Reynolds Tops the Field at the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship
Earned an Exemption into 2025 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson
DALLAS, Texas (September 17) – Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas, won the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship. He carded rounds of 68-63-131, 13-under-par, tying the lowest two-day total in a Northern Texas PGA Championship since 2004. With the victory, Reynolds earned an exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson for 2025.
Reynolds began the day at 4-under-par and two shots behind Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club and Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF. After a front nine of 30, 5-under-par, he was still one shot behind Dillard, but a tap-in for eagle on the 11th hole tied things up. The two remained tied on the 15th tee, but Reynolds would miss the green and make bogey, while Dillard made birdie to regain his two shot lead.
The par-5, 16th hole provided more movement on the leaderboard. Dillard hit his approach in the water, but managed to save par, while Reynolds made an easy birdie to get within one of the lead. With two holes to play, Dillard had yet to make a bogey for the Championship, but unfortunately bogeyed the final two holes. Reynolds made par on both holes to win by one stroke.
“This golf course is really challenging,” Reynolds said. “If you make pars, you feel like you’re doing well. With Spencer [Dillard] shooting 6-under yesterday and getting off to a hot start today, I knew it was going to take birdies for sure.”
Reynolds’ final round, 9-under-par, set a course record for the newly renovated Gold Course at Dallas Athletic Club, shattering yesterday’s record-tying rounds of 66.
“I feel so proud anytime I get to represent our section,” Reynolds said. “I really do think this is the best run section in the country. To have this title, and to get to go represent us in the Byron Nelson, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” Along with his exemption into the PGA TOUR event Reynolds earned $8,750.
Forty-two professionals ages 50 and over competed in the Senior Division and played for a separate title and purse. Brennan Little, PGA fired a 69-71-140, 4-under-par to claim the title.
Little began the final round with a 36, 1-over-par on the front nine, before responding with four straight birdies to open the back nine. He fended off Pablo Del Olmo, PGA instructor at the PGA Coaching Center, by one stroke to secure the win. They were the only two members in the Senior Division to finish under-par.
“Any time you get to win it’s obviously great,” Little said. “I like competing, I like being around the guys and I think the Section does a fantastic job. It’s nice to be able to play and win a couple tournaments this year.” Today’s victory marks the second of the season for Little. He earned $4,750 for his efforts.
Matt Ryba carded the lone hole-in-one of the Championship on the par-3, 15th hole. After bogeying holes 13 and 14, Ryba stepped up to the 168-yard hole with an 8-iron in hand. “I hit it hard and it took off at the flagstick,” Ryba said. “I had no idea where it came down, but thought it should be close.” The ace was his third career hole-in-one and first in competition.
This 36-hole Northern Texas PGA major championship was the final of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. It was also the final opportunity for professionals to earn points to qualify for the Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup teams.
The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship was presented by BlueGolf, Ewing Automotive Group, GT Golf Supply Co, PGA TOUR, StrackaLine, Strike Visuals and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Dallas Athletic Club (Gold Course)
Par: 35-37–72
Open Division Yardage: 7,099 yards
Senior Division Yardage: 6,725 yards
View Final Results
HERE
