Dillard Gets Redemption in Lajitas, Woodson Notches Senior Division Victory

Steven Clements • December 11, 2024

LAJITAS, Texas (December 10) – Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, won the Duel in the Desert to claim the 2024 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship Open Division title. Rick Woodson, PGA instructor at Sherrill Park Golf Course, claimed the Senior Division title.


The No. 1 seeded Dillard battled No. 3 Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas, in a 36-hole final match for the title and $10,000. Both players began their run to the championship match back in October at White Bluff Resort where they worked their way through the 32-player match play bracket. 


“It’s tough to get here. You have to go through a lot of great players, so I feel really satisfied after the long year of hard work,” said Dillard. “He’s [Reynolds] really good. He can make a birdie or an eagle at any point. Playing with Gabe you know you have to bring your best.”


After playing 18 holes on Monday, their match stood at 2UP in favor of Dillard. The 2UP lead for Dillard held through 28 holes. Dillard then began to charge on the back nine when he hit his approach shot on the par-4 11th hole to 10 inches for a conceded birdie. He followed that up on the 12th with another birdie after a 20-foot putt. An errant tee shot on the 14th saw his lead cut to only 3UP with four holes to play. After winning the 14th hole, Reynolds hit his tee shot into the rocks on the right side of the 15th hole. After an unsuccessful attempt to play the shot, Reynolds conceded the hole, and the match ended with a 4&3 victory for Dillard.


This is the second year that Dillard has made it to the final match. Last year he fell to Chad Moscovic 7&6 in 36 holes. The redemption victory in Lajitas marks Dillard’s first individual Section major championship victory. It caps off a stellar year, one in which he also earned the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Award presented by Adventures In Golf and the Ben Hogan | NTPGA Stroke Play Scoring Average Award.


“Finally! I’m usually just a team champion! It feels great to finally do it on my own,” said Dillard.

In the Senior Division, Billy Harris, PGA Life Member, started the day with a 3UP lead over Rick Woodson. Harris birdied the 1st hole to go 4UP, but by the 8th tee he was only 1UP. 


“I was lucky my wife was with me. She was keeping me really positive,” said Woodson.


Moving into the back nine, Woodson birdied the 11th and 13th holes to tie the match for the first time since Monday morning. He then notched a par on the 14th hole to gain his first lead of the match. Putts then began to fall for Woodson. He made a long birdie putt on the 15th and saved par with a 30-footer on the 17th to keep his lead heading into the 36th hole.


Both professionals hit their drives into the fairway and layed up about 50 yards short on the par-5. They both then left their third shots about 20 feet below the hole. Harris putted first and blew the putt by, followed by Woodson who cozied it up to 12 inches. Harris conceded the putt giving Woodson the 1UP win.


“It feels great,” said Woodson. “This one had eluded me for a while. This is my fourth time in the final match and my first time to win it. It was a great match with Billy. He is an incredibly tough competitor and he’s a grinder. I was fortunate to make some big putts at the right time.”


Woodson claimed $5,000 with his victory today and his first match play title.


This year was the third year that the Open Division championship match was conducted in Lajitas and the first year that the Senior Division joined them.


“Incredible! For all the people back home, if you have the opportunity to come down here you need to do it. It’s amazing. I just can’t get over it. I’ve played a lot of picturesque golf courses and this is absolutely at the top of that list,” said Woodson about Lajitas Golf Resort.


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.


Lajitas Golf Resort’s Black Jack’s Crossing

Par: 36-36–72

Open Division Yardage: 7,300 yards

Senior Division Yardage: 6,500 yards


View the final results HERE.

Bingaman, Shields Earn First Match Play Victories at the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort

By Margaret Miller • December 9, 2025
LAJITAS, Texas (December 9) – Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club, won the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort to claim the 2025 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship Open Division title. Rob Shields, PGA member at The Winsford Group, claimed the Senior Division title. The No. 2-seeded Bingaman battled No. 12 Jon Antunes, PGA director of instruction at Heart of Texas Golf Academy, in a 36-hole final match for the title and $10,000. Both players began their run to the championship match back in October at White Bluff Resort, where they battled their way through the 32-player Match Play Championship bracket. “It’s incredible out here,” said Bingaman. “Jon is awesome; we couldn’t have had more fun. It’s hard, because on one hand you want to win and it's stressful, but on the other hand we were just two guys enjoying playing golf.” After playing 18 holes on Monday, their match stood at 2UP in favor of Bingaman. He continued his charge with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, extending his lead to 7UP. Antunes quickly answered back with a long putt on the 9th hole to cut into Bingaman's lead. But, Bingaman drained a birdie putt on hole 13 to end the match. He claimed his first Match Play title 7&5. Bingaman made a putter switch in between the 36-hole match. “I brought two putters with me. I’ve been flipping back and forth recently between a L.A.B Putter and a Scottie Cameron, which did me well last week. Going into this weekend, I had a good feeling [about the latter], and good feelings turned into good playing.” This is the first year that Bingaman has made it to the final match. Antunes has won the title twice, previously in 2021 and 2022. “This was my first time qualifying for [Duel in the Desert], and I was super excited because I’ve heard nothing but great things about Lajitas Golf Resort,” said Bingaman. In the Senior Division, Rob Shields, PGA Member of the Winsford Group, started the day with a 1UP lead over Billy Harris. Harris birdied the 2nd hole to tie the match, and on the next hole, he went 1UP. Shields and Harris battled back and forth on holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 before Shields won holes 8, 9 and 10. His 3UP lead was enough to take the victory on hole 16, 3&2. “I think my putting was good. I hit the fairways today, which is good because if not, you’re playing in the trees, or desert; but, it was fun. I had a good time,” said Shields. He continued by praising his opponent and friend, Billy Harris, “I’ve known Billy for a long time. He’s a good guy.” Shields earned $5,000 for his victory today and his first match play title. This year was the fourth year that the Open Division championship match was conducted in Lajitas and the second year that the Senior Division joined them. “This place is a hidden gem. It’s a great golf course, lots and lots of fun. It was a joy being out here. The elevation changes are awesome,” said Shields about Lajitas Golf Resort. 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.
Cameron Doan GY

Northern Texas PGA Announces 2025 Section Award Winners

By Molly Rawlins • November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners

Team NTPGA Victorious at Historic 45th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches

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 .

Dillard Earns $25,000 at Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks

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