MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER - Nebraska PGA

TEAM BARANOWSKI CAPTURES THE 

2012 CLEVELAND GOLF/SRIXON VEGAS CLASSIC 

M ARCH 2012 

N EWSLETTER 

Nebraska Section PGA | 8700 Executive Woods Dr., Ste 100 | Lincoln, NE 68512 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Dear PGA Members and Apprentices, 

As you read this newsletter we are just capping off a 

fantastic start to the 2012 season with some unseasonably 

warm weather for the month of March. As 

we turn the page to another golf season, I am sure 

you and your staff are gearing up for another busy 

season of events, member-guests and teaching our 

beloved game to the masses. As you prepare to 

execute these programs remember that a benefit of 

being or becoming a PGA Member is that you have 

many great programs available to assist you and 

your staff. Ultimately, you must take advantage of 

these programs and the resources the PGA of 

America provides. Like last year, starting in April, 

the Section Office will be sending out emails reminding 

you of specific national programming that 

is available to assist you and your staff that you can 

take advantage of to help grow your bottom line and 

the game of golf. 

Lastly, mark your calendars to attend Nebraska’s 

third annual Golf Day on Friday, April 27, 2012, 

The golf community is invited 

to come together for a lunch 

event to learn about a number of opportunities for 

junior golfers, get an update on the building excitement 

for the 2013 U.S. Senior Open at Omaha 

Country Club and support Hogan’s Junior Golf 

Heroes – The First Tee of Omaha. 

The lunch is set for 11:30 at the Scott Conference 

Center, 6450 Pine Street, and will feature speakers 

from the USGA, 2013 U.S. Senior Open and The 

9:00 a.m. to noon, at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club. 

In addition to having our Lt. Governor and Governor 

on hand, we will also have some special national 

guests including Joe Steranka, CEO, of the PGA of 

America and Rhett Evans, CEO, GCSAA. The purpose 

of this event is to educate state leaders, the media, 

and other key stakeholders on the economic, 

human and environmental benefits of golf. 

Nebraska Golf Day also demonstrates how the allied 

golf associations join as a coalition to speak with 

one voice about issues important to the game of golf. 

I wish you and your staff a continued great Spring 

and hope you can join me for this historic occasion 

on April 27, 2012. 

Respectfully, 

David Honnens, PGA 

Executive Director 

Nebraska PGA 

May 7 Lunch Event to Promote 

Junior Golf Announced 

First Tee. Proceeds benefit Hogan’s Junior Golf 

Heroes – The First Tee of Omaha Summer Golf & 

Life Skills Program Scholarship Fund. Tickets 

are just $35 for an individual, $140 for a foursome 

or $280 for a table of eight. Please join us and 

others in the golf community. 

To make your reservations, please go to 

www.thefirstteeomaha.com. 

For questions, please call 402-960-2203. 

Nebraska Section PGA | 8700 Executive Woods Dr., Ste 100 | Lincoln, NE 68512 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com 

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T 

hank you to everyone who was part of the record number of attendees 

at the Spring Meeting and to our sponsors Under Armour and PGA 

Resort & Spa. Those in attendance could sense there was a tremendous 

vibe in the room and definitely an excitement for the 2012 season. 

Hopefully you left the meeting rejuvenated and ready for the 2012 season! 

This year there was a significance placed on Golf 2.0. The goal is to 

understand what it is and have some ideas on how you can make it personal at 

your facility. Senior Director of Golf 2.0, Darrell Crall, did a fantastic job explaining 

why the PGA of America is investing so much time into this initiative. 

For those of you that were unable to attend please visit the Professional only 

side of the website. You will find all of the committee reports as well as the 

powerpoint. To login you will need to use your PGA Links ID. 

Due to the consideration for time not every committee chair was able to give a 

report but please click on the link below to review each committee's report. 

Junior Golf Committee Tournament Committee 

Special Awards Committee Membership Committee 

Publicity Committee Education Committee 

Jared Anderson, PGA touched on a lot of the major changes for 2012 during the 

Secretary Report at the meeting. As he mentioned the tournament committee 

has made changes to the 2012 tournament guidelines with the intent of simplfying 

areas as well as improving the quality of the tournament program. 

The 2012 Calendar is now available on the Section website. This year you will 

see a lot of events returning but you will also see a few new events. We're excited 

that Vinnie Krikac will again be the presenting sponsor of the Nebraska 

Cup Series Championship. To ensure yourself a chance to play in this event 

make sure you do all you can to earn points. To view how you can earn points 

please click here. 

This year we are also adding two 36-Hole events. First, Green Valley G.C. will 

host a Pro-Am on July 28-29 and Kearney C.C./Awarii Dunes will be hosting a 

Pro-Am on Monday August 27. There are also two new championships this 

year. There will be a season long Assistants Match Play Championship. There 

will also be the E-Z-GO Facility Championship at Shadow Ridge C.C. on August 

20th. This will be an opportunity for one Nebraska PGA Facility to take 

home all of the bragging rights. Three amateurs will be teaming up with their 

professional in the one gross + one net format to see who will be the first ever 

Nebraska PGA Facility Champion. 

We have the pleasure of having Omaha Steaks as a new sponsor for 2012. This 

year Omaha Steaks will be supporting sponsors at eight events as the Nebraska 

PGA features the "Omaha Steaks Holes of the Week." 

Nebraska Section PGA | 8700 Executive Woods Dr., Ste 100 | Lincoln, NE 68512 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fx: (402) 

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Spring Meeting Education 

Rick Reynoldson, PGA put together a great educational opportunity for the membership. Those that 

attended, worked in small groups with other professionals that work at similar types of facilities and 

shared how they were incorporating Golf 2.0 at their facilities. There was a tremendous amount of 

discussion and a lot of good ideas shared throughout the group. Click here for the discussion notes. 

NEW SPONSOR!!! Omaha Steaks 

We also had the pleasure of announcing 

Omaha Steaks as a new sponsor for 2012. This year 

Omaha Steaks will be supporting sponsors at eight 

events as the Nebraska PGA features the "Omaha 

Steaks Holes of the Week." 

The Nebraska PGA tournaments will feature 2 

Omaha Steaks holes of the week. Players are 

automatically entered and must play 8 of the 16 

Omaha Steaks holes of the week to be eligible to 

win. Players will post their lowest scores relative to 

par on 8 of the Omaha Steaks holes of the week to 

compete for the Omaha Steaks holes of the week 

Title. 

Amateurs will not be left out of the equation either! 

Amateurs will have a chance to win Omaha Steaks 

gift cards!!! 

**2 Holes Per Event Will Be Selected as the Omaha Steaks Holes of the Week** 


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Thank you to our 2012 Spring Meeting 

sponsors Under Armour and PGA National 

Resort and Spa. Your support to the 

Nebraska PGA Section helped make this 

meeting a success! 

John Sheridan, Under Armour, and David Honnens, Executive Director. 

Thank you to our 2012 Spring Meeting sponsor Under Armour for presenting Under Armour apparel 

to those who attended the spring meeting. 

We are grateful for your generosity to the Nebraska PGA Section. Thank you. 


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View the 2011 Special Awards Presentation by clicking on the image below. 

Not Pictured: Tom Hearn, PGA and James Kinney, PGA 

Golf Professional of the Year 

Tom Hearn, PGA 


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E MPLOYMENT 

Did Spring arrive fast enough for you this year? What interesting circumstances happen due to Mother Nature! 

Perilous Mother Nature created many hardships for some of you in 2011 but seems to have started out in 

a “kinder, gentler’ way at the beginning of 2012. Hopefully, a sign for a great 2012! 

But, that does raise a question. How can I minimize my risk related to bad weather and maximize my opportunities 

when good weather is here? No one can predict what the weather is going to do. There is an adage 

that goes like this, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail”. 

The Golf 2.0 Playbook lays out some excellent “plans” for you to implement and hopefully, you have already 

laid the groundwork to accomplish your plan for 2012. The words “Player Development” have resonated all 

throughout this plan as well as the words, “It’s Personal”. By demonstrating your knowledge of player development 

programs, your value to your employer will be enhanced thus equaling more job security. Generating 

more rounds and revenues is always our goal so by putting your plan into action will show your employer you 

have set the stage. Does this guarantee the weather won’t affect these well laid out plans? No, but within this 

plan, you should devise some contingencies. There are six (6) player development action steps. I like to refer 

to this as the “Circle of Life” of your plan. These steps are: 

1. Communication 

2. Analysis 

3. Planning 

4. Marketing 

5. Execution 

6. Tracking 

Your ability to make this personal and show your employer you are vested in this will go a long way to ensuring 

job security. Please start the process by communicating with your employer what you are doing and then 

continue to communicate “when/ if” bad weather comes your way. All the steps are important, but start the 

process with communication! 

Bruce Lubach, PGA, is The PGA of America Employment Consultant for the Iowa, Midwest, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections. 

blubach@pgahq.com | (402) 261-3604. 


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TOURNAMENT NEWS 

TEAM BARANOWSKI CAPTURES THE 

2012 CLEVELAND GOLF/SRIXON VEGAS CLASSIC 

Team Baranowski 

Henderson, Nevada- Nebraska PGA Professionals 

and amateurs joined in Las Vegas, Nev. for the 22 nd 

Annual Cleveland Golf/Srixon Nebraska PGA Vegas 

Classic held during March 12 th -14 th . After completing 

rounds at three of Las Vegas’ finest golf 

courses, Tony Baranowski, PGA assistant professional, 

and his teammates claimed the team title of 

this year’s event, while Jim White, PGA was named 

the victor of the professional division. 

The first round of the tournament commenced at Anthem 

Country Club where 17 teams competed in a 

two net stableford event. The teams, composed of 

one Nebraska PGA Professional and four amateurs, 

experienced beautiful weather and a challenging 

course as they aimed to shake off their winter rust. 

The team consisting of PGA Director of Golf Greg 

Neujahr of Champions Run, Tad Leistico, Matt 

Hickey, Andy Reeves and Todd Petersen maintained 

a narrow lead at the end of the first round to finish 

one point ahead of their competitors going into the 

second day. 

Assistant Professional Tony Baranowski of Shadow 

Ridge Country Club and his team started their climb 

By Thomas Harmon, PGA 

towards the top of the leaderboard during the second 

round. Despite a seventh place start, the team from 

Omaha, Neb. consisting of Brian Green, Mike Johnson, 

Randy Hoffman and Jeff McPherson earned 96 

points while playing Dragon Ridge Country Club to 

end the day with a two shot lead at 177 points. 

The 84 players headed to Las Vegas National Golf 

Club for the final round where the team format 

changed to three of the five net scores counting on 

each hole. Baranowski and his team would continue 

their stellar play throughout the third round to win 

the event with a 54-hole total of 307 points. 

“Tuesday and Wednesday went very well for our 

team,” said Baranowski of the last two days of competition. 

“We all played very well and seemed to 

feed off each other. We had a string of birdies on 

Tuesday that led to a good score. On Wednesday, 

Brian Green had a great back nine and that helped us 

out a lot. 

“Overall the Section put on a great event,” said Baranowski 

of his first time playing in the Nebraska Vegas 

Classic. 

PGA Head Professional Bryan Hughett and his amateur 

team from Norfolk Country Club ended the 

tournament 16 points behind the leaders at 291 to 

finish in second while the teams of PGA Life Member 

Juan Elizondo and PGA Teaching Professional 

Jon Petersen of Miracle Hill Golf & Tennis Center 

finished in a tie for third 23 points back at 284. 

In the professional division, the players in the top 

positions fluctuated each round making for a very 

exciting three days. Ryan Vermeer, PGA apprentice 

at Oak Hills Country Club, initially led the professionals 

after racking up 35 points in the first round 

to gain a two point lead over PGA Head Professional 

Nathan Kalin of Champions Run. Vermeer collected 

four birdies as he negotiated the 6,762 par-72 layout 

of Anthem Country Club. 

Continued on next page 


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While the second round saw Baranowski’s team propelling 

towards the lead, Baranowski’s personal 

game set him ahead of the pack of professionals as 

well. Baranowski shot 5-under-67 to claim the low 

round of the day by four shots. His second round 

highlights included five birdies and an eagle. PGA 

Master Professional Jim White of West Nine & 

Learning Center also finished tied for first to share 

the lead with Baranowski at the end of the day. 

Seven players closely following the leaders by four 

points going into the final round, making a competitive 

run for the professional division title on the last 

day. White was able to fend off the stiff competition 

and posted 35 additional points to bring his tournament 

total to 32-37-35--104. 

“My ball striking was solid all three days and I didn’t 

make a lot of mistakes,” said White of his 21 st 

appearance in the Nebraska PGA Vegas Classic. 

“That’s the formula for success out there. 

“I holed two bunker shots during the last round,” 

said White. “I don’t think I’ve ever done that before 

in one round.” 

White said he hopes more teams shake off the winter 

rust and kick off the season by joining them in Las 

Vegas next year. 

“It’s a great way to start the year; we all had a lot of 

fun,” said White. 

Reigning Nebraska PGA Player of the Year, Shane 

Zywiec of Highlands Golf Course, made a late run 

but fell one point short to White finishing at 31-37- 

35--103 . PGA Head Professional Chad Lydiatt of 

Awarii Dunes Golf Club rounded out the top three 

by finishing four points off the pace with a total 

score of 27-37-36--100. First round leader, Ryan 

Vermeer, ended just outside of the top three tied for 

fourth at 99 with Bryan Hughett, Tony Baranowski 

and Jon Petersen. 

The Nebraska PGA would like to thank Tad Leistico 

of Cleveland Golf/Srixon for his support of this 

year’s event. The Nebraska PGA would also like to 

thank all 84 players who participated in this year’s 

event. 


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Click Here for complete 2012 Nebraska 

PGA Schedule 

Event Date Registration 

Club Car Pro - 3 Am 

Riverside GC - Grand Island, NE 

Club Car Pro - 2 Scratch 

Iron Horse GC - Ashland, NE 

PING/Club Car Golf Pro - 3 Am 

Hillcrest - Lincoln, NE 

Yamaha 27 Hole Pro - 3 Am 

Tiburon Golf Club - MGW - Omaha, NE 

Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE 

Tiburon Golf Club -HM - Omaha, NE 

Yamaha Asst. Match Play Championship 

Tiburon GC - GWH - Omaha, NE 

Callaway Golf Match Play Championship 

Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE 

Bushnell/Club Car Pro - 3 Am 

Champions Run - Omaha, NE 

TaylorMade/adidas Pro - 3 Am 

Fremont GC - Fremont, NE 

Callaway Golf Pro - 3 Am 

Wilderness Ridge - Lincoln, NE 

Mizuno Pro/Assistant Championship 

Oak Hills - Omaha, NE 

E-Z-GO Pro - 3 Am 

Platteview Country Club - Bellevue, NE 

Yamaha Pro - 3 Am 

Quail Run - Columbus, NE 

TaylorMade/adidas Pro - 3 Am 

Happy Hollow - Omaha, NE 

TaylorMade/adidas - Club Car Pro - 3 Am 

Firethorn GC - Lincoln, NE 

Apr 9 Info Register 


Closes Thu Apr 12 



May 1 - Aug 1 Info Register 

May 6 - Aug 

29 

Info Register 

May 7 Info Register 




Jun 4 Info Register 


Jun 18 Info 



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ELIGIBILITY 

Junior golfers are able to register for membership in the 

Nebraska Junior Golf Tour by downloading a paper entry 

below. On-line membership opens April 15. NJGT membership 

is open to boys and girls beginning at age 7 and 

extends through the summer following a golfer's graduation 

from high school, regardless of age. 

2012 Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Membership Form 

2012 Membership Dues* 

$55 annually for boys ages 12 & older and girls ages 14 

& older 

$45 annually for boys ages 7-11 and girls ages 7-13 

All dues are non-refundable. A golfer's age on July 1, 

2012 determines their age group of competition for the 

entire summer and their applicable membership dues. 

* Financial assistance is available to any junior unable to 

afford the membership dues or tournament entry fees. 

BENEFITS 

Boys ages 12 and older and girls ages 14 and older receive 

eligibility to participate in all NJGT events. Boys 

ages 7-11 and girls 7-13 receive eligibility to participate 

in regular NJGT events only. 

All NJGT members receive the following benefits: 

-Consideration for the NJGT Tour Championship and 

Player of the Year Awards 

-A Subscription to the new NJGT Electronic Newsletter 

-Membership Bag Tag 

-Membership Sticker 

-2012-2016 USGA Rules of Golf Booklet 

-2012 Membership Gift from Nike Golf 

-Nebraska Golf Association Membership which includes 

a USGA Handicap Index, complimentary Cox Classic 

tickets, subscriptions to both Nebraska Golfer magazine 

and the NGA E-newsletter (24 editions) and eligibility to 

compete in NGA competitions. 

A golfer's age on July 1, 2012 determines their age group 

of competition for the entire summer and their applicable 

membership classification. 

2012 SCHEDULE/RESULTS 

Entry forms for NJGT events will be available 

beginning April 1. Once your membership has been approved 

you'll be able to enter most of these events on-line 

with a credit card by linking to on-line registration. 

Please note the following regarding event types and eligibility: 

A golfer's age on July 1, 2012 will determine his/her age 

division for competition the entire season. 

Regular Events 

Individual stroke play competitions with various age and 

gender divisions. Boys 7-11 and girls 7-13 play 9-holes, 

boys 12 & older and girls 14 & older play 18-holes. Age 

divisions for regular tour events are: 7-8, 9-11, 12-13, 14- 

15 and 16+. The entry fee for regular events is $20 for 9holers 

and $25 for 18-holers. All tour members are eligible 

to compete in these events. Beginning in 2012, performance 

points will be awarded for regular tour events. 

Premier Events 

Reserved for boys 12 & older and girls age 14 & older. 

These tournaments are higher level 18-hole individual 

stroke play competitions with set-up and administration 

similar to that of a championship. Golfers will play varying 

yardages based on age and gender divisions. Players 

will receive higher level performance points based on 

their finish. The entry fee for premier events is $40. 

Other Events 

Nike Golf Junior Four-Ball - This event will again kickoff 

the season and features a partner better-ball competition 

for golfers at the 18-hole membership level. Golfers 

will play varying yardages based on their age and gender 

division. The entry fee for the Junior Four-Ball is 

$70/team. 

Paper Entries: April 1 , 2012 

On-Line Registration: April 1 , 2012 

2012 Schedule of NJGT Events will be available online 

prior to registration. For more information, contact: 

Nebraska Junior Golf Tour 

6618 South 118th Street 

Omaha, NE 68137 

Ph: (402) 505-4653, ext. 105 

info@njgt.org 


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Player Development Playbook 

The Player Development 

Playbook is the first tool 

developed to help PGA and 

LPGA Professionals personally 

activate Golf 2.0 at their 

facilities. This resource 

provides action-steps to 

make our game more fun 

and welcoming to new 

golfers. 

Player Development GamePlan 

This Player Development 

GamePlan is the 

initial resource in a 

series developed to help 

you and your personal 

commitment to Golf 2.0. 

You can use this Player 

Development GamePlan 

to gain an overview and 

understanding on the 

recommended action 

steps to enhance your 

Player Development 

efforts. 


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MEMBERS ON THE MOVE 

*Updates between 3/1/2012 - 3/31/2012 

NEW REGISTERED APPRENTICES 

Name Facility Class Registered 

Joshua Kohn-Lindquist Two Rivers Golf Club B-8 3/8/2012 

SECTION CHANGES 

Name Former Section New Section Effective Date 

Mark Aulerich, PGA Southwest Nebraska 3/12/2012 

CLASS CHANGES 

Name Former Class New Class Effective Date 

Mardi Anderson, PGA A-1 A-6 3/1/2012 

Michael Brown, PGA A-8 A-1 3/5/2012 

Brian Bussinger, PGA A-8 A-1 3/5/2012 

Kevin Drew, PGA A-8 A-1 3/1/2012 

Robert Johnson, PGA A-8 A-1 3/1/2012 

Brett Morgan, PGA A-8 A-13 3/19/2012 

EMPLOYMENT CHANGES 

Name Current Facility Class Effective Date 

Mardi Anderson, PGA Whispering Creek Golf Club A-6 3/1/2012 

Mark Aulerich, PGA The Prairie Club A-13 3/12/2012 

Nicholas Burkart, PGA Shadow Ridge Country Club A-8 3/6/2012 

Brian Bussinger, PGA Old Dane Golf Club A-1 3/5/2012 

Kevin Drew, PGA The Fox Run Golf Course A-1 3/1/2012 

Daniel Fox, PGA The Country Club of Lincoln A-8 3/6/2012 

Robert Johnson, PGA Mahoney Golf Course A-1 3/1/2012 

Brett Morgan, PGA Hidden Valley Golf Club A-8 3/19/2012 

STAFF 

David Honnens, PGA 

Executive Director 

dhonnens@pgahq.com 

Thomas Harmon, PGA 

Tournament Director 

tharmon@pgahq.com 

Renee Tyson 

Administrative Assistant 

rtyson@pgahq.com 


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MARCH 2012 NEWSLETTER - Nebraska PGA

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