Team Nebraska Announced for 38th Kansas-Nebraska Junior Cup Matches
Matches to be conducted August 8-9 at Landmand Golf Club in Homer.
OMAHA (July 31, 2023) – Eight juniors have earned their way to represent Nebraska at the 38th Kansas-Nebraska Junior Cup Matches at Landmand Golf Club in Homer, Nebraska, August 8-9.
The event annually pits the best juniors from each state in Four-Ball, Foursomes and Singles matches. Last year, the matches ended in an 8-8 tie for the fourth time in seven years. Kansas retained the cup for the third-straight year and now leads the all-time series 22-15.
Papillion's Jake Hirz will lead the team once again as the Captain. Hirz is the head boys' golf coach at Millar North High School and 2022 was his first year of captaincy for the Junior Cup team.
The Nebraska team includes three returning members from the 2022 team: Jackson Benge of Omaha, Thomas Bryson of Lincoln, and Trevor Gutschewski of Elkhorn.
Bryson has had another great season, including finishing runner-up in the Nebraska Junior Match Play and following that with a tied for 12th finish at the Nebraska Junior Amateur.
Benge is also making his second appearance on the team after a top 5 finish at the Nebraska Junior Amateur. The 2022 Nebraska Junior Match Play Champion also made the Round of 16 in this year's Junior Match Play.
The 2022 Nebraska Junior Amateur Champion, Trevor Gutschewski of Elkhorn, makes his second appearance as well, after becoming the Low Junior at the Nebraska Amateur with a 12th place finish. Gutschewski was also runner-up in this year's Nebraska Junior Amateur.
The 2021 Junior Amateur Champion Connor Stiechen of Omaha returns to the team, after making the 2021 squad, but missing last year's event. He finished sixth at the 2023 Nebraska Junior Amateur, and also finished inside the top 35 at the Nebraska Amateur.
Owen Tucker of Lincoln, is making his first appearance to the team after an impressive summer including taking home the Nebraska Junior Match Play title. He also made the Round of 16 in the Nebraska Match Play.
Gretna's Beau Petersen has had a stellar season, as well, including winning the 56th Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship at Lochland Country Club in July, and qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, where he competed last week.
Omaha's Sam Vocelka rounds out the squad, after an excellent July. He finished tied for fourth at the Nebraska Junior Amateur, and then was tied for 24th at the Nebraska Amateur. He also finished runner-up at the NJG Tour Championship last week to clinch his spot.
2023 Team Nebraska
Jackson Benge, Omaha
Thomas Bryson, Lincoln
Trevor Gutschewski, Elkhorn
Beau Petersen, Gretna
Connor Steichen, Omaha
Porter Topp, Omaha
Owen Tucker, Lincoln
Sam Vocelka, Omaha
2023 Team Kansas
Ty Adkins, Hutchinson
Jacob Fratzel, Shawnee
Conner Geist, Wichita
Alex Hogan, Leawood
Noah Holtzman, Wichita
Ty Lasley, Overland Park
Tyler Strong, Olathe
Carson Wright, Wichita
Additional information is available at the Junior Cup website below.
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.
