Long Holds on to Capture the 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open Title

Steven Clements • July 29, 2022

TYLER, TX – Luke Long is the 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open Champion. He fired rounds of 67-66-62-70 for a four-day total of 15-under-par, 265. This week was only Long’s fifth professional start after graduating from the University of Arkansas and turning professional in May.

 

“I checked the leaderboard right after #13, knowing I had some birdie holes coming up,” said Long. “I knew I finally won it when I laid up short of the green on #18 and had a handful of putts to win.”

 

Long finished one shot clear of the field and heads back to Fayetteville with a $40,000 check for his first professional win. This year’s Championship purse was $200,850.

 

McKinney, Texas native and former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member Cody Winkler (a) captured the Low-Amateur Division. He carded rounds of 69-70-68-70–277 to finish the Championship at 3-under-par and two shots ahead of Holden Wisener (a). Winkler will be starting his Junior year at the University of North Texas this fall after transferring from the University of Louisiana Monroe. Winkler and the three other amateurs that made the cut each earned gift certificates to be used at The Cascades Country Club golf shop.

 

“I had a lot of fun and enjoyed competing with these guys.” The course was in awesome shape… it set up really well for me, a little long and a ball strikers course,” said Winkler. “I struck my irons really well and hit a lot of greens.”

 

Two Northern Texas PGA professionals tied for Low PGA Professional honors. JJ Killeen, PGA head professional at Red Feather Golf and Social Club, and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club finished at 281, 1-over-par.

 

“I got to play with a lot of talented younger guys and it was really fun to be out here for four days,” said Norman. “The course was a good test and really fair. When you hit it wayward you get penalized, but if you hit quality shots you are rewarded and as a professional that's really all you can ask for,” said Killeen.

 

The 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open was a 72-hole stroke play Championship held at The Cascades Country Club from July 26-29, 2022.

 

The Cascades Country Club

Par: 35-35–70

Yardage: 6,882 yards


View final results HERE

Headley and del Olmo Capture First Section Victories at Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship

By Steven Clements • September 17, 2025
LEWISVILLE, Texas (September 16) – Adam Headley, PGA head professional at Green Tree Country Club captured the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship after a 6-under-par final round. His bogey-free 34-32–66 and a first round 69, got him to 9-under-par for the Championship and a one stroke victory. It also earned Headley an exemption into the 2026 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Headley was playing in the third to last group and began the final round three strokes behind the leaders. He quickly fell further behind the lead after starting with three pars, until a birdie at the par-5 4th hole got things going. On the back nine it was a battle between Headley and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club. Headley eagled the 12th hole and added two more birdies on 15 and 18 to close and post 9-under-par. “My goal today was to play the par fives 4-under. I accomplished that,” said Headley. “I don’t like to look at the leaderboard, but I looked at it going into 18 tee and had a feeling I was sitting pretty good there.” “Honestly I didn’t think I'd ever win one. Not because I'm not a good player but because we have so many good players in the Section. If I had to choose any tournament to win, it would be this one.” Headley earned $9,250 along with his exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. “I’ve been a golf pro for almost 20 years and now to be playing in a PGA TOUR event, I don’t care how I do, It’s going to be a blast. I’m super excited about it, it’s a dream come true.”

Killeen Leads the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship

By Hailey Rasco • September 16, 2025
Randolph and Shields Tied for Senior Division Lead

PGA of America REACH Foundation Announces 2025-26 Class of PGA WORKS Fellows

September 9, 2025
23 recent college and university graduates to get hands-on golf industry experience

Ronny Glanton Announced to PGA of America Hall of Fame

By Steven Clements • September 8, 2025
The PGA of America announced today that Ronny Glanton, PGA head professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course, will be inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. Glanton, a native of Mineral Wells, Texas, began his career in 1981 as an Assistant Professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson, Texas. Upon achieving PGA of America membership in 1984, he took over as Head Professional and has been at the Richardson facility ever since. He is the only member to serve twice as President of the NTPGA (2006-07, ‘18-’19). Glanton played a key role in the PGA of America’s relocation to Frisco, Texas. He is a passionate advocate for junior golf, developing impactful programs like the Sherrill Park Learning Center and the Hawks junior golf team, which have introduced thousands of new golfers to the game; his leadership in the creation of “The Ronny” Golf Park on the PGA Frisco campus further expands community outreach and player development. Among his previous awards are PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year (2020), NTPGA Golf Professional of the Year (1999, ‘07, ‘19), NTPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (2003-05, ‘08, ‘14) and NTPGA Merchandiser of the Year (1994), plus induction into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2022. Glanton actively supports his colleagues, raising over $100,000 through pro-ams for PGA Members facing medical hardships. He’s also been a four-time contestant in the PGA Professional Championship, five-time contestant in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship and seven-time participant in the PGA TOUR Byron Nelson (now the CJ Cup Byron Nelson). Glanton is a three-time NTPGA Major Champion, six-time Senior Division Major Champion and a 17-time member of the NTPGA Joe Black Cup Team, which he has also captained three times. The PGA of America Hall of Fame originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. It is the highest honor the PGA of America can bestow upon its membership or ambassadors of the game. For a full list of PGA of America Hall of Fame members, click here. “The PGA of America is honored to recognize our 2025 Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the incredible impact they have had throughout their careers, inspiring thousands both on and off the course,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., PGA Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Whether they have won Major Championships, given thousands of lessons or captivated audiences with trick shots, each PGA Hall of Fame Member has played an essential role in shaping the game of golf as we know it today.” The 2025 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees fall under four induction categories: PGA of America Past President Category, PGA of America Golf Professional Category, Tour Player Professional Category and PGA of America Ambassador Category. Congratulations to Ronny on this momentous occasion!