Northern Texas PGA Announces 2024 Chapter Award Winners

Margaret Miller • October 25, 2024

On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below.

 

2024 East Texas Chapter Award Winners

 

Golf Professional of the Year

Jeffrey Raimer, Hollytree Country Club

 

Teacher & Coach of the Year

John Sikes, Hollytree Country Club

 

Youth Player Development Award

Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club

 

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Sean Hanson, Pinecrest Country Club

 

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Chris Hudson, Willow Brook Country Club

 

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Katelyn Sepmoree, Willow Brook Country Club

 

Player Development Award

Julie Wells, Cedar Creek Country Club 

 

Patriot Award

Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member

 

2024 Metro Texas Chapter Award Winners

 

Golf Professional of the Year

Eric Hunt, Grapevine Golf Course

 

Teacher & Coach of the Year

Steve Buzza, Brook Hollow Golf Club

 

Youth Player Development Award

Scott Robbins, Scott Robbins Golf

 

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Michael Kiesling, TPC Craig Ranch


Merchandiser of the Year (Public/Resort)

Keith Harris, White Bluff Resort 

 

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Tristan Thomas, Lakewood Country Club


PGA Professional Development Award

Johnny Williams, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club

 


Player Development Award

Nick Dunn, Altus Performance Institute


Bill Strausbaugh Award

Neil Lockie, Dallas National Golf Club


Patriot Award

Bruce Sims, Bruce Sims School of Golf


2024 West Texas Chapter Award Winners

 

Golf Professional of the Year

Adam Headley, Green Tree Country Club

 

Teacher & Coach of the Year

Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club

 

Youth Player Development Award

Tony Johnson, San Angelo Country Club

 

Merchandiser of the Year (Private)

Jake McCullough, Odessa Country Club

 

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Sydney Roberts, Abilene Country Club

 

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

John Harney, Amarillo Country Club

 


PGA Professional Development Award

Evan Dunkerson, Midland Country Club


Player Development Award

Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club

 

Patriot Award

Casey Renner, Palo Duro Creek Golf Course

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.


All applicants are still in consideration for a 2024 Northern Texas PGA Section Award. Section Award winners will be announced on November 22.

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.
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