Nebraska Women’s Match Play Championship

 

103rd Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship

York Country Club

July 20-23, 2026

Corporate Partners

Thiele Comes Back to Win Nebraska Women's Match Play Final

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.

Leaderboard

ENTRIES WILL OPEN MARCH 2 AT 8 A.M. CST

Enter This Championship Online

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.

Eligibility

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 ResidencyAn 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.

 

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

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.

Entry Period

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.

PLAYERS

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.

Entries Received

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

York Country Club

1016 West Elm Street
York, NE 68467
Golf Shop Phone - (402) 362-3721
Website - yorkcountryclub.net

Head Professional - Bill Thomas
Superintendent - Shad Wellmann

Course Yardage

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

Championships

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)

Age

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)

Course

Most Times Host Site:

Happy Hollow Club, Omaha 12
Field Club of Omaha 11
The Country Club of Lincoln 10
Omaha Country Club 9

 

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