1st NEBRASKA MID-AMATEUR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Happy Hollow Club, Omaha

April 27-October 1, 2026

 

ELIGIBILITY
Entries are open to amateur golfers who will have reached their twenty-fifth birthday on or before April 27, 2026 with an active Handicap Index® based on ratings for men not exceeding 5.0 under the Rules of Handicapping issued by a “member club” of the Nebraska Golf Association and a resident of Nebraska (see NebGolf residency below).

NebGolf Residency:  An individual is considered to be a resident of Nebraska if they: a) maintain either a primary or a secondary residence in Nebraska, or b) are an active duty member of the United States Military stationed in Nebraska, or c) are a student physically attending college in Nebraska within a time period four-months prior to the event, or d) are a graduate of a Nebraska high school attending an out-of-state college. If these criteria are in question, the NebGolf Tournament Committee shall render any final decision.

The championship field will be limited to 64 players. Upon entry all players will be placed in pending status. Exempt players will be accepted into the field if entry is received before the April 10, 2026 exempt player entry deadline. Remaining spots in the field will be filled with non-exempt players by order of entry.

Exempt Categories:
1. Winners of the Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship the last 10 years (2016-2025).
2. Winners of the Nebraska Amateur Championship the last 5 years (2021-2025) that meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Winners of the Nebraska Match Play Championship the last 5 years (2021-2025) that meet the eligibility requirements.
4. Winners of the Nebraska Senior Amateur Championship the last 3 years (2023-2025).
5. Winners of the Nebraska Senior Match Play Championship the last 3 years (2023-2025).
6. From the 2025 Nebraska Mid-Amateur, the lowest 15 scores and anyone tying for 15th place.
7. From the 2025 Nebraska Amateur, the lowest 10 scores by a Mid-Amateur.
8. From the 2025 Nebraska Match Play, Mid-Amateur that makes the quarterfinals.
9. From the NEBGOLF POINT STANDINGS, the top 20 Mid-Amateurs as of the end of the 2025 points season.
10. Qualifiers for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship the last 5 years (2021-2025).
11. Special Exemptions selected by the NebGolf Board of Directors.
12. Remainder of field determined by order of entry.

Amateur Status: All players must conform with the Rules of Amateur Status as approved by the USGA.

 

Code of Conduct: NebGolf may reject an entry application, revoke an accepted application, expel from the Championship and/or suspend a player from future championships if the player engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity and image of the game of golf and/or public confidence in NebGolf. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, damage to the golf course or the player’s equipment, verbal or physical abuse of spectators, officials, volunteers, or staff, blatant or excessive profanity, disorderly behavior, failure to abide by club rules, or any other unbecoming conduct.

 

ENTRIES; FORM, FEE, CLOSING DATE
All players must file an entry application. Players must file on-line at the NebGolf website (www.nebgolf.org).

 

Entry fee of $100 must be paid by every player. Players who withdraw (402-505-4653, x104) prior to the close of entries will receive a refund less a $30 service charge. Players who withdraw (402-505-4653, x104) after the close of entries but prior to the competition will not be issued a refund unless the reason for withdrawing is medically related. No refund for any reason after April 26, 2026.

EXEMPT PLAYER ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026 TO MAINTAIN EXEMPT STATUS AND GUARANTEE A SPOT IN THE FIELD.

ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NEBGOLF NO LATER THAN 5 PM CDT ON FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026.

ONLINE ENTRY APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT www.nebgolf.org

Late applications are not acceptable and will be automatically rejected. (Entries by telephone, mail, e-mail, or FAX not acceptable.) Time limit for entries means time of receipt at NebGolf (not time entry is transmitted to NebGolf). Entries should be submitted early to allow ample time for delay or error in transmission. The risk of delay or error in transmission lies solely with the entrant and NebGolf will have no liability with respect to any such delay or error and the consequences therefrom, including rejection of the entry.

FORMAT
64-player match play championship scheduled over a period of April 27-October 1.

SCHEDULE
APRIL 27-JUNE 5 - Round of 64, 18-holes.
JUNE 8-JULY 10 - Round of 32, 18-holes.
JULY 13-AUGUST 14 - Round of 16, 18-holes.
AUGUST 17-SEPTEMBER 18 - Quarterfinals, 18-holes
OCTOBER 1 - Semifinals, 18-holes & Final, 18-holes

Match Scheduling: Players must schedule their match with their opponent for the Round of 64, Round of 32, Round of 16, and Quarterfinals at an agreed upon golf course.

*Players will be responsible for paying any green and/or cart fees at the scheduled golf course.

Match Extensions: Players may request an extension of a match window once throughout the duration of the championship. The request for a match extension must be made prior to the final day of the round window. The extension will be no more than one week after the match deadline for that round. The Semifinal and Final rounds will not be granted an extension. If the extended match is not completed before the end of the one-week extension, the winner of the match will be decided by draw. To request a match extension players must contact Justin Ahrens at jahrens@nebgolf.org.

Seeding: Exempt players will be seeded using the 2026 NebGolf Player Rankings. Non-exempt players will be seeded by Handicap Index.

Yardage: Matches should be played from a set of tees between 6,800-7,200 yards, or the longest set of tees if not over 6,800 yards.

Reporting of Results: The winner of each match must report the result of the match to Justin Ahrens at jahrens@nebgolf.org.

PRIZES
WINNER: Gold medal, championship money clip, and trophy.

RUNNER-UP: Silver medal and trophy.

MERCHANDISE PRIZES: TBA

RULES OF GOLF; CLOSE OF COMPETITION
Play will be governed by The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and R&A Rules Limited. See Rule 20.1b for how to resolve Rules issues in match play and when a request for a ruling must be made. For the Semifinal and Final rounds questions will be settled by the on-site Rules Committee, whose decision will be final. The competition is final when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.

GOLF BALLS; DRIVER HEADS
Only brands of golf balls on the most current List of Conforming Golf Balls and driver heads on the most current List of Conforming Driver Heads may be used. Updated lists may be found on the USGA website at www.usga.org or by contacting the USGA Equipment Standards Department at (908) 234-2300. See Model Local Rules G-1 and G-3.

FOOTWEAR
The Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-7.

CADDIES
A player may provide his own caddie.

TRANSPORTATION
Automotive transportation is permitted.

DIGITAL SCORING
A player or caddie is encouraged to enter scores hole-by-hole during each match.

PUBLICITY and PROMOTION; BROADCASTING
I understand that NebGolf or its designees, may record, film, photograph, or otherwise capture my likeness, image, voice, biography, references to me, my quoted statements, and my play in the Championship (the foregoing, together with my name, my “Appearance”). In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Championship, by submitting this Application, I grant (and/or have the authority to grant to NebGolf in the case of a parent/guardian of a minor or other authorized representative submitting the Application on my behalf) to NebGolf, and its licensees, successors and assigns, the perpetual, transferable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable right to use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in all manner (including exhibition, distribution, reproduction, publication, display, broadcast, transmission or otherwise), and media now known or hereafter invented or discovered, and for any purpose whatsoever. The rights granted herein include, without limitation, the right to use the Appearance, or portions thereof, in promotion of the Championship and future championships through any of the foregoing means of distribution, as well as in the design, manufacture and distribution of merchandise related to the Championship or other championships, that include elements of my Appearance. NebGolf is not obligated to use my Appearance in any matter, and materials embodying any aspect of my Appearance do not need be submitted to me for approval. I release and discharge NebGolf, its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims arising from use of my Appearance, including claims for misrepresentation of me, my character, or my person by any means. As between NebGolf and me, NebGolf shall own all right, title and interest, including the copyright(s), in and to any works created by NebGolf, its licensees, successors and assigns, that include all or a portion of my Appearance. This grant shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the successors and assigns of NebGolf. I hereby waive all privacy, publicity, defamation, libel, and proprietary rights relating to the Appearance as used by NebGolf in conjunction with these terms. Players are required to cooperate with representatives of the media; however, no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities which are part of the Championship will be required. Authorized representatives of the media will not interfere with the player’s Championship play in an unreasonable manner. 

SCORE POSTING
Players should post their scores individually for handicap purposes. NebGolf will not post scores. 

PRACTICE PRIVILEGES
Complete details on practice rounds will be available on both the championship web site and in the player memorandum.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Players must be neat in appearance with respect to personal grooming and clothing.

LOCAL RULES; TERMS OF COMPETITION; SCHEDULES
The NebGolf Tournament Committee/on-site Rules Committee reserves the right to alter any of the Local Rules, Terms of the Competition, provisions and/or schedules herein. The decision of the NebGolf Tournament Committee/on-site Rules Committee in any matter will be final.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Detailed information on the Championship will be e-mailed after the close of entries. If you have not received information within two days of the Championship, it is your responsibility to contact NebGolf (402 505-4653). Tournament information will also be available on the championship site accessible through the NebGolf website www.nebgolf.org.