Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation Awards a Record $235,000 in Scholarships

NTPGA • July 13, 2016

DALLAS, TX – The Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to educational services by announcing its 2016 scholarship recipients. Twenty-nine recipients have earned scholarships totaling $235,000, the most ever given in a single year by the Foundation.

This year, of the scholarships awarded, 62% were based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, while 38% were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement.

NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation is pleased to announce its 2016 scholarship recipients.

  • AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship
    • Elizabeth Walinder – Andrews, Texas – California Polytechnic Institute
  • Ben Hogan Junior Cup Matches Scholarship
    • Garrett Glanton – Richardson, Texas – Abilene Christian University
  • Ben Hogan Foundation / Pat and Kori Green Scholarship
    • Mark Miller – Colleyville, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin
  • Ben Hogan Foundation / David Graham Scholarship
    • Lucas Elliott – Granbury, Texas – Texas Southern University
  • Ben Hogan Foundation / Gary and Judy Strong Scholarship
    • Zachary Begland – Coppell, Texas – University of California at Los Angeles
  • Birdies For Kids Scholarship
    • Lacy Sheldon – Frisco, Texas – Montevallo University
  • Briggs Berry Heart of a Lion Scholarship
    • Brady Wright – Granbury, Texas – West Texas A&M University
  • Cameron McCormick Golf Scholarship
    • Belle Tan – Coppell, Texas – University of Arkansas at Monticello
  • Cameron McCormick Golf Scholarship
    • Ethan Waldroup – Flower Mound, Texas – Oklahoma State University
  • Colonial Country Club Scholarship
    • Erica Bolden – Arlington, Texas – University of North Texas
  • Donald E. Steen Golf Scholarship
    • Matthew Houser – Dallas, Texas – Southern Methodist University
  • Ewing Automotive College Scholarship
    • Noah Hasse – Dallas, Texas – Cameron University
  • Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Grant Frye – Dallas, Texas – University of Arkansas
  • Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Allison Kennedy – Coppell, Texas – University of Arkansas
  • Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Ashleigh Evans – Farmersville, Texas – Oklahoma State University
  • Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Peri’Don Castille – Dallas, Texas – Oklahoma City University
  • Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship
    • Ana Hernandez – Frisco, Texas – Texas A&M University
  • Kids Play FORE Kids Community Outreach Scholarship
    • Hanna Harrison – Plano, Texas – Dallas Baptist University
  • Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship*
    • John Stalder – Allen, Texas – Blinn College
  • Paul Earnest Dallas District Golf Association Scholarship
    • Cameron Clark – Dallas, Texas – Amherst College
  • Randy Smith Award
    • Harrison Mahon – San Diego, California – University of California at Los Angeles
  • Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship
    • Justin Yarbrough – Dallas, Texas – University of Missouri
  • West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring S.A. Smith, Hart Warren and Jay McClure
    • Kinley Lee – Clyde, Texas – University of Arkansas at Monticello

*Denotes - Annually awarded to a child or grandchild of a Northern Texas PGA Member

Fairway to Success Deloitte / Northern Texas PGA Scholarship Recipients
The Deloitte Fairway to Success After School Program completed the ninth year of outreach at three DISD high schools – W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln. These schools were selected by DISD for their level of need, lack of outside resources, and commitment of staff leadership to this project. Fairway to Success is a collaborative effort between Deloitte, Northern Texas PGA and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, which provides scholarships to at risk students who are learning to play golf.

Fairway to Success is helping to impact and change the lives of children in our community. The five-week, after school program boasted record participation numbers, with 167 DISD high school students learning the basics of golf from PGA professionals over the course of the academic year. Students also went on a field trip to a local golf course and graduating seniors were given the opportunity to apply for a $20,000 college scholarship.

Deloitte, The Northern Texas PGA and United Way are proud to announce the 2016 scholarship recipients:
  • Ariatna Barcenas – W.W. Samuell High School – Texas A&M University
  • Mohamed Mohamed – W.W. Samuell High School – The University of Texas at Austin
  • Marco Ramirez – Thomas Jefferson High School – The University of Texas at Austin
  • Renee Moreno – Thomas Jefferson High School – Texas A&M University
  • Debra Jackson – Lincoln High School – The University of Texas at Austin
  • Kewona-Labria Jones – Lincoln High School – The University of Texas at Austin

Established in 2007, the Fairway to Success Program has annually awarded scholarships to deserving students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $760,000 to deserving students in our community. Funding is entirely through the individual contributions of Deloitte personnel in North Texas and the endowment recently surpassed the $1.4 million mark. 100% of the contributions made are designated to fund scholarships.


About the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation
The Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation is committed to introducing, promoting and growing the game of golf to a diverse group of kids in North Texas and instilling in them the positive, character developing traits for which the game is so well known. Each year close to 10,000 children and their families are impacted by the game that lasts a lifetime through a full circle of programs and services including:

• Introduction – Fairway to Success After School Program, Drive, Chip and Putt and Summer Golf Camps
• Playing – Team Golf, PGA Junior League Golf, Prep and Medalist Levels, All-American Tour – 400+ tournaments per year
• Education – College Scholarships – $1.79M distributed including $235,000 awarded in 2016
• Employment – Internship and Camp Program
• Philanthropy – Kids Play FORE Kids, Ewing Charity Classic, Birdies for Kids and the Royal Oaks’ Great 108

For more information about the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation Scholarship Program or for additional information about our 2016 recipients, please contact Alyssa Richardson at arichardson@ntpga.com or (214) 420-7421 or visit www.ntpgajuniorgolf.com.

By Erik Anderson • October 26, 2026
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2026 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2026 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Justin Benson, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Kendall Earp Motes, Sulphur Springs Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Professional Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Player Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member Youth Player Development Award Mike Williams, Alpine Target Golf Center 2026 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Abe Hernandez, Royal Oaks Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Shelly Davis, Dallas Athletic Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Gabe Reynolds, Topgolf - Dallas Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brian Schorsten, Colonial Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Chad Williams, Tierra Verde Golf Club Professional Development Award Deborah Foley, PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Player Development Award Michelle Edgar, The Clubs of Prestonwood - The Hills Patriot Award Bob Nied, The Courses at Watters Creek Youth Player Development Award Garrett Anderson, Golf Clubs at The Tribute 2026 West Chapter Award Winners  Golf Professional of the Year Jimmy Tidwell, Abilene Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Dru Hein, Midland Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf & Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Matt Lawson, Lubbock Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Casey Renner, Palo Duro Creek Golf Course Professional Development Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Jake McCullough, Odessa Country Club Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Patriot Award George Priolo, Ross Rogers Golf Complex Youth Player Development Award Ryan Osgood, Odessa Country Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.
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GREENVILLE, Texas (September 28) – For the second year in a row, Spencer Dillard, PGA director of golf at Golf Clubs at The Tribute, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks, taking home $25,000 for the win. Just like last year, it took Dillard two playoff holes to best runner-up Nick Paez, instructor at The Ronny Golf Park. Both players found the 440-yard, par 4, 9th green in two, but a costly three-putt from Paez from 35 feet led to Dillard finishing off a nervy three-foot putt for the win. Dillard also won with a par in last year’s event and has now taken home the victory in two out of three years in the event’s short history. “It’s pretty special, just the opportunity to play in the event. I just can’t thank Dr. Ransom enough for putting this on and all he does for us,” said Dillard. “Just being able to play is a huge deal and then lasting through the shootout is so tough, so it feels great to be here.” The players in the shootout were battling in what seemed to be a competition of who could continue to make birdies. “Nathan was 9-under through a 12-hole stretch today and still went out. There is so much talent in our Section, so you got to go win it,” said Dillard. Longtime Northern Texas PGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 98 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the third annual Shootout. The event was created to recognize the PGA Professionals across the Section who dedicate their time and energy to growing the game through the NTPGA Foundation’s initiatives. The event was developed by Ransom as a way to thank PGA Professionals across the Northern Texas Section while also providing exposure to The Oaks Country Club. The Oaks is a top-five nine-hole course in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News golf course rankings. The format for the event featured a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the evening shootout. Nathan Park, instructor at Stonebriar Country Club, qualified first after finishing with an impressive 6-under-par, 30. Dillard was the next to advance, carding a 4-under-par, 32, and finally Paez at 3-under-par, 33, who won a six-for-one spot playoff with a birdie on the first extra hole in the playoff. Zack Vinson, PGA head professional at Athens Country Club, was the random drawing winner. The nine-hole Shootout portion of the event was played in three stages of three holes each, with one professional eliminated after every stage. After the first three holes, Vinson was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par, and the second three holes saw Nathan Park bow out, despite being 9-under-par through 15 holes. He played his final three holes in the shootout at even par. Still, he earned $7,500 for his efforts. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Paez battled it out for three holes, followed by two extra holes in the playoff.