Spellerberg Completes Nebraska Mid-Amateur Three-Peat
Final Round Conducted Sunday at Landmand Golf Club
HOMER (August 20, 2023) - Bennington's Johnny Spellerberg finished off the three-peat during the Final Round of the 25th Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship at Landmand Golf Club in Homer on Sunday.
Spellerberg entered the day two strokes clear of the next player, after a first round 67 (-6), and fired another under-par round, a 71 (-2), to cruise to a six-stroke victory with a 138 (-8) total. It's the first time anyone has won three-straight Mid-Amateur titles, and he ties three others for the most titles in championship history. His 8-under total is also the second-lowest, only behind his 11-under total last year, and his six-stroke winning margin was one off the championship record.
The two-time defending champion wasted no time in making his final round statement. Spellerberg birdied two of the first three holes to push his lead from two to five. After birdies on Nos. 1 and 3, Spellerberg was 8-under, while Landmand owner Will Andersen of Dakota City had fallen back from 4-under to even-par after the first four holes.
Spellerberg's lead was really never compromised. He made a bogey on the short par-3 eighth, but bounced back with a birdie on No. 9 to make the turn in 34 (-2). He made another birdie on the par-5 11th to get to 9-under for the first time, and followed a bogey on No. 14 with another par-5 birdie on No. 15.
The lead was seven strokes by the time Spellerberg made it to No. 17 tees. He made a bogey there, but was able to two-putt for par on the 18th hole to seal the victory.
Omaha's Andrew Morrissey closed strong with two birdies in the final four holes to shoot 73 (E) and take runner-up honors at 144 (-2).
Only three other players were able to finish in red-figures for the championship, including Lincoln's David Easley, who matched the round of the championship with a 67 (-6). He birdied the final four holes to finish in a tie for third at 145 (-1). Elkhorn's Danny Woodhead shot 74 (+1) and Omaha's Vance Janssen shot 75 (+2) to also finish at 1-under, tied with Easley.
Elkhorn's Ryan Nietfeldt, a three-time champion, and Omaha's Matt Quandt tied for sixth at 146 (E). The 2020 Champion Andy Sajevic of Omaha and Kaden Shada of Phillips both shot under-par rounds to move into a tie for eighth at 147 (+1). Sajevic shot 69 (-4) and Shada shot 68 (-5) to jump up the leaderboard.
Andersen finished in a tie for 10th with Gretna's Brian Csipkes at 148 (+2). Andersen shot a final round 79 (+6), while Csipkes had one of five rounds under-par on Sunday, shooting a 72 (-1) to move into the Top 10.
Full results and more are available on the championship website below.
Nebraska Mid-Amateur 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.
