NTPGA's Top 10 Moments from 2018

NTPGA • January 2, 2019

The Northern Texas PGA had a wonderful 2018, and our Section staff is looking forward to seeing what 2019 has in store for us! However, now that the holidays are over, we wanted to take a look back in chronological order at our favorite moments from 2018.

#1. Ronny Glanton Elected as NTPGA’s 28th President

The Northern Texas PGA held their 50th Annual Meeting on Monday, February 19 at The Westin Galleria Dallas. During the meeting, the membership elected new section leadership, including the 28th Northern Texas PGA President Ronny Glanton. Glanton was also the 22nd President of the NTPGA. Read more.

#2. Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation Awards Record $307,500 in Scholarships

The Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation is dedicated to continuing its charitable commitment to educational services. In 2018, 43 students earned scholarships totaling $305,000, the most ever given in a single year by the Foundation. Of the scholarships awarded, 69% were based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, while 31% were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Also included in this number were five Fairway To Success scholarship recipients who were awarded $20,000 to continue their education. With these students, the Fairway To Success program reached $1 million given to DISD students in 11 years! Read more. *Please note that after this article was published in June, we were able to give out an additional $2,500 bringing the total to $307,500 for 2018.

#3. NTPGA Foundation Has Record-Breaking Summer Camp Attendance

The NTPGA Summer Golf Camp Program provides children ages 6-12 with an opportunity to be introduced to the game of golf. In the summer of 2018, 891 kids across 18 different locations spent five days learning the fundamentals of golf including full swing, putting, chipping, rules and safety. Along with the instruction from PGA Professionals, each camper received a new set of clubs, a hat, water bottle, golf balls, tees and free access to select golf courses. The future of Northern Texas is bright as more and more kids are introduced to golf through this great program! Learn more.

#4. PGA Member Wins Texas State Open for the First Time Since 1987

Ben Kern of Georgetown, Texas, and PGA head professional at Georgetown Country Club, captured the 48th Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open by playing solid, and at times spectacular golf, with rounds of 70, 64, 62 and a final round of 70. He finished the Championship two strokes ahead of the competition at 14-under par 266 for 72-holes. Following the Texas State Open, Kern went on to claim Low PGA Professional honors at the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO. Read more.

#5. NTPGA Junior Golf Three-Peat at Ben Hogan Junior Cup Matches

Shady Oaks Country Club, the Northern Texas PGA and the Southern Texas PGA hosted the 3rd Annual Ben Hogan Junior Cup Matches at Shady Oaks Country Club on Tuesday, August 7 – Wednesday, August 8. The Northern Texas PGA retained the Ben Hogan Junior Cup, finishing the event 13 – 11 over the Southern Texas PGA for a three-peat. With the victory, the Northern Texas PGA team now has a 3-0-0 record in the Matches. Read more.

#6. Former NTPGA Junior Tour Member Wins First Major

In September of 2018, Angela Stanford, a Fort Worth native and NTPGA Junior Tour Member from 1990 to 1994, captured her first major championship at the Evian Championship in Évian-les-Bains, France. The Championships website notes, "After a rollercoaster final sprint, the American Angela Stanford wins the Evian Championship 2018. The 40-year-old American had not won on tour since 2012. She is the first stars and stripes player on the shores of Lake Geneva since Natalie Gulbis in 2007." Read more.

#7. Cameron Doan Receives PGA of America Award

In August 2018, The PGA of America announced that Cameron Doan, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club in Dallas, was awarded the Bill Strausbaugh Award. This award is presented to those PGA Members who by their day-to-day efforts have made significant contributions through mentoring of PGA Professionals. The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA Member, their service to the Association, involvement in community and charitable activities. Read more.

#8. Ewing Charity Classic Event Sets New Record

The 13th Annual Ewing Charity Classic, a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Northern Texas PGA for the benefit of the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, took place at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas on Monday, November 26, 2018. The event raised a record high of $230,000. The Ewing Charity Classic, formerly the Westcott Pro-Am, is widely considered one of the most special and unique events in the country with $4.29 million raised during the past 23 years for the benefit of the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation's broad-based community outreach programs. Read more.

#9. PGA of America and NTPGA Headquarters Moving to Frisco

At the end of November 2018 at a special called meeting by the Frisco City Council, the Council approved a new development that includes the PGA of America relocating its headquarters to the City of Frisco. In addition to the headquarters campus, the development will also include an Omni resort, 45-holes of golf, 18-holes of which will be designed by Gil Hanse. The facility will be called PGA Frisco. What is very exciting for the Northern Texas PGA is that PGA Frisco will also become the home of the Northern Texas PGA! Read more.

#10. NTPGA Reaches 10,000 Through its 2018 Events and Programs

More important than any of these moments is the fact that we feel that we were able to truly serve the members and grow the game of golf this year. We estimate that we impacted the lives of 10,000 of people in the northern Texas community through golf, and that is for what we are always striving to do!

As you can see, 2018 set the bar high for 2019! But, as we reflect on these great memories, we know that this New Year will bring many more record-breaking and memorable moments. Best wishes for a prosperous 2019! Now, #getgolfing

Bingaman, Shields Earn First Match Play Victories at the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort

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

Northern Texas PGA Announces 2025 Section Award Winners

By Molly Rawlins • November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners

Team NTPGA Victorious at Historic 45th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches

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 .

Dillard Earns $25,000 at Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks

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