Staff Information
Members Only
Jami Swift - General Manager
Clay McKinley - Golf Course Superintendent
Clay was born in Colorado and grew up in the small town of Parachute, Colorado, where he discovered his passion for the Golf Course Industry working summers at the Battlement Mesa Golf Course.
After deciding to attend turf school at Penn State, he embarked on an educational journey that took him to multiple top 100 Clubs. His first career stop kept him close to home as a Crew Foreman at The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa. He left there to travel, taking positions at Augusta National as an intern, back to Colorado (Castle Pines GC) and then to Wyoming (Old Baldy) for Assistant positions, then off to Superintendent positions in New Mexico (Las Campanas), Arizona (Pueblo del Sol), Nebraska (Cross Creek) and back to Colorado (Cornerstone Club), before landing at Kearney Country Club in March of 2020. He grew as a leader and manager at each stop gaining vital experience in different climate types, turf types and while overseeing multiple renovation projects. He has achieved his Class A status with GCSAA and is currently pursuing certification. He is proud to lead the Turf Care team as your Golf Course Superintendent.
He and his wife Lori have four children; Haidyn, Steele, Coy and Marley. He spends his free time with his family on the golf course or out fishing, hiking, camping, hunting or at the various sporting events that his kids are involved in. They are excited to call Nebraska home for many years to come.
Alec Felzien, Assistant Superintendent
Alec was born in Hastings, Nebraska and grew up in the small town of Franklin, Nebraska. His love for taking care of turf began in middle school and continued throughout high school while working at Franklin Country Club. Once he graduated from Franklin High School he went on to study turfgrass at Southeast Community College in Beatrice where he graduated with an Associates degree in Horticulture and Turfgrass management. Upon graduation he jumped at the opportunity to intern at Kearney Country Club in the spring of 2020 and was quickly promoted to Assistant Superintendent in June 2020. Alec is excited for the future here at KCC and improving the golf course every year!
Clayton Lange, Kitchen Manager
Clayton was born and raised in Ord, Nebraska where his family owns and operates a feedlot. Clayton worked on the feedlot throughout his life until moving to Kearney to attended UNK. Here he majored in exercise science and was also on the football team. He and his father purchased a Bar in Scotia, NE and turned it into a successful bar and grill. From start to finish, Clayton and his father designed the F&B operation for their business. His father still owns and operates the bar and grill today! Clayton and his wife Morgan, who is from Kearney, have one daughter Stevie (2) with another on the way! He is looking forward to meeting the membership and providing delicious meals!
Julie Winter, Office Manager
Julie grew up in western Colorado riding horses, skiing and playing after school sports. Julie has enjoyed a very interesting life; fighting wildland fire throughout the Western U.S and Alaska for the Bureau of Land Management for fourteen years. She served in numerous functions from Logistics to Helibase Manager. This is where she met her husband of 32 years. Bruce proposed at the Grand Tetons in the midst of the great Yellowstone Fire Season of 1988! Bruce later accepted a transfer with the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service in 2001, and the family of four moved to Kearney. “It was such a blessing to raise the children in this wholesome community.” Julie worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in Emergency Services for almost fourteen years; in the ER and dispatching EMS and AirCare. Julie has a BA in Journalism / Public Affairs. Julie enjoys time with family, nature, reading and painting. She is so happy to turn the page and enjoy a whole new season as part of the Kearney Country Club Team!
Turner Ham, Head PGA Professional
Turner had been in the golf industry for seven years before becoming a PGA Professional in 2017. He grew up in a small town in New Mexico and learned to play the game at a young age at his local nine-hole municipal golf course. When he was old enough to work, the local pro offered him a job at the course during the summer and part-time while he was in high school. Upon graduating high school, he decided to make a career out of his passion and attended the Professional Golf Management Program at New Mexico State University. Along with his Class A PGA membership, he received a degree in Marketing and minors in Advertising and Sports Marketing from the university. Turner moved back to Clovis to develop and manage all the player development programs at what had become an 18-hole municipal course in his hometown. After three years, he turned his focus to teaching golf 100% of the time between Colonial Park Golf course in Clovis, New Mexico and Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
Jonathan Reece, Assistant PGA Professional
Originally from Wahoo, NE, Jonathan’s passion for golf came at an early age. After studying Music Performance and Education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, he moved to Red Wing, Minnesota where he worked at the Golf and Country Club for 2 years. Moving back to Lincoln, he was a server at Wilderness Ridge. His travels again started up when he went with his now wife, Stacy to Anchorage, Alaska so she could pursue her dental career. They moved back to Kearney in 2018. After spending the last 4 years staying home with his children, Jonathan made the decision to pursue his passion and obtain his class A PGA certification. Jonathan and Stacy, who is from Pleasanton, have been married 12 years and have four children. Jackson is 9, twins Mae and Tilly are 7, and Dottie is 4. They enjoy spending their time outdoors, riding bikes, gardening in the backyard, making music, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
About Us
Kearney Country Club aims to provide a superior golf, social and food & beverage experience through excellent service, course conditions, and a family friendly atmosphere.