Northern Texas PGA Announces New Title Sponsor of the Texas State Open
Molly Rawlins • April 16, 2021
The Northern Texas PGA Section set to conduct the Higginbotham Texas State Open at The Cascades Club for a Record 10th Time
DALLAS, Texas
– Today, the Northern Texas PGA announced a multi-year agreement with Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc. as the title sponsor of the Texas State Open. The championship will be named and referred to as the “Higginbotham Texas State Open.”
The Higginbotham Texas State Open will be played July 27 – July 30. It will be the 51st playing of this historic event.
The tournament will be played at The Cascades Club in Tyler, Texas, for a record 10th time. It was played at the club from 2006 – 2011 and from 2018 to present.
“Partnering with the Northern Texas PGA is a perfect fit for Higginbotham because both of our organizations are committed to positively impacting the communities, we serve through exceptional people who live by the core values that guide us,” said Higginbotham Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid. “At Higginbotham, we’re family to our employees, accountable to our clients, teammates to our carriers and generous to our communities. This partnership gives us a new avenue to drive those values in our community with the creation of the Higginbotham Texas State Open Scholarship. Providing opportunities to young talent has always been important to us, and with the Northern Texas PGA and their Foundation, we can help develop our future leaders.”
“Over the past several years, the Texas State Open has gained a lot of momentum thanks to the support of our corporate partners and the leadership and membership at The Cascades Club,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “Higginbotham is an iconic Texas brand with its roots running deep in the state, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Higginbotham to enhance the Texas State Open and continue the tournament’s positive momentum. Like Higginbotham, the Northern Texas PGA, who conducts the Texas State Open is unassailably Texan, with long histories that carry the Lone Star spirit in their DNA.”
“It is also fitting that this year will mark the 10th year that The Cascades Club will host the championship, which is a record for any facility in the storied history of the championship. The membership at the club, as well as the entire community of Tyler embrace the Texas State Open. Our team is very excited to continue to work with the exceptional team at The Cascades Club lead by PGA General Manager Matthew Cohen," said Harrison.
“The Cascades Club membership and staff are exceedingly proud and honored to once again be selected as the host venue for the 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open. Hosting the best state open in the country for a record-setting 10th time, and doing it again alongside the incredible Northern Texas PGA team is special. The outpouring of East Texas hospitality and support the Tyler and Cascades community provides for this event, the players, their caddies and families I believe is a big reason we have been fortunate enough to host on so many occasions. We look forward to providing another great test of championship golf and a great tournament experience for all the competitors and spectators again this summer,” stated Matthew Cohen, PGA General Manager at The Cascades Club.
The Texas State Open has crowned many past and future stars over its 50-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. 2020 champion Mitchell Meissner of San Antonio, Texas, has his sights set on defending his title this year.
The Higginbotham 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 7 – July 15. Registration is now available at www.ntpga.com. The entry deadline is June 3.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Northern Texas PGA Foundation’s scholarship program with the creation of the Higginbotham Texas State Open scholarship. The scholarship will be designated for an NTPGA Junior Tour Member from the Tyler area who will be attending college this fall. This year alone, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation will be awarding more than $450,000 in scholarships to approximately 50 high school seniors from North Texas.
ABOUT HIGGINBOTHAM INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm is ranked as the nation’s 21st largest independent insurance firm, making it the largest Texas-based broker. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals across 10 states, Higginbotham’s approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads.
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 386 acres and is located just five 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 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 is comprised of approximately 850 PGA Members and Associates employed at more than 300 facilities.
The Northern Texas PGA has 14 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.
In addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Section, the Northern Texas PGA also operates a non-profit and charitable foundation that focuses on five pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, inclusion, fellowships, and military & veterans. The mission of the Northern Texas PGA Foundation is positively impacting lives and communities through golf.
Contacts:
Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc.
Lane Gallagher, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications
Tel: 817-347-7068
Email: lgallagher@higginbotham.net
The Cascades Club
Matthew Cohen, PGA General Manager
Tel: 903-525-0002
Email: matthew@cascadesoftexas.com
Northern Texas PGA Section
Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO
Tel: 214-420-7421
Email: mharrison@ntpga.com
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 .
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.
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.
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