Omaha, NE – Supported by Bushnell Golf, Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO), Sterling Cut Glass, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the PGA TOUR and Rolex, the Nebraska Section PGA hosted the 2024 Team Championship at Shadow Ridge Country Club. 34 teams and 68 Nebraska PGA Professionals competed in what was one of the Section’s final major championships of the season.
Teams of two partnered up for the 36-hole event and the format was 18-holes best-ball and 18-holes scramble. Coming into the 2024 edition of the tournament, the Firethorn Golf Club duo of Steve Friesen, PGA and Mike Coatman had won back to back years and they were the favorites once again. Play kicked off with a shotgun start at 9:00am and the championship was underway.
During the first round, Jon Petersen, PGA and Carson Schaake of Tiburon Golf Club ham and egged it to perfection during the best-ball portion to post an opening 63 (9-under) which gave them the lead heading into the final round. Brady Schnell of Firethorn Golf Club teamed up with University of Nebraska Men’s Head Golf Coach Judd Cornell, PGA and they opened with a 64 (8-under) to sit one back of the leaders. It was a log jam after the first round with seven more teams shooting in the 60s.
With the second and final round being played through a two-man scramble, the afternoon and race to the title ensured it would be a birdie fest. After opening with a 66, the team of Alex Janssen, PGA of Oak Hills CC and PGA Life Member Chris Wiemers went on to birdie five of their first six holes to take ahold of the outright lead. Meanwhile, Greg Neujahr, PGA of Champions Run and PGA Life Member Bryan Hughett were on a birdie streak of their own with eight in their first nine holes.
The birdie fest was underway and it was only a matter of time before the first round leaders hopped on the train. After a slow start, Petersen and Schaake went on to birdie their final nine holes to reach 21-under which was good enough to win the championship by two strokes. The duo worked well together and Schaake caught fire with his putter and it was too much for the rest of the field to handle.
“We have played a whole lot of golf together and we know each other’s games as well as anyone, that was huge for us”, said Schaake.
“Between the 36 holes we played today, I’d be willing to bet Carson made more than 300 feet of putts. It was a lot of fun to watch and I’m happy he was on my team”, said Petersen.
The duo out of Tiburon Golf Club captured the 2024 Nebraska PGA Team Championship at Shadow Ridge Country Club to etch their names into the trophy. We would also like to congratulate Friesen and Coatman for taking home the scramble purse with an impressive afternoon showing of 57 (15-under)
We would like to thank Head Professional Joe Finnegan, PGA, Superintendent Hannah Orr and the entire staff at Shadow Ridge Country Club for hosting such an incredible event while providing great hospitality to our field.
Lastly, we would also like to thank our supporting sponsors Bushnell Golf, Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO), Sterling Cut Glass, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the PGA TOUR and Rolex for making this event possible.
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.