Towels (Dynamic Brands), Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the PGA Tour. We would also like to thank General Manager Greg Gilg, PGA, Director of Golf Al Peterson III, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional Jacob York, Assistant Golf Professional Dylan Dauenhauer, PGA and the entire staff at The Field Club of Omaha for hosting our event!
We now switch gears to next week’s Nebraska Qualifier that will send one player in the field to the 2023 Pinnacle Bank Championship, presented by Aetna!
Hear from the 2023 champions as they react to their round and coming out on top after a three hole playoff below!
CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS FROM THE 2023 SENIOR – JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of nearly 300 PGA Members and Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. 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.
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