A breakup followed by a global pandemic led to a big year of golf for Omaha's Andrew Dillon and his friend Zach Kurmel. Andrew, joined frequently by Zach, played over 200 rounds at more than 100 golf courses in Nebraska and six other states in 2020, ranging from private clubs to munis, and many 9-hole courses as well.  They join us on the podcast to tell us about their 2020, and the many stories they took away from a year full of golf. NGA Staff members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also talk about the best thing they saw this week, their go-to orders at the turn, Hitting the Slopes, Nebraska on Tour, college golf roundup and a World Handicap System segment covering acceptable scores for posting.

The USGA's Mike Trostel joins us to talk some Nebraska golf history, including a look at the great amateur Johnny Goodman, and his wins at the 1933 U.S. Open and 1937 U.S. Amateur. With the U.S. Senior Open returning to Omaha in 2021, we also talk some USGA Championship history in Nebraska, including the last edition of the U.S. Senior Open in 2013 at Omaha Country Club. NGA staff members Ben and Sam also talk about some volunteer opportunities for the U.S. Senior Open, the NGA Team Interclub Program, Hitting the Slopes, Nebraska on Tour, a Husker Sugar Bowl win, walking vs. riding and more.

Craig Ames, Executive Director of the Nebraska Golf Association, joins us to talk about how he started his career with the NGA, and what the early days of his career were like. He talks about his experiences working as a Rules Official at the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur and the Masters. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm cover a few other topics as well, including the beginning of the active posting season, the opening of championship entries, Hitting the Slopes, Nebraska on Tour and a College Golf Round Up. 

This episode of The NebGolf Podcast is dedicated to Hitting the Slopes, the NGA's new video series premiering Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.  Hitting the Slopes follows a Course Rating trip by staff members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm last spring, during which they rated seven courses in four days. The NGA annually visits 10-20 golf courses to issue new Course, Bogey and Slope Ratings, but the best part is traveling the state and seeing these communities and their cherished golf courses. We showcase these courses and talk to some local members to find out what makes their courses special. Ben and Sam also play a little golf and provide some entertainment with their games, both good and bad. The courses featured include Alma Golf Course, Hi-Line Golf Course, Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course, Cross Creek Golf Links, Broken Bow Golf Club, Atkinson-Stuart Country Club and Wayne Country Club.

Kurt Karcher, Director of Nebraska Junior Golf, joins us to talk about what's new on the NJG scene and how parents can get their kids involved in the game. We're also joined by Kaitlyn and Terry Hanna ([email protected]) to talk about Westside High School's new training facility, The Swede Center. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm cover a few other topics as well, including Tiger's crash, the Genesis Invitational, Nebraska on Tour, Luke Kluver and KU in the desert, a Rules of Amateur Status announcement from the USGA, and some more junior golf talk.

Golf Course Architect Gil Hanse joins us to talk about CapRock Ranch, his original design opening near Valentine, Nebraska this year. We also cover his love for the sandhills area, designing courses all over the world and his restorations at championship golf courses that will host the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also talk more in depth about CapRock Ranch, Mike Whan as the new USGA CEO, a big week in Nebraska on Tour, the 200 Club and more.

NGA Vice President and longtime volunteer rules official Bob Planansky joins us to talk about how he became involved with the Rules of Golf and where it took him, from the U.S. Junior Championship to Pac-12 and NCAA events and more. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also follow up on Patrick Reed and the Distance topics from last week, take a look at some Handicap Index statistics, recap the Big Ten Match Play for the Huskers and Iowa's Alex Schaake, Nebraska on Tour with Nate Lashley on a hot streak, and Westside High School's new training facility.

McCook native and current Korn Ferry Tour professional Brandon Crick joins us to talk about his life on Tour, winning the Nebraska Amateur at the extinct Ironwood G&CC, playing in the U.S. Open, what it's like to play golf with Larry the Cable Guy and more. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also cover a couple hot issues in the world of golf, Patrick Reed and the USGA and R&A's distance report, the return of college golf and Nebraska on Tour with Nate Lashley in contention in Phoenix.

Former Blackshirt and NFL defensive end Jay Moore joins us to talk about his days as a Husker and in the NFL, getting hooked on golf in college, turning his competitiveness to golf after football, health and fitness specific to golf, Firethorn Golf Club and more. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also recap the last half of winners of the NebGolf awards on Twitter, take a look at the USGA Qualifying schedule and more.

Southeast Community College men's golf coach Calvin Freeman joins us to talk about growing up in a small town and learning the game at a 9-hole course, his collegiate and professional career, getting into coach, his obsession with buying putters, his love for Cane's sauce and much more. NGA Staff Members Ben Vigil and Sam Oehm also talk about Husker Kate Smith getting an invite to the Augusta National Women's Amateur, some of their goals for 2021 and recap the winners of the NebGolf awards on Twitter so far.