Lincoln, NE – For the second straight year, the Nebraska PGA hosted a closed qualifier for the Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Woodhouse — and once again, it delivered high drama at Wilderness Ridge Country Club. A field of 39 hopefuls teed it up in Lincoln, each vying for a coveted spot in the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour event in Omaha.
Omaha native and defending champion Luke Gutschewski returned with confidence — and he proved why. In the grueling 36-hole, one-day test, Gutschewski came out hot in the morning round, carding a stellar 66 (-5) to take the solo lead into the afternoon. Just one stroke behind was Fordyce’s Matthew Schaefer at 4-under, followed by a trio of players at 2-under.
As the afternoon round unfolded, the leaderboard tightened and pressure mounted. Gutschewski played smart, steady golf — avoiding bogeys while others chased him down. Among those in contention were Omaha brothers Alex and Carson Schaake, who each pulled within one stroke with nine holes remaining.
But the biggest charge came from Charlie Zielinski, another Omaha native, who birdied four of five holes before the turn in his final round. On the par-5 14th, Zielinski capitalized with another birdie, pulling even with Gutschewski with just four holes to play.
The battle for the qualifier spot became a two-man race. However, Zielinski faltered with a costly bogey on No. 15, while Gutschewski responded with a clutch birdie on No. 17. That gave the defending champ a two-shot cushion heading to the 18th tee.
From there, Gutschewski sealed the deal. A confident drive down the middle of the fairway set up a routine par, clinching his second straight Nebraska Qualifier title and a return trip to the 2025 Pinnacle Bank Championship.
“I feel like I’m more prepared this time around, and I’m excited to get another shot at the Korn Ferry Tour event,” Gutschewski said.
It will be a special homecoming for the former Creighton standout, who grew up playing at The Club at Indian Creek — the host site of the tournament. He’ll make his second consecutive start in the Pinnacle Bank Championship, joining his father, Scott Gutschewski, a longtime Korn Ferry Tour player, in the field.
Matthew Schaefer of Fordyce, NE, finished runner-up and earned first alternate honors.
The 2025 Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Woodhouse begins August 7th, when the top players on the Korn Ferry Tour will arrive in Omaha for one of the tour’s premier summer stops.
For full results and more information on the Nebraska Qualifier, click HERE.
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.
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.