Omaha, NE – The Nebraska PGA’s tournament season debuted at The Players Club of Omaha with the 2026 Oakley Pro/Pro/Pro event. A record 31 teams of NEPGA trios competed in the season opener, marking the largest field in event history.
The 27-hole competition utilized both the championship course and the “Highland Nine,” with each segment featuring a different format. The front nine of the championship course was played as best ball, followed by a scramble on the back nine, while the Highland Nine featured a modified alternate shot format. The tournament began with an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start, officially launching the 2026 season.
After 27 holes of action, three teams were tied atop the leaderboard at 14-under, forcing a playoff to determine the champion.
The first playoff team consisted of Mark Foelbaek of Country Club of Lincoln, Caleb Badura of Whispering Creek Golf Club, and Jonathan Stoltenberg of Riverside Golf Club.
The second team featured Dominick Mitchum, PGA, Alex Schaake, and Tanner Muhlecke, all representing Omaha Country Club.
The final playoff group included Jon Petersen, PGA, Carson Schaake, and Christian Hall, all representing Tiburon Golf Club.
The playoff headed to No. 9 on the “Highland Nine,” where a modified alternate-shot format was used: Player A hit the tee shot, Player B the approach, and Player C the putt before the rotation restarted.
After three playoff holes, Petersen found the fairway, Schaake hit the green, and Hall rolled in the tournament-clinching birdie. The Tiburon trio picked up right where they left off in 2025, securing another victory to open the new year.
The Nebraska PGA would like to thank Head Golf Professional Eric Tomes and the entire staff at The Players Club of Omaha for hosting the event. Appreciation is also extended to title sponsor and new season partner Oakley for providing tee gifts and strong support throughout the day.
Additional thanks go out to supporting partners Sterling Cut Glass, the PGA TOUR, Coors Light, White Claw, Twisted Tea, Bushnell Golf, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka for their continued commitment to the Nebraska PGA Section.
Next week, Nebraska PGA Professionals will head to Fremont Golf Club for the Section’s next Pro-Am 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.