The Pinnacle Bank Championship Exemptions Are Set
July 20, 2023
Four Nebraska natives secure their spots in The Pinnacle Bank Championship
The Pinnacle Bank Championship exemptions have been set, which include four Nebraskans. Noah Hofman from McCook and Carson Schaake from Omaha round out the two restricted exemptions. Luke Kluver, a native of Norfolk, Nebraska, won the Indian Creek Invitational to earn his exemption into the 2023 Pinnacle Bank Championship. This qualification comes with some excitement, as the Nebraska native is the first to earn an exemption into the Pinnacle Bank Championship since 2020. Nate Vontz, a Lincoln native, rounds out the exemptions after winning the Nebraska Qualifier on Monday, July 17.
This exciting opportunity will allow for these four players to compete at the highest level in the state. Kluver, a redshirt senior for the Oklahoma Sooners, has had plenty of experience at Indian Creek in the past few weeks, as he shot a 65 in the first round of play and a 67 in the second. Besides his recent play, Kluver has competed in The Pinnacle Bank Championship twice before.
“I’m just really excited, golf is a game of patience and I’ve been patient a long time now. There were several struggles throughout the year, and I’m really excited to get another chance in Omaha where there is a bunch of support from family and friends. Just couldn’t be more excited to be here in early August,” said Kluver when asked about how it felt to earn his spot in The Pinnacle Bank Championship.
Vontz, a Creighton alumnus, shot six under to win the Nebraska Qualifier and earn a spot in the 2023 Pinnacle Bank Championship. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity and hope to use this as a way to kick-start my professional career,” said Vontz.
Hofman, a pro in his third year and graduate of Ottowa University of Arizona, was given the restricted exemption. Rounding out the board is Schaake, a University of Iowa graduate, who has previously competed on the Korn Ferry Tour. Both Hofman and Schaake earned their conditional status after making it to the final stage of Q-School, otherwise known as qualifying school.
All four of these players will have their shot to compete for their share of the $1,000,000 purse for The Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Aetna and hosted at The Club at Indian Creek.
“Really grateful for the opportunity that Indian Creek offers,” said Kluver. “The Pinnacle Bank Championship and Indian Creek and the opportunities that they have for players to get a spot can jumpstart a career and that’s very important in the world of golf. It can only take a week for someone to really bust through and create opportunities for the rest of their life,” Kluver finished.
The Pinnacle Bank Championship, presented by Aetna, is a stop on the Korn Ferry Tour and will be held August 10–13 at The Club at Indian Creek. The Pinnacle Bank Championship’s prior events in Omaha produced names like Robby Shelton, Sam Ryder and Kris Ventura. The tournament includes charitable giving to children’s charities in the Omaha and Nebraska community that help fund education and mentoring programs for Nebraska youth.