Ruge is No. 1 Seed Again at 102nd Nebraska Women's Match Play
Stroke Play Qualifying Conducted Monday at Hillcrest Country Club
LINCOLN (July 28, 2025) - Omaha's Katie Ruge earned medalist honors for the second time and is setup to defend her title at the 102nd Nebraska Women’s Match Play Championship, after Stroke Play Qualifying on Monday at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln.
Ruge was the only player to match par on hot and blustery day at Hillcrest. She fired a round of 72 (E) to take medalist honors and the top seed by two strokes. The 2020 and 2024 Champion was not the No. 1 seed in either of her previous wins, but was in 2023, when she lost in the Semifinals at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha.
It was a hot start for Ruge, who reached red figures early and stayed in control throughout. After briefly dropping back to even-par, the Omaha Maverick went on a back nine run with three-straight birdies to extend her lead. A double-bogey, bogey finish again dropped her back, but she still finished with the low round.
A playoff was needed to complete the 32-player bracket, with three players tying at 88 (+16) for the final two spots. Maya Kuszak of Lincoln and Lauren Murnan of Omaha both making par on the first playoff hole to secure the No. 31 and No. 32 seeds, respectively. Murnan will play Ruge in the Round of 32 on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.
Kuszak will take on the No. 2 seed, Naryn Kim of Lincoln. Kim, the 2023 Nebraska Girls' Match Play Champion, carded a 74 (+2) to grab a top seed. Her round included an eagle-3 on the par-5 fourth hole.
The Round of 32 starts at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, with the Round of 16 scheduled to follow at 1:30 p.m.
The bracket is available on the championship website below, along with the scoring page and additional information.
Nebraska Women's 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.
