Northern Texas PGA and Lajitas Golf Resort Expand Partnership to include NTPGA Women’s Section Championship

Steven Clements • February 25, 2025

Duel in the Desert to Continue Through 2027

FRISCO, Texas (February 24) - The Northern Texas PGA is excited to announce the enhancement of our existing partnership with Lajitas Golf Resort. The extended partnership includes sponsorship of the newly created Women’s Section Championship, the continuation of the Duel in the Desert and support of the NTPGA Foundation through the All American Tour.


Beginning in 2025, the Northern Texas PGA will host the Lajitas Golf Resorts Women’s Section Championship. It is set for August 12-13 at Royal Oaks Country Club.


“Our staff saw a special opportunity to enhance our partnership with Lajitas Golf Resort and the creation of the Lajitas Golf Resort NTPGA Women’s Section Championship,” said NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison. “It is great to have their support for this tournament. We are also excited to continue providing a truly unique experience to our PGA of America Golf Professionals with the Duel in the Desert. We sincerely appreciate the Lajitas team for their continued support of every segment of the membership of the Northern Texas PGA.”


The highly successful Duel in the Desert, the final match to determine the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Champion, will continue through 2027 for both the Open and Senior Divisions. In 2024, Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, won the Open Division title and Rick Woodson, PGA instructor at Sherrill Park Golf Course, claimed the Senior Division title. Learn more about that event HERE.


“Expanding our partnership with the Northern Texas PGA was something we were excited to do,” said Scott Beasley, President of WSB Resorts, who manage Lajitas Golf Resort. “The success of the Duel in the Desert the last three years has been fantastic, and we wanted to make sure that Lajitas Golf Resort was able to impact every aspect of the Northern Texas PGA’s membership. New for this year we are creating a Pro-Am at Lajitas Golf Resort, specifically for ladies, so when Mark Harrison came to me and talked about the creation of the new NTPGA Women’s Section Championship, it made perfect sense for Lajitas Golf Resort to become the new title sponsor of this exciting event.” 


Additionally, Lajitas Golf Resort has expanded its partnership further to the Northern Texas PGA Foundation. Lajitas Golf Resort will be a title sponsor for an All American Tour tournament to be named at a later date.


About Lajitas Golf Resort

Tucked away in Texas’ historic Big Bend between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park lies Lajitas Resort, the perfect setting for your away-from-it-all adventure. Our 27,000-acre Texas resort is famous for its solitude, natural beauty and rugged desert environment. The resort’s unique destination is rich in Old West history. The resort features our world-class 18-hole golf course, Lajitas Texas Golf. “Black Jack’s Crossing”, designed by PGA Hall of Fame golfer, Lanny Wadkins. We also offer our 5 Stand Sporting Clay Shoot, Cowboy Action shoot, Equestrian Center for family horseback rides, and many other Lajitas Golf Resort activities designed to keep your family as busy as it wants to be.


Learn more: https://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/ 

Northern Texas PGA Announces 2026 Chapter Award Winners

By Erik Anderson • October 26, 2026
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.

A Full Circle Summer

By Erik Anderson • October 21, 2026
NTPGA Junior Tour Alumni Sweep the 2026 NTPGA Section Individual Majors

Walts, Reynolds Earn Finalist Spots for Duel in the Desert Finale

By Erik Anderson • October 7, 2026
Friend and McCorkle Headed to Lajitas Golf Resort for Duel in the Desert

Dillard Wins $25,000 at Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks in Back-to-Back Years

By Erik Anderson • September 29, 2026
GREENVILLE, Texas (September 28) – For the second year in a row, Spencer Dillard, PGA director of golf at Golf Clubs at The Tribute, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks, taking home $25,000 for the win. Just like last year, it took Dillard two playoff holes to best runner-up Nick Paez, instructor at The Ronny Golf Park. Both players found the 440-yard, par 4, 9th green in two, but a costly three-putt from Paez from 35 feet led to Dillard finishing off a nervy three-foot putt for the win. Dillard also won with a par in last year’s event and has now taken home the victory in two out of three years in the event’s short history. “It’s pretty special, just the opportunity to play in the event. I just can’t thank Dr. Ransom enough for putting this on and all he does for us,” said Dillard. “Just being able to play is a huge deal and then lasting through the shootout is so tough, so it feels great to be here.” The players in the shootout were battling in what seemed to be a competition of who could continue to make birdies. “Nathan was 9-under through a 12-hole stretch today and still went out. There is so much talent in our Section, so you got to go win it,” said Dillard. Longtime Northern Texas PGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 98 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the third annual Shootout. The event was created to recognize the PGA Professionals across the Section who dedicate their time and energy to growing the game through the NTPGA Foundation’s initiatives. The event was developed by Ransom as a way to thank PGA Professionals across the Northern Texas Section while also providing exposure to The Oaks Country Club. The Oaks is a top-five nine-hole course in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News golf course rankings. The format for the event featured a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the evening shootout. Nathan Park, instructor at Stonebriar Country Club, qualified first after finishing with an impressive 6-under-par, 30. Dillard was the next to advance, carding a 4-under-par, 32, and finally Paez at 3-under-par, 33, who won a six-for-one spot playoff with a birdie on the first extra hole in the playoff. Zack Vinson, PGA head professional at Athens Country Club, was the random drawing winner. The nine-hole Shootout portion of the event was played in three stages of three holes each, with one professional eliminated after every stage. After the first three holes, Vinson was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par, and the second three holes saw Nathan Park bow out, despite being 9-under-par through 15 holes. He played his final three holes in the shootout at even par. Still, he earned $7,500 for his efforts. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Paez battled it out for three holes, followed by two extra holes in the playoff.