Nebraska's Big Golf Week

There have been very few “big golf weeks” in the history of Nebraska golf. Obviously, Johnny Goodman winning the US Open is likely the biggest and, possibly, Trevor Gutschewski’s recent win at the US Junior is right up there as well.

But, consider this week’s Pinnacle Bank Championship for just a moment, if you will. In Nebraska’s one, big professional sporting event (the Korn Ferry Tour comes to town) eight Nebraska natives will tee it up this week with big dreams. Four days away from possibly changing their lives.

In an abbreviated newsletter this week (school starts next week, we’ll really start diving in then) let’s meet the golfers you should go watch on Thursday at Indian Creek in Elkhorn.

Brandon Crick: A big week for the McCook native as he nears a PGA Tour card by sitting 41st on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list. Missed his first three cuts early in the season, but then rattled off 14 straight pay days that included seven top-25’s and a T5 in Chile in March. Has moved up to 381st in the World Golf Ranking

Luke Gutschewski: Qualified for the event via the Pinnacle Bank “Nebraska Qualifier” at Arbor Links. While we are all talking about Trevor are we sleeping on big brother Luke? He was the medalist at the 2022 US Amateur (won by Sam Bennett who is also in the field this week). In the spring an impressive season at Iowa State was capped by an NCAA regional appearance.

Scott Gutschewski: Dad this week and what a thrill this must be for him. The Ralston High and Nebraska graduate tees it up along side his son’s Luke and Trevor at 8:57 a.m. on Thursday. Surely, he’s focused on beating the little guys, right? He’s made 155-of-255 cuts on the KF Tour and has three wins with 18 top-five finishes. Promoted to PGA Tour last year, but has only made four cuts this season.

Trevor Gutschewski: Not in the event based on his history-making win at the US Junior, but because he won the Indian Creek Amateur before he left earning a sponsors exemption into the field. On an absolute heater this summer the Omaha Westside senior-to-be and Florida commit will have a Monday tee time in Minneapolis at the US Amateur as well.

Momma was happy. Also, meet the Gutschewski’s.

Noah Hofman: Former McCook state champion nabbed a sponsor’s exemption to the event and has played 10 events this year on the Korn Ferry Tour; the most in his young pro career. He has made two cuts. Also Monday qualified for the PGA Tour 3M Championship last summer his only event played on the big tour.

Alex Schaake: Omaha Creighton Prep and Iowa product had one of the most decorated junior and amateur careers in Nebraska golf history and was a two-time Big Ten Player-of-the-Year for the Hawkeyes. Just brought home a $24,000 winner’s check from the Cedar Rapids Open two weeks ago. Playing in his second Korn Ferry event of the year. Paired with Nate Vontz in Thursday’s final group (2:22 p.m.) on the 10th tee.

Carson Schaake: Alex’s older brother, he qualified for the US Open at Pinehurst earlier this summer. Monday qualified into the event with a 9-under par 63 at Bent Tree in Council Bluffs earlier this week. While spending some time teaching at Tiburon Golf Club, his game is still sharp. Also played in the 2021 US Open and was a sponsor’s exemption into the 2015 John Deere Classic as the Big Ten champion. Monday Reaction

Nate Vontz: Lincoln Southwest and Creighton product takes his third crack at the Pinnacle Bank Championship this week after surviving the Monday qualifier at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. Was in on the Indian Creek Amateur exemption in 2018 and also played last year. Vontz played in six PGA Tour Americas events earlier this year but failed to make a 36-hole cut. Monday Reaction

RUGE JUST MISSES: A tough middle stretch to her second round was too much to overcome for state amateur champion Katie Ruge at the US Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK yesterday. Ruge, a Millard North grad and palyer at Kansas, finished one shot out of a 19-for-9 match play playoff after rounds of 75 and 77. Leaderboard

We will be back next week with a full recap of the Pinnacle Bank Championship, our final course review of the summer (maybe). And, some Husker football analysis (we think). Plus, the start of FALL PRACTICE for high school sports. Absolutely can’t wait.

We are also excited to share that the Friday Night Drive presented by Tom Dinsdale Automotive will RETURN this fall. With some shuffled duties and new teammates, we hope to make it even better than last fall. We can’t wait to see where it takes us. Thanks for coming along for the ride!