Fremont, NE. – Every year, the Nebraska Section PGA hosts the top junior boys and girls in the state for the Nebraska Boys & Girls Junior PGA Championships. 97 players registered and teed it up in the 2022 edition of the championship this week at Fremont Golf Club. Two boys and two girls in the 16–18-year-old divisions earned tickets to the national Junior PGA Championship to be played at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Illinois.
Mother nature didn’t take it easy on the competitors by welcoming the field with high temperatures and windy conditions which led to an already tough golf course playing even harder. With that said, impressive scores were posted across the board and each overall champion shot under par.
In the Girls 16-18 division, Lincoln’s Nicole Kolbas fired an opening round of even par (71) before bringing her game all together on day two. During the final round, Kolbas made the turn with her first birdie of the day on No. 9. Kolbas ended up playing her final 10 holes at 6-under par and won the championship by 11 shots. Finishing in second and claiming the second qualifying spot into the national championship was future Kansas Jayhawk Katie Ruge of Omaha, Nebraska.
In the Boys 16-18 division, Lincoln’s Brock Rowley opened the tournament with a first round 70 (1-under par) representing the only player in the entire field to shoot red numbers on the first day. Coming into the day two shots back, Omaha’s Connor Steichen made his first birdie of the tournament on his 25th hole before catching fire. Steichen went to the back nine of his final round and birdied No. 13, 15, 16 and 18 to cap off a 3-under (68) showing. While Steichen was victorious, the final qualifying spot was up for grabs, and it ended up coming down to a playoff between Lincoln’s Brock Rowley and Columbus’ Brock Kuhlman. On the first playoff hole, Kuhlman made par to punch his own ticket to the national championship.
In addition to the four qualifying spots and older divisions, Boys and Girls between the ages of 13-15 competed in the event as well. In the Girls 13-15 division, Madison Murnan of Omaha shot a two-day total of 155 (+13) to win while Fremont’s Drake Hull took home honors in the Boys 13-15 division with a total of 144 (+2).
We would like to thank Director of Golf Nathan Kalin, PGA of Fremont Golf Club and his entire Professional staff for hosting a tremendous event that felt exactly how a championship should feel like. This week proved how strong junior golf is across Nebraska and we’re excited to root on our four national qualifiers that will compete in the 2022 Junior PGA Championship later in August. For full results across all four divisions, click each link below.
2022 Nebraska Section Junior PGA Championship Results
About The Nebraska Section PGA
The Nebraska Section of the PGA is one of 41 Sections that together comprise the PGA of America. 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. 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.
The Nebraska Section PGA, 610 J Street, Suite #10, Lincoln, NE 68508