In This Issue…

Letter from NJGT Director … 2

Featured Facility … 3

GolfTEC Tour Tips … 3

Site Director Spotlight … 3

Tournaments … 4-5

Swoosh Moments … 6

Fitness Facts … 10

Fore! Program… 11

Cover Photo: Junior golfers competing in the NJGT Event at Elmwood Park GC on June 26, 2012.

Follow all of the latest Nebraska Junior Golf action on Facebook!

Visit www.NJGT.org to check out the 2012 schedule and more!

Questions? Contact NJGT: Ph: (402) 730-8364 E: jcanny@njgt.org

I hope you are as excited as I am for a great 2013 golf season with the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. This year we feature nearly 50 events at many of the best golf courses in Nebraska and Western Iowa. Nike Golf will once again be the pre-senting sponsor of the NJGT and will provide each registrant with a gift in the membership packet. We have added three new sponsors this year who will be helping enhance all the events on our schedule:

Farmers Mutual Insurance of Nebraska is the new presenting sponsor of all regular season events. The Farmers Mutual Series consists of 40 events for NJGT members of all ages. Premier Events are now part of the GolfTEC – Omaha Series. The GolfTEC – Oma-ha Series will feature five events in 2013 for NJGT members playing in the 18-hole divisions.

Five Points Bank is the presenting sponsor of the Central Nebraska Junior Ama-teur. A new event on the schedule, the Central Nebraska Junior Amateur presented by Five Points Bank will be the first 36-hole event for the NJGT and will be played at Riv-erside Country Club and Jackrabbit Run Golf Course in Grand Island, NE.

A special thank you to all our sponsors who help us deliver a first class and affordable golf experience to youth in the Nebraska Section. Sand Hills Golf Club is another exciting addition to the 2013 NJGT Schedule. Sand Hills has consistently ranked as one of the United States’ best courses since opening in 1995 and will serve as our host for the Tour Championship for all 18-hole divisions. Qualification for this event will be based on NJGT point totals throughout the year. Points for each NJGT Member will be a cumula-tive total of their best eight finishes. Point breakdowns for Farmers Mutual Regular Season and GolfTec – Omaha Premier Events can be found on NJGT.org. I will also be updating you on the current standings in each NJGT Newsletter in a section called Race for the Sandhills. Thank you for your early registration in the Nebraska Jun-ior Golf Tour. Membership packets will be mailed to each registrant this week. I appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you on the course! Joe Canny, PGA Junior Golf Director – NJGT jcanny@njgt.org (402) 730-8364 @theNJGT

Welcome

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Holmes Park Golf Course

Featured Facility

Holmes Park Golf Course is the first course on the NJGT schedule and our featured facility for the month. Holmes Park GC was built in the early 1960's and has been a favorite in the city of Lincoln for years! The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is laid out over gradual hills and has some great views of beautiful Holmes Lake. When standing on the #5 tees you are standing at one of the highest points in Lincoln and have the opportunity to view the entire city. Locals also love hole #12, a long par-3 that has you aiming at the state capital.

This year you will notice a new, modern design club-house adding to your overall golf experience. Holmes Park Golf Course is open to the public and you can learn more by visiting HolmesGolfCourse.com.

My name is Hobart Gay, but most know me by “Hap”. I spent my teens on one of the great golf courses of the country, Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, though I rarely played golf. We lived within walking distance from the Club and my parents belonged. We played tennis and I caddied during the summers for spending money. As most kids in the 60’s in southern Califor-nia I spent most of my time at the beach surfing and hanging out with my friends (golf was for ol’ guys back then) while I could have been learning from one of the best teaching pros on one of the great courses in the country. I didn’t take golf seriously until much later on. I was 36 years old when I was drawn back into the game. I have since grown to love the game for the traditions and principles that it is grounded in and the mental challenges that it presents. I re-

tired from a career in the Air Force and now use my time to give back to my community with volunteering for several organizations such as CASA, Lancaster Foster Care Review Board and the NGA, PGA of America and of course the NJGT. It gives me a lot of joy to watch our young kids learning a great game and competing at such high levels, being helped along by organizations such as the NGA and the NJGT. I really look forward to another great year as a Site Di-rector here in Lincoln and seeing all the great kids I met last year, again.

Site Director Spotlight ~ Hobart “Hap” Gay

‘s Tour Tips The season is here and GolfTEC hopes you are as excited to play as we are! One of the most frustrating parts of the spring season is all the silly shots around the green. Chunky wedges, three putts and sculled chips are some of the shots that find their way back into the bag. Yet when you look on the range you find people hitting drivers for hours to “get back into the swing”.

Though the driver is important, the first practice ses-sions of the year should primarily take place on and around the putting green. Focusing on solidly striking the golf ball around the green will translate over to your full swing and set you up much better for your early season rounds.

GolfTEC’s Tour Tips are provided by GolfTEC Omaha on North 114th St off West Dodge Road. GolfTEC Omaha has five accomplished instructors on staff who have the ability to help your golf game year round. To learn more about GolfTEC Omaha, meet the instructors and book a lesson; CLICK HERE.

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DATE EVENT CITY DEADLINE May 28 Holmes Park GC Lincoln May 20

May 29 Council Bluffs CC Council Bluffs, IA May 21

May 29 Indian Trails CC Beemer May 21

May 30 Quail Run GC Columbus May 22

May 30 West Nine GC Lincoln May 22

June 5 Tregaron GC Bellevue May 28

June 6 Eagle Run GC Omaha May 29

June 7 GC at Table Creek Nebraska City May 31

June 10 Crooked Creek GC Lincoln June 2

June 11 Eagle Hills GC Papillion June 3

June 11 Indianhead GC Grand Island June 3

June 12 College Heights CC Crete June 4

June 12 Whispering Creek GC Sioux City, IA June 4

June 13 Centura Hills GC Cairo June 5

June 13 Warren Swigart GC Omaha June 5

June 17 Yankee Hill CC Lincoln June 9

June 20 Benson Park GC Omaha June 12

June 20 Wayne CC Wayne June 12

June 21 Lake Maloney GC North Platte June 13

June 24 The Pines CC Valley June 16

June 25 Elmwood Park GC Omaha June 17

June 25 Heritage Hills GC McCook June 17

June 26 North Bend GC North Bend June 18

June 26 Westwood Heights GC Omaha June 18

June 27 Willow Lakes GC Bellevue June 19

July 2 York CC York June 24

July 3 Tiburon GC Omaha June 25

July 8 Woodland Hills GC Eagle June 30

July 9 Cross Creek GL Cambridge July 1

July 9 Pioneers GC Lincoln July 1

July 10 Meadowlark Hills GC Kearney July 2

July 11 Old Dane GC Dakota City July 3

July 11-12 NJGT Central Nebraska Junior (36 holes) Jackrabbit Run GC & Riverside GC

Grand Island July 3

July 12 The Knolls CC Lincoln July 4

July 15 Kearney CC Kearney July 7

July 15 Tara Hills GC Papillion July 7

July 17 Eldorado Hills GC Norfolk July 9

July 18 Highlands GC Lincoln July 10

July 22 River Wilds GC Blair July 14

July 23 River's Edge GC (Parent/Child) North Plattte TBD

July 24 NJGT Tour Championship Sand Hills GC

Mullen Invitation

July 29 Mahoney GC Lincoln July 21

July 29 Sunset Valley CC Omaha July 21

July 30 Stone Creek GC Omaha Jul 22

July 31 Hidden Valley GC Lincoln July 23

July 31 Wild Horse GC Gothenburg July 23

August 1 Beatrice CC (Four-Ball) Beatrice July 24

August 1 NJGT Tour Championship Wilderness Ridge GC

Lincoln Invitation

Events listed in

bold, red font are

PREMIER events.

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Nebraska Junior Golf Tour membership is open to boys and girls beginning at age 7 and extends through the summer fol-lowing a golfer's graduation from high school, regardless of age. 2013 Season Membership Dues:

$60 annually for boys ages 12 & up and girls ages 14 & up

$50 annually for boys ages 7-11 and girls ages 7-13

All dues are non-refundable. A golfer's age on July 1, 2013 de-termines their age group of competition for the entire summer and their applicable membership dues. Eligibility: Boys ages 12 and older and girls ages 14 and old-er receive eligibility to participate in all NJGT events. Boys ages 7-11 and girls 7-13 receive eligibility to participate in regular NJGT events only.

Benefits: NJGT members receive the following benefits: 2013 Membership Gift from Nike Golf, Subsciption to the NJGT Elec-tronic Newsletter, Membership Bag Tag, Membership Sticker, 2012-2015 USGA Rules of Golf Booklet, Consideration for the NJGT Tour Championship and Player of the Year Awards, Ne-braska Golf Association Membership which includes a USGA Handicap Index, complimentary Cox Classic tickets, subscriptions to both Nebraska Golfer magazine and the NGA E-newsletter (24 editions) and eligibility to compete in NGA competitions. To become a member & register for events, visit…

www.NJGT.org

NJGT Endorsed Golf Tournaments

Check out these other great and prestigious events taking place in Nebraska in 2013:

Nebraska Girls’ Match Play Championship

The Country Club, Lincoln June 3-5

Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Junior Match Play Championship The Country Club, Lincoln

June 3-6 Click Here to Register!

PGA Junior Series

ArborLinks, Nebraska City June 10-12, 2013

Click Here to Register!

Junior PGA Championship Wilderness Ridge Golf Club (13-18 yr division)

June 18-19, 2013 Click Here to Register!

Jim Ager Memorial Golf Club (7-12 yr division)

June 27, 2014 Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Girls’ Amateur Championship

Stroke Play Oakland Country Club

July 16-17 Click Here to Register!

Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship

Stroke Play Oakland Country Club

July 16-17 Click Here to Register!

USGA Championship Qualifiers US Girls' Junior Amateur Championship

Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Ind. Local Qualifier:

Elks Country Club, Columbus – July 1 Click Here to Register!

US Junior Amateur Championship

Martis Camp, Calif. Local Qualifier:

Yankee Hill Country Club – July 1 Click Here to Register!

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Send Us Your “Swoosh”

In each of the NJGT Junior Newsletters, we will be featuring NJGT members wearing and using gear from NIKE GOLF, presenting sponsor of the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour. Show off your swoosh videos and pictures by

posting them to the NJGT Facebook Page or on Twitter by using #theNJGT.

Send Us Your “Swoosh” Moments

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Some good times from 2012!

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The PGA Golf Management University Program is available at 20 universities across the country. A list of accredited universities can be found at PGALinks.com.

To be considered for the Summer Experience, candidates must apply directly to the University

hosting the session they wish to attend. A current USGA handicap of 18 or less is required.

Find out more about the PGA Golf Management

University Program, including contact information, at www.pgalinks.com.

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Fitness Facts Presented by The PGA Sports Academy powered by UnitedHealthcare

The PGA Sports Academy is a youth golf program that will help you learn and develop golf skills using sports, games and other fun activities. Fitness and nutrition are very important in the PGA Sports Academy and this guide will provide you with exercises and information on how you can get more active. By making healthy food choices you will feel better and play better. So start making healthy choices today!

HAPPY, HEALTHY EATING Eating is an important part of our lives. The healthy foods we eat help our body to grow, run, walk, think, move, sleep, and fight off germs. But did you know that some foods can actually hurt our bodies? Here are some tips on how to make sure you are getting enough of the foods your body needs to do its job well:

EAT THE RAINBOW: A fun and tasty way to make sure you are eating enough fruits and vegetables is to eat as many dif-ferent colors as you can at each meal. For example, some carrots, blueberries, and red bell peppers are all different col-ors and are all good for your body. Help your parents the next time you go grocery shopping to pick out the most color-ful fruits and vegetables. How many can you find?

IN THE CAFETERIA: There are many options to choose from in the lunch line at school, some of them are healthier than others. Try to choose fruits and vegetables instead of French fries or chips and ask for grilled meat instead of fried. When it comes to something to drink grab some water or fat-free milk instead of soda or juice. It may be hard to make these changes, especially if your friend’s aren’t, but you will be keeping your body healthy and will feel much better!

SNACK ATTACK: After a long day at school or an afternoon of playing your tummy may be telling you it’s time to eat. But before you reach for that bag of chips, consider choosing one of these healthier options instead: Instead of soda or juice, grab some water or fat-free milk. Instead of chips or crackers, grab a piece of fruit or veggie sticks. Instead of cookies or cake, grab a sugar free ice pop or unsweetened, fat-free yogurt.

To find a PGA Sports Academy program near you, visit PlayGolfAmerica.com.

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As an extension of other initiatives that first introduce the game, the Nebraska Golf Association created FORE!, a program that provides opportunities for juniors to play golf more frequently. This statewide initiative will offer deserving youth the opportunity to play some of the ar-ea's best courses for $4, putting to use the life skills and values training they learn prior to membership. FORE! started in the Omaha Metro area in 2012 as a pilot pro-gram. This year FORE! will begin a statewide push. FORE! membership will be open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: Boys & Girls Club PGA Sports Academy Program, First Tee of Omaha, Great Golf Expectations Omaha, Junior Golf Programs at Host Facilities, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Omaha, Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and Omaha Metropolitan Area High School Golf Teams. FORE! members will be labeled "Full Access" or "Supervised Access" based on age and or play-ing ability. "Supervised Access" members must be accom-panied by an adult at 18-hole facilities. The fee for both membership classifications is $10 which includes NGA membership. Members will receive their FORE! member-ship cards once their program director has submitted the completed application and individual memberships are paid.

Play More with FORE!

How do I become a FORE! member?

FORE! membership is open to participants aged 7-17 in one of the following certified programs: & Girls Club PGA Sports Academy Program, First Tee of Omaha; Great Golf Expectations, Omaha; Junior Golf Programs at Host Facilities; LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Omaha; Nebras-ka Junior Golf Tour and Omaha Metropolitan Area High School Golf Teams. Qualified candidates must submit a membership application to the NGA. Applications are available in the Junior section of the NGA web site (nebgolf.org) under FORE!

How long does my FORE! membership last?

FORE! membership is good during the months of June and July only in 2013.

What are the age restrictions for FORE! participation?

FORE! membership is available to golfers aged 7-17.

Am I a NGA member when I receive my FORE! membership card?

Yes. FORE! members will receive NGA membership infor-mation including details on maintaining a GHIN Handi-cap Index along with their membership card.

Am I limited on rounds I can play?

No. Play as many rounds as you can, the more the better as far as we’re concerned.

Are there any additional fees besides the $4 per round for golf?

The fee for membership is $10. Each 9 or 18-hole round is $4. That’s it.

Are there any restrictions on when I can play for the reduced FORE! rate?

No. Participating golf courses may limit some rounds based on availability. FORE! members cannot make a tee time reservation more than 48 hours in advance. Prior to that full paying customers have priority.

FORE! FAQ’S

Funding

FORE! is based on the following formula. The NGA has negotiated a preferred junior golf rate with participating facilities. The FORE! member will pay a $4 fee for a round of golf (for 9 or 18 hole rounds). The NGF subsidizes the difference be-tween the preferred rate and the FORE! member payment. Duration

FORE! will take place during the months of June and July only. Membership forms and payment may be submitted to the NGA office at 6618 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68137.

More information

on the FORE! Program to follow in

future newsletters and on NebGolf.org.