Northern Texas PGA Announces New Co-Title Sponsors of the Texas State Open - Championship Returning to The Cascades Club in Tyler

NTPGA • May 11, 2018

The Northern Texas PGA Section set to conduct the Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open

(DALLAS, Texas) – The Northern Texas PGA announced today a multi-year agreement with Tanos Exploration II, LLC and also Patterson-UTI Drilling as the new co-title sponsors of the Texas State Open. The championship will be named and referred to as the “Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open.”

The tournament will return to Tyler, Texas and will be played at The Cascades Club, where it was played from 2006 – 2011. The Cascades Club will join Horseshoe Bay Resort and The Woodlands as facilities who have hosted the Texas State Open for seven or more years.

The Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open will be played July 31 – August 3. It will be the 48th playing of this historic event.

“Tanos is very excited to team with another local industry leader as a co-title sponsor of the Texas State Open and in doing so, bringing this historically rich event back to Tyler,” said Nick Pollard, Vice President of Business Development for Tanos Exploration II, LLC.

Mike Holcomb, President of Patterson-UTI Drilling Company LLC added, “Patterson-UTI Drilling has a long history of operating in the East Texas area and we are excited about the opportunity to partner with Tanos Energy in sponsoring the Texas State Open. On behalf of our many employees who live in the Tyler Area, we would like to thank the PGA for the opportunity to bring this great event back to Tyler.”

“Over the past four years, the Texas State Open has gained a lot of momentum thanks to the support of our corporate partners and championship sites with the purse increasing by 60% to $200,000.00,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “With Tanos Exploration II, Patterson-UTI Drilling and The Cascades Club, we look to continue the positive momentum and we are very excited about our new partnerships with Tanos and Patterson-UTI Drilling.”

“It is also fitting that an event of this stature is returning to The Cascades Club. The membership at the club as well as the entire community of Tyler embraced the Texas State Open when we last played the event in East Texas. The Northern Texas PGA is very excited to work with the exceptional team at The Cascades Club lead by PGA General Manager Matthew Cohen as we return to Tyler," said Harrison.

The Texas State Open has crowned many past and future stars over its 47-year history. Three-time Texas State Open Champions include: Ben Crenshaw (’75, ’79 and ’80), Jeff Maggert (’88, ’90 and ’94) and Kelly Grunewald (’02, ’05 and ’06). Lee Trevino leads the list of those with two Texas State Open victories. In addition, PGA TOUR Members, Martin Piller (2008) and Shawn Stefani (2011) both captured the Texas State Open when it was last played at The Cascades Club. 2017 champion, Brax McCarthy of Fort Worth, Texas, has his sights set on defending his title this year.

The Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open is open to all professionals, competitive amateurs and junior golfers with advanced tournament experience. Qualifying for the championship will be conducted from June 11 – July 18. Registration will be available beginning Friday, May 11. The entry deadline is June 7. For more information, visit www.ntpga.com.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation’s scholarship program with the creation of the Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open Scholarship. The scholarship will be designated for a NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation Member from the Tyler area who will be attending college this fall. This year alone, the NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation will be awarding more than $300,000 in scholarships to 42 high school seniors from North Texas.


ABOUT TANOS EXPLORATION II, LLC
Tanos Exploration II, LLC is a privately held company that was capitalized in July 2013 in order to take advantage of more than 120 years of combined management experience exploiting conventional and unconventional reservoirs in the Ark-La-Tex area. Tanos II combines exceptional people, technical expertise and operating efficiencies to maximize value and investor returns.

A BOUT PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING COMPANY, LLC
Patterson-UTI Drilling, a subsidiary of Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEN), operates a fleet of fit for purpose, land-based drilling rigs primarily in oil and natural gas producing regions of the continental United States. Patterson-UTI Drilling is a leader in innovation, dependability, technology, people and processes, with more than 250 rigs in our fleet. With expertise and scale in major operational areas, our oilfield solutions deliver results that lead your business into the next generation of oil and gas. With headquarters in Houston, Texas and regional offices throughout our operating areas, let’s team up to advance your business.

ABOUT THE CASCADES CLUB
The Cascades, a Master-Planned 5-Star community, is the most comprehensive community in East Texas. This luxury lake front golf, tennis, fitness and residential community sits on 500 acres and is located just four miles from downtown Tyler, Texas. The Cascades is also conveniently located midway between Dallas, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. The Cascades Club golf course was re-designed by PGA Tour player Mark Hayes to challenge players at any skill level. Lush, tour-quality greens and broad fairways wind among tall oak and pine trees, with many holes set alongside scenic lakes on the golf course, and a stunning back drop framed by Lake Bellwood greeting you on your first tee shot of the day.

ABOUT THE NORTHERN TEXAS PGA
The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 Sections that comprise the PGA of America. It has a professional membership of more than 850. The Section encompasses the state of Texas just north of Austin. The not-for-profit organization is governed by an elected board of directors, who are PGA golf professionals. The operational focus of the Section is to provide services to golf professionals and the golf industry, while promoting and growing the game. The Section is best known for promoting and growing the game through the nationally acclaimed Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization

Northern Texas PGA Recognizes Newest Hall of Fame Members at 2025 Induction Ceremony

By Molly Rawlins • October 30, 2025
Frisco, TX (October 30) – The Northern Texas PGA honored its inaugural Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame members during a luncheon ceremony held today at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco. Following the luncheon, attendees were welcomed to the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Golf House, where the names of the 2025 inductees were officially unveiled on the Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame display. The inaugural class of 2025 included PGA Members Joe Black, Ross Collins, Ronny Glanton, David Price and Randy Smith, as well as non-Members/Ambassadors Dr. Bill Blair, Fin Ewing III and Jerry J. Ransom. “This means a lot,” said Dr. Blair after the ceremony. “Particularly coming from the Northern Texas Section, an organization that I have a lot of respect and admiration for. The induction ceremony was a great event, and a wonderful event to be a part of.” The Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame was created to honor those in our community who embody the simple but powerful belief that Byron Nelson himself lived by every day: “Be good to the game and give back.” Those we celebrated today are more than great golf professionals or leaders. They are people who have devoted themselves to lifting others, to growing the game, and to leaving a legacy that will be felt for generations. Each inductee has distinguished themselves in four meaningful ways: Leadership and service Achievements and awards Support of the NTPGA Foundation and its growth-of-the-game initiatives The lasting impact they have made on those around them “What a special day to be a part of,” said Jake McCullough, honorary NTPGA President and chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee. “It has been an honor to help launch the hall of fame this year, and these eight men are very deserving of the honor they have received. The members of the Class of 2025 are game-changers who embody Mr. Nelson’s words of ‘be good to the game and give back.’” To be considered, nominees must be at least 50 years old, have made their mark over at least a decade within the Section, and, if a PGA Professional, they must be a Member in good standing. New members will be welcomed every other year. Learn more about each of the inductees on our website www.ntpga.com/hall-of-fame .

Golf Clubs at The Tribute General Manager Mike McCabe Earns PGA Master Professional Designation

By Molly Rawlins • October 29, 2025
Mike McCabe, the General Manager of The Golf Clubs at The Tribute in The Colony, Texas, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain. The program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations. McCabe is the 477th to earn the recognition, joining a special group among the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the Association. He achieved his designation in Executive Management. “I’m passionate about being a PGA of America Golf Professional, and to achieve the highest honor in our educational program is something I don’t take lightly,” said McCabe, a PGA of America Golf Professional since 2007. “It’s a tremendous honor to be among an elite group of PGA Master Professionals. Going forward I look to continue mentoring the next generation to be good stewards of this beautiful game and growing future professionals.” The PGA Master Professional Program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation. McCabe, a native of Emporia, Kansas, graduated from The Golf Academy of America in December of 1996 and was the director of golf at Tour 18 Golf Course in Dallas. From 2003-11 he was the director of golf for Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound where he was awarded the 2010 Northern Texas PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year award. In 2011 he became the general manager of The Old American Golf Club. In 2020, McCabe spearheaded the combination of Old American and the Tribute Golf Links into a semi-private, 36-hole club, now known as The Golf Clubs at The Tribute. Under his direction as general manager, the facility has become an award winning, nationally ranked member resort. McCabe was instrumental in bringing the LPGA Tour’s Volunteers of America Classic to the North Texas facility in 2018, which at the time was the only LPGA Tour event in Texas.

Northern Texas PGA Announces 2025 Chapter Award Winners

By Steven Clements • October 27, 2025
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2025 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2025 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Emily Ming, Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Course Youth Player Development Award Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Chris Hudson, Willow Brook Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Bo Branyan, Van Zandt Country Club Professional Development Award Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Sean Hanson, Crossing Creeks Country Club Player Development Award Roy Pace, PGA Life Member Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member 2025 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Jarred Jeter, Shady Oaks Country Club Youth Player Development Award David Hirschfeld, Grapevine Golf Course Teacher & Coach of the Year Brian Norman, Lakewood Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Sarah Kim, Las Colinas Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Emily Loewer, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club Professional Development Award Neil Lockie, Dallas National Golf Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Chad Moscovic, The Ronny Golf Park Player Development Award Christian Maddox, Prestonwood Country Club Patriot Award Tommy Moore, The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch 2025 West Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year John Harney, Amarillo Country Club Youth Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf and Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Tommy Darland, Andrews Country Golf Course Professional Development Award Adam Headley, Green Tree Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Player Development Award John Bizik, Hogan Park Golf Course Patriot Award Alan Coe, Tascosa Golf Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. All applicants are still in consideration for a 2025 Northern Texas PGA Section Award. Section Award winners will be announced on November 21.

Northern Texas PGA Foundation Announces The Randy Smith Tour

October 16, 2025
A new beginning for junior golf that is founded on mentorship, family, and fun