LINCOLN, NE — Greg Neujahr, PGA, Director of Golf at Champions Run, was selected for the Section’s highest honor bestowed on a PGA Member as the 2023 Nebraska PGA Golf Professional of the Year. Neujahr was elected to membership into the PGA of America in 1992. While serving for the past 30 years, he recently completed his term as a National PGA Board Member for the PGA of America.
Early in Neujahr’s career, he served as chairman for various committees, including junior golf, tournament, employment, membership, and scholarship. As an officer of the Section from 2008-2013, Neujahr was very instrumental in updating the Section’s current Constitution and Bylaws and establishing a Section investment policy that diversified the Section’s portfolio and resulted in considerable growth since 2010. After his term as President of the Nebraska PGA Section, Neujahr helped launch the charitable arm of the Nebraska PGA Section called PGA REACH Nebraska, where he served as a Foundation officer for the next six years. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact people’s lives through the game of golf. In 2013, the Foundation started with a golf program called Golf N Schools. Ten years later, the Foundation now has five programs that impact over 37,000 people annually. Neujahr’s vision and passion are what started the Foundation and can be found in the success of PGA REACH Nebraska today.
In 2019, Greg was selected to be the District 8 Director for Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. With his leadership skills and passion to serve the Association, he helped navigate the Association through the pandemic, helped with the new home of the PGA (PGA Frisco), protected the Association through an insurrection, hired a new COO for the PGA, and helped with the rebranding of the PGA logo to help tell the story of what the PGA Professional does in growing the game. During his time as a National Board member, Neujahr was the chairman of the Scholarship committee that gives out $400,000 annually and the National Awards Committee, which is responsible for selecting nine of the Association’s most prestigious annual awards.
Outside of serving the Association, Neujahr has been leading the golf operations at Champions Run since 2001. He strived to exemplify leadership within his team and the Champions Run Community. In the last 22 years, Greg has mentored PGA Professionals who have gone on to fill roles as Director of Golf, General Managers, Teachers, and Sales Representatives in the golf industry. “Leading by example through both service and action fosters a culture of trust, which is critical in creating an environment where people can both be themselves and grow personally and professionally,” said Neujahr. Champions Run has a tradition of contributing to the game by extending its facilities and hosting events on a local and national level. In his 22 years as the Director of Golf, they’ve hosted numerous tournaments that raised money for charities and supported women’s golf, high school and junior golf, amateur and PGA tour events. These and many other contributions have resulted in Champions Run being named Facility of the Year by the Nebraska Section PGA in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2016.
In closing, when asked to summarize his past 30 years, Neujahr said, “Golf has been an important part of our family over the past 30 years, and to be able to enjoy this journey with my wife Dawn and the boys has been very special. Our two sons enjoy playing the game, and we’ve enjoyed playing great golf courses, traveling around the world, and enjoying special moments as a family that we will remember forever. I have received more than given and appreciate what the PGA has done for me over my career.”
The other Nebraska PGA Award Winners for 2023 are:
- Golf Professional of the Year: Greg Neujahr, PGA, Champions Run, Omaha, NE
- Teacher of the Year: Alex Janssen, PGA, Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha, NE
- PGA Professional Development: Joe Canny, PGA, University of Nebraska PGM, Lincoln, NE
- Bill Strausbaugh-Club Relations: Kevin Drew, PGA, PGA of America, Omaha, NE
- Youth Player Development: Carly Ulrich, PGA, Fremont Golf Club, Fremont, NE
- Merchandiser of the Year-Public: Bill Jacobsen, PGA, Knolls Golf Course, Omaha, NE
- Merchandiser of the Year-Private: Ky Molholm, PGA, Lochland Country Club, Hastings, NE
- Facility of the Year: The Ridge Golf Club, Sioux Center, IA
- Patriot Award: David James, PGA, Meadowlark Hills Golf Course, Kearney, NE
- Sales Representative of the Year: John Sheridan, Under Armour
- Assistant Professional of the Year: Sam Martin, PGA, Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha, NE
- Player Development: Drake Lundeen, PGA, Stone Creek Golf Course, Omaha, NE
In addition to these awards the Nebraska PGA would also like to recognize the Players of the Year for 2023:
- Nebraska PGA Player of the Year: Justin Herron, PGA, Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha, NE
- Nebraska PGA Senior Player of the Year: Jon Petersen, PGA, Tiburon Golf Club, Omaha, NE
- Assistant Player of the Year: Brad Bailey, PGA, Champions Run, Omaha, NE
- Women’s Player of the Year: Sarah Pravecek, PGA, Wilderness Ridge Country Club, Lincoln, NE
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.
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.