Nebraska Match Play Championship

58th Nebraska Match Play Championship

Tatanka Golf Club, Niobrara

July 14-18, 2025

Corporate Partners

Tatanka Golf Club to Host 58th Nebraska Match Play Championship

The 58th Nebraska Match Play Championship will be conducted at a first-time venue, Tatanka Golf Club in Niobrara, July 14-18. Entries will open on March 3. Visit the tabs above for more.

2024 Leaderboard

ENTRIES WILL OPEN MARCH 3 AT 8 A.M. CST

Enter This Championship Online

Exempt Player Entry Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025

Entry Deadline: 5pm CDT on Monday, July 7, 2025

Eligibility

Entries are open to amateur golfers with an active Handicap Index® based on ratings for men not exceeding 4.0 under the World Handicap System™ issued by a "member club" of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NebGolf residency below).

NebGolf Residency: An individual is considered to be 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.

Amateur Status: All players must conform with the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the USGA.

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

156 players eligible, comprised of both exempt players that file an entry and non-exempt players based on order of entry.  All players, including those exempt, must file an entry application.

Entry fee of $200 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 13, 2025.

Closing Date

EXEMPT PLAYER ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2025 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 7, 2025.

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 156 players. If more than 156 entries are received by the July 7, 2025 deadline, the field will be comprised of players that filed entries by the deadline in these categories:

1. From the NebGolf Player Rankings, the top 50 point leaders as of January 1, 2025
2.  From the NebGolf Point Standings, the top 25 point leaders as of July 7, 2025
3. Those golfers that qualified for match play at the 2024 Nebraska Match Play Championship
4. Special Exemptions selected by the NGA Board of Directors
5. Remainder of the field determined by order of entry

*Entry applications received by exempt players following the July 7, 2025 exempt player deadline will be processed under category 5 above.

Entries Received

Practice Rounds
Practice rounds will be available May 25-July 13 at a rate of $45 (includes range, golf, & cart), and can be reserved 60 days in advance by visiting golftatanka.com. The discounted rate of $45 will be applied upon check-in for your practice round.

Championship Schedule
Monday, July 14
7:00 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Player Registration (Morning Wave)
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round One, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Morning Wave)
12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Player Registration (Afternoon Wave)
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Round One, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Afternoon Wave)

Tuesday, July 15
7:00 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round Two, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Morning Wave)
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. - Round Two, Stroke Play Qualifying Starting Times (Afternoon Wave)
7:30 p.m. (Approx.) - Play-Off, if necessary

Wednesday, July 16
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas Open
7:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Round of 32 Match Play
2:00 p.m.-3:10 p.m. - Round of 16 Match Play

Thursday, July 17
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas open
7:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. - Quarterfinals
12:30 p.m.-12:40 p.m. - Semifinals

Friday, July 18
6:30 a.m. - Practice Areas open
7:30 a.m. - 36-Hole Final

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 Competition
Entry Form Terms of Competition

Exemptions
2025 Exemptions

Player Memorandum
Player Memorandum - Championship

Pace of Play Information
Stroke Play Pace of Play Policy
Match Play Pace of Play Policy

Rules Documents
NebGolf 2025 Local Rules and Terms of Competition
Championship Notice to Players (Draft)

Contact
Justin Ahrens, Assistant Executive Director
jahrens@nebgolf.org
(402) 505-4653, ext. 104

Tatanka Golf Club

53138 Hwy. 12
Niobrara, NE 68760
Golf Shop Phone - (402) 857-3504
Website - golftatanka.com

Director of Golf - Troy Harder
Superintendent - Matt Colwell

Course Yardage

HOLE PAR YARDAGE ALTERNATE YARDAGES
1 4 448 470
2 5 561
3 4 448 472
4 4 391 412
5 3 211 197/184
6 4 362
7 4 430 452
8 3 226 237/215
9 5 547
Out 36 3,624
HOLE PAR YARDAGE ALTERNATE YARDAGES
10 4 432 411
11 4 425 404
12 3 215 204/192
13 5 604
14 4 444 453
15 4 359
16 4 429 451
17 3 201 191/181
18 5 558
In 36 3,667
Total 72 7,291
YEAR CHAMPION HOMETOWN SITE
2025 - - Tatanka Golf Club, Niobrara
2024 Beau Petersen Gretna The Country Club of Lincoln
2023 Calvin Freeman Table Rock Beatrice Country Club
2022 Johnny Spellerberg Bennington Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island
2021 Nate Vontz Lincoln Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg
2020 Luke Kluver Norfolk Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln
2019 Caleb Badura Aurora The Players Club, Omaha
2018 Alex Schaake Omaha Champions Run, Omaha
2017 Jay Cottam Hebron Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha
2016 Rylee Reinertson Gibbon Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln
2015 Michael Colgate Kearney The Prairie Club, Valentine
2014 Bryce Brown Lincoln The Country Club of Lincoln
2013 Andy Sajevic Fremont Elks Country Club, Columbus
2012 Kevin Stanek Bellevue Platteview Country Club, Bellevue
2011 Kevin Stanek Bellevue Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg
2010 John Hurley O'Neill Omaha Country Club, Omaha
2009 John Hurley O'Neill Willow Lakes Golf Course, Bellevue
2008 Brandon Crick McCook ArborLinks, Nebraska City
2007 John Hurley O'Neill Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln
2006 Patrick Duffy Omaha Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha
2005 Jon Deines Beatrice Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg
2004 Travis Minzel Lincoln Norfolk Country Club
2003 Ryan Nietfeldt Omaha Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island
2002 A.J. Elgert Lincoln Indian Creek Golf Course, Elkhorn
2001 Pete Godwin Omaha Elks Country Club, Columbus
2000 Knox Jones Lincoln The Country Club of Lincoln
1999 Jason Bender Elkhorn Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln
1998 Steve Friesen Lincoln Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln
1997 Judd Brewer Lincoln Beatrice Country Club
1996 John Sajevic Fremont Highland Country Club, Omaha
1995 Pete Godwin Omaha Omaha Country Club
1994 Knox Jones Lincoln Happy Hollow Club, Omaha
1993 Scott Ahl Elkhorn Platteview Country Club, Bellevue
1992 David Clouse Friend Elks Country Club, Columbus
1991 Larry Sock Lincoln Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook
1990 Larry Sock Lincoln Willow Lakes Golf Course, Bellevue
1989 John Sajevic Fremont Fremont Golf Club
1988 Jim Sieckmann Omaha The Country Club of Lincoln
1987 Bill Spangler Lincoln Lochland Country Club, Hastings
1986 David Walker Omaha Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha
1985 Bryan Hughett Lincoln Highland Country Club, Omaha
1984 Scott Howerter Lincoln Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln
1983 Rennie Sasse Lincoln Elks Country Club, Columbus
1982 Mike Schuchart Lincoln Beatrice Country Club
1981 Mike Hughett Lincoln Capehart Golf Club, Offutt AFB
1980 Tom Olson Omaha Highland Country Club, Omaha
1979 Knox Jones Lincoln The Country Club of Lincoln
1978 Doug Smith Lincoln Norfolk Country Club
1977 Larry Sock Lincoln Omaha Country Club
1976 Tom Olson Omaha Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln
1975 Dan Bahensky Lincoln Capehart Golf Club, Offutt AFB
1974 Tom Sieckmann Omaha Skyview Golf Course, Alliance
1973 Charles Walter Lincoln Fremont Golf Club
1972 Mike Ley Lincoln Highland Country Club, Omaha
1971 Bill McNaught York Lochland Country Club, Hastings
1970 Charlie Borner North Platte The Country Club of Lincoln
1969 Matt Taber Lincoln Happy Hollow Club, Omaha
1968 Tim Bateman Lincoln Norfolk Country Club

Nebraska Match Play Championship Records 1968-2024

Champions

Most titles: 3, John Hurley (2007, 2009, 2010); Knox Jones (1979, 1994, 2000); Larry Sock (1977, 1990, 1991)
Other Multiple Champions:
John Sajevic 2
Kevin Stanek 2
Pete Godwin 2
Tom Olson 2

Consecutive titles: 2, Kevin Stanek, 2011 to 2012; John Hurley, 2009 to 2010; Larry Sock, 1990 to 1991

Longest Span, First to Last Victory: 21 years, Knox Jones (1979-2000); 14 years, Larry Sock (1977-1991)

Longest Span Between Victories: 15 years, Knox Jones (1979-1994); 13 years, Larry Sock (1977-1990)

Brother Champions: Tom Sieckmann (1974) and Jim Sieckmann (1988); Mike Hughett (1981) and Bryan Hughett (1985)

Father-Son Champions: John Sajevic, Fremont (1989, 1996) and Andy Sajevic, Fremont (2013)

 

Age

Oldest winner: 44, Pete Godwin, Omaha, 2001 (Elks CC)

Youngest winner
18 years, 8 months, 9 days:
Beau Petersen, Gretna, 2024 (CC of Lincoln)
19 years, 2 months, 6 days: Caleb Badura, Aurora, 2019 (The Players Club)
19 years, 5 days, 15 days: Tom Sieckmann, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC)
19 years, 8 months: Tim Bateman, Lincoln, 1968 (Norfolk CC)
19 years, 11 months, 13 days: Knox Jones, Lincoln, 1979 (CC of Lincoln)

Youngest Finalist
17 years, 1 month:
Josh Reinertson, Gibbon, 2008 (ArborLinks)
17 years, 3 months, 2 days: Trevor Gutschewski, Omaha, 2024 (CC of Lincoln)
17 years, 5 months: Tony Pesavento, Omaha, 1974 (Skyview GC)

Course

Most Times Host Site:

The Country Club of Lincoln 6
Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln 5
Elks Country Club, Columbus 4
Highland Country Club, Omaha 4
Willow Lakes/Capehart GC, Bellevue 4
Norfolk Country Club 3
Omaha Country Club 3
Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg 3
Beatrice Country Club 3
Happy Hollow Club, Omaha 2
Lochland Country Club, Hastings 2
Fremont Golf Club 2
Platteview Country Club, Bellevue 2
Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln 2
Shadow Ridge Country Club, Omaha 2
Riverside Golf Club, Grand Island 2

Match Play

Largest Winning Margin, 36-Hole Match (Final): 11 and 10, John Hurley defeated Tom Kelley, 2007 (Hillcrest CC)

Longest 36-Hole Final Match: 39 holes, Tom Olson defeated Mike Hughett, 1980 (Highland CC)

Most Consecutive Match Play Victories: 12, John Hurley, 2009-2010; Kevin Stanek, 2011-2012; 10, Larry Sock, 1990-1991

Miscellaneous

Most Runner-Up Finishes:
Ryan Nietfeldt 4
Bill Spangler 2
Don Bridge 2*
Knox Jones 2
Mike Hughett 2
Mike Rack 2*
Rob Mullin 2*
Tim Marchese 2*
Tom Sieckmann 2
Lance Lawson 2*
Andy Sajevic 2

*Never won

Most Times in Final:
Knox Jones 5
Ryan Nietfeldt 5
Larry Sock 4
John Hurley 3
John Sajevic 3
Pete Godwin 3
Tom Olson 3
Bill Spangler 3
Mike Hughett 3
Tom Sieckmann 3
Andy Sajevic 3

 

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