Eight All-Star teams of junior golfers competed for the opportunity to advance to the Regional Championship
Elkhorn, NE – For the fourth year in a row, The Club at Indian Creek hosted the PGA Jr. League Nebraska Section Championship, with four All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 14-17 in a division and four All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 10-13 in another division. The players and their families joined in on what was an amazing opportunity and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Section Qualifiers and Championships are the first of three phases in the PGA Jr. League All-Star Season, which highlights the aspirational nature of competition celebrated in a way unique to PGA Jr. League. This championship event was a 9-hole scramble stroke play qualifier played on the Red Feather Course in which each of the all-star teams were broken into two-person scramble pairs (four pairs on each team counting the best three of four pair scores for the team total).
The day was more than just a junior championship as it was in collaboration with the Pinnacle Bank Championship (PBC), which has been a regular stop for the Korn Ferry Tour as professionals are attempting to earn their PGA TOUR card. The day included a putt-putt course and Nebraska Athlete autograph station as part of the PBC Youth Day and the opportunity to hit on the driving range right next to the professional golfers.
The low score of each division was crowned as the Section Champion but the top two teams in each division punched their ticket to the Regional Championship, which will be held on September 12-14 at The Ridge GC in Sioux Center, IA. The two teams who advanced to the Regional Event in the 17U Division are The Miracle Hill Stars and The Ridge GC All-Stars. In the 13U Division it was the Greater Siouxland All-Stars and Eastern Nebraska All-Stars. The final results can be seen below.
Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of 13u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 10-13) and 17u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 14-17), are formed from a combination of players in each league. Section Champions from both age divisions advance to the Regional stage of competition at one of 12 sites in September. Ultimately, twelve 13u Regional champions will vie for the title at the PGA Jr. League Championship at PGA Frisco’s Fields Ranch West, November 16-20, to be broadcast live on select ESPN networks. The 17u National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship is at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico on October 23-26.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Boys and girls ages 17 and under learn and play golf on teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals.
Official Results:
17U Division
1. Miracle Hill Stars – 110*
2. The Ridge GC – 118*
3. Miracle Hill Stripes – 120
4. Wilderness Ridge CC – 125
13U Division
1. Greater Siouxland – 108*
2. Eastern Nebraska – 110*
3. Capital City – 112
4. Firethorn Fireballs – 121
*Advanced to the Regional Championship
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.