Bingaman and Antunes Secure Finalist Spots for Duel in the Desert Finale

Steven Clements • October 7, 2025

WHITNEY, Texas (October 7) – Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club, and Jon Antunes, PGA director of instruction at Heart of Texas Golf Academy, have advanced through the starting field of 32 professionals to secure finalist spots at the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship. The two will compete in the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort on December 8-9. They will play a 36-hole final match at Lajitas Golf Resort’s Black Jack’s Crossing, the number one-rated public golf course in Texas.


No.2 Bingaman took his quarter-final match to 21 holes before besting Tristan Cottrell, PGA assistant professional at Bent Tree Country Club. “Match play is always a grind, anything can happen,” said Bingaman.


In the semi-finals he faced three time match play champion Greg Gregory, PGA head professional at Southern Oaks Golf Club. He defeated Gregory 5&4. “It’s always good playing against Greg, he’s beat me in this Championship a few times.”


Bingaman punched his ticket to the Duel in the Desert and it will be his first time in Lajitas. “I’ve heard it’s awesome,” he said.


No.12 Antunes went to 21 holes in the quarter-final match before defeating Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club. He followed that up with another extra holes match in the semi-finals against No.1 Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF. The two faced off for 22 holes before Antunes closed out the victory with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole. “I played a lot of golf,” said Antunes about his marathon day.


“I’m very excited about Lajitas. I‘m ready to go down there and compete against Brandon.” The atmosphere down there is surreal, it’s a great place to sit back and reflect.”


Yesterday, the Senior Division finalists were determined after the quarter and semi-final rounds. Rob Shields, PGA member at The Winsford Group, and Billy Harris, PGA Life Member, are the finalists. They will also play their final match as part of the Duel in the Desert.


2025 is the first time that the professionals can earn points towards their respective player of the year points races. Following the conclusion of the Championship, the Yamaha Golf-Car | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Player of the Year, Woman Player of the Year, and the Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge winners will be named.


In addition to the extra points, the field is competing for a Championship purse of $56,300, with the Open Division champion earning $10,000, while the Senior Division champion will take home $5,000. 


The Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, Lajitas Golf Resort, PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPx Communications and XXIO.


White Bluff Resort (New Course)

Par: 36-36–72

Open Division Yardage: 6,934 yards

Senior Division Yardage: 6,505 yards


View Current Results HERE

Cameron Doan GY
By Molly Rawlins November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners
November 18, 2025
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 18, 2025) – The historic 45th Joe Black Cup has concluded, and we proudly congratulate Team NTPGA on securing the victory at BraeBurn Country Club with a final score of 15.5–8.5 over Team STPGA. Team NTPGA established early momentum during Day One, delivering an impressive performance in the Four-Ball and Foursomes matches, where they earned 9.5 points to build a commanding lead. Their strong play continued into the Singles matches, where they successfully held off a determined rally from Team STPGA. Throughout Tuesday’s competition, spectators were treated to a dynamic and engaging battle, with the leaderboard frequently shifting between red and blue as both teams exchanged critical points to tie the session 6-6. This year’s event was elevated by a truly memorable “Evening of Honor,” during which we welcomed and celebrated 29 Past Captains. Their presence underscored the tradition, legacy, and camaraderie that define the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The evening served as a powerful reminder of the event’s rich history and the influential leaders who have helped shape its enduring significance. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Team NTPGA for their outstanding performance and to both teams for exemplifying sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and pride in their respective sections. The 45th Joe Black Cup will long be remembered as a fitting tribute to the heritage of golf in Texas, Mr. Joe Black, and the individuals who continue to elevate the game. After 45 years of competition, the Northern Texas PGA now holds a 22–21–2 lead over the Southern Texas PGA in the storied history of the Joe Black Cup Matches. The 46th playing will return to Midland Country Club on November 16–17, 2026, where Team STPGA will look to reclaim the cup and bring it back to Southern Texas. A special thank you to Club Car, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Peter Millar, and Winston Collection for their outstanding partnership and support in creating a world-class atmosphere befitting this historic 45th edition of the Matches. To view the final results, click here .
By Molly Rawlins November 9, 2025
GREENVILLE, Texas (November 9) – Spencer Dillard, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks title, taking home $25,000 for the shootout win. It took two playoff holes for Dillard to best runner-up Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF, with Dillard making par on the second playoff hole while Lohmeyer made bogey after his tee shot found its way into the creek. “Playing hole nine a few times was hard,” commented Dillard. “[The shootout] is different than stroke play golf. It was like match play. You kind of saw what your opponents were in position for and what they were going to do, just trying to outlast them to the finish line. I was pretty comfortable in the shootout portion. Having Mark [Harrison] and Randy [Smith] there with the mics commenting and having some good banter kept us all relaxed. It is awesome to win that kind of money. Quite life-changing for those of us who get the chance to play for it. Thanks, Mr. Ransom, for everything you do for the Section.” Longtime NTPGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 70 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the second annual Shootout. The event was created last year as a way to recognize the PGA Professionals across the Section who dedicate their time and energy to growing the game through the NTPGA Foundation’s initiatives. The event was developed by Ransom in collaboration with NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison as a way to thank PGA Professionals across the Northern Texas Section while also providing exposure to The Oaks Country Club. The Oaks is a top-five nine-hole course in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News golf course rankings. The format for the event features a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the afternoon shootout. Darren Malicki, PGA Associate at Cascades Country Club, was the first qualifier after finishing 3-under-par. Lohmeyer was the next to advance at 2-under, and finally Dillard at 1-under. Andrew Martin, PGA Associate at Tanglewood Golf Course, was the random drawing winner. The nine-hole Shootout portion of the event was played in three stages of three holes each, with one professional eliminated after every stage. After the first three holes, Martin was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par and the second three holes saw Darren Malicki bow out, but still earned $7,500. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Lohmeyer battled it out in five. The Oaks Country Club 9 Holes Par 36 3,355 yards View the final results HERE
By Steven Clements November 4, 2025
PLANO, Texas (November 4) – The Northern Texas PGA team fell just shy of winning its fifth straight Levy Cup Matches. Team NTPGA lost to Team STPGA 11.5 to 12.5 after two days of competition at Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format tournament featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals and four Senior PGA Professionals (any classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members Other who qualified through their respective Section Major Championships. The Matches were created in 2017 to celebrate Paul Levy, PGA, who was completing his first year of a two-year term as President of the PGA of America. During his career, Paul has been a member of both Sections. After Monday’s Four-Ball and Foursomes Matches, Team NTPGA trailed 7 to 5. They came out battling in the Singles Matches, winning 5.5 points in the first seven matches. That put Team NTPGA in the lead, but Team STPGA was able to win four of the last five Singles Matches and win the Levy Cup for the first time since 2020. “It was a very hard-fought couple of days by both teams. I could not have been happier to have been a part of this,” said NTPGA Captain Keith Harris, PGA. The 9th Levy Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Dunning and Ping. Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course Par: 36-35–71 Yardage: 6,676 yards View Final Match Standings HERE