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.
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