Awarii Dunes, the new 18-hole prairie-style course near Kearney, has opened for play.
The Kearney Hub reported that about 100 golfers played the private course over the first three days of the Memorial Day weekend.
“So far there's smiles,” course architect Jim Engh said while playing the course in fog and mist Sunday afternoon. “I'm tickled to death. My wife and my son are here. I'm reading them, and they're just going, ‘Wow.' …. I couldn't be more happy.”
Access is limited to members and members' guests. Stay-and-play packages are available. For information, go to www.awariidunes.com/stay-and-play-application.
Publinks pairings to appear Wednesday
Entries are closed for the 79th World-Herald Publinks, with first-round pairings and the tee times for the weekend Don Lee Championship Flight qualifying tournament appearing in Wednesday editions.
Publinks results and queries will be taken at 402-444-1041 or stu.pospisil@owh.com.
New director for Hogan's Heroes
Former Omaha Royals general manager Doug Stewart is the new executive director of Hogan's Junior Golf Heroes — The First Tee of Omaha.
“The nine core values that is such an integral part of the (program's) mission was a big draw for me. I think the organization is poised to have a meaningful impact on the next generation of leaders coming through our program,” Stewart said in a statement on the group's website. “Additionally, we are privileged to be the caretaker for the Steve Hogan Golf Course. It's a great nine-hole par-3 course and we hope to increase its usage as well.”
Cox-Golf Channel deal ‘a partnership'
The Cox Communications agreement with Golf Channel to televise this year's Cox Classic is a partnership between the two entities, Tournament Director Chad Mardesen said.
Mardesen said in a statement, “Our title sponsor, Cox, partnered with the network to help secure coverage that truly showcases both the tournament and Omaha to the rest of the nation.”
ArborLinks hosts couples championship
ArborLinks' second annual couples tournament, which is Saturday and Sunday, has a 5 p.m. deadline Thursday for entries.
Jeff Porter, the club's PGA professional and general manager, said Ambassador Health Services returns as the presenting sponsor, with tournament proceeds to the American Lung Association.
The 36-hole event, with a $299 entry fee per couple, has four nine-hole segments of various formats — best ball, scramble, modified alternate-shot. Carts, prizes, cocktail reception and charity donation are included in the entry fee.
ArborLinks' other events this summer include a PGA Junior Series stop on June 13 and 14, a U.S. Amateur qualifier, the ArborLinks Amateur on Aug. 20 and 21 and a PGA Tour pre-qualifying tournament.
Porter said his club is within 40 memberships of being at its desired level.
Fundraiser a chance to play Ballyneal
As a benefit for a caddie who was seriously injured in a ski accident, a Ballyneal Golf Club member is offering the chance for non-members to play the course — in fact, play 54 holes walking — on June 20.
Jim Colton, the club member, intends to walk 108 holes of golf that day to raise money for the health care of Ben Cox, a Ballyneal caddie and Texas Tech engineering student who was paralyzed from the chest down following a downhill skiing accident in March. In addition to collecting lump-sum and per-hole pledges, Colton has pledged to pay the Ballyneal guest fees for up to 16 non-members who raise at least $500 for the cause and commit to the “half-marathon” of 54 holes on the walking-only course.
For more information, call Ballyneal at 970-854-5900 or email head pro Matt Payne at mattp@ballyneal.com.
Local ‘Big I' qualifying on June 15 at Tiburon
Local qualifying for the 43rd annual Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship will be June 15 at Tiburon. The tournament, sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska, is open to local golfers 18 and under who have not started college and features boys and girls divisions. Top finishers advance to the state finals at Eldorado Hills in Norfolk on July 7 and 8.
To sign up for the Omaha qualifier, contact Gary Wagner, 11213 Davenport St. Suite 201, Omaha, 68154, or 402-697-5285.
— Stu Pospisil
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