Norman, Kern, Hendley & Smith All Earn Prestigious Northern Texas PGA Awards

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch welcomed 22 teams of veterans and PGA of America Golf Professionals for the 6th Annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Cup. Charleton Dechert, PGA Member at the First Tee of Fort Worth, alongside Jethro Hays, Jerry Gaston, Monte Martin and Jason Rocha claimed the title of tournament champions, earning them a spot at the 2027 Secretary’s Cup, which will take place at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, during PGA Championship week. The team shot 7-under-par and then won the front-nine/back-nine playoff competition in a chip-off to secure the win. The annual event brought together participants from across Northern Texas for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and celebration of the impact PGA HOPE continues to make in the lives of our veterans. The day began as participants gathered for breakfast at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch. During the meal, attendees heard from guest speaker Colonel Don Taylor, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years. Each team, which consisted of a PGA of America Golf Professional and four PGA HOPE graduates from their program, then played a nine-hole scramble format. “I love PGA HOPE. I think that these veterans deserve this opportunity. I hear from everyone saying, this is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. 
It's supposed to bring us back together,” said team captain Charleton Dechert. “We look forward to representing the Northern Texas PGA at the Secretary’s Cup next year.” The Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup continues to highlight the meaningful relationships built through the program and the dedication of the PGA Professionals who make it possible. Through instruction, mentorship, and time spent on the course, PGA HOPE provides veterans with opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences while discovering the many benefits of the game. Thank you to all of the PGA of America Golf Professionals, veterans, volunteers, and supporters who helped make the 6th annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup a success. Your continued commitment to PGA HOPE allows the NTPGA Foundation to create meaningful experiences and expand opportunities for veterans throughout northern Texas. We would also like to recognize the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation and the team at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch for their support today. A special thank you goes to the PGA of America Golf Professionals across our Section who lead PGA HOPE programs and dedicate their time to serving those who have served our country. Congratulations to all of our participants, and thank you for being part of another memorable Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year. If you weren't able to join us at the Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup, there's still an opportunity to make an impact through the HOPE 4 Heroes initiative. Consider making a donation by clicking HERE . Every donation helps make a difference in the lives of veterans through PGA HOPE programs. Final Results can be found HERE and photos of the event can be found HERE .

DALLAS, Texas (November 3) — After two hard-fought days, the 10th Levy Cup Matches have concluded, and Team NTPGA has secured the victory in dominant fashion with a final score of 16 to 8 over Team STPGA. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format tournament featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals, four Senior PGA Professionals (any PGA classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members (excluding A-8s and classifications not included in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches) who qualified by earning points through their respective Section’s Major Championships. The Matches were created in 2017 to celebrate Paul Levy, PGA, who was completing his first year of a two-year term as President of The PGA of America. The 2026 Levy Cup Matches returned to where they first began, Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. In the first edition of the Matches, Team STPGA was victorious 14-10, but Team NTPGA would not be denied this time. They took a commanding 5-1 lead after Monday morning’s opening Four-Ball Matches and looked to keep rolling heading into the afternoon Foursomes Matches. Team STPGA steadied themselves as the Foursomes Matches finished 3-3, giving Team NTPGA an 8 to 4 lead after day one. With a STPGA win in the 9th Levy Cup Matches, Team NTPGA needed 4.5 points in Singles Matches to win the cup. They came out firing, winning the first three matches and never looked back. Team NTPGA dominated the Singles Matches 8 to 4, leading to the largest margin of victory in the history of the Levy Cup Matches – 16 to 8. “It was awesome watching these guys display great golf from both sides, and you know, Team NTPGA just showed out and played just some amazing golf,” said NTPGA Captain Miguel Aguilar. The record-setting victory in the Levy Cup continues an impressive run for the Northern Texas PGA, following back-to-back record victories in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The streak began in 2024 with a commanding 20–4 victory on home soil, followed by a record-setting 15.5–8.5 victory on the road last year. The 10th Levy Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Harlestons, Mizzen and Main, and Ping.

On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2026 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2026 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Justin Benson, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Kendall Earp Motes, Sulphur Springs Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Professional Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Player Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member Youth Player Development Award Mike Williams, Alpine Target Golf Center 2026 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Abe Hernandez, Royal Oaks Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Shelly Davis, Dallas Athletic Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Gabe Reynolds, Topgolf - Dallas Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brian Schorsten, Colonial Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Chad Williams, Tierra Verde Golf Club Professional Development Award Deborah Foley, PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Player Development Award Michelle Edgar, The Clubs of Prestonwood - The Hills Patriot Award Bob Nied, The Courses at Watters Creek Youth Player Development Award Garrett Anderson, Golf Clubs at The Tribute 2026 West Chapter Award Winners  Golf Professional of the Year Jimmy Tidwell, Abilene Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Dru Hein, Midland Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf & Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Matt Lawson, Lubbock Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Casey Renner, Palo Duro Creek Golf Course Professional Development Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Jake McCullough, Odessa Country Club Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Patriot Award George Priolo, Ross Rogers Golf Complex Youth Player Development Award Ryan Osgood, Odessa Country Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.