103rd Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship
York Country Club
July 20-23, 2026
York Country Club
July 20-23, 2026

Wahoo's Lauren Thiele came back to win the Final of the 102nd Nebraska Women’s Match Play Championship on Thursday at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln. Thiele defeated Husker teammate Brooke Bream, 1 up, in the Final to take her first NebGolf women's title. She's the third Thiele sister to win the championship, and it's her third NebGolf title, adding to her two Nebraska Girls' Match Play titles. Read the recap, watch the champion interview and more below. See full results under the Scoring tab.
Exempt Player Entry Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026
Entry Deadline: 5 pm CDT on Monday, July 13, 2026
For individuals interested in competing for the Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship title. The maximum field size will be 78 players. Golfers will participate in an 18-hole stroke play qualifier to determine the 32-player match play bracket. Those not in the top 32 will not advance to match play and will be eliminated.
Entrant must be a female amateur golfer with an up-to-date Handicap Index® issued by a "member club" of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NebGolf residency below). All players must conform to the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the United States Golf Association and The R&A.
NebGolf Residency: An individual is considered a resident of Nebraska if they a) maintain either a primary or a secondary residence in Nebraska, or b) are an active duty member of the United States Military stationed in Nebraska, or c) are a student physically attending college in Nebraska within a time period four-months prior to the event, or d) are a graduate of a Nebraska high school attending an out-of-state college. If these criteria are in question, the NebGolf Tournament Committee shall render any final decision.
NebGolf may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from the Championship and/or suspend a player from future championships if the player engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity and image of the game of golf and/or public confidence in NebGolf. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the player's equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators, officials, volunteers, or staff, blatant or excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club rules, or any other unbecoming conduct.
Entry fee of $150 must be paid by every player. Players who withdraw (402-505-4653, x104) prior to the close of entries will receive a refund less a $30 service charge. Players who withdraw (402-505-4653, x104) after the close of entries but prior to the competition will not be issued a refund unless the reason for withdrawing is medically related. No refund for any reason after July 19, 2026.
EXEMPT PLAYER ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026 TO MAINTAIN EXEMPT STATUS AND GUARANTEE A SPOT IN THE FIELD.
ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN 5 P.M. CDT ON MONDAY, JULY 14, 2026.
Late applications are not acceptable and will be automatically rejected. (Entries by telephone, e-mail, or FAX not acceptable.) Time limit for entries means time of receipt at NebGolf (not time entry is sent or transmitted to NebGolf). Entries should be submitted early to allow ample time for delay or error in transmission. The risk of delay or error in transmission lies solely with the entrant and NebGolf will have no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including rejection of the entry.
The Championship field will be limited to 78 players. If more than 78 entries are received by the July 13, 2026 deadline, the field will be comprised of players that filed entries by the deadline in these categories:
1. Winners of the Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship.
2. Those golfers that qualified for the Championship bracket at the 2025 Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship.
3. From the NebGolf Women's Point Standings, the top 10 point leaders as of July 6, 2026.
4. From the NebGolf Girls Point Standings, the top 5 point leaders as of July 6, 2026.
5. Special Exemptions selected by the NGA Board of Directors.
6. Remainder of the field determined by order of entry.
*Entry applications received by exempt players following the July 6, 2026 exempt player deadline will be processed under category 6 above.
Practice Rounds
Information on practice rounds will be available soon.
Championship Schedule
Monday, July 20
7:00 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
7:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M. - Registration
8:00 A.M.-10:40 A.M. - Stroke Play Qualifying; 18-Holes
Tuesday, July 21
6:30 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 A.M.-10:00 A.M. - Match Play - Round of 32
1:30 P.M.-2:40 P.M. - Match Play - Round of 16
Wednesday, July 22
6:30 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 A.M.-8:00 A.M. - Match Play - Quarterfinals
12:30 P.M.-12:40 P.M. - Match Play - Semifinals
Thursday, July 23
7:00 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
8:00 A.M. - Match Play - Final
Following Golf – Awards Presentation
Prizes
Champion – custody of the traveling trophy, trophy and gold medal; Runner-Up – trophy and silver medal; Qualifying Medalist – bronze medal; Merchandise prizes – to be announced.
StrackaLine Greens Guides and Yardage Books
Through a partnership with StrackaLine, NebGolf is happy to offer 20% off Greens Guides and Yardage books for its championships. Click here or the image to order.
Terms of The Competition
Entry Form Terms of the Competition
Player Memorandum
Player Memorandum
Pace of Play Information
Pace of Play Policy Stroke Play Qualifying
Pace of Play Policy Match Play
Rules Documents
NebGolf 2026 Local Rules and Terms of Competition
Notice to Competitors (Draft)
Match Play Guidelines
Differences Between Match Play and Stroke Play
Contact
Justin Ahrens, Assistant Executive Director
jahrens@nebgolf.org
(402) 505-4653, ext. 104
1016 West Elm Street
York, NE 68467
Golf Shop Phone - (402) 362-3721
Website - yorkcountryclub.net
Head Professional - Bill Thomas
Superintendent - Shad Wellmann
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 384 | |
| 2 | 3 | 189 | 150 |
| 3 | 5 | 458 | |
| 4 | 3 | 170 | 150 |
| 5 | 4 | 312 | |
| 6 | 3 | 165 | 137 |
| 7 | 4 | 385 | |
| 8 | 4 | 389 | |
| 9 | 5 | 486 | |
| Out | 35 | 2,938 |
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 379 | |
| 11 | 3 | 195 | 150 |
| 12 | 5 | 497 | |
| 13 | 5 | 500 | |
| 14 | 3 | 167 | 156 |
| 15 | 4 | 390 | 326 |
| 16 | 3 | 165 | 148 |
| 17 | 4 | 272 | |
| 18 | 4 | 359 | |
| In | 35 | 2,924 | |
| Total | 70 | 5,862 |
| Year | Champion | Hometown | Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lauren Thiele | Wahoo | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 2024 | Katie Ruge | Omaha | Landmand Golf Club, Homer |
| 2023 | Lindsey Thiele | Wahoo | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 2022 | Megan Whittaker | Elkhorn | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 2021 | Kirsten Baete | Beatrice | Awarii Dunes Golf Club, Axtell |
| 2020 | Katie Ruge | Omaha | Kearney Country Club |
| 2019 | Kate Strickland | Lincoln | Fremont Golf Club |
| 2018 | Nicolle Barmettler | Elkhorn | Yankee Hill Country Club, Lincoln |
| 2017 | Kaitlyn Krzyzanowski | Scottsbluff | Platteview Golf Club, Bellevue |
| 2016 | Hannah Thiele | Wahoo | Oakland Golf Club |
| 2015 | Danielle Lemek | Doniphan | Oakland Golf Club |
| 2014 | Danielle Lemek | Doniphan | Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha |
| 2013 | Morgan Smejkal | Columbus | Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg |
| 2012 | Elizabeth Lydiatt | Kearney | Awarii Dunes Golf Club, Axtell |
| 2011 | Mary Narzisi | Omaha | Tiburon Golf Club, Omaha |
| 2010 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 2009 | Kayla Knopik | Papillion | Kearney Country Club |
| 2008 | Megan Bartlett | Grand Island | Norfolk Country Club |
| 2007 | Anna Christenson | Lincoln | Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook |
| 2006 | Sara Sackett | Cambridge | The Pines Country Club, Valley |
| 2005 | Stephanie Schaefer | Columbus | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 2004 | Andrea Dunagan | Grand Island | Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 2003 | Melissa Prasch | Kearney | Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha |
| 2002 | Elizabeth Morell | McCook | Omaha Country Club |
| 2001 | Maggie Gabelman | Lincoln | Ironwood Golf & Country Club, Omaha |
| 2000 | Elizabeth Bahensky | Kearney | Lochland Country Club, Hastings |
| 1999 | Elizabeth Bahensky | Kearney | Four Winds Golf Course, Kimball |
| 1998 | Steph Kolbas | Lincoln | Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook |
| 1997 | Elizabeth Bahensky | Kearney | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1996 | Heidi Stark (Wall) | Lincoln | Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island |
| 1995 | Heidi Wall | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1994 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha |
| 1993 | Rained out | ||
| 1992 | Sue Churchich | Omaha | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1991 | Ann Guiberson | Bellevue | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1990 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1989 | Judy Dykes | Columbus | Omaha Country Club |
| 1988 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1987 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1986 | Kari Mangan | Omaha | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1985 | Kerre Dubinsky | Lincoln | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 1984 | Cathy Nelson | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1983 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | Norfolk Country Club |
| 1982 | Susan Marchese | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1981 | Cathy Nelson | Omaha | Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha |
| 1980 | Val Skinner | North Platte | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1979 | Nanette Circo | Omaha | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1978 | Cathy Curry | Columbus | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1977 | Nanette Circo | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1976 | Nanette Circo | Omaha | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1975 | Theresa Wanek | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1974 | Jean Hyland | Lincoln | Omaha Country Club |
| 1973 | Christie Travnicek (Schwartzkopf) | Wilber | Lochland Country Club, Hastings |
| 1972 | Bunnie Phillips | Norfolk | Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha |
| 1971 | Christie Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Norfolk Country Club |
| 1970 | Christie Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1969 | Christie Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island |
| 1968 | Jean Hyland | Lincoln | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1967 | Nancy Young | Omaha | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1966 | Betty Marchese | Omaha | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1965 | Dorothy Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1964 | Dorothy Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1963 | Dorothy Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1962 | Jean Hyland | Lincoln | Omaha Country Club |
| 1961 | Jean Hyland | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1960 | Nancy Young | Omaha | Skyview Golf Course, Alliance |
| 1959 | Dorothy Schwartzkopf | Lincoln | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1958 | Jann Walker | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1957 | Jean Hyland | Lincoln | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1956 | Jann Walker | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1955 | Lucile Mann | Lincoln | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1954 | Phyllis Larson | Omaha | Omaha Country Club |
| 1953 | Lucile Mann | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1952 | Lucile Mann | Omaha | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1951 | Lucile Mann | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1950 | Lucile Mann | Omaha | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1949 | Edith Goddard | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1948 | Phyllis Larson | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1947 | Phyllis Larson | Omaha | Omaha Country Club |
| 1946 | Phyllis Byrne | Omaha | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1945 | No Tournament | ||
| 1944 | No Tournament | ||
| 1943 | No Tournament | ||
| 1942 | No Tournament | ||
| 1941 | Betty Nolan | Omaha | Norfolk Country Club |
| 1940 | Betty Nolan | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1939 | Florence Rietveld | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1938 | No Tournament | ||
| 1937 | Phyllis Larson | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1936 | Adele Sidles | Lincoln | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1935 | Adele Sidles | Lincoln | Eastridge Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 1934 | Bea Rohman | Lincoln | Shrine Club, Lincoln |
| 1933 | Mary Thalma Bangh | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1932 | Bea Rohman | Lincoln | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1931 | Ida Tobin | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1930 | Rosalee Burke | Lincoln | Omaha Country Club |
| 1929 | Gertrude Stewart | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1928 | Mary Levings | Omaha | Eastridge Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 1927 | Mary Levings | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1926 | Jennie Fowles | North Platte | Lakewood Country Club |
| 1925 | Mary Levings | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1924 | Jennie Fowles | North Platte | Omaha Country Club |
| 1923 | Jennie Fowles | North Platte | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1922 | Mary Levings | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1921 | Emma Arnold | Omaha | Omaha Country Club |
| 1920 | Ella Sprague | Omaha | Field Club of Omaha |
| 1919 | No Tournament | ||
| 1918 | No Tournament | ||
| 1917 | Gertrude Stewart | Omaha | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1916 | Louise Pound | Lincoln | Field Club of Omaha |
Most titles: 7, Susan Marchese, Omaha (1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2010)
Other Multiple Champions:
Jean Hyland 5
Lucile Mann 5
Mary Levings 4
Phyllis Larson 4
Dorothy Schwartzkopf 4
Christie Schwartzkopf 4
Elizabeth Lydiatt (Bahensky) 4
Jennie Fowles 3
Danielle Lemek 2
Adele Sidles 2
Bea Rohman 2
Betty Nolan 2
Cathy Nelson 2
Gertrude Stewart 2
Jann Walker 2
Nancy Young 2
Heidi Stark (Wall) 2
Katie Ruge 2
Consecutive titles: 4, Lucile Mann, Omaha (1950-1953)
Longest Span, First to Last Victory: 28 years, Susan Marchese, Omaha (1982-2010)
Longest Span Between Victories: 16 years, Susan Marchese, Omaha (1994-2010)
Mother-Daughter Champions: Betty Marchese, Omaha (1966) and Susan Marchese, Omaha (7-time Champion); Dorothy Schwartzkopf, Lincoln (4-time Champion) and Christie Travnicek (Schwartzkopf), Lincoln (4-time Champion)'
Sister Champions: Hannah Thiele, Wahoo (2016) and Lindsey Thiele, Wahoo (2023)
Junior Champions: Theresa Wanek, Omaha (1975); Anna Christenson, Lincoln (2007); Hannah Thiele, Wahoo (2016); Kate Strickland, Lincoln (2019); Katie Ruge (2020)
Youngest winner: 15 years, Kate Strickland, Lincoln, 2019 (Fremont GC); 16 years, Katie Ruge, Omaha, 2020 (Kearney CC); 17 years, Theresa Wanek, Omaha, 1975 (Field Club of Omaha); Anna Christenson, Lincoln, 2007 (Heritage Hills GC)
Most Times Host Site:
Happy Hollow Club, Omaha 12
Field Club of Omaha 11
The Country Club of Lincoln 10
Omaha Country Club 9