Freeman Wins Nebraska Match Play Title

Former Husker Calvin Freeman defeated former Husker Ryan Nietfeldt to claim the Nebraska Match Play Championship at Beatrice Country Club on Friday, June 30.

Freeman, who earned letters for Nebraska in 2014 and 2015, posted a 9 & 8 win over Nietfeldt to claim his first Nebraska Match Play title. Freeman (Table Rock, Neb.), who won both days of stroke play qualifying to earn the No. 1 seed entering match play, dominated the field. His gap wedge for eagle from 108 yards out on No. 4 Friday highlighted his outstanding play throughout the week in Beatrice.

Freeman advanced to the championship match with a 3 & 1 win over Lincoln's David Easley on Thursday, after defeating Norfolk's Luke Kluver 2 up in the quarterfinals. Freeman defeated Rex Souillere and Owen Tucker on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals.

Freeman claimed the top seed with rounds of 66 (-6) and 69 (-3) on Monday and Tuesday in stroke play qualifying to finish at 135 (-9). 

Nietfeldt, who won the Nebraska Match Play title in 2003, captured the No. 2 seed after carding rounds of 72 and 67 (-5) to close stroke play at 139 (-5).  Nietfeldt (Elkhorn, Neb.), who lettered for the Huskers in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999, got Wednesday wins over Ethan Smith and Graham Southwick, before defeating former NFL star Danny Woodhead over 25 holes in Thursday's quarterfinal. Nietfeldt punched his ticket to the title match with a semifinal win over defending champion Johnny Spellerberg.

Current Huskers Grant Jabenis and Reed Malleck advanced to the round of 32, with Malleck (York, Neb.) advancing to the round of 16. Current Nebraska Assistant Coach Travis Minzel also advanced to the round of 16. Minzel captured the Nebraska Match Play title in 2004.