59th Nebraska Match Play Championship
Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha
June 22-26, 2026
Corporate Partners
Kosmicki Wins Marathon Nebraska Match Play Final
Grand Island's Henry Kosmicki outlasted Omaha's Jackson Benge to win the Final of the 58th Nebraska Match Play Championship in 38 holes at Tatanka Golf Club in Niobrara on Friday. It was a back-and-forth Final that went extra holes for just the third time in championship history. The second longest match in Nebraska Match Play history ended on the 38th hole, after Kosmicki rolled his eagle putt to a few inches for a conceded birdie on the par-5 second.Read the recap and watch the champion interview below. The final bracket is available under the Scoring tab.
Leaderboard
February 15, 2026
ENTRIES WILL OPEN MARCH 2 AT 8 A.M. CST
Enter This Championship Online
Exempt Player Entry Deadline: Monday, June 8, 2026
Entry Deadline: 5pm CDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Eligibility
Entries are open to amateur golfers with an active Handicap Index® based on ratings for men not exceeding 4.0 under the World Handicap System™ issued by a "member club" of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NebGolf residency below).
NebGolf Residency: An individual is considered to be 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.
Amateur Status: All players must conform with the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the USGA.
Code of Conduct:
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
156 players eligible, comprised of both exempt players that file an entry and non-exempt players based on order of entry. All players, including those exempt, must file an entry application.
Entry fee of $200 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 June 21, 2026.
Closing Date
EXEMPT PLAYER ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JUNE 8, 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, JUNE 15, 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.
Players
The championship field will be limited to 156 players. If more than 156 entries are received by the June 15, 2026 deadline, the field will be comprised of players that filed entries by the deadline in these categories:
1. From the NebGolf Player Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of January 1, 2026
2. From the NebGolf Point Standings, the top 25 point leaders as of June 8, 2026
3. Those golfers that qualified for match play at the 2025 Nebraska Match Play Championship
4. Special Exemptions selected by the NebGolf Board of Directors
5. Remainder of the field determined by order of entry
*Entry applications received by exempt players following the June 8, 2026 exempt player deadline will be processed under category 5 above.
Entries Received
Practice Rounds
Information on practice rounds will be available soon.
Format
A) Stroke Play – 18-holes stroke play to determine 64 qualifiers for match play. A tie for the last qualifier’s place will be decided immediately by a hole-by-hole play-off.
B) Match Play – A draw based on qualifying scores will be used. For purposes of determining places in the draw, ties in stroke play will be decided by blind draw, except that places of those participating in a play-off will be determined by the order on the public scoreboard and by performance in the play-off.
Championship Schedule
Monday, June 22
8:00 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Player Registration (Morning Wave)
9:00 a.m.-10:20 a.m. - Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times; 18-Holes (Morning Wave)
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. - Player Registration (Afternoon Wave)
1:30 p.m.-2:50 p.m. - Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times; 18-Holes (Afternoon Wave)
7:00 p.m. (Approx.) - Play-Off, if necessary
Tuesday, June 23
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 a.m.-12:40 p.m. - Round of 64, Match Play
Wednesday, June 24
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round of 32 Match Play
2:00 p.m.-3:10 p.m. - Round of 16 Match Play
Thursday, June 25
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas open
7:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. - Quarterfinals
12:30 p.m.-12:40 p.m. - Semifinals
Friday, June 26
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas open
7:30 a.m. - 36-Hole Final
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 Competition
Entry Form Terms of Competition
Exemptions
2026 Exemptions
Player Memorandum
Player Memorandum - Championship
Pace of Play Information
Stroke Play Pace of Play Policy
Match Play Pace of Play Policy
Rules Documents
NebGolf 2026 Local Rules and Terms of Competition
Championship Notice to Players (Draft)
Contact
Justin Ahrens, Assistant Executive Director
jahrens@nebgolf.org
(402) 505-4653, ext. 104
Oak Hills Country Club
12325 Golfing Green Drive
Omaha, NE 68137
Golf Shop Phone - (402) 895-4383
Website - oakhillscountryclub.org
General Manager - Bobby O'Keefe
Director of Golf - Justin Herron
Director of Agronomy - Andy Rylander
Course Yardage
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE YARDAGES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 525 | |
| 2 | 3 | 158 | 136 |
| 3 | 4 | 390 | |
| 4 | 3 | 202 | 165 |
| 5 | 4 | 370 | 315 |
| 6 | 5 | 525 | |
| 7 | 4 | 416 | |
| 8 | 5 | 511 | |
| 9 | 3 | 225 | 185 |
| Out | 36 | 3,322 |
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE YARDAGES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 340 | |
| 11 | 4 | 450 | 420 |
| 12 | 3 | 215 | 195/165 |
| 13 | 4 | 410 | |
| 14 | 4 | 383 | |
| 15 | 3 | 160 | 131 |
| 16 | 4 | 290 | |
| 17 | 5 | 490 | |
| 18 | 4 | 435 | |
| In | 36 | 3,173 | |
| Total | 72 | 6,495 |
| YEAR | CHAMPION | HOMETOWN | SITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Henry Kosmicki | Grand Island | Tatanka Golf Club, Niobrara |
| 2024 | Beau Petersen | Gretna | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 2023 | Calvin Freeman | Table Rock | Beatrice Country Club |
| 2022 | Johnny Spellerberg | Bennington | Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island |
| 2021 | Nate Vontz | Lincoln | Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg |
| 2020 | Luke Kluver | Norfolk | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 2019 | Caleb Badura | Aurora | The Players Club, Omaha |
| 2018 | Alex Schaake | Omaha | Champions Run, Omaha |
| 2017 | Jay Cottam | Hebron | Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha |
| 2016 | Rylee Reinertson | Gibbon | Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 2015 | Michael Colgate | Kearney | The Prairie Club, Valentine |
| 2014 | Bryce Brown | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 2013 | Andy Sajevic | Fremont | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 2012 | Kevin Stanek | Bellevue | Platteview Country Club, Bellevue |
| 2011 | Kevin Stanek | Bellevue | Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg |
| 2010 | John Hurley | O'Neill | Omaha Country Club, Omaha |
| 2009 | John Hurley | O'Neill | Willow Lakes Golf Course, Bellevue |
| 2008 | Brandon Crick | McCook | ArborLinks, Nebraska City |
| 2007 | John Hurley | O'Neill | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 2006 | Patrick Duffy | Omaha | Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha |
| 2005 | Jon Deines | Beatrice | Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg |
| 2004 | Travis Minzel | Lincoln | Norfolk Country Club |
| 2003 | Ryan Nietfeldt | Omaha | Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island |
| 2002 | A.J. Elgert | Lincoln | Indian Creek Golf Course, Elkhorn |
| 2001 | Pete Godwin | Omaha | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 2000 | Knox Jones | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1999 | Jason Bender | Elkhorn | Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln |
| 1998 | Steve Friesen | Lincoln | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1997 | Judd Brewer | Lincoln | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1996 | John Sajevic | Fremont | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1995 | Pete Godwin | Omaha | Omaha Country Club |
| 1994 | Knox Jones | Lincoln | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1993 | Scott Ahl | Elkhorn | Platteview Country Club, Bellevue |
| 1992 | David Clouse | Friend | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 1991 | Larry Sock | Lincoln | Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook |
| 1990 | Larry Sock | Lincoln | Willow Lakes Golf Course, Bellevue |
| 1989 | John Sajevic | Fremont | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1988 | Jim Sieckmann | Omaha | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1987 | Bill Spangler | Lincoln | Lochland Country Club, Hastings |
| 1986 | David Walker | Omaha | Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha |
| 1985 | Bryan Hughett | Lincoln | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1984 | Scott Howerter | Lincoln | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1983 | Rennie Sasse | Lincoln | Elks Country Club, Columbus |
| 1982 | Mike Schuchart | Lincoln | Beatrice Country Club |
| 1981 | Mike Hughett | Lincoln | Capehart Golf Club, Offutt AFB |
| 1980 | Tom Olson | Omaha | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1979 | Knox Jones | Lincoln | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1978 | Doug Smith | Lincoln | Norfolk Country Club |
| 1977 | Larry Sock | Lincoln | Omaha Country Club |
| 1976 | Tom Olson | Omaha | Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln |
| 1975 | Dan Bahensky | Lincoln | Capehart Golf Club, Offutt AFB |
| 1974 | Tom Sieckmann | Omaha | Skyview Golf Course, Alliance |
| 1973 | Charles Walter | Lincoln | Fremont Golf Club |
| 1972 | Mike Ley | Lincoln | Highland Country Club, Omaha |
| 1971 | Bill McNaught | York | Lochland Country Club, Hastings |
| 1970 | Charlie Borner | North Platte | The Country Club of Lincoln |
| 1969 | Matt Taber | Lincoln | Happy Hollow Club, Omaha |
| 1968 | Tim Bateman | Lincoln | Norfolk Country Club |
Nebraska Match Play Championship Records 1968-2024
Champions
Most titles: 3, John Hurley (2007, 2009, 2010); Knox Jones (1979, 1994, 2000); Larry Sock (1977, 1990, 1991)
Other Multiple Champions:
John Sajevic 2
Kevin Stanek 2
Pete Godwin 2
Tom Olson 2
Consecutive titles: 2, Kevin Stanek, 2011 to 2012; John Hurley, 2009 to 2010; Larry Sock, 1990 to 1991
Longest Span, First to Last Victory: 21 years, Knox Jones (1979-2000); 14 years, Larry Sock (1977-1991)
Longest Span Between Victories: 15 years, Knox Jones (1979-1994); 13 years, Larry Sock (1977-1990)
Brother Champions: Tom Sieckmann (1974) and Jim Sieckmann (1988); Mike Hughett (1981) and Bryan Hughett (1985)
Father-Son Champions: John Sajevic, Fremont (1989, 1996) and Andy Sajevic, Fremont (2013)
Age
Oldest winner: 44, Pete Godwin, Omaha, 2001 (Elks CC)
Youngest winner
18 years, 8 months, 9 days: Beau Petersen, Gretna, 2024 (CC of Lincoln)
19 years, 2 months, 6 days: Caleb Badura, Aurora, 2019 (The Players Club)
19 years, 5 days, 15 days: Tom Sieckmann, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC)
19 years, 8 months: Tim Bateman, Lincoln, 1968 (Norfolk CC)
19 years, 11 months, 13 days: Knox Jones, Lincoln, 1979 (CC of Lincoln)
Youngest Finalist
17 years, 1 month: Josh Reinertson, Gibbon, 2008 (ArborLinks)
17 years, 3 months, 2 days: Trevor Gutschewski, Omaha, 2024 (CC of Lincoln)
17 years, 5 months: Tony Pesavento, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC)
Course
Most Times Host Site:
The Country Club of Lincoln 6
Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln 5
Elks Country Club, Columbus 4
Highland Country Club, Omaha 4
Willow Lakes/Capehart GC, Bellevue 4
Norfolk Country Club 3
Omaha Country Club 3
Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg 3
Beatrice Country Club 3
Happy Hollow Club, Omaha 2
Lochland Country Club, Hastings 2
Fremont Golf Club 2
Platteview Country Club, Bellevue 2
Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln 2
Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha 2
Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island 2
Match Play
Largest Winning Margin, 36-Hole Match (Final): 11 and 10, John Hurley defeated Tom Kelley, 2007 (Hillcrest CC)
Longest 36-Hole Final Match: 39 holes, Tom Olson defeated Mike Hughett, 1980 (Highland CC)
Most Consecutive Match Play Victories: 12, John Hurley, 2009-2010; Kevin Stanek, 2011-2012; 10, Larry Sock, 1990-1991
Miscellaneous
Most Runner-Up Finishes:
Ryan Nietfeldt 4
Bill Spangler 2
Don Bridge 2*
Knox Jones 2
Mike Hughett 2
Mike Rack 2*
Rob Mullin 2*
Tim Marchese 2*
Tom Sieckmann 2
Lance Lawson 2*
Andy Sajevic 2
*Never won
Most Times in Final:
Knox Jones 5
Ryan Nietfeldt 5
Larry Sock 4
John Hurley 3
John Sajevic 3
Pete Godwin 3
Tom Olson 3
Bill Spangler 3
Mike Hughett 3
Tom Sieckmann 3
Andy Sajevic 3
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