McCarthy Captures 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open

NTPGA • August 4, 2017

DALLAS, Texas – Brax McCarthy of Fort Worth, Texas, captured the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open playing exceptional golf all week, including three straight rounds of 65 and a final round of 67. Defending champion Juan Fernandez of Paradise Valley, Arizona, and Zach Cabra of McKinney, Texas, made a good run today, but could not catch McCarthy. Fernandez and Cabra both fired final rounds of 66, finishing at 270, 10-under-par, for the Championship. McCarthy’s 3-under par round today was enough to clinch the Championship and take home the first place prize money of $40,000 and a lifetime exemption to the Veritex Bank Texas State Open.

McCarthy never let go of the lead after taking the position during Round Two. He held a nine shot lead heading into today’s final round and managed to keep the gap between him and the field all day, carding only two bogies along with his five birdies en route to his victory. A center-cut drive, perfect 8-iron from 190 yards and a tap-in birdie on the 505 yard par 4, 18th hole was all McCarthy needed to clinch the Championship.

“I feel very relieved. I had a hard time sleeping last night,” said McCarthy after the awards presentation. “It all clicked this week, and having [my caddie] Brandon definitely helped. It was huge. I couldn’t have done it without him, seriously. It’s a great list [of champions]. I consider myself fortunate to be on [it]. Ben Crenshaw, being a Longhorn, I grew up idolizing him – the designer of [Trinity Forest], a class act through and through. To be on the list with him and Mr. Trevino and Jackie Burke Jr. is a great feeling – it’s humbling.”

Andrew Paysse (a) of Temple, Texas, finished in fourth place and received Low Amateur honors this year shooting 71-68-65-67—272, 8-under-par, for the Championship. Paysse is a rising senior at Texas A&M University and was one of nine amateurs to make the cut. The Veritex Bank Texas State Open was a World Amateur Golf Ranking event, a ranking in which Paysse currently sits at 526 in the world.

Again this year, the Low PGA Club Professional was recognized. Fifteen PGA club professionals were in the field. Ben Kern, PGA head professional at Oeste Ranch Golf Course in Weatherford, Texas, claimed Low PGA Professional honors with rounds of 70-69-69-69—277, 3-under par. Kern was elected to PGA Membership at the beginning of July making him eligible for this honor for the first time.

The 72-hole stroke play event began with 156 contestants. Following 36-holes, the field was cut to the low 55 scores and ties. 62 players survived the cut, which was at 3-over-par 143. 53 professionals and nine amateurs played the final two rounds. All four rounds were contested at Trinity Forest Golf Club, a 7,135-yard, par 70 layout located in Dallas. The total purse was $200,000.

Children's Health is the charitable partner of the 47th Veritex Bank Texas State Open.

Please note: (a) denotes amateur, and amateurs were awarded gift certificates.

Final round results

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!