Omaha, NE – One year ago, PGA REACH Nebraska, the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA hosted their inaugural Birdie Bonanza fundraising event in an effort to raise money for both the Foundation’s programming and the Omaha Fire & Rescue Department. $100,000 was raised by 32 Nebraska PGA Professionals making for an awesome story. Fast forward a year later, the momentum from the first event rolled into 2024, where record numbers of birdies were made and a new fundraising goal was met.
Eighteen, two-person teams, of Nebraska PGA Professionals competed in a golf marathon at Benson Golf Course, where the goal was to make as many birdies as possible throughout 54 holes in one day. Leading up to the event, the PGA Professionals were supported by people in their community, friends, and family through donations that were given in the form of pledges for various amounts of money per birdie.
Leading the highest per birdie pledge once again was Nick Muller, PGA of the Country Club of Lincoln and Al Peterson III, PGA of The Field Club of Omaha, with an impressive $605 per birdie. Seven other teams came into the event with each birdie being worth more than $100 setting up for an exciting day and the goal of $125,000 looked well within reach thanks to the great fundraising effort from our Professionals.
PGA REACH Nebraska’s Foundation has positively impacted thousands of lives since its inception in 2013 through golf programs. PGA HOPE is a 6-week program that provides military veterans with free golf experiences taught by PGA Professionals. Clubs FORE Youth puts new golf clubs in the hands of high school girls. Golf ‘N Schools teaches young scholars the game during their Physical Education periods. PGA Jr. League is a fun, social, and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 17 & under to enjoy the game of golf. Omaha Outreach builds a passion and love for the game in diverse groups of young scholars. PGA REACH Nebraska also supports other organizations and individuals with a similar mission through grants and scholarships. PGA REACH Nebraska will impact over 30,000 kids and veterans annually through the game of golf.
The Omaha Fire & Rescue Department (OFD) uses 96% of their annual budget to support wages and compensation leaving little funds to purchase equipment which was a big reason PGA REACH Nebraska decided to partner with them for this event. New for the 2024 edition of the event, four Firefighters from the OFD competed in the event and Captain Eric Jeanneret hit the ceremonial opening tee shot. In addition, Eric and three other captains from the OFD department took part in the day and competed in the 54-hole event.
With the flat donations included and after just the first 18 holes, the 2024 field raised over $82,000, setting the pace for a record-setting day for PGA REACH Nebraska. By the end of the 54-hole golf marathon, the NEPGA Professionals made 619 birdies and raised $139,400. The money will go a long way in positively impacting lives across Nebraska with PGA REACH Nebraska’s programming touching every corner of the state.
PGA REACH Nebraska President Tony Pesavento, PGA of Omaha Country Club was blown away by not only the support his team received, but the event as a whole.
“To see the community come together and donate this much money to our Foundation, it’s truly incredible and shows how much support we have. When we first started the Foundation in 2013, I’m not sure I could’ve predicted how well it’s been received since. PGA REACH Nebraska is not only making lives better through golf, but we’re truly saving lives and the impact will only grow because of events like today’s Birdie Bonanza”, said Pesavento.
In addition to raising an amazing amount of money, the NEPGA Professionals were competing for a chance to be in the Birdie Bonanza Shootout and to be crowned our 2024 champions. Represented in the shootout were the top two teams who raised the most money and the top two teams who made the most birdies during the first 54 holes. The format was an alternate shot format, eliminating one team every hole until a champion was determined.
Al Peterson III of The Field Club of Omaha and Nick Muller of the Country Club of Lincoln raised a field best $29,560, while Greg Neujahr, PGA of Champions Run and Brad Bailey, PGA of Champions Run raised an impressive $20,647. With those two duos making their way into the shootout, it left two spots to be filled. Ryan Vermeer, PGA of Happy Hollow Club and Carson Schaake of Tiburon Golf Club made a field best 53 birdies, while Steve Friesen, PGA and Brady Schnell of Firethorn Golf Club made 49 birdies to punch their tickets into the shootout.
After the first two shootout holes, just two teams remained. Vermeer/Schaake and Friesen/Schnell we’re headed to No. 9 tee with the WWE style belt and bragging rights on the line. After Schnell’s tee shot went left into the tree line, Friesen was left with a tricky wedge shot from under the tree, but he stuffed it to 5 feet. Schnell went on to roll in the winning birdie and the two claimed the 2024 Birdie Bonanza Shootout. As cool as that was for them, they said it felt even better to be a part of the special day.
“As cool as the win is, the reason we were here was to raise an incredible amount of money for PGA REACH Nebraska and the Omaha Fire & Rescue Department. To see what was achieved by our group of Nebraska PGA Professionals is really awesome”, said Friesen.
“This was such a fun day to be a part of. We had a lot of fun for a good cause with good eats around great people and we appreciate the support we got back home from our family at Firethorn Golf Club”, said Schnell.
In addition to the money raised, the birdies made and an exciting shootout, it turned out to be a perfect day with great weather and great camaraderie between the NEPGA Professionals. We want to thank Dave James, PGA of Meadowlark Hills GC and Ed Wiltgen of Buffalo Ridge GC for coming out and showing off their competitive BBQ skills by providing food for the field of players all day long.
We would also like to thank Host Professional Joe Wiegand, PGA, his staff and all of the PGA HOPE Veterans who volunteered their time to help make this event amazing. Lastly, thank you to all the donors who supported the 36 Nebraska PGA Professionals. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!
2024 Birdie Bonanza Recap Video