Junior.Golf Offers PGA Junior League Golf Participants Complimentary NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation Memberships
NTPGA • September 21, 2016
Austin, Texas –
In an effort to grow the game, the Northern Texas PGA and Junior.Golf have partnered to provide PGA Junior League participants complimentary membership to the NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation giving them the ability to play in NTPGA junior golf tournaments.
In 2016, the NTPGA had 67 Teams and 715 participants in the PGA Junior League. To continue to provide a golfing experience for these young players, Junior.Golf is providing complimentary memberships for any participant that has not previously been a member to join the NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation. “We appreciate Junior.Golf supporting our growth of the game initiatives. Through their complimentary memberships, we anticipate that hundreds of junior golfers in North Texas will have the opportunity to join and start playing in our wide range of tournaments,” said Mark Harrison, NTPGA Executive Director / CEO.
The PGA Junior League launched in 2012 had 36,000 players across the country in 2016. In Texas there was 160 teams and over 1,500 players. Chuck Higgins PGA of America Area Director says “Junior League Golf is bringing new players to the game in a fun and social experience. We appreciate Junior.Golf being an advocate for growing the game”
Junior.Golf founded in 2015 has continued to support industry initiatives in growing the game. “Our mission is about sharing the gift of golf through technology and innovative programs. We are blessed to support the NTPGA and PGA Junior League to give players more opportunities for high 5’s and fist pumps” said Jason Black, founder of Junior.Golf
To learn more about the Junior.Golf, or to request a demo of the technology platform, contact Nick Pateman at (512) 317-9848 or email nick@junior.golf or visit the website www.junior.golf
About
Junior.GolfJunior.Golf is passionate about growing the game of golf by leveraging technology that support parents, players and golf professionals have a platform for a better experience. The Company has built an integrated platform that consist of mobile application, portal technology and digital kiosk to gamify the learning for players, provide a roadmap for parents and “the easy button” for the golf professional. Junior.Golf launched in Texas, will have 135 facilities on the platform in 2016 and expand platform nationally in 2017. The Company is supported by Callaway Golf, Annika Sorenstam, Joe Ogilvie and many top regional golf leaders.
Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation
Founded in 1983, the nationally acclaimed Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is committed to introducing, promoting and growing the game of golf to a diverse group of kids in North Texas and instilling in them the positive, character developing traits for which the game is so well known.
Each year close to 10,000 children and their families are impacted by the game that lasts a lifetime through a full circle of programs and services including:
• Introduction – Golf in Schools, Fairway to Success After School Program, Drive, Chip and Putt and Summer Golf Camps.
• Playing – Team / PGA Junior League Golf, Prep, Medalist Levels and All-American Tours – 400+ tournaments per year.
• Education – College Scholarships – $1.79M distributed including a record $235,000 awarded in 2016.
• Employment – Internship, Camp Program and Full-Time.
• Philanthropy – Kids Play FORE Kids, Ewing Charity Classic, Birdies for Kids and the Royal Oaks’ Great 108
PGA Junior League
PGA Junior League Golf is the key youth initiative of PGA REACH, the charitable arm of the PGA of America. As such, the program focuses on fun, recreation, good health and sportsmanship. PGA Junior League Golf is recreational and developmental in nature and works with PGA Sections and local youth organizations across the country to offer an alternative, social golf format. This unique approach highlights team play versus individual competition and serves as a feeder system to transition youth golfers to existing junior golf programs. From the program's humble beginnings, participation has skyrocketed. PGA Junior League now boasts over 30,000 youth participants and 2,500 teams in 48 states and all 41 PGA Sections.
Press Contact
Name: William Lynch, Junior.Golf
Mobile: (847) 852 – 0399
Email: William@junior.golf
Website: www.junior.golf
Frisco, TX (October 30) – The Northern Texas PGA honored its inaugural Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame members during a luncheon ceremony held today at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco. Following the luncheon, attendees were welcomed to the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Golf House, where the names of the 2025 inductees were officially unveiled on the Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame display. The inaugural class of 2025 included PGA Members Joe Black, Ross Collins, Ronny Glanton, David Price and Randy Smith, as well as non-Members/Ambassadors Dr. Bill Blair, Fin Ewing III and Jerry J. Ransom. “This means a lot,” said Dr. Blair after the ceremony. “Particularly coming from the Northern Texas Section, an organization that I have a lot of respect and admiration for. The induction ceremony was a great event, and a wonderful event to be a part of.” The Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame was created to honor those in our community who embody the simple but powerful belief that Byron Nelson himself lived by every day: “Be good to the game and give back.” Those we celebrated today are more than great golf professionals or leaders. They are people who have devoted themselves to lifting others, to growing the game, and to leaving a legacy that will be felt for generations. Each inductee has distinguished themselves in four meaningful ways: Leadership and service Achievements and awards Support of the NTPGA Foundation and its growth-of-the-game initiatives The lasting impact they have made on those around them “What a special day to be a part of,” said Jake McCullough, honorary NTPGA President and chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee. “It has been an honor to help launch the hall of fame this year, and these eight men are very deserving of the honor they have received. The members of the Class of 2025 are game-changers who embody Mr. Nelson’s words of ‘be good to the game and give back.’” To be considered, nominees must be at least 50 years old, have made their mark over at least a decade within the Section, and, if a PGA Professional, they must be a Member in good standing. New members will be welcomed every other year. Learn more about each of the inductees on our website www.ntpga.com/hall-of-fame .
Mike McCabe, the General Manager of The Golf Clubs at The Tribute in The Colony, Texas, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain. The program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations. McCabe is the 477th to earn the recognition, joining a special group among the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the Association. He achieved his designation in Executive Management. “I’m passionate about being a PGA of America Golf Professional, and to achieve the highest honor in our educational program is something I don’t take lightly,” said McCabe, a PGA of America Golf Professional since 2007. “It’s a tremendous honor to be among an elite group of PGA Master Professionals. Going forward I look to continue mentoring the next generation to be good stewards of this beautiful game and growing future professionals.” The PGA Master Professional Program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation. McCabe, a native of Emporia, Kansas, graduated from The Golf Academy of America in December of 1996 and was the director of golf at Tour 18 Golf Course in Dallas. From 2003-11 he was the director of golf for Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound where he was awarded the 2010 Northern Texas PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year award. In 2011 he became the general manager of The Old American Golf Club. In 2020, McCabe spearheaded the combination of Old American and the Tribute Golf Links into a semi-private, 36-hole club, now known as The Golf Clubs at The Tribute. Under his direction as general manager, the facility has become an award winning, nationally ranked member resort. McCabe was instrumental in bringing the LPGA Tour’s Volunteers of America Classic to the North Texas facility in 2018, which at the time was the only LPGA Tour event in Texas.
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2025 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2025 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Emily Ming, Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Course Youth Player Development Award Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Chris Hudson, Willow Brook Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Bo Branyan, Van Zandt Country Club Professional Development Award Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Sean Hanson, Crossing Creeks Country Club Player Development Award Roy Pace, PGA Life Member Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member 2025 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Jarred Jeter, Shady Oaks Country Club Youth Player Development Award David Hirschfeld, Grapevine Golf Course Teacher & Coach of the Year Brian Norman, Lakewood Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Sarah Kim, Las Colinas Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Emily Loewer, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club Professional Development Award Neil Lockie, Dallas National Golf Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Chad Moscovic, The Ronny Golf Park Player Development Award Christian Maddox, Prestonwood Country Club Patriot Award Tommy Moore, The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch 2025 West Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year John Harney, Amarillo Country Club Youth Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf and Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Tommy Darland, Andrews Country Golf Course Professional Development Award Adam Headley, Green Tree Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Player Development Award John Bizik, Hogan Park Golf Course Patriot Award Alan Coe, Tascosa Golf Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. All applicants are still in consideration for a 2025 Northern Texas PGA Section Award. Section Award winners will be announced on November 21.
A new beginning for junior golf that is founded on mentorship, family, and fun