Omaha, NE – Happy Hollow Club welcomed 20 players for the 2024 Nebraska Senior PGA Professional Championship with the 36-hole stroke play championship taking place the past two days. Four national qualifying spots and bragging rights were up for grabs and steamy temperatures made it a grind.

After the first 18-holes on Monday, 12-time champion Jim White, PGA MP of The Fairways at Lincoln held the solo lead at 1-over par. Sitting tied for second was Greg Neujahr, PGA of Champions Run and Ted DiGiacomo, PGA of Happy Hollow Club. The top of the leaderboard was tight and scattered with past champions setting up for an exciting final round on Tuesday.

The defending champion and PGA Life Member Bryan Hughett, PGA shot an opening round of 75 (4-over) and sat three back of the leader heading into the final round.

“I knew I would have a chance if I put a solid final round together”, said Hughett. He kept his word. Hughett made the turn at even par while the rest of the field dropped shots and suddenly, he was in a three-way tie for the lead. Hughett, White and Tom Hearn, PGA of the PGA Tour found themselves all knotted up at 3-over with nine holes to go.

Hughett did his damage on the par 5’s throughout his final round and made birdie on all three of them. His birdie on No. 16 once again put him in a tie with the Section GOAT White and the two players stood on No. 18 tee looking to make a championship winning birdie. After Hughett made par, White needed to make a gutsy up and down to save par to send it to a playoff, and that he did.

Between the two players, White and Hughett had won the championship a combined 17 times and the 18th time would come at Happy Hollow Club via a sudden death playoff. After three pushes, Hughett made par on the fourth playoff hole (No. 4) and White failed to get up and down to save his own par. Hughett claimed the championship in back-to-back fashion and became a six-time champion.

With White being exempt and Hughett grabbing one of the spots, four more qualifying spots were up for grabs to tee it up in the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver Resort in Oregon later this year in September. The following players earned the qualifying spots:

  • Bryan Hughett, PGA | 3-Over (Won via Playoff)
  • Jim White, PGA MP | 3-Over
  • Tom Hearn, PGA | 4-Over
  • Greg Neujahr, PGA | 4-Over
  • Brad Neunaber, PGA | 10-Over (Won 3 for 2 Playoff)
  • Jon Petersen, PGA | 10-Over (Won 3 for 2 Playoff)

All six players will make their return to the national event and we will be excited to cheer them on as they represent our Section on the big stage.

We would like to thank General Manager Gil Russell, PGA, Director of Golf Mike Antonio, PGA, and the entire staff at Happy Hollow Club for hosting our championship and opening up your course to our PGA Members.

Lastly, we would also like to thank our supporting sponsors Golf Channel, Rolex and the PGA TOUR for supporting our PGA Members and making this event possible.

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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.