Laura Gunia

Laura Gunia was the first female PGA Professional in the Nebraska Section after a successful amateur career.

She was the host professional and executive committee member for the 1996 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Firethorn Golf Club, the first USGA championship held in the state in 55 years.

Laura was a key player on Alliance St. Agnes’ Class C boys championship teams in 1981 to 1983, then was a four-year letter winner at NU and team captain as a senior, when she won one tournament and was All-Big Eight. She turned pro, working at Firethorn, after winning the 1987 Nebraska Women’s Amateur and Lincoln city championships.

In 1994 she was promoted at Firethorn to head professional, joining her father, Ron, the pro at SkyView Golf Course in Alliance, in the PGA ranks. She was at Firethorn until moving to Texas after the 1997 season to enter private business.

She resumed her PGA career at Falconhead Golf Club in Austin, Texas, where she started in 2011 and was general manager and general partner until negotiating the course’s sale in 2018.