Meet the Four Northern Texas PGA Members that will represent Our Section at the 47th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship

Lexie Lenderman • November 15, 2023

Four Northern Texas PGA assistant professionals will be making the trip down to Port St. Lucie, Florida, to play in the 47th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship (PPC). The Championship will take place November 16-19 at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course. Learn more about these professionals below!


PGA Assistant Professional at Cross Timbers Golf Club Dustin Nelson will be competing in his third Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Nelson, the most seasoned Assistant PGA Professional Championship competitor out of the group, is looking to make the final cut again this year. “I’m excited to be back,” said Nelson. “The first time I went I didn't make the cut and last year I did so I’m looking forward to doing better this time.” He is pretty familiar with playing at PGA Golf Club, and shared that his favorite hole on the Wanamaker course is hole 1. “On the days you get to start on hole 1, you get to jump off to a good start.” Since Nelson is a returnee to the Assistant PGA Professional Championship, he said that he would tell a first-time qualifier to treat it as just another tournament. “I would tell them not to overthink it. It is just another golf tournament like we’ve all played.” He shared, “The first year I went I made it bigger than what it was going in instead of just playing another golf round.” 


First time Assistant PGA Professional Championship qualifier, Corbin Renner, PGA assistant professional at Shady Oaks Country Club, is excited for the opportunity to play. He shared that most of his family lives near Port St. Lucie, so he feels as if he has a “home crowd advantage” this week. He is not only looking forward to being back in the Florida weather, but also seeing his friends from other Sections, specifically the friends he made from the New York Section (Metropolitan) while earning his PGA Membership. Renner mentioned that his golf mentor, Ben Parks, played a major role in where he is today. “He took me under his wing and showed me everything from saying ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am’ to the fundamentals of golf.” He added, “I make sure that when I’m teaching kids and mentoring them, the values that he instilled in me I pass on to everyone else.” While Renner hopes to be successful this week, he knows that he will have an enjoyable trip simply knowing that he will have friends and family cheering him on. “I’m going to give it my best and know that I’ll be there supported by a lot of family and friends. I’m going to have as much fun as I can with the guys that I’m playing with, and the good golf will come.”


PGA Assistant Professional at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Ricky Liu will also be competing in the Assistant PGA Professional Championship for the first time. “When I got the call I was shaking,” said Liu. “I’m excited about the competition, the environment and meeting new people.” Since becoming a Northern Texas PGA Member back in March, Ricky has been able to not only compete in tournaments, but also meet and learn from other professionals. “It’s cool to see what they do in the golf industry and how I can bring that to Fields Ranch.” He also mentioned being mentored by the professionals at Fields Ranch: Glen Griffith, PGA head golf professional, Trish Holt, PGA head golf professional, and Paul Earnest, PGA director of golf and operations. “Paul said I need to be healthy and take the time to focus on myself as I prepare for next week.” Liu was part of the Sam Houston State University PGA Golf Management program with fellow Northern Texas PGA qualifier Spencer Dillard. “It’s really cool to be part of this small crew from Sam Houston State and we all get to go play in this event together.” He added, “[Dillard] was a senior when I was a freshman and the bond is still there.”


Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, is looking to continue his successful season at the Assistant PGA Professional Championship. He has not only qualified for the Assistant PPC, but also the Levy Cup Matches team, Duel in the Desert and the PGA Professional Championship. Dillard mentioned that being able to qualify for these tournaments has helped his momentum and confidence tremendously. “Playing more tournament golf throughout the entire year just makes you more prepared and more confident.” Dillard was able to card almost 20 rounds at the PGA Golf Course while playing golf at Sam Houston State University. “It kinda feels like a home course,” said Dillard. “I’ve been in all the places where you shouldn’t hit and should hit, so I have some pretty good feedback.” Dillard also mentioned with some enthusiasm that one of his golf mentors Mike Watson, PGA head golf professional and general manager at Castle Bay Country Club in Hampstead, North Carolina, will be in attendance to cheer him on.


The champion of the Assistant PGA Professional Championship will have the opportunity to play in the 2024 PGA Professional Championship at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco on April 28 to May 1. 


We wish our Members the best of luck as they begin competing in the 47th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. We look forward to watching each of you as you compete this week. If you would like to follow along, please go to www.go.pga.com/scoring.

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!