COLUMBUS - The 28th Annual Wells Fargo Nebraska Open kicked off at the Elks Country Club in Columbus Thursday.

The four-day event, hosted by Nebraska Public Power District, teed off Thursday. Around 130 golfers from 15 states, professional and amateur are participating.

"We’re really excited as we have partners from all over the country coming here to Columbus, Nebraska to enjoy a beautiful day of golf here at Elks Country Club and to also give back to a great cause,” said David Honnens, CEO of the Nebraska PGA.

That cause is raising scholarship money for local community college students. NPPD said over the years, it's raised over $1.5 million and that just this year, they raised a record $185,000.

“A lot of these scholarships are need based and so for these Nebraska students, it’s staying home here in Nebraska, this money," Honnens said.

NPPD board member Ken Kunze said he's participated in it every year. He echoed the importance of scholarships for Nebraska talent.

"We get some of our linemen from there and we get some of our other people that are very valuable to our organization," Kunze said. "By offering scholarships, that gets them through the school and an opportunity to participate.”

Registration is already closed, but they invite anyone interested to come out and watch some high-level golf.

The event runs through Sunday. It started off with the pro-am segment. Later on, they'll hold a reception with college students. The professional tournament begins 8 a.m. on Friday.