Whittaker is Nebraska Women's Amateur Golfer of the Year
Husker Golfer Wins First Award
OMAHA (November 22, 2022) - The Nebraska Golf Association is proud to announce the selection of Elkhorn's Megan Whittaker as the 2022 Nebraska Women’s Amateur Golfer of the Year.
Whittaker, now a graduate student in her fifth year of eligibility at the University of Nebraska, accomplished the 13th sweep of the NGA's women's championship this summer. She won her third and fourth NGA titles, but is a Golfer of the Year for the first time.
The Husker golfer, who won the 2016 and 2018 Nebraska Girls' Match Play titles, had a breakthrough year, starting with the 99th Nebraska Women's Match Play Championship at Elks Country Club in Columbus. Whittaker was exceptional throughout the championship, starting with a round of 71 (-1) to share medalist honors and earn the No. 2 seed. She then needed just 55 of a possible 72 holes to win her four matches in the bracket, which included three wins of 6 and 5, and another 3 and 2 win. Whittaker saved her best golf for last, facing Husker teammate Lindsey Thiele of Wahoo in the Final, she won five of the first seven holes and went on to her third 6 and 5 victory.
Whittaker's performance at the 48th Nebraska Women's Amateur Championship at Wilderness Ridge Country Club in Lincoln was nearly as impressive. She opened with rounds of 70 (-1) and 69 (-2) to jump out to a three-stroke lead, and was the only player to have two rounds in red figures for the championship. Whittaker came home with a final round 74 (+3) to win by two strokes with a 213 (E) total, pulling off the first sweep since Wahoo's Hannah Thiele in 2016.
In addition to her success at the state level, Whittaker produced on the national stage as well. She earned a spot in the 122nd U.S. Women's Amateur Championship through a qualifier at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas. Whittaker eagled the 18th hole to shoot 70 (-2) and get into a 3-for-2 playoff for the final qualifying spots, and secured her spot in the playoff. In the championship at Chambers Bay in Washington, Whittaker shot two rounds of 76 (+3) and missed the cut to match play by two strokes.
Whittaker will be honored at the Nebraska Golf Association's annual awards banquet on Friday, December 2 at The Field Club of Omaha. In addition, the NGA will recognize its Amateur Golfer of the Year, Girls’ Amateur Golfer of the Year, Junior Amateur Golfer of the Year, and Senior Amateur Golfer of the Year.
For more on the award, link below.
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.
