Ashland, NE – The newly opened Quarry Oaks Golf Club hosted the top Nebraska PGA Professionals and Amateurs from around the Section for the 2025 Pro/Scratch event, presented by Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO). 94 players competed in the tournament with two different events going simultaneously with a Pro/Pro and Pro/Scratch. The format for each event was one best-ball with a shotgun start.
In the Professional-only event, once college competitors teamed up to capture the victory. Jay Cottam, PGA of Meadowlark Hills GC and Mitchell Klooz of Champions Run Omaha got off to a slow start before turning it on during the back nine stretch. The duo made birdies No. 12, No. 15 and No. 17 before landing an eagle on No. 18. The momentum they built on the back side carried over to their remaining holes on the front.
After a birdie on No. 1, Cottam & Klooz stalled out until a strong finish that catapulted them to a win. With four teams tied at 6-under, the former Division 1 golfers used their clutch genes to birdie their final two holes and they fired a 63 (-9) to win by one stroke. Steve Friesen, PGA of Firethorn Golf Club and Jon Petersen, PGA of Tiburon Golf Club came up one stroke short with their own impressive round of 64 (-8) to take solo second.
In the Pro/Scratch event, it was an even tighter race to the finish line. With two holes left, four groups were tied at 6-under and it was going to take a powerful finish for the winning team to come out on top. That team turned out to be the duo of Carson Schaake of Tiburon Golf Club and his amateur partner Johnny Spellerberg. They began their day on No. 6 and had the best start you could ask for by taking advantage of the downhill par 5 to score an eagle.
After 14 holes, the duo was in a similar position as Cottam & Klooz, tied with multiple teams with two holes to play. Just like Cottam & Klooz, Schaake & Spellerberg birdied their final two holes to win by one stroke with their own bogey-free round of 64 (-8). Four teams finished at 7-under and just one stroke back showing how important the birdie-birdie finish was.
The first Section event back at the new and improved Quarry Oaks GC was as electric as it gets and we can’t thank their team enough for hosting. We would like to specifically thank Director of Golf Joe Sutter, PGA, Head Professional Caleb Malenke, PGA and Superintendent Ken Cuddy for everything they did to make this possible.
We would also like to thank our presenting sponsor Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO) as well as our supporting partners Coors Light, Twisted Tea, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Mizuno Golf, Zero Restriction, Evolve Golf, Dynamic Brands and Tito’s Handmade Vodka for making this event possible!
The Nebraska Section PGA will head to Omaha Country Club next for the Section’s first major championship of the season. More than 60 Nebraska PGA Professionals will compete in the 2025 Senior/Junior Championship, presented by Miller & Sons Golf Cars (E-Z-GO).
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRO/PRO RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRO/SCRATCH RESULTS
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.