NEBRASKA PGA NEWS
THE TEAM
OFFICERS/BOARD
President Mike Schuchart, PGA
Vice President Phil Palmer, PGA
Secretary— Bobby O’Keefe, PGA
Honorary President—Dawn Neujahr, PGA
Board Member Tony Baranowski, PGA
Board Member Joe Wiegand, PGA
DISTRICT 8 DIRECTOR
Phil Anderson, PGA
Incoming Aaron Krueger, PGA
NEBRASKA PGA STAFF
Executive Director/CEO David Honnens, PGA
Assist. Executive Director Seth Scollard, PGA
Managing Director—Renee Tyson
Tournament Director—Derek Carlson, PGA
Junior Golf Director Kurt Karcher, PGA
Digital Media Director Brett Renner
Director of Foundation Programs—Amber Bogle
Administrative Assistant—Tiffany White
Development Officer Bob Danenhauer
Community Relations Coord. Margie Smith
ON THE TEE
WILSON GAME BALL
-JANUARY GAME BALL WINNER
TOURNAMENTS
2026 SCHEDULE
MEMBER MATTERS
-OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS
PRE -REGISTRATION
The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Shane McClure, PGA the recipient of the Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball for the month of January
McClure became PGA HOPE Adaptive trained in 2024 and began serving as a certified PGA HOPE Instructor shortly after. His impact was immediately felt during the programs. He left inspired by the experience and relationships to do more than just the formal programs. He extended his support by offering complimentary simulator nights this winter for PGA HOPE graduates at Golf Galaxy Omaha. His initiative has provided graduates with continued access to the game, strengthening connections and reinforcing PGA HOPE Nebraska’s mission to keep veterans engaged long after graduation. Working alongside veterans has been deeply meaningful for McClure, both professionally and personally.
“PGA HOPE is a wonderful program that makes it very easy for me to give back. We are very fortunate to have Amber spearheading our Section’s program. She has driven our PGA HOPE program to what I would think is the best in the nation.”
Through simulator sessions, McClure uses advanced tools to tailor instruction to each participant’s goals.
“Working with the veterans at my home at Golf Galaxy has been awesome. Utilizing TrackMan data and video analysis to identify areas of opportunity and apply specific drills to reach their goals. The Vets are always extremely thankful and I always leave work with a smile. Beyond the instruction it is always enlightening and fun having conversations with our vets.”
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PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship Application
Are you a PGA of America Member with a child or grandchild applying for or attending college? The PGA Financial Assistance Fund Scholarship is open now and provides scholarships based on evidence of academic achievement during high school or college. The 2026-2027 school year application deadline is April 9, 2026.
How to Apply in 2026-2027
Important Dates
• December 9, 2025 - Scholarship application is open.
• April 9, 2026 - Deadline for submitting Application and Supporting Documents
• June 2026 - Notification of Selection Results
• July 2026 - Funds Disbursed
The PGA Financial Assistance Fund was established in 1986 and provides college scholarships to the children and grandchildren of PGA of America Members based on evidence of academic achievement during high school or college. All funding for the scholarships comes from contributions made by the PGA Members. Since its inception, the PGA of America has awarded a little over 4,500 scholarships totaling $9,997,500.00. For the 2024-25 school year, 185 students were awarded academic scholarships totaling $400,000.
The Open Championship Tickets
The 154th Championship will take place at Royal Birkdale July 12-19, 2026 and despite this being a sold-out event, we are pleased to share that a daily allocation of tickets has been reserved for PGA of America Members. The number of available tickets per day is limited and will therefore be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The availability to purchase tickets will remain open until February 6, 2026 or until the daily allocation has sold out.
Apply for Tickets
Applications Open for 2026 PGA WORKS
John & Tamara Lundgren Scholarship
This Scholarship is open to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing a degree at a Professional Golf Management University. In addition to financial assistance, recipients will attend the 2026 PGA Annual Meeting. Applications are open until February 6, 2026.
Learn More
Masters Pre-Registration
Mark your calendars! Pre-registration for the 2026 Masters Tournament will open February 2 exclusively for Class A PGA of America Members, Life Members, and Master Professional Members and will close April 2. For more information, please visit pga.org.
Open Now: PGA Jr. League Player Registration
Delegates Families are officially searching for and registering to join your 2026 PGA Jr. League programs! Click here to read the news, and connect with your PEC to build a program designed around your needs.
Create Your Program
In 2025, we are celebrating ten years of PGA HOPE and all that the program has done to serve our Veteran communities and Active Duty Service Members. From sea to shining sea, PGA HOPE has shown up for Veterans who are looking for things we all long for – community, friendship, a second chance, something to look forward to, a new beginning, and so much more. You can help us build a community where Veterans can thrive through the game of golf. Give Today
2026 Tasha Keiter Scholarship
This scholarship supports female students pursuing higher education with a passion for golf, in honor of the late Tasha Keiter of Kearney.
Apply today and continue her legacy.
2026 Clubs FORE Youth Application
is Now Open
Deadline is Wednesday, February 4th at 11:59 pm
Apply Today!
Our objective is to fully equip all High School Girls Golf Programs needing resources and equipment assistance. As our research shows, Nebraska high school girls' golf programs aren’t afforded the resources, equipment, or training needed to succeed at a high level. The majority of High School Girls’ golf programs use substandard equipment or do not have equipment. PGA REACH Nebraska is committed to bridging this gap and providing these female scholar-athletes with a level playing field.
Our Impact Since 2021:
• 44 total high schools
• 257 sets of brand-new clubs and pushcarts have been given
• Over 325 high school girls given PGA Professional instruction
• Over $262,000 worth in value
For more information, visit our website
PGA Jr. League Game Changer Awards
PGA Jr. League Coaches from around the country were honored during the 2026 PGA Show at the #GameChanger Awards Ceremony Thursday (Jan. 22) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Led by PGA Master Professional and fellow PGA Jr. League Coach Suzy Whaley, PGA, the ceremony recognized 105 PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals whose PGA Jr. League programs demonstrated exceptional growth, engagement and commitment to youth development in 2025. Award recipients were honored across three categories based on program size and Player Engagement benchmarks.
The full list of 2025 #GameChanger Award recipients, organized by categories, can be found here.
NEED TO KNOW
The new 9u age division is built upon the success of an established 13u program. It provides an opportunity to organize your programs into multiple age divisions, while helping you create a fun-focused, ageappropriate introduction to the game!
Consider the benefits of adding a 9u division:
• The 9u division creates an opportunity for developmental leagues where younger players (ages 4-9) can play with their peers.
• The 9u division is built upon the principles of the American Development Model (ADM) and designed to keep younger players engaged, learning and loving the game with age- and stage-appropriate activities.
• The new division helps Coaches create a funnel for kids to continue their PGA journey, moving through the age divisions (9u, 13u and 17u) as they mature.
The 9u division is designed for local leagues only and does not include an All-Star Season. Coaches don’t have to create a 9u division and can still include younger players in their 13u programs if desired.
LEARN MORE
Hosting a simulator season is a great way to keep the fun going in the winter months, while simultaneously driving deeper engagement with your facility. PGA Jr. League simulator season runs from December 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Register your program and include “Simulator League” in your program description, then set a schedule that works for you and your players. Join the fun: tackle four featured courses using stroke play aggregate format, post your team’s scores on the interactive leaderboard and compete for prizes in each age division!
PGA JR. LEAGUE COACH/PROGRAM
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2026!!
I’m a returning 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025 PGA Jr. League Coach who wants to register for 2026
Welcome back! Since you’ve already created your account and set your location through PGAJrLeague.com, you’ll simply need to publish 2026 programs. Click here for instructions on publishing a program, or head to your dashboard to get started at the button below.
I’m a new PGA Jr. League Coach or a Coach who hasn’t registered in the last four years
For Coaches who did not register in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025, you’ll begin by signing up as a Coach through PGAJrLeague.com. From there, you’ll create a location and publish your 2026 programs. Instructions for each of these steps can be found below, and you can begin registering at the button below.
Coach Sign-Up
Create a Location
Publish a Program
CELEBRATE
QUARTER CENTURY MEMBER WADE FOREMAN, PGA
RODD SLATER, PGA
February Birthdays
Robert Brown, PGA
Joel Gann, PGA
John Brightmore, PGA 2/12 Brian Radebaugh 2/16
Nickolas Muller, PGA 2/20 Mark McElligott 2/21 Nicolaus Latcham, PGA 2/22 Scott Holly, PGA 2/25
Robert Saffer, PGA 2/26 Ron Gunia, PGA 2/26