Northern Texas PGA Announces Extended and Enhanced Partnership with Ewing Automotive Group

Molly Rawlins • May 24, 2021

Left to right: NTPGA President Courtney Connell, PGA, receiving a donation from Fin Ewing III at the 2020 Ewing Charity Classic

Dallas, TX – The Northern Texas PGA is pleased to announce an extending and enhanced partnership with long-time supporter Ewing Automotive Group.  The two entities have been in partnership since 2006, making 2021 the 16th year of the Ewing Automotive Group’s involvement with the NTPGA Section, NTPGA Foundation and its programs.  The new agreement with the family-owned, Plano-based dealership is through 2025.

 

The partnership enhancements include Ewing Automotive lending its name year-round to the NTPGA Junior Tour and the three playing tours associated with individual competition. The Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour is one of the largest of its kind in the country. It has a membership of approximately 4,000 junior golfers ages 7-19 and conducts over 400 tournaments annually. The Prep Tour powered by Ewing Subaru of Plano, the Medalist Tour powered by Ewing Buick GMC and the All American Tour powered by Mercedes-Benz of Plano each feature competitive playing opportunities for juniors of all skill levels. Although the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour fosters competition, its primary goals are to grow the game of golf, continue skill development and encourage fellowship, good sportsmanship, honesty and integrity, while setting the stage for a lifetime of playing golf. For more information on the Ewing Automotive Junior Tour visit our newly updated junior golf website.

 

Also with this new agreement, the Ewing Automotive Group team has continued their commitment to the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and also its professionals with the extension of hosting the Ewing Charity Classic for the next five years.  The Ewing Charity Classic is widely considered one of the most special and unique pro-am events in the country.  The Ewing Charity Classic and its precursor, The Westcott Pro-Am, have raised $4.79 million during the past 25 years for the benefit of the Northern Texas PGA Foundation's broad-based community outreach programs. The money raised helps to further the Foundation’s mission to positively impact lives and communities through golf.

 

In 2012, Fin Ewing III, Ewing Automotive Group President, decided to add a special Closest to the Hole contest at the conclusion of the Ewing Charity Classic as a way to say a special thank you to the PGA professionals who participate in the event. It was so well received that Mr. Ewing decided to keep the contest going and has given away a car each year since.  The extended agreement allows for the contest to continue through 2025.


Asked why the Ewing family has such a passion for playing and supporting golf, Finley Ewing IV, Ewing Automotive Group Vice President explained, “For me, learning how to play golf as a child was an incredible blessing. To be able to spend that kind of quality time with my dad and my brother was priceless. We credit golf for the close family relationships we have today. And ultimately it led me to a golf scholarship at Texas Tech and access to many amazing people, places and experiences.”

 

And finally, the extension of the partnership also features an increase of support to our Foundation’s scholarship program.  Two Ewing Automotive Group scholarships, each totaling $5,000 will be awarded to graduating seniors from the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour to further their educational endeavors.

 

“The Northern Texas PGA Members, Associates, staff and junior golfers are fortunate to have a partner on our side like the Ewing Automotive Group and the Ewing family.  Fin Ewing III and Finley Ewing IV are extremely generous to continue this long-standing relationship that has helped the NTPGA go above and beyond in fulfilling our missions of serving the PGA professional and growing the game of golf over the past 15 plus years,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA.  “The Ewing name has become synonymous with not just junior golf, but golf here in North Texas, and we are very pleased to continue our partnership and friendship with them.”

About Ewing Automotive Group

Here at Ewing Auto Group, we're committed to providing our drivers with the ultimate dealership experience. From a comprehensive selection of new Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Subaru, Buick models and budget-friendly pre-owned cars to car loans and Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Subaru, Buick leases and friendly service, there's a variety of reasons why our customers continue to return to our conveniently located showroom.


Whether you're in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, or you simply need the assistance of our car service and maintenance team for the one you already enjoy driving, our team will provide you with high-quality customer service that you deserve.


From the moment you walk into our showroom to the moment you walk out the doors, the Ewing Auto Group team will provide you with the continued service you need to enjoy every mile.


About the  Northern Texas PGA

The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America, and its geographic territory includes the State of Texas north of the 31st latitude, or just north of Austin. The Northern Texas PGA has approximately 850 PGA members and associates employed at more than 300 facilities.

 

The Northern Texas PGA has 15 full-time staff members and is currently headquartered in Dallas. The Northern Texas PGA will be joining the PGA of America national office relocation to Frisco in 2022 with its own state of the art headquarters on the PGA Frisco campus. 

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By Logan Bearden • August 3, 2026
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Watkins Goes Wire-to-Wire, Defends Title at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 31, 2026
Doggett (a) and McIlwain (a) Share Low Amateur Honors Walts Finishes as Top PGA Professional

Watkins Maintains Lead, Field Closes Gap Heading into the Final Round of 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 30, 2026
TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a third-round 35-35–70, even par, and maintains the 54-hole lead at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open. After a 36-hole score of 61-61–122, Watkins sits at 18-under-par for the championship. “I just kind of hung in there on the front nine, shot even. Then, kind of had it going just a little bit on 10 through 12. It was just an up-and-down day overall,” said Watkins. Watkins held a 6-stroke lead heading into the third round, but the field has cut it to just four. “Definitely going to be a little different than going into today. Probably a lack of concentration problem today, but still hung in there well.” Last year, Watkins held the 54-hole lead and said he was battling some nerves. “I’m definitely more comfortable, but still have to have a good round tomorrow if I want to win. Four [shots] can happen in three holes,” Watkins added. Watkins will look to defend his title beginning at 9:50 tomorrow morning. There is a three-way tie for second at 14-under-par between Cameron Sisk of Scottsdale, AZ, Cooper Schultz of Wichita, KS, and John Sand of Irving, TX. Cameron Sisk is a former Arizona State University standout. He finished his career there as a three-time All-American, two top-ten finishes at the NCAA individual Championships and 14th in the PGA TOUR University rankings. Sisk found himself behind the pack early this week, but with a second round of 64 and a 32-33–65 in today’s third round, Sisk has climbed back into contention. On the 12 par 5s Sisk has played this week, he is 12-under-par and credited his play on those holes as the reason he is tied for second heading into tomorrow’s final round. “You really got to take care of the par 5s out here. There are a few tougher par 3s and par 4s out here, so as long as you birdie the gettable holes, you’ll be in good shape,” said Sisk. After his 63 yesterday, Cooper Schultz shot a bogey-free 33-33–66 to cut his eight-shot deficit in half today. Of the three players tied for second, Schultz will be the first one out tomorrow as he tees off right before the final group. “It’ll be nice, I won’t feel like I have to press or anything. I’m just going to try and take what the course gives me. If I end up shooting 9-under, then great, if I shoot 2-under, that’s fine too, but I’ll just stay within myself and play the game I know I can play,” said Schultz. John Sand fired a bogey-free, 32-32–64, good for the joint low round of the day. He finished strong with birdies on holes 14, 15 and 16. The week has been steady so far for Sand, with rounds of 66, 66, 64, he sits just four back of Watkins. Sand and Sisk will join Watkins at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow, while Schultz precedes them in the 9:40 a.m. grouping. Bret Gray, PGA Member, is in solo fifth after a round of 34-30–64 and is the Low PGA Professional in the championship. Gray graduated from Sam Houston State University’s golf management program last December. He holds a one-stroke lead over Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, TX in the PGA Member Division. Gray said, “I’ve done a lot of preparation and practice for moments like this, so I’m excited to tee it up tomorrow.” Gray and Walts both tee off at 9:40 a.m. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, continues to climb the leaderboard after a third-round 31-34–65, 5-under-par that propelled him 18 spots up the championship leaderboard. His round moved him to 10-under-par and he currently sits tied for eleventh place. Elliott has been battling an injury this week, but continues to fight through it. “It is what it is at this point. My speed’s down right now and kind of flinching at it a couple of times here and there, but it is what it is.” Grant Doggett (a) of Beach City, TX, leads the Amateur Division at 6-under-par. His third round 33-36–69, 1-under-par has him tied for 32nd overall. Doggett (a) is the defending Low Amateur after finishing at 11-under-par and 12th place overall last year. Doggett (a) is a senior at the University of Houston and grew up playing golf on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour. He holds a one-stroke lead over the next closest amateur, Kaelen Dulany (a) of Keller, TX. The 56th 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. 66 players (59 professionals and 7 amateurs) made the cut at 2-under-par and are competing for a $203,850 Championship purse. The champion, if a professional, will take home $40,000. The only amateur to win the Texas State Open was Homero Blancas in 1960. The final round starts 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 fourth year as the title sponsor, and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and Higginbotham and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center and Patterson Tyler. The championship is being played at Cascades Country Club for a record 15th time. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards

Watkins Breaks 36-Hole Scoring Record with Back-to-Back 61s at 56th M&P Group Texas State Open

By Erik Anderson • July 29, 2026
TYLER, Texas (July 29) – Defending Champion Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, fired a bogey-free second round 31-30–61, 9-under-par, to take a six-stroke lead at the 56th M&P Group Texas State Open. Back-to-back 61s for a 36-hole total of 18-under-par, 122, breaks the 36-hole M&P Group Texas State Open scoring record previously held by Tanner Napier after his 15-under-par, 125, in 2024. Watkins started on hole 10 and made four pars to begin his round. He closed his opening nine with five straight birdies to shoot 30. “The first three holes I didn’t really hit my best shots, but I got those up-and-down, and that was big,” he said. Watkins made the turn and continued his fantastic round with four birdies in his final six holes. “I’m just playing really solid. That’s all I really got. It’s hard to imagine,” Watkins said about his pair of 61s. “Back-to-back 61s is really good, but we're only halfway there.” Out of the eight par-5s that Watkins has faced this week, he has birdied seven of them. “My grandpa will let me know [about it] when I make a par on a par-five. I made par on that second-to-last hole, so I’m sure I’ll hear about it,” Watkins joked. Watkins is a former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member. After starting his junior golf career playing the NTPGA’s team golf on the Buffalo Creek Aces, he played on every level of the junior tour. “It was a lot of fun; that’s where I met my caddie, and we’ve been friends ever since. I loved it a lot,” said Watkins about his time on the team. In solo second place is Eli Ortego of Lafayette, LA. After a first round 32-34–66, Ortego carded an eight-under-par, 32-30–62. Today, Ortego teed off on hole 10 and came out firing. “I got off to a good start. I hit a pitching wedge to probably 10 feet and made the putt. Then, I actually chipped in on 12, so pretty quick start. I was lucky enough to birdie some par-5s coming in, and kept it going on the back nine,” said Ortego. Ortego said he checked the leaderboard after he finished, and it is “kinda crazy” that he’s six strokes back. “I just got to keep the pedal down and keep making birdies.” A two-way tie for third includes former champion Kyle Pritchard of Castroville, TX, and Cooper Schultz of Wichita, KS, both at 10-under-par. Schultz was the only player out of the four to tee off in the morning wave. He was the leader in the clubhouse after a round of 31-32–63. “It was a pretty good day. There were definitely a lot of putts I could have made, but yeah, solid day,” he commented. Pritchard was the champion of the 2019 Texas State Open and has made ten straight cuts. “There were definitely some nerves,” Pritchard said, talking about trying to make the cut this week. Pritchard played with Watkins the past two days and said his round today felt like one or two under despite his 31-34–65. “He couldn’t do anything wrong; I’d hit close, and he’d hit it closer. It was frustrating, but fun to watch.” Watkins, Ortego and Schultz tee it up at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow. Pritchard goes off right before them at 9:40 a.m. Grant Doggett (a) of Beach City, TX, currently sits in first place on the Amateur leaderboard and tied for 25th place overall at 5-under-par. Doggett (a) is the defending low amateur after finishing at 11-under-par and 12th place overall last year. “I love coming up here and playing this event; the golf course is always great.” Doggett (a) will start his senior year on the University of Houston golf team this fall. Chase Walts, PGA assistant professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, TX, and Bret Gray, PGA Member, lead all other PGA Members for the honors of low PGA Professional. Both sit at 7-under-par and tied for ninth overall. Walts will tee off at 9:20 a.m. and Gray at 8:50 a.m. Seven PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Five from the Northern Texas Section and two from the Southern Texas Section. The 56th 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. 66 players (59 professionals and 7 amateurs) made the cut at 2-under-par and are competing for a $203,850 Championship purse. The champion, if a professional, will take home $40,000. The only amateur to win the Texas State Open was Homero Blancas in 1960. 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 fourth year as the title sponsor, and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and Higginbotham and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center and Patterson Tyler. The championship is being played at Cascades Country Club for a record 15th time. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards