Team of Harris / Studebaker Captures The Ratliff Group | O’Brien Architects Pro-Pro Championship
Molly Rawlins • March 23, 2021
Longview, TX –
The team of Keith Harris, PGA general manager at Cross Timbers Golf Course & David Studebaker, assistant professional at Cross Timbers Golf Course, fired a two-round total of 10-under par (66-66–132) to capture this year’s Open Division title at The Ratliff Group | O’Brien Architects Pro-Pro Championship. Harris and Studebaker started the final round tied for the lead before five birdies helped them to a one-stroke victory over the team of John Sikes, PGA director of golf at Hollytree Country Club & Stetson McMillan, teaching professional at John Sikes Golf Academy, as well as the team of Robert McMillan, PGA director of instruction at McMillan Golf Academy & Austin Connelly, PGA TOUR member. Harris and Studebaker shared the first-place Open Division prize of $4,125.
The Senior Division finished with proverbial fireworks as a 20-yard pitch-in birdie on the 36th hole secured a one-shot victory for the team of Jim Henderson, PGA director of golf at Stevens Park Golf Course and Joel Edwards, PGA Life Member. Henderson holed the pitch shot. Henderson / Edwards finished 8-under par (66-68–134) to eclipse Bruce Smith, PGA director of instruction at Black Belt Golf Academy & Brian Mahon, PGA head professional at Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club. This is Henderson and Edward’s second title together, winning the event in 2018 at Southern Trace Country Club. They shared the first-place Senior Division’s prize of $1,600.
The four-ball, 36-hole stroke play Northern Texas PGA major championship featured a field of 53 two-person teams composed of PGA Professionals and Associates competing at two courses over two days in both an Open and Senior division. Round one was contested at Squire Creek Country Club, a par 72, 7,002-yard facility located in Choudrant, Louisiana. Round two took place at Pinecrest Country Club, a par 70, 6,513-yard facility in Longview, Texas.
The Ratliff Group | O’Brien Architects Pro-Pro Championship is presented by Adventures In Golf, AT&T Byron Nelson, Callaway Golf, Columbia Golf, E-Z-GO, Golf ScoreCards Inc., Lorente Golf and Perry Weather.
PLANO, Texas (November 4) – The Northern Texas PGA team fell just shy of winning its fifth straight Levy Cup Matches. Team NTPGA lost to Team STPGA 11.5 to 12.5 after two days of competition at Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format tournament featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals and four Senior PGA Professionals (any classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members Other who qualified through their respective Section Major Championships. The Matches were created in 2017 to celebrate Paul Levy, PGA, who was completing his first year of a two-year term as President of the PGA of America. During his career, Paul has been a member of both Sections. After Monday’s Four-Ball and Foursomes Matches, Team NTPGA trailed 7 to 5. They came out battling in the Singles Matches, winning 5.5 points in the first seven matches. That put Team NTPGA in the lead, but Team STPGA was able to win four of the last five Singles Matches and win the Levy Cup for the first time since 2020. “It was a very hard-fought couple of days by both teams. I could not have been happier to have been a part of this,” said NTPGA Captain Keith Harris, PGA. The 9th Levy Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Dunning and Ping. Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course Par: 36-35–71 Yardage: 6,676 yards View Final Match Standings HERE
PLANO, Texas (November 3) – The Northern Texas PGA trails the Southern Texas PGA 7-5 after day one of the 9th Levy Cup Matches at Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals and four Senior PGA Professionals (any classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members Other who qualified through their respective Section Major Championships. The Matches were created in 2017 to celebrate Paul Levy, PGA who was completing his first year of a two-year term as President of the PGA of America. During his career Paul has been a member of both Sections. After last year’s Matches were shortened due to weather and Team NTPGA won 9-3, Team STPGA was motivated to have a strong showing this year. They took the lead in the morning Four-Ball Matches after winning the final four matches. In the afternoon Foursomes Team NTPGA won 3.5 points to cut into the STPGA lead. Team NTPGA will need to win seven points to keep their winning streak alive and win their fifth straight Matches. Singles Matches begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow The 9th Levy Cup Matches are supported by Club Car, Dunning and Ping. Gleneagles Country Club - Queen’s Course Par: 36-35–71 Yardage: 6,676 yards View Current Match Standings HERE
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 .
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.