98th Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship
Awarii Dunes Golf Club, Axtell
June 1-3, 2021
Awarii Dunes Golf Club, Axtell
June 1-3, 2021
Omaha's Katie Ruge defeated Snyder's Hannah Hunke in the Final of the 97th Nebraska Women’s Match Play Championship, 4 and 3, on Wednesday at Kearney Country Club, becoming the second youngest champion. Ruge is just 16-years-old and will be a junior at Millard North high school in the fall. Lincoln's Kate Strickland was the youngest, at 15-years-old when she won in 2019. Ruge is also the fifth junior golfer to win the title, joining Strickland, Wahoo's Hannah Thiele (2015), Lincoln's Anna Christenson (2007) and Omaha's Theresa Wanek (1975). Visit the Scoring tab above for the updated brackets, and check out the recap and champion interview below.
Entry Deadline: 5 pm CDT on July 13
Championship Division
Comprised of entrants with an up-to-date Handicap Index of 6.0 or less and those that declare Championship. Golfers will participate in an 18-hole stroke play qualifier to determine the 16-player Championship match play bracket. Remaining golfers will be placed in the Founders bracket for match play.
Non-Championship Division (Senior Gross Flight and Net Flights)
Senior Gross Flight is reserved for those golfers 49 and older with an up-to-date Handicap Index of 6.0 or less and any others meeting the age requirement that declare Senior Gross. They first compete in an 18-hole stroke play qualifier to determine seeds for the match play portion.
Net Flights will be comprised of those golfers with an up-to-date Handicap Index exceeding 6.0 that choose not to declare for either the Championship Division or Senior Gross Flight. These golfers will be flighted based on Handicap Index and begin play with an 18-hole qualifier to determine seeds in their respective match play brackets. Both the qualifier and subsequent matches will be based on Net scoring.
Non-Championship Division
Entrant must be a member of NWAGA or a female member of Nebraska Junior Golf. Entrant must also be a resident of Nebraska (see below) with an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index® issued by a “member club” of the Nebraska Golf Association. All players must conform to the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the United States Golf Association and The R&A.
Championship Division
Entrant must be a member of NWAGA or either a) a female member of Nebraska Junior Golf or b) a college student as defined in item c or d of the residency clause below. Entrant must also be a resident of Nebraska (see below) with an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index® issued by a “member club” of the Nebraska Golf Association. All players must conform to the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the United States Golf Association and The R&A.
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 NWAGA Tournament Committee shall render any final decision.
NWAGA or 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 NWAGA or 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 of $105 must be paid by every player. Entry fee will be refunded regardless of reason if the NGA or NWAGA is notified (402-505-4653, x103) before the close of entries. After the close of entries, fee will be refunded in the event of a medical condition, if requested before the first day of competition. No refund for any reason after that. A $15 service charge will be deducted from all refunds.
In addition to golf, entry fee includes use of the practice facility and player luncheons on Monday and Tuesday.
Online applications only. Entries open at 8 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. CDT on Monday, July 13. Entries may be accepted after the deadline, if field is not full, at the discretion of NGA/NWAGA. Entries may no longer be accepted once groupings have been announced.
Link below to access a current list of entries received by the NWAGA/NGA for the 97th Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship.
Practice Rounds
Practice rounds are available at a time convenient to the golf shop on Wednesday July 15 or Sunday, July 19. Practice rounds are prohibited Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18 due to a club event. The fee is $40 and includes the use of a golf cart. To make arrangements please contact the golf shop at (308) 234-3151, extension 2.
Championship Schedule
Monday, July 20
7 A.M. - Registration
7 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
8 A.M.-9:10 A.M. - Stroke Play Qualifying, 18-Holes, 1/10 Tee Start
Between Rounds - Player Luncheon
2:30 P.M.-3:40 P.M. - Match Play - Round of 16, Championship Division Only, 1/10 Tee Start
Tuesday, July 21
7 A.M. - Player Check-In
7 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
8 A.M.-8:50 A.M. - Match Play - Quarterfinals, 1/10 Tee Start
Between Rounds - Player Luncheon
12:40 P.M.-1:50 p.m. - Match Play - Semifinals, 1 Tee Only
Wednesday, July 22
6:30 A.M. - Player Check-In
6:30 A.M. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 A.M.-8 a.m. - Match Play – Finals, 1 Tee Only
Following Golf – Awards Presentation
Lodging
Information on lodging is not available for this event.
Prizes
Championship Division: Champion – custody of the traveling trophy, trophy and medal; Runner-Up – trophy and medal; Qualifying Medalist – medal; Founders Flight Winner - Trophy; Merchandise prizes – to be announced.
Non-Championship Division: Net Flight Winners – Trophy; Net Flight Merchandise Prizes – to be announced.
COVID-19 Championship Guidelines
NGA Guidelines
Terms of The Competition
Entry Form Terms of The Competition
Player Memorandum
Player Memorandum - Championship Division and Non-Championship Division Net Flights
Pace of Play Information
Pace of Play Policy Stroke Play - Kearney Country Club
Pace of Play Policy Match Play - Kearney Country Club
Rules Documents
NGA 2020 Local Rules and Terms of Competition
Notice to Players - Kearney Country Club (Draft)
Match Play Guidelines
Differences Between Match Play and Stroke Play
Media Guide
Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship Media Guide
Contact
Craig Ames, NGA Executive Director
cames@nebgolf.org; (402) 505-4653, x102
2800 19th Ave.
Kearney, NE 68845
Golf Shop Phone - (308) 234-3151
Website - kearneycountryclub.com
General Manager - Jami Swift
Head Professional - Alex Hobelmann
Superintendent - Clay McKinley
Ratings - Championship 74.0/128, Non-Championship 70.3/116
HOLE | PAR | CHAMPIONSHIP | NON-CHAMPIONSHIP |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | 331 | 313 |
2 | 3 | 130 | 103 |
3 | 4 | 301 | 291 |
4 | 5 | 480 | 432 |
5 | 4 | 314/269 | 276 |
6 | 4 | 373 | 298 |
7 | 4 | 388 | 327 |
8 | 4 | 318/259 | 265 |
9 | 3 | 160 | 120 |
Out | 35 | 2,795 | 2,425 |
HOLE | PAR | CHAMPIONSHIP | NON-CHAMPIONSHIP |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 129/140 | 119 |
11 | 4 | 275 | 260 |
12 | 4/5 | 385 | 354 |
13 | 4 | 290 | 281 |
14 | 5 | 481 | 456 |
15 | 4 | 312 | 303 |
16 | 3 | 154/175 | 121 |
17 | 5 | 495 | 385 |
18 | 4 | 395 | 318 |
In | 36/37 | 2,916 | 2,597 |
Total | 71/72 | 5,711 | 5,022 |
Year | Champion | Hometown | Site |
---|---|---|---|
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
Christie Travnicek (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
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)
Junior Champions: Theresa Wanek, Omaha (1975); Anna Christenson, Lincoln (2007); Hannah Thiele, Wahoo (2016); Kate Strickland, Lincoln (2019)
Youngest winner: 15 years, Kate Strickland, Lincoln, 2019 (Fremont GC); 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 11
Field Club of Omaha 11
The Country Club of Lincoln 10
Omaha Country Club 9