56th Nebraska Match Play Championship
Beatrice Country Club
June 26-30, 2023
Corporate Partners
Freeman Rolls to 56th Nebraska Match Play Title
Table Rock's Calvin Freeman completed one of the best performances in championship history by defeating Elkhorn's Ryan Nietfeldt, 9 and 8, in the 36-hole Final of the 56th Nebraska Match Play Championship on Friday at Beatrice Country Club. Freeman, the Southeast Community College golf coach and former Husker, finished off a dominant run to his first NebGolf title. The No. 1 seed played 128 holes during the week and made 44 birdies and four eagles, breaking through at his home course. Visit the Scoring tab above for the final bracket, and read the recap and watch the champion interview below.
Leaderboard
November 29, 2023
June 30, 2023
June 27, 2023
June 26, 2023
February 1, 2023
December 15, 2022
November 22, 2022
ENTRIES WILL OPEN MARCH 1 AT 8 A.M. CST
Enter This Championship Online
Exempt Player Entry Deadline: Monday, June 12, 2023
Entry Deadline: 5pm CDT on Monday, June 19, 2023
Eligibility
Entries are open to amateur golfers with an active Handicap Indexยฎ based on ratings for men not exceeding 6.0 under the World Handicap System™ issued by a "member club" of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NGA residency below).
NGA 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 NGA 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:
The NGA 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 the NGA. 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
Entry fee of $175 must be paid by every player. Players who withdraw (402-505-4653, x104) prior to the close of entries will receive a refund minus 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 25, 2023.
Closing Date
EXEMPT PLAYER ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NGA NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 TO MAINTAIN EXEMPT STATUS AND GUARANTEE A SPOT IN THE FIELD.
ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NGA NO LATER THAN 5 P.M. C.D.T. ON MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023.
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 NGA (not time entry is sent or transmitted to NGA). 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 the NGA 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 19, 2023 deadline, the field will be comprised of players that filed entries by the deadline in these categories:
1. From the NGA Player Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of January 1, 2023
2.ย From the NGA Point Standings, the top 25 point leaders as of June 12, 2023
3. Those golfers that qualified for match play at the 2022 Nebraska Match Play Championship
4. Special Exemptions selected by the NGA Board of Directors
5. Remainder of the field determined by order of entry
*Entry applications received by exempt players following the June 12, 2023 exempt player deadline will be processed under category 5 above.
Entries Received
Practice Rounds
To make arrangements for a practice round at a time convenient to Beatrice CC players must contact the golf shop at (402) 223-2710. Practice round rate is $40 (walking) or $63 (w/ cart).
Championship Schedule
Monday, June 26
7:00 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Player Registration (Morning Wave)
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round One, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Morning Wave)
12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Player Registration (Afternoon Wave)
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Round One, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Afternoon Wave)
Tuesday, June 27
7:00 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round Two, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Morning Wave)
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Round Two, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Afternoon Wave)
7:30 p.m. (Approx.) - Play-Off, if necessary
Wednesday, June 28
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 29
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 30
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas open
7:30 a.m. - 36-Hole Final
Terms of Competition
Entry Form Terms of Competition
Exemptions
2023 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 2023 Local Rules and Terms of Competition
Championship Notice to Players (Draft)
Media Guide
Nebraska Match Play Championship Media Guide
Beatrice Country Club
1301 Oak Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
Golf Shop Phone - (402) 223-2710
Website -ย beatricecc.com
Head Golf Professional - Seth Ray
Superintendent - Andy Hamilton
Course Yardage
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE YARDAGES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 433 | |
| 2 | 4 | 375 | |
| 3 | 4 | 397 | 358 |
| 4 | 5 | 607 | 579 |
| 5 | 3 | 165 | 143 |
| 6 | 4 | 405 | 301 |
| 7 | 4 | 475 | 386 |
| 8 | 3 | 225 | 200 |
| 9 | 5 | 488 | |
| Out | 37 | 3,570 |
| HOLE | PAR | YARDAGE | ALTERNATE YARDAGES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 428 | |
| 11 | 3 | 206 | 179 |
| 12 | 4 | 397 | |
| 13 | 4 | 423 | |
| 14 | 5 | 529 | |
| 15 | 3 | 221 | 200 |
| 16 | 5 | 539 | |
| 17 | 4 | 421 | 309 |
| 18 | 4 | 435 | 417 |
| In | 36 | 3,599 | |
| Total | 72 | 7,169 |
| YEAR | CHAMPION | HOMETOWN | SITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Lukeย 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 Sieckman | 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 Sieckman | 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 1968-2022
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:ย 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)
ย
Age
Oldest winner:ย 44, Pete Godwin, Omaha, 2001 (Elks CC)
Youngest winner: 19, Tim Bateman, Lincoln, 1968 (Norfolk CC); Tom Sieckmann, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC); Knox Jones, Lincoln, 1979 (CC of Lincoln); Caleb Badura, Aurora, 2019 (The Players Club)
Youngest Finalist: 17, Tony Pesavento, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC); Josh Reinertson, Gibbon, 2008 (ArborLinks)
Course
Most Times Host Site:
The Country Club of Lincoln 5
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
*After hosting in 2023
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 3
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
Larry Sock 4
Ryan Nietfeldt 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
social media hub
YouTube
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2023 Nebraska Amateur Championship | Scotts Bluff Country Club Recovery Efforts
2023 Nebraska Match Play Champion | Calvin Freeman
100th Nebraska Women's Match Play Champion | Lindsey Thiele
100th Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship | Finalists
100th Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship | Susan Marchese Interview
2023 Nebraska Four-Ball Championship | Final Round
2023 U.S. Open Local Qualifiers
2023 Nebraska Four-Ball Champions | Miller & Spellerberg
The NebGolf Podcast | John Dechant
12 Days of Champions | 2022 Nebraska Mid-Amateur Champion
12 Days of Champions | 2022 Nebraska Women's Mid-Amateur Champion
12 Days of Champions | 2022 Nebraska Senior Match Play Champion
12 Days of Champions | 2022 Nebraska Senior Amateur Champion
12 Days of Champions | Nebraska Junior Amateur Champions
12 Days of Champions - 2022 Nebraska Women's Amateur Champion
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