Northern Texas PGA Announces 2024 Section Award Winners

Margaret Miller • November 22, 2024

Neil Lockie Named Golf Professional of the Year

FRISCO, Texas (November 22, 2024) – Each year, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) recognizes its Members and others in the golf community through the NTPGA awards program. On behalf of the Northern Texas PGA Awards Committee and Past Presidents of the Section, it is our pleasure to announce the 2024 Section Award winners.


Neil Lockie, PGA director of golf at Dallas National Golf Club, is the recipient of the 2024 Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest honor given annually to a Northern Texas PGA Member, and is awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA as well as the game of golf.


Lockie currently serves on the NTPGA’s Board as an At-Large Director. He has been an active volunteer on NTPGA committees, serving in the past on the Ewing Charity Classic Committee and is currently the chairperson of the Professional Development Committee. Additionally, Lockie was the recipient of the 2023 Northern Texas PGA Professional Development Award.


In December 2019, Lockie moved to North Texas after accepting the role as PGA Director of Golf at Dallas National Golf Club.  Lockie leads a team of PGA Professionals known for providing an exceptional golf experience and first-class member and guest service. Throughout this five-year tenure, Lockie has established new events such as The Flat Iron Pro-Member and The Duel Member-Member. Alongside his talented team, they have enhanced the tournament culture at the club, created a best-in-class retail program and have begun developing a pool of talented young professionals. 


Lockie is a frequent competitor in Northern Texas PGA Chapter and Section events. Along with competing, Lockie has been a regular in the Ewing Charity Classic, and this year played 100 holes on The Swing at PGA Frisco supporting Birdies for Kids. The Flat Iron Pro-Member, an event he started at Dallas National, has raised nearly $60,000 for the Northern Texas PGA Foundation.


In addition to Lockie, congratulations to the following 2024 NTPGA Award winners.

PGA Member Award Categories

Neil Lockie, PGA  (Dallas National Golf Club) – PGA Golf Professional of the Year


Clay Kinnaird, PGA (PGA Life Member) – Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a PGA Member in recognition of long-standing exceptional performance as a golf professional and distinguished service to the game.


Trish Holt, PGA (Fields Ranch) – Bill Strausbaugh Award 

This award is presented to a PGA Member who has shown outstanding integrity, commitment to mentoring PGA Members and Associates, building a talented team environment at their facility, and has made a significant impact on the careers of PGA Members.


Andrew Lewis, PGA (Sherrill Park Golf Course) – Teacher & Coach of the Year Award

This award is given to a PGA Member for promoting the game of golf through outstanding service and expertise in teaching. 


Eric Hunt, PGA (Grapevine Golf Course) – PGA Professional Development Award 

This award honors a PGA Member who has made significant and ongoing contributions to advancing educational opportunities and enhancing the professional growth of fellow PGA Members. This award recognizes dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the golf industry.


Joey Anders, PGA (Brookhaven Country Club) – Randy Smith Youth Player Development Award

This award recognizes a PGA Member who exemplifies leadership in junior golf, embodying a deep commitment to fostering youth development through the game. This award honors individuals who provide meaningful opportunities and impactful experiences, inspiring young players to learn, grow, and enjoy the game of golf.


Kirsten Pike, PGA (Las Colinas Country Club) – PGA Player Development Award 

This award honors a PGA Member who has made outstanding contributions to player development, playing a pivotal role in initiatives to grow the game. This award celebrates those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to expanding access to golf and inspiring new and seasoned players alike.


Jarred Jeter, PGA (Midland Country Club) – PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award presented by Veritex Bank

This award is presented to an Assistant Golf Professional who demonstrates high moral character and leadership and performs his or her duties at their facility at an elevated level.


Leah Berst, PGA (Highlands Performance Golf Center) – Patriot Award

The Patriot Award honors a PGA Member whose exceptional, ongoing dedication to PGA HOPE and other initiatives supporting Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, and their families has made a profound and lasting impact. This award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to enrich the lives of our military community through the game of golf.


Alicia Singer, PGA (Colonial Country Club) – PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award: Private

Keith Harris, PGA (White Bluff Resort) – PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award: Public

Paul Earnest, PGA (Fields Ranch) – PGA Merchandiser of the Year Award: Resort

The Merchandiser of the Year Award celebrates PGA Members who excel in promoting the game of golf through outstanding business and merchandising practices. This award honors those who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional retail experiences, fostering customer engagement, and supporting the growth of golf in their communities.


Playing Awards

Spencer Dillard, PGA  (Preston Trail Golf Club) – Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon & Nike Player of the Year Award &  Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Average Award Winner


Rob Shields, PGA (The Winsford Group) – Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge Winner


Katelyn Sepmoree, PGA (Willow Brook Country Club) – NTPGA Woman Player of the Year Award


View more about the playing awards HERE.


Non-PGA Member Award Categories

Phil Hicks (Tyler Morning Telegraph) – Bob Galt Award

This award is presented to a member of the media in recognition of the significant contributions in promoting the golf profession and the game.


Robert Stennett (Ben Hogan Foundation) – Byron Nelson Award (Amateur) 

This award is presented to an amateur golfer for significant contributions in promoting golf and fostering its continued growth.


David Stewart, PGA (Yamaha Golf-Car Company) – Leon Faucett Award

This award honors an industry sales representative who exemplifies outstanding support for PGA Members and Section initiatives, demonstrating a strong commitment to service and a genuine passion for the game. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in their dedication to fostering growth and excellence in the golf community.


Merlin Tielkemeier (Grapevine Golf Course) – Golf Course Superintendent Award

This award is presented to a GCSAA Superintendent for service and contributions to the game, the Section and the PGA of America Golf Professional.


The winners will be honored at an awards banquet on February 2, 2025, at River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth. Playing Awards will be recognized at the Northern Texas PGA Annual Meeting on February 3, 2025, at Ridglea Country Club.


For PDF format and media assets click HERE.


Contact: Kelly Gilley at kgilley@ntpga.com or (214) 379-8155


About the Northern Texas PGA
The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America. Over 1,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals employed at more than 300 facilities comprise this Section. Its geographic territory includes the State of Texas north of the 31st latitude, or just north of Austin. Northern Texas PGA headquarters are located on the PGA Frisco campus and feature picturesque office space, a growth of the game pavilion and a golf park designed for junior golfers. The Northern Texas PGA staff’s mission is to serve PGA of America golf professionals and grow the game by managing the day-to-day affairs of the Section. The Northern Texas PGA also operates the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and The Ronny Golf Park. For year-long coverage of the Northern Texas PGA, visit ntpga.com or follow @ntxpga on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Bruns And Walts Win 2026 KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship After Two Hole Playoff

By Erik Anderson • March 3, 2026
THE COLONY, Texas (March 2) – The team of Robert Bruns, PGA Head Professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club, along with partner Chase Walts, PGM Student at Methodist University who currently works as an assistant at Trinity Forest Golf Club won the 2026 KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship after a two hole playoff. The two carded a bogey-free, 12-under-par, final score after shooting 64 on Old American Golf Club and a 31 on the back nine of Tribute Golf Links. They bested the team of Spencer Dillard and Alastair Jones from Preston Trail Golf Club. The 27-hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship was hosted at Golf Clubs at The Tribute for the sixth straight year. Teams played Old American Golf Club and the back nine of Tribute Golf Links. Bruns and Walts both had looks inside 10 feet on the second playoff hole, though it was Bruns who poured in the winning putt. “I knew he had it in the bag, so I think that made it much easier for me to just be free and let it go,” said Bruns. Walts recently became an assistant professional at Trinity Forest, and said, “Robert is such a huge mentor to me and my career already. I hope to learn from everything he knows and that goes for golf as well.” “It makes it much easier when you’re in the mix coming down the fairway and you have a great relationship with each other. At the end of the day you’re just having fun,” Bruns said after their victory. This is the first win for both Bruns and Walts in Section Major Championships. The pair earned $3,200 ($1,600 each) out of the record $32,000 total championship purse. The KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship was presented by Callaway Golf, Club Car, Evolve Golf, Landmark Golf Course Products, Range Servant, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, and Winston Collection. View the final results HERE . Old American Golf Club Par: 35-36–71 Yardage: 6,770 Tribute Golf Links (Back nine) Par: 36 Yardage: 3,368

Northern Texas PGA Celebrates Award Winners, Conducts 58th Annual Meeting, Elects 32nd President of Section

By Molly Rawlins • February 23, 2026
Dallas, TX – (February 23, 2026) The Northern Texas PGA held their President’s Dinner on Sunday, February 22, at Royal Oaks Country Club. The dinner celebrated the 2025 NTPGA award winners, which included Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the Section's highest award, won by Cameron Doan, PGA director of golf at Preston Trail Golf Club. This is the highest honor given annually to a Northern Texas PGA Member, and is awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA as well as the game of golf. The complete list of award winners can be found HERE . Congratulations to all. On Monday, February 23, the NTPGA staff then conducted a Professional Development Seminar and the 58th Annual Business Meeting at Dallas Country Club. During the Professional Development Seminar, the PGA of America golf professionals learned new communication skills from Tim Novak, increased their rules knowledge with Jon Drago, PGA, and David Price, PGA, and learned leadership lessons from a group of golf's top PGA golf professionals, including Cary Cozby, PGA, Bill Eschenbrenner, PGA, Bob Ford, PGA, and our very own Cameron Doan, PGA, and Ronny Glanton, PGA. After lunch, the 58th Annual Meeting consisted of the recognition of many professionals including the playing award winners honoring Matt Lohmeyer, Todd McCorkle, Rob Shields and Kim Paez. The 2026 Eva Williams A.C.E. Scholarship recipient, Sean Kim was also recognized. The meeting included comments from the Northern Texas PGA Past Presidents, current officers as well as from Executive Director, Kelly Gilley, PGA and CEO Mark Harrison. New Officers to the Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors were elected by acclamation. They include Ira Molayo as President, Jeremy Langdale as Vice President and Eric Hunt as Secretary. Two At-Large Directors were also elected by acclamation, Trish Holt and Neil Lockie. All were sworn in alongside East Texas Chapter President Tim Lawson and West Texas Chapter President Adam Headley. The current Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors can be found HERE . Before the meeting adjourned, the newly elected President, Ira Molayo, the PGA General Manager at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, addressed the membership. He stated that it is an honor to serve as the 32nd President of the Northern Texas PGA, using the word ‘serve’ intentionally because this position, like every role in our profession, is not about title. It is about stewardship. He then gave four notes about his commitment in these next two years – to represent all Members, across facilities, across classifications, across backgrounds, to listen carefully, to communicate clearly, and to support the staff and volunteers who carry this Section forward every day. He finished his comments by saying, “I do not intend to reinvent what is already strong. I intend to build on it.” Thank you to all of the PGA of America Golf Professionals in our Section who attended these special and important events over the past few days. Our Board and our staff look forward to a successful 2026.

Good Good Golf Announces Multi-Year Title Sponsor Partnership with the Northern Texas PGA

By Erik Anderson • February 17, 2026
The brand will sponsor competitive junior events, serve as the official apparel provider to staff, and provide exclusive merchandise, prizes, and more at events as part of their effort to encourage and develop the next generation of golfers

Lohmeyer Earns Player of the Year Honors

By Molly Rawlins • December 17, 2025
Paez, McCorkle, Shields also honored with Playing Awards