Las Vegas, NV – Presented by Callaway Golf, Harris Golf Cars – Yamaha and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency, Nebraska PGA Professionals and their teams of Amateurs met at Rio Secco Golf Club for the final round of the 33rd Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic. After consecutive days of windy conditions, the 100-player field couldn’t have asked for better weather to cap off the destination Pro-Am. With scoring opportunities all over the golf course, we were setup for a day full of action that inevitably would bring drama to the final holes.
In the team division, Tim Kruse, PGA of Golf Galaxy – Omaha was joined by Jeff Wessel, Bob Klopnieski, Brock Peters and Aaron Knuth at this year’s edition of the Pro-Am. From the get-go, Team Kruse worked like an oiled machine in the Modified Stableford event. They opened the tournament with a total score of 111 to jump out to an early lead and they never looked back. On the week, Team Kruse made 50 net-birdies or better and their lowest nine-hole team total was 50 points. Team Kruse walked off their final green at Rio Secco Golf Club with a total score of 327 and they captured the 2023 Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic.
In the Professional-only division, more than 10 Nebraska PGA Professionals came into the final round with a chance to win. Lance Juelfs of Hillside Golf Course was in the mix from the start after an opening round of 66 (-6) while collecting 50 points. After scoring 34 points in the first round, the ageless Jim White, PGA MP of The Fairways at Lincoln scored 43 in the second round to climb to third place heading into the final round. Also deep in the mix, the duo of Steve Friesen, PGA and Mike Coatman out of Firethorn Golf Club came into the final round sitting in the top-5.
With two holes to play, Juelfs sat atop the leaderboard while Friesen and Coatman were right on his tail within four points. After Juelfs and Coatman stumbled, Steve Friesen stood on No. 5 tee facing one of the tougher holes on the golf course ahead of him. The only way Friesen could’ve walked away as a solo champion was with a birdie and that’s exactly what he did. After a strong 2022 tournament season, Friesen kicks off 2023 with Low-Professional honors at the 2023 Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic.
We would like to thank the Professional staffs at DragonRidge CC, Cascata and Rio Secco GC for hosting this tournament once again. We would also like to thank Callaway Golf, Harris Golf Cars – Yamaha and Vinnie Krikac’s State Farm Insurance Agency for making this event possible while supporting our Nebraska PGA Members. We appreciate every player that made the trip out to Vegas for this event and we sincerely hope you enjoyed every second of it.
33rd Nebraska Section PGA Vegas Classic Results (Click Below)
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.
