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Luke Gutschewski, Alex Schaake among Nebraska ties at Pinnacle Bank Championship
Omaha natives enter 10th annual event in search of first career Korn Ferry Tour wins
OMAHA, Neb. —
Making his PGA Tour debut at the John Deere Classic on July 2-5, Luke Gutschewski knew he could compete with the best.
“You never know how good you are until you get out there and you prove it,” Luke Gutschewski said.
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Making the cut, the Mount Michael graduate tied for 51st at 8-under par. A measuring stick of where his game was at — and where it could go.
“A dream come true for sure and definitely makes you hungry to get back out there again, just seeing how things are up there,” Gutschewski said.
Now, the Korn Ferry Tour rookie returns home to play in the 10th annual Pinnacle Bank Championship for a third straight year.
“I got a lot more events under my belt now and a little bit more experience,” Gutschewski said.
It’s means even more to the family. Luke’s father Scott is back at Indian Creek for his ninth start, and it’s the second time in three years they’ll share the field together.
“It’s probably more a testament to his longevity than it is me. It’s awesome,” Gutschewski said.
Luke is one of five golfers with Nebraska ties in this year’s field. Among them is Alex Schaake.
The Creighton Prep alum and Iowa alum carries a decorated resume into his fifth career PBC start.
“This place is just special, and I’ve played here a million times, so hopefully I can go out and finally put four good rounds together and do something,” Alex Schaake said.
Both golfers are chasing their first Korn Ferry Tour win, but part of the pursuit for Luke is making it to his first weekend at the PBC.
“Try to keep my expectations as low as I can,” Gutschewski said.
“I think it’s just how I can control the nerves if anything,” Schaake said.
Another test to boost their season point standings — en route to a PGA Tour card.
“I’d love to play well and give the hometown fans something to root for,” Gutschewski said.
First round of play begins on Thursday morning at Indian Creek Golf Club.
Luke Gutschewski tees off at 8:25 a.m. before Creighton Prep’s Nate Vontz at 8:55 a.m. Scott Gutschewski begins at 1:15 p.m. followed by Alex Schaake at 2:20 p.m. Nebraska sophomore Caden Mickelson tees off at 2:20 p.m. as the amateur qualifier.
