Son Wins At Doug Hefner Memorial Tournament

Photo by Cory Loomis | The winning team of the A-flgiht includes Nick Gilsdorf, Jordan Johnson, Jason Hefner, Corey Freidel, (injured) Nate Houska

submitted photo of Doug Hefner

Doug Hefner passed away suddenly of a heart attack in July 2006.  He was out for his morning jog and collapsed, he was gone instantly.  This was supposed to be a day to celebrate family as it was the day we came together for the Hefner Reunion in Coleridge, NE. 

Family and Friends have always been of the utmost importance to Doug and his family.  Mike Houska, Doug’s best friend, and Jason, Doug’s son, decided to honor him with one of his favorite past times, golf.  They wanted this to be an event everyone felt welcomed to and one that would help out a cause he passionately believed in, Rolling Hills Country Club.  So they created the Doug Hefner Memorial Golf Tournament.  A four personal scramble that would payout all the entry.  This format and payout allowed golfers of all levels to feel welcomed to join in on the tournament.

This tournament has helped generate good revenue for the golf course.  The most challenging part of this tournament has been lining up enough golf carts.  It has been greatly appreciated by the committee that so many members allowed us to borrow their carts over the years.  The course has added more rental carts in recent years to relieve some of the burden.  The staff at Rolling Hills is always accommodating and have done a great job over the last 12 years.  Thank you to everyone that has worked at the course at some point and time for the tournament.  A special thank you goes to Chris Haberer, his first year at Rolling Hills was also the first year of this tournament and he has done an amazing job with the course and helping with the tournament, especially lining up carts.      
There have been many family and friends help with and play in this tournament.  Many of Doug and Jason’s friends have been part of the committee including but not limited to Mike Houska, Roger Schroeder, Les Jessen, Ken Smith, Warren Stark, and Tom Skrivan.  These guys have been and always will be very special to Jason and the Hefner family for all they have done to honor Doug.  They were special to Doug through golf and deserve to be specially recognized.

One of the most fitting things that could have happened the first year was for Mike Houska’s team to win it.  Mike played with his son Nathan, who was also Jason’s friend and classmate, Jeff Luebbe, Mike’s son in law, and Les Jessen, Mike’s and Doug’s friend.
Another honor that happed the first year and also the second year was that Jason was able to play with his grandfather, Elroy Hefner.  Elroy will be turning 95 this year in December and his wife, Carol, will be turning 90 in August.

Now this year after 12 years of honoring Doug, Jason’s team won the tournament.  Jason was joined by Nathan Houska, Nick Gilsdorf and Jordan Johnson in winning the tournament this year.  Jordan was a late addition to take Corey Freidel’s position on the team due to an injured back.  Three great friends have been just as committed to this tournament as Jason has the past 10 years.

I try to live each day to its fullest, as my dad’s life, as well as so many other loved ones lives, have ended sooner than expected.  I also want to thank everyone that has helped to celebrate my Dad’s life by playing one of Dad’s favorite activities, golf.  – Jason Hefner
If there were a lawn mowing contest, I would probably be running a lawn mowing tournament as well.  – Jason Hefner

The Tournament has traditionally been held the first Saturday in June, starting at 11:00AM.   

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B-flight winners: Quinn O'Brien, Jeremy Ohlfest, Cory Loomis, Mark Mellick

C-flight winners: Matt Merkel, Eric Lancaster, Kyle Wuebben, Jesse Kollars

Hefner family in 2018 | Alec, A.J., Jason, Rowan, Cailee, Amelia, Dawn, Kennedie, Sharron, Craig, Jill, Logan, (Libby), Tanner, Laura, Gabi, Isabel, Ryan (Not Pictured: Emma - In Washington D.C.)