Omaha, NE – Shadow Ridge Country Club hosted both the 2026 Nebraska Senior PGA Professional Championship and the Nebraska Assistant PGA Professional Championship, with national championship berths on the line in each event. The dual-championship week brought Nebraska PGA Professionals to Omaha to compete for a share of the purse while pursuing spots in the PGA of America’s national championships. Perfect weather and ideal scoring conditions set the stage for two memorable days of competition.

In the Assistant PGA Professional Championship, a field of 18 players completed all 36 holes in a single day. During the opening round, Firethorn Golf Club’s Brady Schnell jumped out to an early lead after carding a 4-under-par 68, holding a two-shot advantage over Country Club of Lincoln’s Mark Foelbaek, PGA. Final-round tee times began at 1:30 p.m., setting up a dramatic race for the two available national qualifying spots.

After a slow start to his second round, Tiburon Golf Club’s Carson Schaake caught fire down the stretch, posting the tournament’s low round of 6-under-par 66 to complete a come-from-behind victory. Schaake’s win continued an impressive run of form and earned him his first Nebraska PGA Assistant Championship title in his debut appearance in the event.

Finishing runner-up and securing the second and final national qualifying position was Mark Foelbaek, PGA, of Country Club of Lincoln. Foelbaek surged up the leaderboard with a remarkable back-nine performance that included five consecutive birdies beginning on No. 12.

In the Nebraska Senior PGA Professional Championship, a field of 21 Nebraska PGA Professionals gathered to compete for three coveted spots in the national championship. Emerging victorious was another first-time champion, Justin Herron, PGA, of Oak Hills Country Club. Herron set the pace early with a brilliant opening-round 6-under-par 66 and then battled through the final 18 holes to hold off a talented field and secure the championship.

Finishing runner-up was Shane Zywiec, PGA, of Highlands Golf Course, who mounted a strong charge with a final-round 70 to finish at 2-under-par for the tournament. Claiming the third and final qualifying position was defending champion and PGA Life Member Chris Wiemers, who posted a two-round total of even par.

The Nebraska PGA will be represented by four professionals at the national championship, as Jim White, PGA Master Professional, of The Fairways at Lincoln is already exempt into the field and will join Herron, Zywiec, and Wiemers on the national stage.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Director of Golf Joe Finnegan, PGA, Head Golf Professional Nick Shanahan, PGA, and the entire team at Shadow Ridge Country Club for hosting two outstanding days of championship golf and providing exceptional hospitality throughout the week.

We also thank our supporting partners PXG, Golf Channel, the PGA TOUR, Rolex, Srixon, and Cleveland Golf for their continued commitment to the Nebraska PGA Section and its professionals. Their support helps make championships like these possible and contributes to the ongoing growth of the game across our region.

Click HERE for the final results in the Senior event!

Click HERE for the final results in the Assistant event!

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.