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.

By Steven Clements June 10, 2025
McCorkle Captures Senior Division
By Rachel Buckle June 10, 2025
TYLER, Texas (June 9, 2025) – Colton Hilburn, Associate at Abilene Country Club, leads the Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship after round one. He carded a 35-31– 66, 5-under-par round and leads by one stroke. Regarding Willow Brook Country Club, Hilburn said, “It’s a great test. You’ve got to earn your way around here.” Hilburn’s back-nine performance was the best of the day, tallying four birdies and no bogeys. “I hit both par fives in two, so those were two easy two-putt birdies, and then I snaked in an 8-footer and a 15-footer for par, and then kind of rode that momentum and hit some good approach shots coming in,” Hilburn said.
By Margaret Miller June 4, 2025
The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to higher education by announcing our 2025 scholarship recipients. Eighty-one high school seniors who will be attending college this fall have earned scholarships totaling $763,000 – breaking last year’s record by $26,500. This year, the NTPGA Foundation celebrates our newest recipients and the fact that since our scholarship program began, we have now awarded over $6 million in scholarships! The 2025 scholarship amounts vary from $2,500 to $20,000. In addition, two students were awarded a “last-dollar” full scholarship to two of the Foundation’s partner schools, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Since 1983, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation has awarded over $6 million in college scholarships to 922 deserving students. “Surpassing $6 million in scholarships awarded this year is an incredible milestone for our Foundation,” said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “More importantly, it represents meaningful opportunities for 81 remarkable students who are continuing their journey in higher education. This level of impact is only possible because of the generous individuals and partners who believe in our mission and share our commitment to supporting the next generation. To our partners, donors and all those that participate in fundraising events that benefit our Foundation, thank you. And to this year’s scholarship recipients, congratulations. Your future is full of promise, and we’re honored to be a part of your path forward.” This year, of the scholarships awarded, 67% were based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, while 33% were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Listed below are the names of the 2025 scholarship recipients: 2024 SA Smith Scholarship In Memory of Jerry D. Smith – Dylan Ford – Sonora Secondary School 2024 SA Smith Scholarship In Memory of Jerry D. Smith – Ella Upchurch – Monahans High School Allison & Jerry Freeman Scholarship – Emily Briscoe – Covenant Christian Academy Colleyville ANNIKA Foundation NTPGA Scholarship – Landry Addison – Lake Highlands High School April &Mark Anthony Scholarship – Brady Mann – Bridgeport High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Dorothy Chen – Allen High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Michael Xiao – Colleyville Heritage High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – William Zhang – Highland Park High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Coleman Bales – Prestonwood Christian Academy North Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Avery Zweig – Enlightium Academy Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Taylor Phan – Wakeland High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Natalie Aranda – Thomas Jefferson High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Clarissa Gamez – Thomas Jefferson High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Maryah Smith – Booker T. Washington HSPVA Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Karina Herrera – W. W. Samuell High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Natalie Guerrero – W.W. Samuell High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Crystal Soto – W.W. Samuell High School Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open Scholarship – Chloe Sirkin – Grapevine High School Doug & Lisa Hickok Scholarship – Preston Bradford – Highland Park High School Dr. Bill Blair Scholarship – Alyse Gerardot – Liberty High School Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Grace Kalina – Wakeland High School Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Daniel Ferguson – Homeschool Fore Frisco – Layla Baker – Lone Star High School Fore Frisco – Jalen Randle – Lone Star High School Fore Frisco – Sa’Niyah Coleman – Panther Creek High School Fore Frisco – Marie Hampton – Panther Creek High School Fore Frisco – Joel Lim – Panther Creek High School Frank & Evelyn Borgsmiller Scholarship – Marianee Moran Argueta – Thomas Jefferson High School Fritz & Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation Scholarship – Kenneth Fambro – Carroll High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Nicholas Norris – Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Connor Chisum – Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Sean Meador – Trinity Christian Academy Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Emily York – Lovejoy High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Noah Hankinson – Independence High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jackson Licker – Lovejoy High School I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – Akela Larzeia – David W. Carter High School Jerry Andrews Scholarship – Lucas Latimer – Rockwall Heath High School Jerry J. Ransom Pro-Junior-Am Scholarship – To be announced June 23 Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Reese Rayburn – Walnut Grove High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Hayley Kiesling – Flower Mound High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Jack Gibson – Emerson High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Ella Murphree – Lubbock-Cooper High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Priscilla Gant – Cornerstone Christian Academy Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Lucy Kate Smith – Liberty University Online Academy Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Corbin Murray – Mansfield High School Joe Black/Texas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship – Ava Murcer – Lake Highlands High School Joe Bob Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship – Jaxson Green – Troup High School Jon & Kim Morgan Scholarship – Aditya Dawane – Rick Reedy High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Jorge Marquez – Thomas Jefferson High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Alejandro Benitez – Thomas Jefferson High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Kiara Miles – Lincoln High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Stephanie Soria – W.W. Samuell High School Levy Cup Scholarship – Holden Harris – Argyle High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Adrienne Ahn-Upton – Laurel Springs High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Daniel Smith – Coppell High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Patrick Babb – Mansfield High School M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship – Cameron Phillips – Grace Community School Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship – Mary Bleakney – Woodrow Wilson High School Miss Katie Scholarship – Kristopher Thomas – David W. Carter High School Miss Katie Scholarship – Makayla Guerrero – Lincoln High School Neil Lockie/Dallas District Golf Association Scholarship – Luke McKinley – McKinney High School Perry Arthur Scholarship – Jackson Hunt – New Tech High at Coppell Philip Bleakney Scholarship – Hudson Winter – Kingdom Preparatory Academy Randy Smith Scholarship – Haleigh Nash – Amarillo High School Rob Norland Scholarship – Brandt Powers – Malakoff High School Ronny Glanton Scholarship – Callan Patton – Colleyville Heritage High School Ronny Golf Park Scholarship – Adelina Toba – Wakeland High School Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship – Isabella Carter – Shadow Creek High School Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Brandon Gullo – Frisco High School Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Luke Ratikowski – Plano Senior High School Sherrill Park / Two Dads and a Coach Scholarship – Adalyn Hardeman – JJ Pearce High School Tehan Scholarship – Brayden Tomlinson – Frenship High School THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Scholarship – Leroy (LT) Harris – Walnut Grove High School Thomas Hanson Memorial Scholarship – Marek Oley – Colleyville Heritage High School Troy Reiser Scholarship – Kylie Hachtel – McKinney Boyd High School UNTD / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Quintasia Isby – Lincoln High School UTA / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Jocelyn Ancelmo – W. W. Samuell High School West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring SA Smith, Hart Warren, Jay McClure and Sherwin Cox – Brayden Bridges – Compass Academy Charter School
By Steven Clements May 31, 2025
Nixon (a) Claims Low Amateur Honors
More Posts