Northern Texas PGA’s 2023 Texas Women’s Open to Feature New Legends of the LPGA Division Thanks to Partnership with Ewing Automotive Group

Margaret Miller • May 3, 2023

The Northern Texas PGA is excited to announce a newly formed Legends of the LPGA division at the 2023 Texas Women’s Open thanks to an enhanced partnership with Ewing Automotive Group.


The 2023 Texas Women’s Open, scheduled for Wednesday, May 31 through Friday, June 2 at The Bridges Golf Club in Gunter, Texas, will feature approximately 24
Legends of the LPGA who will compete in their own division of the championship for a separate $75,000 purse that is supported by Ewing Automotive Group. 


“I have become very good friends with Sandra Haynie,” said Fin Ewing III who is the owner of Ewing Automotive Group. “I was having lunch with her not too long ago when she said it would be really cool if somehow we could have a bunch of the senior LPGA players play in an event. I also agreed that it would be really cool, so I told her that I was going to call Mark Harrison because he’s the guy who can make something like this happen, and sure enough Mark and his team are making it happen.”


“We are excited to enhance this championship and our partnership with Ewing Automotive Group,” said Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “It will be a fantastic opportunity for the future of women’s golf to play alongside true legends of the game. Thank you not only to the LPGA professionals who will play in the championship, but also to Mr. Ewing and Ewing Automotive Group for providing this opportunity to the Legends of the LPGA.”


Haynie, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, is already committed to playing in the Ewing Automotive Legends of the LPGA Division along with Fort Worth resident and LPGA major champion Angela Stanford, LPGA Tour winner and 2010 Texas Women’s Open Champion Cindy Figg-Currier of Austin and 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Champion Jill McGill of Dallas. View the current field for this division
here.


The 2023 Texas Women’s Open is a 54-hole stroke play event that will consist of an additional 120 professionals and amateurs competing for a $30,000 projected purse. The field will play 36-holes before being cut to the low 50 scores and ties. Online registration for both divisions is available at www.ntpga.com. Contestants do not have to be residents of Texas to play. The entry deadline for all contestants is Thursday, May 25 at 5:00 p.m. CT.


The open division field will include the following exempt players should they choose to participate: (1) Past champions; (2) Top 10 professionals and ties from the 2022 Texas Women’s Open; (3) Top 5 amateurs and ties from the 2022 Texas Women’s Open; (4) LPGA Tour Members; (5) Symetra Tour Members with Priority A or Priority C status; (6) 11 exemptions from Junior Tour qualifying; (7) Two Women’s All Pro Tour exemptions.


Unless otherwise exempt, amateurs who are 17 years of age or younger (as of Wednesday, May 31, 2023) shall gain access to the Texas Women’s Open via qualifying tournaments conducted by the following organizations: Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour (All American Tour), Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour (Prestige Tour) and Legends Junior Tour. Additional information on specific qualifying tournaments can be found on each respective organization’s website.

 

For further information about the Texas Women’s Open, please visit the Northern Texas PGA website at www.ntpga.com or contact the Northern Texas PGA office at (214) 420-7421.

By Margaret Miller December 9, 2025
LAJITAS, Texas (December 9) – Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club, won the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort to claim the 2025 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship Open Division title. Rob Shields, PGA member at The Winsford Group, claimed the Senior Division title. The No. 2-seeded Bingaman battled No. 12 Jon Antunes, PGA director of instruction at Heart of Texas Golf Academy, in a 36-hole final match for the title and $10,000. Both players began their run to the championship match back in October at White Bluff Resort, where they battled their way through the 32-player Match Play Championship bracket. “It’s incredible out here,” said Bingaman. “Jon is awesome; we couldn’t have had more fun. It’s hard, because on one hand you want to win and it's stressful, but on the other hand we were just two guys enjoying playing golf.” After playing 18 holes on Monday, their match stood at 2UP in favor of Bingaman. He continued his charge with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, extending his lead to 7UP. Antunes quickly answered back with a long putt on the 9th hole to cut into Bingaman's lead. But, Bingaman drained a birdie putt on hole 13 to end the match. He claimed his first Match Play title 7&5. Bingaman made a putter switch in between the 36-hole match. “I brought two putters with me. I’ve been flipping back and forth recently between a L.A.B Putter and a Scottie Cameron, which did me well last week. Going into this weekend, I had a good feeling [about the latter], and good feelings turned into good playing.” This is the first year that Bingaman has made it to the final match. Antunes has won the title twice, previously in 2021 and 2022. “This was my first time qualifying for [Duel in the Desert], and I was super excited because I’ve heard nothing but great things about Lajitas Golf Resort,” said Bingaman. In the Senior Division, Rob Shields, PGA Member of the Winsford Group, started the day with a 1UP lead over Billy Harris. Harris birdied the 2nd hole to tie the match, and on the next hole, he went 1UP. Shields and Harris battled back and forth on holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 before Shields won holes 8, 9 and 10. His 3UP lead was enough to take the victory on hole 16, 3&2. “I think my putting was good. I hit the fairways today, which is good because if not, you’re playing in the trees, or desert; but, it was fun. I had a good time,” said Shields. He continued by praising his opponent and friend, Billy Harris, “I’ve known Billy for a long time. He’s a good guy.” Shields earned $5,000 for his victory today and his first match play title. This year was the fourth year that the Open Division championship match was conducted in Lajitas and the second year that the Senior Division joined them. “This place is a hidden gem. It’s a great golf course, lots and lots of fun. It was a joy being out here. The elevation changes are awesome,” said Shields about Lajitas Golf Resort. The Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, Lajitas Golf Resort, PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPx Communications and XXIO.
Cameron Doan GY
By Molly Rawlins November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners
November 18, 2025
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 18, 2025) – The historic 45th Joe Black Cup has concluded, and we proudly congratulate Team NTPGA on securing the victory at BraeBurn Country Club with a final score of 15.5–8.5 over Team STPGA. Team NTPGA established early momentum during Day One, delivering an impressive performance in the Four-Ball and Foursomes matches, where they earned 9.5 points to build a commanding lead. Their strong play continued into the Singles matches, where they successfully held off a determined rally from Team STPGA. Throughout Tuesday’s competition, spectators were treated to a dynamic and engaging battle, with the leaderboard frequently shifting between red and blue as both teams exchanged critical points to tie the session 6-6. This year’s event was elevated by a truly memorable “Evening of Honor,” during which we welcomed and celebrated 29 Past Captains. Their presence underscored the tradition, legacy, and camaraderie that define the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The evening served as a powerful reminder of the event’s rich history and the influential leaders who have helped shape its enduring significance. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Team NTPGA for their outstanding performance and to both teams for exemplifying sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and pride in their respective sections. The 45th Joe Black Cup will long be remembered as a fitting tribute to the heritage of golf in Texas, Mr. Joe Black, and the individuals who continue to elevate the game. After 45 years of competition, the Northern Texas PGA now holds a 22–21–2 lead over the Southern Texas PGA in the storied history of the Joe Black Cup Matches. The 46th playing will return to Midland Country Club on November 16–17, 2026, where Team STPGA will look to reclaim the cup and bring it back to Southern Texas. A special thank you to Club Car, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Peter Millar, and Winston Collection for their outstanding partnership and support in creating a world-class atmosphere befitting this historic 45th edition of the Matches. To view the final results, click here .
By Molly Rawlins November 9, 2025
GREENVILLE, Texas (November 9) – Spencer Dillard, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks title, taking home $25,000 for the shootout win. It took two playoff holes for Dillard to best runner-up Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF, with Dillard making par on the second playoff hole while Lohmeyer made bogey after his tee shot found its way into the creek. “Playing hole nine a few times was hard,” commented Dillard. “[The shootout] is different than stroke play golf. It was like match play. You kind of saw what your opponents were in position for and what they were going to do, just trying to outlast them to the finish line. I was pretty comfortable in the shootout portion. Having Mark [Harrison] and Randy [Smith] there with the mics commenting and having some good banter kept us all relaxed. It is awesome to win that kind of money. Quite life-changing for those of us who get the chance to play for it. Thanks, Mr. Ransom, for everything you do for the Section.” Longtime NTPGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 70 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the second annual Shootout. The event was created last year as a way 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 in collaboration with NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison 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 features a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the afternoon shootout. Darren Malicki, PGA Associate at Cascades Country Club, was the first qualifier after finishing 3-under-par. Lohmeyer was the next to advance at 2-under, and finally Dillard at 1-under. Andrew Martin, PGA Associate at Tanglewood Golf Course, 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, Martin was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par and the second three holes saw Darren Malicki bow out, but still earned $7,500. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Lohmeyer battled it out in five. The Oaks Country Club 9 Holes Par 36 3,355 yards View the final results HERE