Gutschewski is Nebraska Junior Golfer of the Year
OMAHA (November 11, 2020) - The Nebraska Golf Association is proud to announce the selection of Elkhorn’s Luke Gutschewski as the 2020 Nebraska Junior Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Gutschewski, a senior at Mount Michael Benedictine, catapulted himself to the top of the NGA Junior Point Standings with a win at the Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship, and several other strong finishes. This summer, Gutschewski committed to play college golf at Iowa State University.
The 2019 Nebraska Junior Match Play Champion broke through for a second NGA title at the 53rd Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship at Scotts Bluff Country Club in July. He entered the final round four strokes behind the leader, Christopher Atkinson of Omaha. The final round was a rollercoaster of a back nine, with six players finding themselves either tied for, or holding the solo lead at some point. It was Gutschewski though, who finished on top, as he was one of only two players in the field to break par in the final round. His 71 (-1) boosted him to a one-stroke victory and another NGA trophy, with a 218 (+2) total.
Gutschewski followed that up with a strong performance at the 112th Nebraska Amateur Championship at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha. He was one of two juniors to finish inside the top-20 at the championship, earning Low Junior honors with a 295 (+11) total, which left him in a tie for 15th. He was also one of only two players to break par in the final round, carding a 70 (-1).
The summer started with a Quarterfinal appearance at the 31st Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship at Oakland Golf Club for Gutschewski. He was the No. 2 seed, but was dealing with an injury and fell to the eventual runner-up Josh Kramer of Omaha.
A week later at the 53rd Nebraska Match Play Championship, Gutschewski was one of only three juniors to make it to the bracket. Gutschewski fired a two-day total of 149 (+5) to earn the No. 28 seed, but fell in the Round of 32 to Elkhorn’s Alex Farrell.
Gutschewski also had a strong finish at the 2020 Nebraska Junior PGA Championship, tying for second. This fall, he finished tied for second at the AJGA’s UHY Kansas City Junior against a strong field. He was also a member of the Kansas-Nebraska Junior Cup team for a second-straight year.
The Nebraska Golf Association's annual awards banquet will not be held in 2020, but Gutschewski will be honored individually and through social media this month
About the NGA
The Nebraska Golf Association, 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 the NGA. 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.
