Nietfeldt Wins Record-Tying Third Nebraska Mid-Amateur
FREMONT (September 29, 2019) – Despite a challenging day of weather, the final round of the 21st Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship was completed on Sunday at Fremont Golf Club, and Elkhorn’s Ryan Nietfeldt raised a record-tying third title.
Nietfeldt entered the day tied with three-time Nebraska Amateur champion Andy Sajevic of Omaha at 3-under. The final group was scheduled to tee-off shortly before 10 a.m., but Mother Nature had other plans. Morning thunderstorms delayed the start of the final round, and more storms rolled in later in the morning, bringing heavy rain and pushing play back to a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start. The storms cleared, but the wind was strong and made for some difficult playing conditions. However, Nietfeldt played steady golf and posted a final round 72 (+1) to win by one stroke over Sajevic, with a 140 (-2) total.
The third title ties Nietfeldt with Lincoln’s Travis Minzel and Omaha’s Patrick Duffy for the most all-time. They all won their third title in the last three years, with Duffy winning in 2017, Minzel in 2018 and Nietfeldt adding this year to his 2001 and 2013 wins. It’s also a ninth NGA title for Nietfeldt, which moves him into a tie with Lincoln’s Knox Jones. Only Fremont’s John Sajevic and Omaha’s Alex Schaake own more titles with 10. The win also moves Nietfeldt to No. 1 in the NGA Point Standings, which makes him the leading candidate for his fourth Nebraska Golfer of the Year award. He’d be the first Mid-Amateur to win the award since he won it himself in 2012.
Nietfeldt grabbed the lead early, as Sajevic bogeyed two of the first three holes. Nietfeldt dropped a shot with a bogey on No. 4, but Sajevic made another bogey on No. 7 and a birdie on No. 8 for Nietfeldt gave him a three-stroke lead. He bogeyed the par-4 ninth but came right back with his fourth birdie-2 of the championship on No. 10. Nietfeldt then parred seven of his final eight holes, with the only blemish a bogey on the par-5 15th.
Sajevic made a late run with some birdie chances, with one dropping on No. 16 to pull him within a stroke. However, they both made par on the final two holes, and Nietfeldt came away with the victory. Sajevic’s final round 73 (+2) gave him a 141 (-1) total, and a fourth runner-up finish in this championship. He’s finished runner-up every time he’s competed in the Mid-Amateur.
Lincoln’s David Easley shot a final round 73 (+2) to finish third with a 143 (+1) total. La Vista’s Justin Hamilton caught fire late, birdieing four of his final six holes to shoot the low round of the day, a 70 (-1). That moved him into fourth place with a 144 (+2) total. Minzel fell short of his fourth title but tied for fifth with Elkhorn’s Jeff Russell at 146 (+4). Minzel posted a final round 75 (+4), while Russell tied Nietfeldt for the second-lowest round of the day, a 72 (+1).
Trent Morrison of Omaha, the 2014 champion, finished seventh at 147 (+5), while Dan Huston of Omaha, the 2019 Nebraska Match Play Runner-Up, and 10-time NGA Champion John Sajevic of Fremont tied for eighth at 148 (+6). Grand Island’s Glenn Bills, Omaha’s Skip Gist, the 2000 champion at Fremont Golf Club, and Omaha’s Cole Grandfield rounded out the top 10 at 149 (+7), tied for 10th.
For full results and more, visit the championship website at the button below.
Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship
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.
