Kolbas, Morrison Qualifying for U.S. Girls' Junior, Hofferkamp, Petersen for U.S. Junior Amateur
Qualifying Conducted on Thursday at Awarii Dunes Golf Club
AXTELL (June 15, 2023) - Two Nebraskans, Nicole Kolbas of Lincoln and Karsen Morrison of North Platte, earned spots in the 2023 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, while Austin Hofferkamp of The Woodlands, Texas and Beau Petersen of Gretna qualified for the 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, through qualifying at Awarii Dunes Golf Club in Axtell on Thursday.
Kolbas, who qualified for the 2021 U.S. Girls' Junior, was the only player in the girls' field to break par, firing a 70 (-2) to earn medalist honors and the first qualifying spot. The Lincoln Pius X grad, who is heading to Indiana University to play golf, made seven birdies during her round, including four in her final five holes to secure her spot, five strokes ahead of the next player.
Morrison, who will play at Creighton in the fall, posted a round of 75 (+3) to secure the second qualifying spot by one stroke over three others.
On the boys' side, Hofferkamp put together a bogey-free 68 (-4) to earn medalist honors by one stroke. Petersen made a closing birdie to secure the second spot by one stroke. He made six birdies during his round and is into the U.S. Junior for the first time.
Elkhorn's Julia Karmazin won a playoff to earn the first alternate spot, with Lincoln's Isabella Elgert claiming the second alternate spot. Wahoo's Brooke Thiele was also involved in the playoff at 76 (+4), but was eliminated on the first playoff hole.
Lincoln's Thomas Bryson is the first alternate on the boys' side, after a round of 70 (-2), while Reese Knox of Peyton, Colorado is the second alternate after a 71 (-1).d
Hofferkamp and Petersen will play next at the 75th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, South Carolina, July 24-29. Kolbas and Morrison will play at the 74th U.S. Girls' Junior Championship at Eisenhower Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado July 17-22.
Final results and more are available at the buttons below.
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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.
