Napier Makes Late Charge to Take Two Stroke Lead into the Third Round of the 54th M&P Group Texas State Open

Steven Clements • August 1, 2024

Tanner Napier of Paris, TX played his last five holes 6-under par to surge into the lead at the 54th M&P Group Texas State Open. Napier carded a 34-29–63, 7-under-par to back up his first round 62. He sits at 15-under-par through 36 holes.


The 15-under-par start ties the low 36-hole total held by Kelly Grunewald who set the 36-hole mark at White Bluff Resort (New Course) in 2005. Grunewald went on to capture the championship that year, his second of three Texas State Open titles. 


Yesterday Napier eagled the par-5, 18th hole by chipping in from 30-yards short of the green. Today he chipped in once again on the 18th. “It was incredible, we like to call that a heater. I chipped in on hole 18 for eagle again,” said Napier.  Today was also the second day in a row that Napier shot 29 on the back nine. “I was kind of in shock for a second to be honest…it was a great way to finish and I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”


Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX is two shots back at 13-under-par after a second round of 4-under-par, 66. Elliott is the only player in the field without a bogey this week. “It’s always really hard to back up a low round like that,” he said referring to his first round 61. “But I was just staying patient and waiting for some putts to fall.“


The Championship features two additional divisions, Low PGA Professional and Low Amateur. 


Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club in Dallas, TX, leads the PGA Professional Division at 9-under-par after rounds of 66, 65. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, is two strokes behind Dillard.


“Anytime we get to go out and compete against these guys it's awesome. We love to represent the PGA Members, but we want to win ourselves. We are going for the trophy.” Dillard continued, “Tomorrow I am going to play the best that I can and hope that I can catch up and hang my head in good graces.” 


Sangha Park (a) of Odessa, TX leads the Amateur Division at 8-under-par, after back-to-back rounds of 66.


61 players survived the 36-hole cut that was 2-under. Of the 61 players, three were PGA Golf Professionals and six were amateurs. 


Gregory Odom Jr. of Memphis, TN is at 9-under-par and made his first cut after turning professional earlier in the summer. Odom earned an exemption into the Championship by winning the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest in November of last year. 


“Playing in the Southwest Airlines Showcase was a great opportunity…I’m just honored and happy to be here,” Said Odom. “I finally made my first cut as a professional…I’ve just been trying to grind hard.”


The 54th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event and consists of 156 professionals and amateurs. The starting field was made up of exempt players as well as successful qualifiers. The 61 players who made the cut will compete for the Championship purse of $201,000. The winner will take home $40,000. 


This is M&P Group’s second year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by Christus Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys Hamburgers and Patterson Tyler.


The Cascades Country Club

Par: 35-35–70

Yardage: 6,882 yards


View Round Two Results HERE

View Round Three Tee Times HERE

Watkins Ties 54-Hole Scoring Record, Leads Heading into Final Round of 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Steven Clements • July 31, 2025
Bullard Native Elliott in the Hunt

Watkins and Korte Share 36-Hole Lead at 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

July 31, 2025
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a second round low, 30-32–62, 8-under-par, to take the co-lead of the 55th M&P Group Texas State Open. He shares it with first round leader Chris Korte of Littleton, CO. Watkins rocketed to the top of the leaderboard at the end of his second round after an albatross on the par-5, 6th hole. He hit a 4-iron from 224 yards and holed it. “I hit a big slicing 4-iron in there, and it felt great,” said Watkins. He did not get a chance to watch his albatross go in. “I would have celebrated if I knew. I wish I would have seen it go in. I mean, I was just amazed.” Through two rounds, Watkins is 5-under-par on the 6th hole. He is looking for his first Texas State Open victory. He previously earned Low Amateur honors in 2021 and 2023. Tied with Watkins is Chris Korte, who followed his opening round 62 with a 34-30–64. He started the second round on the back-nine and birdied five of his first seven holes. A birdie on his tenth hole continued the scoring, but things slowed down with a streak of pars and a bogey on the 5th. Korte received the final sponsor exemption into the Championship and has taken advantage of it so far. During the past year, he has successfully Monday qualified into four PGA TOUR events and one Korn Ferry Tour event, most recently teeing it up in the Barracuda Championship. Josh Radcliff of Grapevine, TX, is two strokes behind Watkins and Korte at 12-under-par. He tied for the lowest score of round two with a 30-32–62. “It’s been a few years since I have played, but I love the state open. My in-laws live around here…it is always fun to come out to Tyler and play this event,” said Radcliff. One of many former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour members in the field, including Watkins, Radcliff reflected on his junior golf career saying, “NTPGA is where I got my start in competitive golf playing the 9-hole events. I shot about 108 in my first 18-hole event with the NTPGA. I had a dream of playing professionally, and the NTPGA Junior Tour was a great place to start.” Watkins, Korte and Radcliff will tee off at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow in the final group. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, is once again in contention. His rounds of 66-67, 7-under-par, have him in a six way tie for ninth place. He will begin his third round at 9:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs native Trevor Norby also made the cut at 3-under-par. He will start at 8:10 a.m. tomorrow on the 10th hole. Cody Massa (a) of Cave Creek, AZ currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard at 7-under-par. Massa, originally from Arlington, TX, attended Tyler Junior College from 2005 to 2007. Massa is no stranger to the Texas State Open competing in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with his highest finish coming at 7th place in 2016. Aside from the Texas State Open, Massa won the Arizona Mid-Am Championship in 2024 and 2025. Massa currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard and tied for ninth place overall. Six amateurs made the cut. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, finished the second round with a 34-33-67, 3-under-par. He is at 7-under-par for the Championship and leads the PGA Professional division into tomorrow’s third round. Bingaman credits his low rounds to his new, lighthearted take on his game. “I have been playing really well lately. These past couple of weeks I have really just been trying to have more fun with it, and I think that has reflected really well in the past few days,” said Bingaman. Five PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Four from the Northern Texas Section and one from the Southern Texas Section. Kyle Pritchard leads the three past champions that survived the cut. He sits at 8-under-par. Mikel Martinson (a) and Shawn Stefani also advanced to the final two rounds. The 55th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. The 36-hole cut was made to the low 55 players and ties. Sixty-one players made the cut at 1-under-par and are competing for a $201,000 Championship purse. The third round will begin at 8:00 a.m. and players will begin on the first and tenth holes and play in threesomes. This is the M&P Group’s third year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys and Patterson Tyler. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards View current results HERE .

Korte Takes Early Two-Stroke Lead at 55th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Steven Clements • July 30, 2025
Romo Cards 1-under-par in Opening Round

PGA of America Golf Professional Blaine Seitz Earns PGA Master Professional Designation

July 28, 2025
FRISCO, Texas - PGA of America Golf Professional Blaine Seitz , Owner and Director of Instruction of TourShotGolf, and Master Club Fitter at 2nd Swing within the PGA of America Coaching Center powered by T-Mobile in Frisco, Texas, earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest education designation available within the Association. Within the Association’s more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals, Seitz, a Member of the Northern Texas PGA Section, joins a highly regarded group as the 475th PGA Master Professional. He has earned this designation in Teaching and Coaching. "Becoming a PGA Master Professional is not just an achievement, but a realization of who I am and what I am meant to do,” said Seitz. “I’m a big believer that golf isn’t just a game, it’s also a form of therapy. We can use this game to help people get through life. I moved here to Texas to be with the PGA and put myself in a position to get this done. It’s been a big process to this point and it’s a true honor.” The PGA Master Professional 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 facilities. 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 & Coaching Designations. The 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. Seitz graduated from the PGA Professional Golf Management Program at Coastal Carolina University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing. A PGA of America Golf Professional since 2013, Seitz worked as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at The Suburban Club of Baltimore in Pikesville, Maryland. In 2015, he turned his focus to instruction and club fitting, becoming a PGA Teaching Professional at The Golf Club of Georgia, in Alpharetta, Georgia, and a Sales Representative at Arccos Golf. In 2018, TourShotGolf was born after Seitz spent six years as a CrossFit coach, developing mobility programs and working alongside CrossFit Games athletes to improve performance while decreasing risk of injury. By integrating these mobility programs with his golf students, Seitz observed significant improvements in their game. Seitz joined 2nd Swing in 2021 in Maryland before transferring to the Dallas location in 2023. He moved to the PGA of America Coaching Center in 2024 when 2nd Swing was named the official equipment trade-in partner of the Association. Over the last 10 years, Blaine has specialized in a holistic approach to golfers’ mobility, focusing on five pillars of peak performance: mindset, wellness, mobility, fitness and play. He is a TPI Fitness Coach, a certified Mobility Specialist, a Golf Fitness Association of America Top Golf Fitness Professional (2021-24) and on the Golf Digest “Top 100 Club Fitter” (2021-23) and “Best Clubfitters in America” (2023-24) lists. Seitz resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.