Schaake begins chase for third Nebraska Amateur crown

FREMONT, Neb. (July 26, 2018) – Alex Schaake had a flawless round going at Fremont Golf Club to open the Nebraska Amateur, and then he bogeyed the 18th hole. It takes little away from an opening 4-under 67, however, especially considering that Schaake has a one-shot lead.

The University of Iowa junior from Omaha, Neb., had three birdies and an eagle in his first 17 holes. Schaake is continuing his good play from the spring college season. He was the Hawkeyes’ leading scorer this past season as he recorded six top-25 finishes. That included a T-24 at NCAA Regionals, where he competed as an individual.

In fact, Schaake’s stretch of good play goes back to last summer, especially in this event. A year ago, he had a final-round 65 to win the Iowa Amateur by seven shots. He also won in 2016, making him the eighth player to win back-to-back championships.

Schaake leads Caleb Badura and Jace Guthmiller by a shot. Guthmiller, a South Dakota native who plays for the University of Nebraska, got to 3-under 68 by going birdie-eagle at Nos. 14-15. Badura, who won the individual title at Nebraska’s Class B State High School Championship as a senior this spring, had six birdies and three bogeys.

Omaha’s Glenn Bills is at 2-under 69 and in solo four. Three players are tied for fifth with 70, including Matthew Schaefer, Nate Vontz and Luke Gutschewski.