Omaha, NE – Champions Run Omaha welcomed 58 players for the 2024 Nebraska PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car (Nebraska Golf & Turf), Corebridge Financial and Rolex. The 54-hole stroke-play championship sends five qualifiers to the national event where PGA Professionals from all over the country compete.

Temperatures and winds were both mild and the perfect scoring conditions set up for an exciting tournament. After 36 holes of action on Monday, Judd Cornell, PGA of the University of Nebraska fired a two-round total of 6-under to take solo lead going into the final round. Right behind him was a fellow college golf coach, Nick Wanderscheid, PGA of Morningside University. The three-time winner of the event was 4-under while Steve Friesen, PGA of Firethorn Golf Club was at 3-under.

Six more players were at even par or better and well within striking distance of the leader, including six-time champion Ryan Vermeer, PGA of Happy Hollow Club. After Vermeer bounced back in round two, he entered the final round at 2-under. He started with back to back birdies before holing out for an eagle on No. 5. He followed the eagle up with another birdie on No. 6 and suddenly he was 5-under for the round.

Meanwhile, Cornell kept his foot on the gas pedal. In his first six holes, he collected three birdies and tacked on another on No. 9. Cornell made the turn at 32 (5-under) right after Vermeer posted his own 31 (6-under). With 9 holes to play, Vermeer was still three back and needed to keep it going. That, he did.

Vermeer made birdies on No. 10 and No. 13 and eventually was just one shot back of Cornell.

“There was no playing defense today, I had to keep it going. I hit the ball a lot better than I did yesterday and I made it easier on myself to find scoring opportunities”, said Cornell.

Cornell made his own birdies on No. 14 and No. 17 and went on to win his first Nebraska PGA Professional Championship with a three round total of 11-under (68-70-67).

Cornell joins a storied list of champions in this event and does it at a facility where his dad has been the longtime Director of Instruction. It was a family affair for Cornell as his wife and kids congratulated him as he finished 18.

In addition to Vermeer being exempt into the event and Cornell winning, four more qualifying spots were up for grabs to tee it up in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL next April. The following players earned the qualifying spots:

  • Judd Cornell, PGA of University of Nebraska | 11-Under
  • Ryan Vermeer, PGA of Happy Hollow Club | 10-Under
  • Jay Cottam, PGA of Meadowlark Hills Golf Course | 4-Under
  • Steve Friesen, PGA of Firethorn Golf Club | 4-Under
  • Justin Herron, PGA of Oak Hills Country Club | 2-Under
  • Jon Petersen, PGA of Tiburon Golf Club & Banquet Facility | 1-Under

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 Andy Reetz, Director of Golf Greg Neujahr, PGA, Superintendent Greg Jones and the entire staff at Champions Run Omaha for hosting our championship and opening up your course to our PGA Members.

Lastly, we would also like to thank our presenting sponsors Club Car (Nebraska Golf & Turf), Corebridge Financial and Rolex as well as our supporting sponsors Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, Nike and TaylorMade. We also want to thank our supporting partners Gallagher, Golf Channel and the PGA TOUR.

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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.