About Randy Smith, PGA

Randy Smith is arguably the most influential PGA professional that the Northern Texas PGA has had amongst its ranks.

From coaching some of the world’s best, to running a top-ranking private facility in the heart of Dallas, to leading the Northern Texas Section and growing its Foundation, its funds and its outreach, Smith has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Northern Texas PGA for almost 50 years.

Smith grew up in Odessa, Texas, attending Permian High School, a few years behind fellow Hall of Fame member David Price. 

After high school, he attended Texas Tech University, where he spent his freshman and sophomore years on the golf team. While still an undergraduate, he began working at Lubbock Country Club under professionals Gene Mitchell, Sr. and Gene Mitchell, Jr. Upon graduation, Smith became an assistant professional at Tulsa Country Club. 

In 1977, Smith accepted a position as an assistant professional at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, and it was only three years later that he was named head professional. In 2013, he was named Golf Professional Emeritus at the club. He remains in that role today.

Smith is widely regarded as one of the top golf instructors in the country. He credits his passion for teaching being sparked by a 13-year-old Justin Leonard who won a junior golf tournament and then wanted to know more. Smith then needed to learn more to meet this request, which is what he did.

All while improving his teaching abilities and managing the club, he also wanted to find a way to fundraise for the newly created NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation that was established in 1983. Smith began the Royal Oaks’ Great 108 in the same year. The Great 108 is a fundraising event that asks the members of Royal Oaks Country Club to fund 9-hole playing lessons for their local juniors, given by Smith or another Royal Oaks Country Club PGA professional. The event’s name comes from the 108 holes that are played by each PGA professional in a day, usually meaning it takes from sunup to sundown.  Since its inception, As of 2025, the Great 108 has raised over $2 million for the Foundation.

Smith can also be credited for introducing Fin Ewing III and his family to the Northern Texas PGA, beginning the longstanding partnership that the Northern Texas PGA Foundation still has with the Ewing family.

He also introduced Dr. Bill Blair to the NTPGA Foundation. Dr. Blair’s name is on the NTPGA Foundation’s growth of the game pavilion along with Smith’s.

Because of his commitment to being good to the game and giving back, Smith is the all-time leading PGA of America National award winner. He has amassed 18 national award recognitions, including being named PGA of America Professional of the Year in 1996 and Coach of the Year in 2002.

Smith served as the Northern Texas PGA President from 1988-89. He is also a member of the PGA of America Hall of Fame (2005) and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame (2011).

In 2002, he was introduced to a seven-year-old Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler has been a student of Smith’s since then. As of October 2025, Scheffler has been the #1 golfer in the World for over 150 weeks, having won four major championships and a total of 19 PGA TOUR wins and counting.

Many say that Randy Smith is Royal Oaks Country Club, but it would not be a stretch to say that Randy Smith is also the Northern Texas PGA.