Northern Texas PGA Announces Section Award Winners
Molly Rawlins • November 23, 2020
Simon Buckle Named Golf Professional of the Year
DALLAS, Texas –
Each year the Northern Texas PGA Section 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 2020 Section Award Winners.
Simon Buckle, PGA, is the recipient of the 2020 Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest annual honor given to a Northern Texas PGA member, awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA and the game of golf.
Buckle recently resigned his position as head professional at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas to explore new opportunities, but spent the past 10 years at the club focusing on delivering an exceptional customer experience to the Brook Hollow membership as well as developing adult and junior golfers.
Buckle served on the Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors in an At-Large position from 2011 to 2013. He is the current chairman of the Ewing Charity Classic Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the Northern Texas PGA Foundation’s largest annual fundraising endeavors. Buckle is also a founding member of the Birdies for Kids fundraiser. Combined, the Ewing Charity Classic and Birdies for Kids have raised a total of $7.03M for the Northern Texas PGA Foundation.
Buckle’s previous Northern Texas PGA awards include 2017 Merchandiser of the Year and 2006 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year.
View the full list of the Northern Texas PGA award winners below. Congratulations to all of our winners.
PGA Member Award Categories
Golf Professional of the Year Award – Simon Buckle, PGA Member
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award – Brian Kleckner, TPC Craig Ranch
Distinguished Service Award – Mickey Piersall, PGA Life Member
Teacher and Coach of the Year Award – Justin Poynter, Crown Golf
Randy Smith Youth Player Development Award – Joseph Anders, Brookhaven Country Club
PGA Player Development Award (Growth of the Game) – Abe Hernandez, Royal Oaks Country Club
Patriot Award – Ron Nash, PGA Life Member
Bill Strausbaugh Award (Club Relations, Employment and Mentoring) – Stephen Aumock, Gleneagles Country Club
Professional Development Award (Education / Building the Image of a PGA Professional) – Ira Molayo, Cedar Crest Golf Course
Merchandiser of the Year Award - Private Category – Jeremy Langdale, Ranchland Hills Golf Club
Merchandiser of the Year Award - Public / Resort Category – Dan Walden, Texas Star Golf Course
Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO Player of the Year – Brian Norman, Royal Oaks Country Club
Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Average Award – Brian Norman, Royal Oaks Country Club
OMEGA & XXIO Senior Points Challenge Winner – Jim Henderson, Stevens Park Golf Course
NTPGA Woman Player of the Year – Julie Wells, John Sikes Golf Academy
Non-PGA Member Award Categories
Bob Galt Award (Media) – Rick Arnett, Avid Golfer Magazine & The Ticket
Byron Nelson Award (Amateur) – Jon Morgan, Austin, Texas & Mark Anthony, Dallas, Texas
Leon Faucett Award (Sales Representative) – Steve Nichols & James Lloyd, Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / ASICS
Golf Course Superintendent Award – Russell Birkhimer, Golf Clubs at The Tribute
The Awards Committee consists of Committee Chair, Tim Cusick and PGA Committee Members Eric Hunt, Brian McKinley, John Sikes, Alan Alison, Brent Blackburn, Matt Currey, Tommy Darland, Cameron Doan, Ira Molayo, Jimmy Terry and Erik Wait.
The winner will be honored at an Awards Banquet still to be scheduled in 2021.
LEWISVILLE, Texas (September 16) – Adam Headley, PGA head professional at Green Tree Country Club captured the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship after a 6-under-par final round. His bogey-free 34-32–66 and a first round 69, got him to 9-under-par for the Championship and a one stroke victory. It also earned Headley an exemption into the 2026 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Headley was playing in the third to last group and began the final round three strokes behind the leaders. He quickly fell further behind the lead after starting with three pars, until a birdie at the par-5 4th hole got things going. On the back nine it was a battle between Headley and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club. Headley eagled the 12th hole and added two more birdies on 15 and 18 to close and post 9-under-par. “My goal today was to play the par fives 4-under. I accomplished that,” said Headley. “I don’t like to look at the leaderboard, but I looked at it going into 18 tee and had a feeling I was sitting pretty good there.” “Honestly I didn’t think I'd ever win one. Not because I'm not a good player but because we have so many good players in the Section. If I had to choose any tournament to win, it would be this one.” Headley earned $9,250 along with his exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. “I’ve been a golf pro for almost 20 years and now to be playing in a PGA TOUR event, I don’t care how I do, It’s going to be a blast. I’m super excited about it, it’s a dream come true.”
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The PGA of America announced today that Ronny Glanton, PGA head professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course, will be inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame. Glanton, a native of Mineral Wells, Texas, began his career in 1981 as an Assistant Professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course in Richardson, Texas. Upon achieving PGA of America membership in 1984, he took over as Head Professional and has been at the Richardson facility ever since. He is the only member to serve twice as President of the NTPGA (2006-07, ‘18-’19). Glanton played a key role in the PGA of America’s relocation to Frisco, Texas. He is a passionate advocate for junior golf, developing impactful programs like the Sherrill Park Learning Center and the Hawks junior golf team, which have introduced thousands of new golfers to the game; his leadership in the creation of “The Ronny” Golf Park on the PGA Frisco campus further expands community outreach and player development. Among his previous awards are PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year (2020), NTPGA Golf Professional of the Year (1999, ‘07, ‘19), NTPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award (2003-05, ‘08, ‘14) and NTPGA Merchandiser of the Year (1994), plus induction into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2022. Glanton actively supports his colleagues, raising over $100,000 through pro-ams for PGA Members facing medical hardships. He’s also been a four-time contestant in the PGA Professional Championship, five-time contestant in the Senior PGA Professional National Championship and seven-time participant in the PGA TOUR Byron Nelson (now the CJ Cup Byron Nelson). Glanton is a three-time NTPGA Major Champion, six-time Senior Division Major Champion and a 17-time member of the NTPGA Joe Black Cup Team, which he has also captained three times. The PGA of America Hall of Fame originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. It is the highest honor the PGA of America can bestow upon its membership or ambassadors of the game. For a full list of PGA of America Hall of Fame members, click here. “The PGA of America is honored to recognize our 2025 Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the incredible impact they have had throughout their careers, inspiring thousands both on and off the course,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., PGA Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Whether they have won Major Championships, given thousands of lessons or captivated audiences with trick shots, each PGA Hall of Fame Member has played an essential role in shaping the game of golf as we know it today.” The 2025 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees fall under four induction categories: PGA of America Past President Category, PGA of America Golf Professional Category, Tour Player Professional Category and PGA of America Ambassador Category. Congratulations to Ronny on this momentous occasion!