Northern Texas PGA Section and Its Fairway to Success Program to be Spotlighted April 23 on Golf Channel

NTPGA • April 20, 2016

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The Northern Texas PGA Section and its Fairway to Success program, directed by Northern Texas PGA Foundation coordinator Katie Manor, will be spotlighted on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive program on Saturday, April 23, in celebration of the PGA of America’s Centennial.

The Fairway to Success program was established in 2007 as a collaboration among the Northern Texas PGA Section, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Deloitte. Fairway to Success introduces golf to students at three Dallas Independent School District (DISD) high schools, including W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln. These schools were selected based on level of need and lack of outside resources. The program annually awards $20,000 scholarships to deserving students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need.

Through the program, golf instruction is offered during physical education classes, and Northern Texas PGA Professionals offer after-school programming in the spring and fall for those interested in developing their golf skills. Featured in the spotlight is Tony Martinez, PGA Director of Golf at Keeton Park Golf Course, who is one of many PGA Professionals serving as an instructor – and in many cases, also a mentor – to students and imparting values of discipline, honor and integrity that are central to the game of golf. To date, $740,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 37 students, and through the contributions of North Texas Deloitte partners and staff, the scholarship endowment fund has surpassed more than $1.4 million.

In celebration of its Centennial, the PGA of America has partnered with Golf Channel to shine a spotlight on all 41 PGA Sections and their featured programs and initiatives led by PGA Professionals nationwide. The PGA Section Spotlights are scheduled to air on the Golf Channel from Jan. 27–May 4, spanning 100 days in honor of the Centennial.

“In celebrating our Centennial, we want to honor our 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals in all PGA Sections across the country,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “Each day, they’re growing the game and using golf to better lives in their communities, as evidenced by efforts like those of the Northern Texas PGA Section. We’re very proud of these PGA Professionals and look forward to highlighting their efforts this year.”

The spotlights will run in conjunction with the #ThxPGAPro Centennial celebration social media campaign, where golfers everywhere can post videos, photos and messages in support of their favorite PGA Professionals on ThxPGAPro.com or through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Section Spotlights also will be featured prominently on ThxPGAPro.com.



About the PGA of America
Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.

Media Contacts:
Hayley Wilson, Alday Communications, Inc., hayley@aldaycommunications.com, 615-791-1535 x28
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America, jcarbone@pgahq.com, 561-624-8446

By Molly Rawlins October 30, 2025
Frisco, TX (October 30) – The Northern Texas PGA honored its inaugural Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame members during a luncheon ceremony held today at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco. Following the luncheon, attendees were welcomed to the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Golf House, where the names of the 2025 inductees were officially unveiled on the Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame display. The inaugural class of 2025 included PGA Members Joe Black, Ross Collins, Ronny Glanton, David Price and Randy Smith, as well as non-Members/Ambassadors Dr. Bill Blair, Fin Ewing III and Jerry J. Ransom. “This means a lot,” said Dr. Blair after the ceremony. “Particularly coming from the Northern Texas Section, an organization that I have a lot of respect and admiration for. The induction ceremony was a great event, and a wonderful event to be a part of.” The Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame was created to honor those in our community who embody the simple but powerful belief that Byron Nelson himself lived by every day: “Be good to the game and give back.” Those we celebrated today are more than great golf professionals or leaders. They are people who have devoted themselves to lifting others, to growing the game, and to leaving a legacy that will be felt for generations. Each inductee has distinguished themselves in four meaningful ways: Leadership and service Achievements and awards Support of the NTPGA Foundation and its growth-of-the-game initiatives The lasting impact they have made on those around them “What a special day to be a part of,” said Jake McCullough, honorary NTPGA President and chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee. “It has been an honor to help launch the hall of fame this year, and these eight men are very deserving of the honor they have received. The members of the Class of 2025 are game-changers who embody Mr. Nelson’s words of ‘be good to the game and give back.’” To be considered, nominees must be at least 50 years old, have made their mark over at least a decade within the Section, and, if a PGA Professional, they must be a Member in good standing. New members will be welcomed every other year. Learn more about each of the inductees on our website www.ntpga.com/hall-of-fame .
By Molly Rawlins October 29, 2025
Mike McCabe, the General Manager of The Golf Clubs at The Tribute in The Colony, Texas, has earned PGA Master Professional Status, the highest educational designation a PGA of America Member can obtain. The program was established in 1969 to recognize PGA of America Members who make a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. The curriculum is designed to ensure golf professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace within the Executive Management, Golf Operations and Teaching and Coaching Designations. McCabe is the 477th to earn the recognition, joining a special group among the more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the Association. He achieved his designation in Executive Management. “I’m passionate about being a PGA of America Golf Professional, and to achieve the highest honor in our educational program is something I don’t take lightly,” said McCabe, a PGA of America Golf Professional since 2007. “It’s a tremendous honor to be among an elite group of PGA Master Professionals. Going forward I look to continue mentoring the next generation to be good stewards of this beautiful game and growing future professionals.” The PGA Master Professional Program is available to those with at least 10 years of PGA of America Membership along with having achieved advanced certification through the PGA Specialized and Certified Professional Programs. The curriculum includes an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA of America Golf Professional. PGA Master Professional status is earned upon successful completion of the project’s presentation. McCabe, a native of Emporia, Kansas, graduated from The Golf Academy of America in December of 1996 and was the director of golf at Tour 18 Golf Course in Dallas. From 2003-11 he was the director of golf for Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound where he was awarded the 2010 Northern Texas PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year award. In 2011 he became the general manager of The Old American Golf Club. In 2020, McCabe spearheaded the combination of Old American and the Tribute Golf Links into a semi-private, 36-hole club, now known as The Golf Clubs at The Tribute. Under his direction as general manager, the facility has become an award winning, nationally ranked member resort. McCabe was instrumental in bringing the LPGA Tour’s Volunteers of America Classic to the North Texas facility in 2018, which at the time was the only LPGA Tour event in Texas.
By Steven Clements October 27, 2025
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2025 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2025 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Emily Ming, Hide-A-Way Lake Golf Course Youth Player Development Award Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Chris Hudson, Willow Brook Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Bo Branyan, Van Zandt Country Club Professional Development Award Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Sean Hanson, Crossing Creeks Country Club Player Development Award Roy Pace, PGA Life Member Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member 2025 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Jarred Jeter, Shady Oaks Country Club Youth Player Development Award David Hirschfeld, Grapevine Golf Course Teacher & Coach of the Year Brian Norman, Lakewood Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Sarah Kim, Las Colinas Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Emily Loewer, Heritage Ranch Golf & Country Club Professional Development Award Neil Lockie, Dallas National Golf Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Chad Moscovic, The Ronny Golf Park Player Development Award Christian Maddox, Prestonwood Country Club Patriot Award Tommy Moore, The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch 2025 West Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year John Harney, Amarillo Country Club Youth Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf and Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public/Resort Tommy Darland, Andrews Country Golf Course Professional Development Award Adam Headley, Green Tree Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Player Development Award John Bizik, Hogan Park Golf Course Patriot Award Alan Coe, Tascosa Golf Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. All applicants are still in consideration for a 2025 Northern Texas PGA Section Award. Section Award winners will be announced on November 21.
October 16, 2025
A new beginning for junior golf that is founded on mentorship, family, and fun