Seven Dallas ISD Seniors Receive Fairway To Success Scholarships

Molly Rawlins • June 22, 2021

>> Educational program tops $1.3 million in awards over past decade

>> Funding comes from Deloitte partners, principals, managing directors and professionals in North Texas

>> Four-year University of North Texas at Dallas scholarship awarded

DALLAS, TX – Deloitte, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and United Way today celebrated seven recipients of this year’s Deloitte/NTPGA Fairway To Success scholarships, a program that now has awarded more than $1.3 million to local students over the past decade.

 

Again in 2021, in collaboration with the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas), a full, four-year scholarship to the university was awarded to one deserving student.

 

Erin Crittendon, Analee Loredo, Antonio Segura, Catalina Salazar, Alejandra Resendez, Mykielia Lovgren each received a $20,000 college scholarship, and Noelia Espinosa was awarded the UNT Dallas-funded scholarship.


“I am delighted to congratulate the new scholarship recipients. At Deloitte, we see clearly that the financial and mentoring elements of the Fairway To Success program can help young people realize their educational and career goals,” said Dan Berner, North Texas managing partner, Deloitte LLP. “Golf offers a fun framework for learning the disciplines of life; we hope students carry that spirit of fun and learning with them in the years ahead.”

UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said the university is proud to join the Fairway To Success scholarship program for another year.

 

“Our growing urban university is built on the belief that everyone should have access to education, and that’s what this program is all about,” Mong said. “Congratulations to Noelia Espinosa, who will receive a full four-year scholarship to UNTD, and congratulations to all of the scholarship winners from DISD. Thank you to Deloitte and to the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation for their commitment to providing youth in our community with opportunities for education.”

 

Established in 2007, the Fairway To Success program annually awards scholarships to students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need. The program covers four DISD high schools – W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln and David W. Carter – and includes introducing students to golf and the life lessons of discipline, honor and integrity that are central to the game.

 

During the 2020-2021 school year, 59 DISD students took part in a six-week, virtual college prep program led by PGA and Deloitte professionals. They learned the basics of golf from PGA golf professionals, and graduating seniors who qualified by participating in the program had the chance to apply for the scholarships.

 

Fairway To Success also includes mentorship to support scholarship recipients throughout their college careers. Scholarship recipients interact with Deloitte mentors who share their insights gained from working in a professional services environment. Mentors also help students explore potential career opportunities in the business and STEM-focused fields of study.

 

So far, 68 DISD students have received the scholarships, now topping $1.3 million – funded by Deloitte partners, principals, managing directors and professionals in North Texas.

 

The NTPGA also employs two Fairway To Success recipients as interns each summer, furthering the recipients’ golf education that began on their high school campuses through Fairway To Success. 

 

“The faculty and staff are excited about the partnership with Fairway To Success. It is definitely a great opportunity for our students. The exposure and mentorship that our students receive infiltrates our school community and becomes a pillar in the school culture. We are excited about the scholarship that our student Mykielia Lovgren recently received and believe that it will create a strong foundation to her success,” said Lincoln High School Principal Johanna Weaver. “We at Lincoln are proud of our long-standing partnership between Lincoln and Fairway To Success. We look forward to a long and strong relationship in the future to come.”

 

The 2021 scholarship recipients are:

 

Mykielia Lovgren - Lincoln High School

Mykielia Lovgren is a 2021 graduate of the Early College High School at Lincoln High School and will be attending Texas Women’s University in the fall of 2021. Mykielia will be pursuing a degree in biology with an emphasis on pre-med. Her dream is to become an orthopedic surgeon. She will also be the first in her family to pursue higher education. During her time at Lincoln, she served as an athletic trainer for the school's athletics department. If she is not at school or working as an athletic trainer, Mykielia enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants around Dallas, watching movies and listening to music.

 

Erin Crittendon - David W. Carter High School

Erin Crittendon is a 2021 graduate of David W. Carter High School and will be attending Texas Christian University in the fall of 2021. Erin is our first Fairway To Success Scholarship recipient from David W. Carter High School, as this was the first year the program was offered at the school. She will be completing a degree in English to then pursue her dreams of law school. Her goal is to become a civil rights attorney. Erin’s hobbies include reading, writing and running. If you do not find her attending to her studies, she is leading her senior class where she serves as secretary. Erin also serves as the captain of the mock trial team that won the UIL State championship.

 

Alejandra Resendez - Thomas Jefferson High School

Alejandra is a 2021 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2021. She was selected into the freshman nursing scholars program and will be pursuing a degree in nursing. Alejandra was a part of the women’s tennis and soccer team at Thomas Jefferson. While being a multi-sport athlete, she was also a member of the school band, treasurer of student council, NHS and yearbook. Alejandra is the sibling of 2019 Fairway To Success recipient Miriam Resnedez - Ortiz.

 

Analee Loredo - W.W. Samuell High School

Analee is a 2021 graduate of the Early College High School at W.W. Samuell High School. She will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2021. Analee will be a first-generation college student with plans to pursue a degree in nursing and dreams of working at the children’s hospital in downtown Dallas. During her interview she mentioned “education is what makes people successful” and that holds true as she is the 2021 Valedictorian for her graduating class. While in high school she has also been involved in community programs such as Buckner Shoes and Inspired Vision Compassion Center.

 

Antonio Segura - W.W. Samuell High School

Antonio is a 2021 graduate of the Early College High School at W.W. Samuell High School. He will be attending Southern Methodist University in the fall of 2021 with intentions to study out of the Cox School of Business through their entrepreneurship program. Antonio is the oldest of four siblings and encourages all of his younger siblings to do well in school. He will also be the first in his family to pursue higher education. Last summer, Antonio worked as a pension fund intern for the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. During his junior year at Eastfield College in the Early College program, he was involved in undergraduate research looking at the cosmetic industry.

 

Catalina Salazar - W.W. Samuell High School
Catalina is a 2021 graduate of the Early College High School at W.W. Samuell High School. She will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2021 to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. During her high school career, Catalina completed two separate internships. She worked as a manager assistant at Seeds to STEM and as an ITS intern with the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. She also held a variety of leadership positions during high school serving as senior class president, vice president and co-treasurer of National Honor Society and treasurer of Model United Nations.

 

Noelia Espinosa - Thomas Jefferson High School (UNT-D Recipient)

Noelia is a 2021 graduate of the Early College High School at Thomas Jefferson High School. She will be attending the University of North Texas at Dallas this fall to pursue a degree in hospitality management. While keeping up with her studies, she manages to work full-time at Whataburger. Noelia enjoys giving back to her local community and plans to continue helping her community after college. This coming summer she will be completing an internship with I AM a Golfer Foundation. Noelia is the sibling of 2018 Fairway To Success recipient Elia Espinosa.

 

Photo from left to right: Erin Crittendon, Alejandra Resendez, Noelia Espinosa, Mykielia Lovgren, Catalina Salazar, Analee Loredo and Antonio Segura

Jerry J. Ransom Pro-Junior-Am Benefits the Northern Texas PGA Foundation

By Logan Bearden • August 3, 2026
$268,000 Donated to Foundation

Watkins Goes Wire-to-Wire, Defends Title at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 31, 2026
Doggett (a) and McIlwain (a) Share Low Amateur Honors Walts Finishes as Top PGA Professional

Watkins Maintains Lead, Field Closes Gap Heading into the Final Round of 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 30, 2026
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a third-round 35-35–70, even par, and maintains the 54-hole lead at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open. After a 36-hole score of 61-61–122, Watkins sits at 18-under-par for the championship. “I just kind of hung in there on the front nine, shot even. Then, kind of had it going just a little bit on 10 through 12. It was just an up-and-down day overall,” said Watkins. Watkins held a 6-stroke lead heading into the third round, but the field has cut it to just four. “Definitely going to be a little different than going into today. Probably a lack of concentration problem today, but still hung in there well.” Last year, Watkins held the 54-hole lead and said he was battling some nerves. “I’m definitely more comfortable, but still have to have a good round tomorrow if I want to win. Four [shots] can happen in three holes,” Watkins added. Watkins will look to defend his title beginning at 9:50 tomorrow morning. There is a three-way tie for second at 14-under-par between Cameron Sisk of Scottsdale, AZ, Cooper Schultz of Wichita, KS, and John Sand of Irving, TX. Cameron Sisk is a former Arizona State University standout. He finished his career there as a three-time All-American, two top-ten finishes at the NCAA individual Championships and 14th in the PGA TOUR University rankings. Sisk found himself behind the pack early this week, but with a second round of 64 and a 32-33–65 in today’s third round, Sisk has climbed back into contention. On the 12 par 5s Sisk has played this week, he is 12-under-par and credited his play on those holes as the reason he is tied for second heading into tomorrow’s final round. “You really got to take care of the par 5s out here. There are a few tougher par 3s and par 4s out here, so as long as you birdie the gettable holes, you’ll be in good shape,” said Sisk. After his 63 yesterday, Cooper Schultz shot a bogey-free 33-33–66 to cut his eight-shot deficit in half today. Of the three players tied for second, Schultz will be the first one out tomorrow as he tees off right before the final group. “It’ll be nice, I won’t feel like I have to press or anything. I’m just going to try and take what the course gives me. If I end up shooting 9-under, then great, if I shoot 2-under, that’s fine too, but I’ll just stay within myself and play the game I know I can play,” said Schultz. John Sand fired a bogey-free, 32-32–64, good for the joint low round of the day. He finished strong with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16. The week has been steady so far for Sand, with rounds of 66, 66, 64, he sits just four back of Watkins. Sand and Sisk will join Watkins at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow, while Schultz precedes them in the 9:40 a.m. grouping. Bret Gray, PGA Member, is in solo fifth after a round of 34-30–64 and is the Low PGA Professional in the championship. Gray graduated from Sam Houston State University’s golf management program last December. He holds a one-stroke lead over Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, TX in the PGA Member Division. Gray said, “I’ve done a lot of preparation and practice for moments like this, so I’m excited to tee it up tomorrow.” Gray and Walts both tee off at 9:40 a.m. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, continues to climb the leaderboard after a third-round 31-34–65, 5-under-par that propelled him 18 spots up the championship leaderboard. His round moved him to 10-under-par and he currently sits tied for eleventh place. Elliott has been battling an injury this week, but continues to fight through it. “It is what it is at this point. My speed’s down right now and kind of flinching at it a couple of times here and there, but it is what it is.” Grant Doggett (a) of Beach City, TX, leads the Amateur Division at 6-under-par. His third round 33-36–69, 1-under-par has him tied for 32nd overall. Doggett (a) is the defending Low Amateur after finishing at 11-under-par and 12th place overall last year. Doggett (a) is a senior at the University of Houston and grew up playing golf on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour. He holds a one-stroke lead over the next closest amateur, Kaelen Dulany (a) of Keller, TX. The 56th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. The 36-hole cut was made to the low 55 players and ties. 66 players (59 professionals and 7 amateurs) made the cut at 2-under-par and are competing for a $203,850 Championship purse. The champion, if a professional, will take home $40,000. The only amateur to win the Texas State Open was Homero Blancas in 1960. The final round starts at 8:00 a.m., and players will begin on the first and tenth holes and play in threesomes. This is the M&P Group’s fourth year as the title sponsor, and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and Higginbotham and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center and Patterson Tyler. The championship is being played at Cascades Country Club for a record 15th time. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards

Watkins Breaks 36-Hole Scoring Record with Back-to-Back 61s at 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 29, 2026
TYLER, Texas (July 29) – Defending Champion Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, fired a bogey-free second round 31-30–61, 9-under-par, to take a six-stroke lead at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open. Back-to-back 61s for a 36-hole total of 18-under-par, 122, breaks the 36-hole M&P Group Texas State Open scoring record previously held by Tanner Napier after his 15-under-par, 125, in 2024. Watkins started on hole 10 and made four pars to begin his round. He closed his opening nine with five straight birdies to shoot 30. “The first three holes I didn’t really hit my best shots, but I got those up-and-down, and that was big,” he said. Watkins made the turn and continued his fantastic round with four birdies in his final six holes. “I’m just playing really solid. That’s all I really got. It’s hard to imagine,” Watkins said about his pair of 61s. “Back-to-back 61s is really good, but we're only halfway there.” Out of the eight par-5s that Watkins has faced this week, he has birdied seven of them. “My grandpa will let me know [about it] when I make a par on a par-five. I made par on that second-to-last hole, so I’m sure I’ll hear about it,” Watkins joked. Watkins is a former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member. After starting his junior golf career playing the NTPGA’s team golf on the Buffalo Creek Aces, he played on every level of the junior tour. “It was a lot of fun; that’s where I met my caddie, and we’ve been friends ever since. I loved it a lot,” said Watkins about his time on the team. In solo second place is Eli Ortego of Lafayette, LA. After a first round 32-34–66, Ortego carded an eight-under-par, 32-30–62. Today, Ortego teed off on hole 10 and came out firing. “I got off to a good start. I hit a pitching wedge to probably 10 feet and made the putt. Then, I actually chipped in on 12, so pretty quick start. I was lucky enough to birdie some par-5s coming in, and kept it going on the back nine,” said Ortego. Ortego said he checked the leaderboard after he finished, and it is “kinda crazy” that he’s six strokes back. “I just got to keep the pedal down and keep making birdies.” A two-way tie for third includes former champion Kyle Pritchard of Castroville, TX, and Cooper Schultz of Wichita, KS, both at 10-under-par. Schultz was the only player out of the four to tee off in the morning wave. He was the leader in the clubhouse after a round of 31-32–63. “It was a pretty good day. There were definitely a lot of putts I could have made, but yeah, solid day,” he commented. Pritchard was the champion of the 2019 Texas State Open and has made ten straight cuts. “There were definitely some nerves,” Pritchard said, talking about trying to make the cut this week. Pritchard played with Watkins the past two days and said his round today felt like one or two under despite his 31-34–65. “He couldn’t do anything wrong; I’d hit close, and he’d hit it closer. It was frustrating, but fun to watch.” Watkins, Ortego and Schultz tee it up at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow. Pritchard goes off right before them at 9:40 a.m. Grant Doggett (a) of Beach City, TX, currently sits in first place on the Amateur leaderboard and tied for 25th place overall at 5-under-par. Doggett (a) is the defending low amateur after finishing at 11-under-par and 12th place overall last year. “I love coming up here and playing this event; the golf course is always great.” Doggett (a) will start his senior year on the University of Houston golf team this fall. Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, TX, and Bret Gray, PGA Member, lead all other PGA Members for the honors of low PGA Professional. Both sit at 7-under-par and tied for ninth overall. Walts will tee off at 9:20 a.m. and Gray at 8:50 a.m. Seven PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Five from the Northern Texas Section and two from the Southern Texas Section. The 56th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. The 36-hole cut was made to the low 55 players and ties. 66 players (59 professionals and 7 amateurs) made the cut at 2-under-par and are competing for a $203,850 Championship purse. The champion, if a professional, will take home $40,000. The only amateur to win the Texas State Open was Homero Blancas in 1960. The third round will begin at 8:00 a.m., and players will begin on the first and tenth holes and play in threesomes. This is the M&P Group’s fourth year as the title sponsor, and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and Higginbotham and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center and Patterson Tyler. The championship is being played at Cascades Country Club for a record 15th time. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards