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

Watkins Ties 54-Hole Scoring Record, Leads Heading into Final Round of 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Steven Clements • July 31, 2025
Bullard Native Elliott in the Hunt

Watkins and Korte Share 36-Hole Lead at 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

July 31, 2025
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a second round low, 30-32–62, 8-under-par, to take the co-lead of the 55th M&P Group Texas State Open. He shares it with first round leader Chris Korte of Littleton, CO. Watkins rocketed to the top of the leaderboard at the end of his second round after an albatross on the par-5, 6th hole. He hit a 4-iron from 224 yards and holed it. “I hit a big slicing 4-iron in there, and it felt great,” said Watkins. He did not get a chance to watch his albatross go in. “I would have celebrated if I knew. I wish I would have seen it go in. I mean, I was just amazed.” Through two rounds, Watkins is 5-under-par on the 6th hole. He is looking for his first Texas State Open victory. He previously earned Low Amateur honors in 2021 and 2023. Tied with Watkins is Chris Korte, who followed his opening round 62 with a 34-30–64. He started the second round on the back-nine and birdied five of his first seven holes. A birdie on his tenth hole continued the scoring, but things slowed down with a streak of pars and a bogey on the 5th. Korte received the final sponsor exemption into the Championship and has taken advantage of it so far. During the past year, he has successfully Monday qualified into four PGA TOUR events and one Korn Ferry Tour event, most recently teeing it up in the Barracuda Championship. Josh Radcliff of Grapevine, TX, is two strokes behind Watkins and Korte at 12-under-par. He tied for the lowest score of round two with a 30-32–62. “It’s been a few years since I have played, but I love the state open. My in-laws live around here…it is always fun to come out to Tyler and play this event,” said Radcliff. One of many former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour members in the field, including Watkins, Radcliff reflected on his junior golf career saying, “NTPGA is where I got my start in competitive golf playing the 9-hole events. I shot about 108 in my first 18-hole event with the NTPGA. I had a dream of playing professionally, and the NTPGA Junior Tour was a great place to start.” Watkins, Korte and Radcliff will tee off at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow in the final group. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, is once again in contention. His rounds of 66-67, 7-under-par, have him in a six way tie for ninth place. He will begin his third round at 9:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs native Trevor Norby also made the cut at 3-under-par. He will start at 8:10 a.m. tomorrow on the 10th hole. Cody Massa (a) of Cave Creek, AZ currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard at 7-under-par. Massa, originally from Arlington, TX, attended Tyler Junior College from 2005 to 2007. Massa is no stranger to the Texas State Open competing in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with his highest finish coming at 7th place in 2016. Aside from the Texas State Open, Massa won the Arizona Mid-Am Championship in 2024 and 2025. Massa currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard and tied for ninth place overall. Six amateurs made the cut. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, finished the second round with a 34-33-67, 3-under-par. He is at 7-under-par for the Championship and leads the PGA Professional division into tomorrow’s third round. Bingaman credits his low rounds to his new, lighthearted take on his game. “I have been playing really well lately. These past couple of weeks I have really just been trying to have more fun with it, and I think that has reflected really well in the past few days,” said Bingaman. Five PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Four from the Northern Texas Section and one from the Southern Texas Section. Kyle Pritchard leads the three past champions that survived the cut. He sits at 8-under-par. Mikel Martinson (a) and Shawn Stefani also advanced to the final two rounds. The 55th 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. Sixty-one players made the cut at 1-under-par and are competing for a $201,000 Championship purse. 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 third year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys and Patterson Tyler. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards View current results HERE .

Korte Takes Early Two-Stroke Lead at 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Steven Clements • July 30, 2025
Romo Cards 1-under-par in Opening Round

PGA of America Golf Professional Blaine Seitz Earns PGA Master Professional Designation

July 28, 2025
FRISCO, Texas - PGA of America Golf Professional Blaine Seitz , Owner and Director of Instruction of TourShotGolf, and Master Club Fitter at 2nd Swing within the PGA of America Coaching Center powered by T-Mobile in Frisco, Texas, earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest education designation available within the Association. Within the Association’s more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, Seitz, a Member of the Northern Texas PGA Section, joins a highly regarded group as the 475th PGA Master Professional. He has earned this designation in Teaching and Coaching. "Becoming a PGA Master Professional is not just an achievement, but a realization of who I am and what I am meant to do,” said Seitz. “I’m a big believer that golf isn’t just a game, it’s also a form of therapy. We can use this game to help people get through life. I moved here to Texas to be with the PGA and put myself in a position to get this done. It’s been a big process to this point and it’s a true honor.” The PGA Master Professional program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their facilities. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching & Coaching Designations. The program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation. Seitz graduated from the PGA Professional Golf Management Program at Coastal Carolina University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing. A PGA of America Golf Professional since 2013, Seitz worked as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at The Suburban Club of Baltimore in Pikesville, Maryland. In 2015, he turned his focus to instruction and club fitting, becoming a PGA Teaching Professional at The Golf Club of Georgia, in Alpharetta, Georgia, and a Sales Representative at Arccos Golf. In 2018, TourShotGolf was born after Seitz spent six years as a CrossFit coach, developing mobility programs and working alongside CrossFit Games athletes to improve performance while decreasing risk of injury. By integrating these mobility programs with his golf students, Seitz observed significant improvements in their game. Seitz joined 2nd Swing in 2021 in Maryland before transferring to the Dallas location in 2023. He moved to the PGA of America Coaching Center in 2024 when 2nd Swing was named the official equipment trade-in partner of the Association. Over the last 10 years, Blaine has specialized in a holistic approach to golfers’ mobility, focusing on five pillars of peak performance: mindset, wellness, mobility, fitness and play. He is a TPI Fitness Coach, a certified Mobility Specialist, a Golf Fitness Association of America Top Golf Fitness Professional (2021-24) and on the Golf Digest “Top 100 Club Fitter” (2021-23) and “Best Clubfitters in America” (2023-24) lists. Seitz resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.