Nebraskans invited to compete for spot in Korn Ferry Tour Stop
Omaha, Neb. – Golfers with Nebraska ties will have the opportunity to earn a spot in the PGA TOUR’s 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship and compete for a share of the $600,000 purse.
The 36-hole qualifier returns to ArborLinks in Nebraska City on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Professional and amateur golfers with Nebraska ties can vie for an exemption into Nebraska’s only Korn Ferry Tour event, the 2019 Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Heartland Chevy Dealers and hosted at The Club at Indian Creek.
“We anticipate a competitive field of Nebraska golfers and look forward to providing one player with a chance to play with some of the best on the Korn Ferry Tour,” said Jessica Brabec, Pinnacle Bank Championship Tournament Director. “We hope our fans come support the winner of the qualifier at our event held at The Club at Indian Creek this July 18-21.”
Any professional or amateur with a 4.0 handicap index or less with Nebraska ties will be eligible to compete. Current legal residents of Nebraska, Nebraska Section PGA Members and PGA Associates, students and graduates of Nebraska colleges or universities and individuals born in Nebraska and graduated from a Nebraska high school are eligible.
The qualifier at ArborLinks is limited to the first 60 entrants who meet all eligibility and handicap requirements. Entry deadline is Friday, June 21 at 5:00 p.m. Complete details are available by visiting the tournament website at The Pinnacle Bank Championship or the Nebraska PGA.
“Last year the Nebraska Qualifier came down to the last hole and featured arguably one of the best young amateur golfers in Nebraska history in Luke Kluver and Korn Ferry Tour member Brandon Crick,” said David Honnens, CEO of the Nebraska Section PGA.
“It’s a great opportunity for Nebraskans,” said Kluver, who beat Crick, a three-year Korn Ferry Tour veteran, by one stroke to win last year’s qualifier. “I want to thank the Nebraska Section PGA and
Pinnacle Bank for giving me a chance to achieve my dream of playing professional golf.”
For more information about the Pinnacle Bank Championship, please visit thepinnaclebankchampionship.com.
ABOUT THE PINNACLE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pinnacle Bank Championship, presented by Heartland Chevy Dealers, is a stop on the PGA TOUR’s Korn Ferry Tour and will be held July 15-21, 2019 at The Club at Indian Creek. The event features a purse of $600,000 and was awarded the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour’s Truck Award and 2017 Korn Ferry Tour’s Tournament Rookie of the Year Award in its inaugural year. The 2017 champion, Sam Ryder went on to compete in the PGA TOUR, following in the footsteps of previous winners of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Omaha event, including Bo Van Pelt, Johnson Wagner, Heath Slocum and Jason Gore. The 2018 champion, David Skinns, is currently 88 on the Korn Ferry Tour money list. The tournament’s charity partner, TeamMates Mentoring Program, receives proceeds from the event to help fund education and mentoring programs for Nebraska youth. In 2018, that donation totaled $40,000, bringing the tournament’s total charitable contribution amount to over $140,000 since its inception.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section of the PGA is one of 41 Sections that together comprise the PGA of America. The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of approximately 261 PGA Members and 21 PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton. The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur players alike. Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals. Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf. They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA GOLF ASSOCIATION
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. The NGA’s 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.