Elgert Catches Fire to Win Nebraska Junior Match Play
Boys' Final Conducted Friday at Fremont Golf Club
FREMONT (July 10, 2026) - Lincoln's Miles Elgert put on a show during the Final of the 37th Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship on Friday at Fremont Golf Club, securing his first NebGolf title.
It was a birdie-fest for Elgert, and he took down Elkhorn's Andrew Nietfeldt in the Final, 5 and 4. The Oregon commit made an incredible eight birdies in the 14 holes they played.
It was an inauspicious start for Elgert, who three-putted the first hole and lost to Nietfeldt's par. Then, his tee shot on the difficult par-4 third hole struck a tree just off the teeing area and left him 300+ yards from the green. However, after a well-placed layup, Elgert wedged it to the front of the green and rolled in a 15-foot par putt to tie the hole.
The par save seemed to spark something in Elgert, as he went on a tear after that. He made another good par-save on the long par-3 fourth hole to tie the match, and then caught fire. Elgert proceeded to make five-straight birdies, making it six consecutive holes won to take a 5-up lead.
Elgert rolled in his first birdie on No. 5, curling it in the side. Then, his chip shot on No. 6 came in with speed, but slammed into the flagstick and dropped for another birdie. His mini-driver found the greenside bunker on the short par-4 seventh, and he converted the sand save for a third-straight birdie.
On the par-5 eighth, Elgert was greenside in two, and walked in yet another birdie putt. It looked like the streak would be over on No. 9, as his tee shot sailed right, but snuck just past a pine tree. His best shot of the day followed, as he nearly holed a long-iron, and eventually rolled in a five-foot birdie putt for his fifth straight.
Nietfeldt, who made eight pars and a bogey on the front nine, showed some fight to start the back nine. After Elgert left his 30-foot putt a few inches short of six-straight birdies, Nietfeldt rolled in a long distance birdie to cut into the lead.
Two more birdies dropped on No. 11, followed by two bogeys on No. 12. Nietfeldt had another chance to get back into the match on the par-5 13th, after reaching the green in two. However, Elgert pitched it close for a conceded birdie, and Nietfeldt's eagle attempt came up just short, for another tied hole with birdies.
Elgert put the exclamation point on the win on No. 14. His wedge shot to the front-right hole location, usually difficult to access, settled just three-feet from the hole. The putt was eventually conceded, and the match and championship was over.
The final bracket is available under the Scoring tab of the championship websites below, along with additional information.
Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship
About NebGolf
The Nebraska Golf Association (NebGolf), founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by NebGolf. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
