The 5 Points Bank Metro Golf Championship (MOGC) was created to bring players of all abilities together from the metro area from the country clubs and public courses to determine the best players in the area. The tournament was the brainchild of Local golfer Dave Shillinglaw with help from Omaha World Herald writer Stu Pospisil. The first tournament committee set the stage for what would become known as the ”City Championship”

Some of the cornerstones of the event were to make it affordable for all players, provide amenities that players don’t normally get in a golf tournament and create an event Omaha could be proud of.

The first points of business were to get sponsors involved, and find a golf course willing to host the event. Getting sponsors at first seemed like a difficult task but committee members called on businesses who’s demographics would benefit from the exposure given by the event. Prairie Golf was the first to step up to the plate as the presenting sponsor. ACURA of Omaha and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald took over as presenting Sponsor in 2006-2010, and I am happy to say that 5 Points Bank and President Tom Kelley has given the Metro a three year committment to help insure that the championship will be around for years to come.

Gauging the success of the tournament is not hard to do. The response from the general public has been terrific. It is common for the field of 175 to be full in early July, almost 2 months before the tournament dates of the second weekend in August. It is also not uncommon to have 50-100 on the waiting list to get into the tournament. According to tournament Chairman Dave Shillinglaw, “ It is amazing that people send in their money as early as June for our event, but this does not happen by accident. A systematic marketing plan that includes: TV, Radio, direct mailings, as well as full color posters (compliments of Digital Express), and entry blanks land on golf course and golf shop counters by June 15.”

According to Shillinglaw, “Word of mouth and great golf courses (Platteview C.C, Bent Tree G.C, Council Bluffs CC and Platteview CC) have a lot to do with the field filling up so fast. Some have asked to expand the field and go to two golf courses. But that idea does not appeal to Shillinglaw. “One of the things that makes our event unique is that it is very competitive to get in. I don’t want to lose that. People tend to take things more seriously when getting in is exclusive”.

The field is strong and Bent Tree Golf Club will provide an excellent venue for this year’s Metro Championship. Its design is outstanding and the greens will challenge all skill levels.

The entry fee of $110.00 provides each player two rounds of golf under tournament conditions, lunch both days and the chance to win $8000 in prizes and merchandise. Five flights are available to compete in..

Lunch both days is just another way the MOGC makes their event special. “The food at Bent Tree will be excellent for the players. We want to put on a great show for all the players and leave them with the impression that Platteview Country Club is not only a great course but a great place to have an event, said Director of Golf Joe Madsen.

The event could not happen without the support of the Omaha Golf Community, Sponsors and the MOGC Tournament Committee. Many hours of work go on behind the scenes to make this event happen. “We are very fortunate to have individuals on the committee who love the game. I guess it’s just another example of why the Acura of Metro Omaha Golf Championship is one of the finest Amateur events in the Midwest and something we can all be proud of, “ said Shillinglaw.

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