Five-Time TOUR Winner, Texas Architect, Current Curtis Cup Captain Highlight 2016 TGHOF Inductees

NTPGA • August 31, 2016

SAN ANTONIO – The current captain of the women’s U.S. Curtis Cup team, Robin Burke, one of Texas’ greatest architects, Joe Finger, and five-time PGA Tour winner Blaine McCallister, highlight the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Inductees.

Renowned Texas Teacher Lindy Miller is to be honored in the Texas Golf Professional / Teacher Category while Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston will be added to the Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses, according to the TGHOF Board who conducted the statewide nomination process and voting for Texas’ highest golf honor.

The inductees will be honored at the 2016 ‘The Gathering of Eagles’ golf tournament and induction dinner to be held on Monday, October 10th at Brackenridge Park Golf Course and San Antonio Country Club, respectively. Sponsorships are now available with more information available on the website www.texasgolfhof.com.

The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is located at the Brackenridge Park Golf Course, clubhouse, the adjacent Walk of Fame and a historic building adjacent to the clubhouse, the Borglum Studio.

“We are certainly pleased to have such great Lone Star Legends to enter the Texas Golf Hall of Fame for our class of 2016,” said TGHOF Board Chairman Jerry Smith. “It will be a great time to honor the best of the best in Texas golf for this year.”

Miller was a four-time All-American at Oklahoma State University and served for 22 years as the Director of Golf at Mira Vista Country Club in Ft. Worth. Since 2009 he has been the Teaching Professional at Shady Oaks Country Club.

“I was so excited, it was a real honor to be selected,” Miller said. “To join the group of teachers who are already there continues our tradition in the state teaching category, which is second to none.” “It’s all about the game and all about Texas golf.”

Robin Burke is the wife of TGHOF member Jack Burke, Jr., one of the founders of Champions Golf Club in Houston where he still teaches. She will be honored in the Amateur category. They will become the first husband and wife in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. Aside from her 2016 captaincy of the American Curtis Cup amateur team this summer in Ireland, she is one of the greatest female Texas amateur golfers.

Burke is a two-time Texas women’s amateur champion and an eight-time Houston women’s amateur champion. She reached the finals of the 1997 U.S, Women’s Amateur championship and made the semifinals of three U. S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships. Her 38 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur victories are tied for third most in American history. She is also the two-time winner of the Southern Amateur Championship and is still active at Champions Golf Club with her husband, a former Masters and PGA Championship winner.

A Houston native, Finger, who passed away in 2003, will be honored in the Lifetime Achievement category. He spent 45 years as an architect designing courses all over the world. His widow Julia said he would be so very pleased to be included among the great Texas architects.

“He started playing golf in Texas at a very early age and played until he was a very old man here. The Texas courses and the ones he did elsewhere meant so much to him.”

Finger teamed with fellow TGHOF member Byron Nelson to design the Riverhill Golf Club in Kerrville in 1998 near where he lived and also did a total renovation of Scott Schreiner Golf Club in Kerrville for his final project.

McCallister, a Fort Stockton native, attended the University of Houston on a golf scholarship where he roomed with Masters Champion Fred Couples and CBS Golf announcer Jim Nantz. Honored in the Professional Player category, he went on to win five PGA TOUR events highlighted by the 1991 HEB Texas Open. He also won the Hardee’s Golf Classic, the Honda Tournament in Florida, Bank of Boston Classic and the B.C. Open. He now plays on the Champions Tour.

“Growing up in a small town in West Texas, you couldn’t ask for a bigger honor. It’s very overwhelming, honestly,” he said.

Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston was opened during the depths of the Great Depression, 1936, but has endured and been improved over the years as a shining symbol of great public golf in Texas’ largest city. It was designed by John Bredemus, known as the Father of Texas Golf, for his work statewide and over the decades has been played by the greats of the game, both in Texas and nationally. It’s hosted the PGA TOUR’s Houston Open along with the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship.

In 1995, the course received a restoration with input from Houston architect Jay Riviere and Hall of Fame member Dave Marr, Jr. as the result of an extensive fundraising campaign. It remains one of the most popular public courses in Houston with more than 65,000 rounds a year at the layout located in the central city area.

For more information on the 2016 induction banquet, October 10, and ceremonies along with sponsorships, contact Mary Carriker, Managing Director of the THGOF at mary@golfsanantonio.org or 210-736-8701.


Contact: Jerry D. Smith, Board Chair – 972.998.6770
Mary Carriker, Managing Director - 210.736.8701

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