Barton Claims Prize Possessions Eastern Championship Title
Taylor Coffelt • July 15, 2020
With a birdie to finish the round, Jeff Barton, PGA director of instruction at Preston Trail Golf Club, captured the Prize Possessions Eastern Championship with rounds of 68-71–139, 5-under-par. This win marks his second Northern Texas PGA individual major championship. He took home a check for $3,000.
“This win is awesome,” Barton said after the round. “Both days I had good control of my golf ball, I gave myself a lot of opportunities and tried to apply some pressure [to the other leaders].”
Three professionals finished one shot behind Barton, including Brian Norman, PGA assistant professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, Stetson McMillan, teaching professional at the John Sikes Golf Academy, and Matt Ryba, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club.
The Championship included a Senior Division with 37 professionals aged 50 or older who competed for a separate $10,885 purse and played at a modified yardage. Bruce Smith, PGA director of instruction at Black Belt Golf Academy, finished with a two-day total of 6-under-par 138 to claim the 2020 Prize Possessions Eastern Championship Senior Division champion title. He took home a check for $1,400.
“I really wasn’t expecting it,” Smith said of his win. “I think I’ve come in second in every other major [championship] so it’s nice to snag the title. I was just trying to fight my own personal battle of not making any bogeys.”
This 36-hole NTPGA major championship was the second of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / ASICS Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf, and served as a qualifier for the 2020 Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup teams. The Prize Possessions Eastern Championship featured a field of 124 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates competing at Gentle Creek Country Club in Prosper.
The Prize Possessions Eastern Championship was presented by AT&T Byron Nelson, E-Z-GO, GolfProPayments, HATH, Nexbelt, PGA TOUR and Surf & Turf Golf.
Gentle Creek Country Club
Par: 36-36–72
Yardage: 7,276
LEWISVILLE, Texas (September 16) – Adam Headley, PGA head professional at Green Tree Country Club captured the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship after a 6-under-par final round. His bogey-free 34-32–66 and a first round 69, got him to 9-under-par for the Championship and a one stroke victory. It also earned Headley an exemption into the 2026 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Headley was playing in the third to last group and began the final round three strokes behind the leaders. He quickly fell further behind the lead after starting with three pars, until a birdie at the par-5 4th hole got things going. On the back nine it was a battle between Headley and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club. Headley eagled the 12th hole and added two more birdies on 15 and 18 to close and post 9-under-par. “My goal today was to play the par fives 4-under. I accomplished that,” said Headley. “I don’t like to look at the leaderboard, but I looked at it going into 18 tee and had a feeling I was sitting pretty good there.” “Honestly I didn’t think I'd ever win one. Not because I'm not a good player but because we have so many good players in the Section. If I had to choose any tournament to win, it would be this one.” Headley earned $9,250 along with his exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. “I’ve been a golf pro for almost 20 years and now to be playing in a PGA TOUR event, I don’t care how I do, It’s going to be a blast. I’m super excited about it, it’s a dream come true.”
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The PGA of America announced today that Ronny Glanton, PGA head professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course, will be inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. Glanton, a native of Mineral Wells, Texas, began his career in 1981 as an Assistant Professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson, Texas. Upon achieving PGA of America membership in 1984, he took over as Head Professional and has been at the Richardson facility ever since. He is the only member to serve twice as President of the NTPGA (2006-07, ‘18-’19). Glanton played a key role in the PGA of America’s relocation to Frisco, Texas. He is a passionate advocate for junior golf, developing impactful programs like the Sherrill Park Learning Center and the Hawks junior golf team, which have introduced thousands of new golfers to the game; his leadership in the creation of “The Ronny” Golf Park on the PGA Frisco campus further expands community outreach and player development. Among his previous awards are PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year (2020), NTPGA Golf Professional of the Year (1999, ‘07, ‘19), NTPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (2003-05, ‘08, ‘14) and NTPGA Merchandiser of the Year (1994), plus induction into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2022. Glanton actively supports his colleagues, raising over $100,000 through pro-ams for PGA Members facing medical hardships. He’s also been a four-time contestant in the PGA Professional Championship, five-time contestant in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship and seven-time participant in the PGA TOUR Byron Nelson (now the CJ Cup Byron Nelson). Glanton is a three-time NTPGA Major Champion, six-time Senior Division Major Champion and a 17-time member of the NTPGA Joe Black Cup Team, which he has also captained three times. The PGA of America Hall of Fame originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. It is the highest honor the PGA of America can bestow upon its membership or ambassadors of the game. For a full list of PGA of America Hall of Fame members, click here. “The PGA of America is honored to recognize our 2025 Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the incredible impact they have had throughout their careers, inspiring thousands both on and off the course,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., PGA Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Whether they have won Major Championships, given thousands of lessons or captivated audiences with trick shots, each PGA Hall of Fame Member has played an essential role in shaping the game of golf as we know it today.” The 2025 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees fall under four induction categories: PGA of America Past President Category, PGA of America Golf Professional Category, Tour Player Professional Category and PGA of America Ambassador Category. Congratulations to Ronny on this momentous occasion!