Northern Texas PGA Foundation Hosts Successful 4th Annual PGA HOPE Cup

Harper Lawson • November 14, 2024

Winning Team Advances to 2025 Secretary’s Cup at PGA Championship

On Wednesday, November 13, 14 teams comprised of a PGA professional and four Veterans competed at Indian Creek Golf Club in the 4th annual PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Cup. The winning team, led by Christopher Lawson, PGA head professional at Ridglea Country Club, alongside veterans Colin Cremin, Marco Garcia, Kenny Edwards, and Ryder Johnson, triumphed with a score of 6-under-par, shooting 30 on the front nine. Their victory earned them the coveted opportunity to represent the Northern Texas PGA at the 2025 Secretary’s Cup, which will take place during the PGA Championship at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.


However, as Lawson noted, the real win wasn’t just the title—it was the chance to give back to those who’ve given so much.


“There is no better way to give back than to those that protected us or are protecting us now,” said Lawson. 


His words reflect the heart of the PGA HOPE program, which introduces golf to military veterans as a tool for improving their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The tournament may have been competitive, but it was also a powerful reminder of the bonds shared between veterans and these PGA professionals.


The team’s journey to victory didn’t come easily. After a strong performance in the morning’s nine-hole segment, Lawson’s team advanced to a unique three-hole aggregate playoff. Playing on holes #11, #8, and #9, they posted a birdie, eagle, and birdie (4-under-par), securing a one-stroke win over the second-place team from Sammons Golf Course. The final putt came from Ryder Johnson, a Navy veteran, who sank an 8-foot putt on the final hole to clinch the win for the team. 


However, for Johnson, the win was more than a team triumph. As a Navy veteran, Johnson’s journey to the PGA HOPE Cup has been filled with personal battles that made his victory all the more poignant. 


“Ten months ago I was an addict and became homeless. This is therapy for me. It helps with my recovery. Each and every day I’m out here learning something on the golf course that I can apply in recovery and so it’s just a blessing to be out here,” Johnson shared, reflecting on the life-changing impact golf and PGA HOPE has had on him.


Johnson’s story is one of resilience and hope, exemplifying the transformative power of the PGA HOPE program. For veterans like him, the game of golf has become more than just a sport—it’s a tool for healing, a means of building camaraderie, and a source of peace.

Highlights from the Day


The day began with registration and tee gifts available starting at 8:00 a.m., with veterans receiving their gifts upon arrival. Players enjoyed breakfast before heading out for a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start on the beautiful Lakes Course at Indian Creek Golf Club. Lunch was served at noon in the clubhouse, where everyone had a chance to relax and network while wrapping up the competition.


A Strong Finish: Secretary’s Cup Qualifier


The Northern Texas PGA Foundation’s PGA HOPE Cup served as a qualifier for the 2025 Secretary’s Cup, which will be held at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, in conjunction with the 2025 PGA Championship. The winning team earned the honor of representing the NTPGA at this prestigious event in May 2025.


The Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup format featured a unique three-hole playoff. The winners of each nine-hole segment advanced to the playoff, and the team with the lowest aggregate score from the three holes was crowned the champion. In the event of a tie, teams faced a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner, but this was not needed.


Thank You to All Who Made It Possible


A big thank you to all the PGA Professionals, veterans, and volunteers who helped make this year’s PGA HOPE Cup a success. Your dedication and hard work are what make the PGA HOPE programs so impactful, and we are grateful for your continued support in changing the lives of veterans. We’d also like to extend a special thank you to the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation, and the Indian Creek Golf Club staff for their invaluable support of this incredible tournament. A heartfelt thanks to the PGA of America Golf Professionals across our Section who hosted PGA HOPE programs in 2024, helping the NTPGA Foundation serve over 500 veterans this year.


As always, we’d like to thank everyone involved for making this event successful. Congratulations to the winning team, and thank you to all participants for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you again next year for another great day at the PGA HOPE Cup!

Missed the Event? You Can Still Make a Difference!


If you were unable to attend the PGA HOPE Cup, you can still contribute to the HOPE 4 Heroes initiative and support our veterans. Please consider donating to the cause by clicking HERE. Every donation helps provide life-changing opportunities for veterans through PGA HOPE programs. Thank you for your continued support.


View current results HERE.

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Bruns And Walts Win 2026 KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship After Two Hole Playoff

By Erik Anderson • March 3, 2026
THE COLONY, Texas (March 2) – The team of Robert Bruns, PGA Head Professional at Trinity Forest Golf Club, along with partner Chase Walts, PGM Student at Methodist University who currently works as an assistant at Trinity Forest Golf Club won the 2026 KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship after a two hole playoff. The two carded a bogey-free, 12-under-par, final score after shooting 64 on Old American Golf Club and a 31 on the back nine of Tribute Golf Links. They bested the team of Spencer Dillard and Alastair Jones from Preston Trail Golf Club. The 27-hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship was hosted at Golf Clubs at The Tribute for the sixth straight year. Teams played Old American Golf Club and the back nine of Tribute Golf Links. Bruns and Walts both had looks inside 10 feet on the second playoff hole, though it was Bruns who poured in the winning putt. “I knew he had it in the bag, so I think that made it much easier for me to just be free and let it go,” said Bruns. Walts recently became an assistant professional at Trinity Forest, and said, “Robert is such a huge mentor to me and my career already. I hope to learn from everything he knows and that goes for golf as well.” “It makes it much easier when you’re in the mix coming down the fairway and you have a great relationship with each other. At the end of the day you’re just having fun,” Bruns said after their victory. This is the first win for both Bruns and Walts in Section Major Championships. The pair earned $3,200 ($1,600 each) out of the record $32,000 total championship purse. The KBS TOUR Shafts Pro-Assistant Championship was presented by Callaway Golf, Club Car, Evolve Golf, Landmark Golf Course Products, Range Servant, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, and Winston Collection. View the final results HERE . Old American Golf Club Par: 35-36–71 Yardage: 6,770 Tribute Golf Links (Back nine) Par: 36 Yardage: 3,368

Northern Texas PGA Celebrates Award Winners, Conducts 58th Annual Meeting, Elects 32nd President of Section

By Molly Rawlins • February 23, 2026
Dallas, TX – (February 23, 2026) The Northern Texas PGA held their President’s Dinner on Sunday, February 22, at Royal Oaks Country Club. The dinner celebrated the 2025 NTPGA award winners, which included Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the Section's highest award, won by Cameron Doan, PGA director of golf at Preston Trail Golf Club. This is the highest honor given annually to a Northern Texas PGA Member, and is awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA as well as the game of golf. The complete list of award winners can be found HERE . Congratulations to all. On Monday, February 23, the NTPGA staff then conducted a Professional Development Seminar and the 58th Annual Business Meeting at Dallas Country Club. During the Professional Development Seminar, the PGA of America golf professionals learned new communication skills from Tim Novak, increased their rules knowledge with Jon Drago, PGA, and David Price, PGA, and learned leadership lessons from a group of golf's top PGA golf professionals, including Cary Cozby, PGA, Bill Eschenbrenner, PGA, Bob Ford, PGA, and our very own Cameron Doan, PGA, and Ronny Glanton, PGA. After lunch, the 58th Annual Meeting consisted of the recognition of many professionals including the playing award winners honoring Matt Lohmeyer, Todd McCorkle, Rob Shields and Kim Paez. The 2026 Eva Williams A.C.E. Scholarship recipient, Sean Kim was also recognized. The meeting included comments from the Northern Texas PGA Past Presidents, current officers as well as from Executive Director, Kelly Gilley, PGA and CEO Mark Harrison. New Officers to the Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors were elected by acclamation. They include Ira Molayo as President, Jeremy Langdale as Vice President and Eric Hunt as Secretary. Two At-Large Directors were also elected by acclamation, Trish Holt and Neil Lockie. All were sworn in alongside East Texas Chapter President Tim Lawson and West Texas Chapter President Adam Headley. The current Northern Texas PGA Board of Directors can be found HERE . Before the meeting adjourned, the newly elected President, Ira Molayo, the PGA General Manager at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, addressed the membership. He stated that it is an honor to serve as the 32nd President of the Northern Texas PGA, using the word ‘serve’ intentionally because this position, like every role in our profession, is not about title. It is about stewardship. He then gave four notes about his commitment in these next two years – to represent all Members, across facilities, across classifications, across backgrounds, to listen carefully, to communicate clearly, and to support the staff and volunteers who carry this Section forward every day. He finished his comments by saying, “I do not intend to reinvent what is already strong. I intend to build on it.” Thank you to all of the PGA of America Golf Professionals in our Section who attended these special and important events over the past few days. Our Board and our staff look forward to a successful 2026.