putnamj@lopers.unk.edu
Birdies and Brews offers a unique venue and experience to patrons. In one short year, it has established itself in Kearney as a way to honor the memory of Boone Anderson, who died last October.
Co-owner Tyler Vose wrote a business plan and developed the business originally with Anderson, his coworker, friend and fellow UNK alumnus. However, with Anderson having his first kid on the way he had to step away before his untimely death.
“It was sort of bittersweet when we opened without him, but it was also sweet because we knew he was spending that time with family,” Vose said. “In hindsight I’m glad he got every single minute that he did as a new dad because it was taken away much too soon.”
Vose said that Anderson had been planning a fundraiser tournament for a deceased aunt, but the fundraiser ended up being dedicated to him too. The Birdies staff held another memorial tournament in February for Anderson, a tradition they plan to continue.
“We asked his family, ‘What do you want to do with the funds that we raised for this tournament?’” Vose said. “His mom said he always liked teaching and he always liked coaching, so maybe something for the youth would be a good idea.”
The Birdies staff used the $5,000 raised at their tournament to buy equipment and pay coaching instructors. Centura Hills Golf Club in Cairo hosted the first Boone Memorial Youth Clinic, a tradition the Birdies staff hopes to expand to other communities including Milford where Anderson attended high school.
Aside from honoring Anderson, Birdies and Brews serves customers for every celebration, from Kearney Catholic post prom to birthday parties.
“We have three bays, they each have 80 courses you can choose from and then there’s arcade games as well as a driving range,” said Ryan Lewis, a UNK student who works at Birdies and Brews. “It’s a relaxing night out. I like the people that come in. It’s just a nice atmosphere.”
It’s a place for the whole community to attend events, stop by for a golf lesson or spend time with family and friends.
“It’s just a good environment for a family where they can do a physical activity together,” said Lonnie Linder, Vose’s uncle and a co-owner who manages the business’s operations. “Life’s too short to worry and be too serious about everything and that’s the whole goal here. It’s what I ask almost every customer. It’s not ‘How did you golf? but ‘Did you have fun?’ That’s what it’s all about — having a good time.”
Family and friends are an integral aspect of Birdies and Brews. Children can learn a new hobby with interactive arcade games or old friends can sit down and talk while they golf faraway fairways from the comfort of Kearney.
