Texas Golf Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026

May 19, 2026

NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison Among 2026 Class

Houston, Texas – The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is proud to announce its Class of 2026. This distinguished group of inductees will be honored during the formal induction ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2026, at San Antonio Country Club, presented by Huntington Bank.


This year’s class represents an exceptional collection of individuals and a historic course whose impact has shaped the legacy and future of golf in Texas.


2026 Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductees:

Professional Player: Stacy Lewis

Amateur: Colt Knost

Golf Professional / Teacher: Dale Morgan, PGA

Professional Service: Mark Harrison

Lifetime Achievement: Dave Pelz (Posthumously)

Historic Course: River Oaks Country Club (Houston)


Each inductee will be commemorated with a granite marker on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio, as well as at the Hall of Fame’s anchor sites at The Ronny Golf Park at PGA Frisco and Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.


“This class represents the very best of Texas golf across generations,” said Chairman Mike Booker. “From global champions to transformative leaders and historic venues, each honoree has left a lasting imprint on the game. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the legacy they continue to build.”


Alli Jarrett, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, added, “The Class of 2026 reflects excellence not only in playing performance, but in leadership, innovation, and service. These inductees have elevated the game in meaningful and lasting ways, and we look forward to honoring their stories and contributions.”


The Class of 2026 Digital Museum exhibits are being made possible through a generous grant from the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation, ensuring these legacies are preserved and shared for future generations.


Professional Player - Stacy Lewis

Stacy Lewis, raised in The Woodlands, Texas, is one of the most accomplished American golfers of her generation. After overcoming significant health challenges early in life, Lewis became the 2007 NCAA Individual National Champion at the University of Arkansas before launching a remarkable professional career. Over the course of her career, she amassed 13 LPGA victories, including two major championships, more than 100 top 10 finishes, and reached World No. 1 while earning multiple Player of the Year honors. Lewis represented Team USA in four Solheim Cups as a player and later served as Assistant Captain in 2021 and Captain in 2023 and 2024. She also represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing T4. Through resilience, determination, and competitive excellence, Lewis secured her place as one of the most accomplished players in LPGA history.


Amateur - Colt Knost

Colt Knost, a Dallas native, stands among the most accomplished amateur golfers of his era. In 2007, he achieved a rare double by winning both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Public Links Championships, while also earning the McCormick Medal as the world’s top-ranked amateur and representing the United States on the victorious Walker Cup team. A standout collegiate player at SMU with seven wins, Knost has remained a prominent voice in the game as a CBS Sports broadcaster, continuing to influence golf well beyond his competitive career.


Golf Professional / Teacher - Dale Morgan

Dale Morgan, PGA, has dedicated more than four decades to advancing the game through leadership, mentorship, and excellence in club operations. Best known for his nearly 30-year tenure at Austin Country Club, Morgan upheld and extended one of Texas’s most storied golf traditions while shaping the careers of countless golf professionals and players. A respected leader within the game, Morgan served as President of the Southern Texas PGA and currently serves on the PGA of America Board of Directors. His influence is defined by his commitment to mentorship, professionalism, and the enduring values of the game.


Professional Service - Mark Harrison

Mark Harrison has been a transformative leader in Texas golf through nearly three decades with the Northern Texas PGA, becoming the organization’s third Executive Director in 2011 and its first CEO in 2016. Harrison played a central role in the creation of PGA Frisco, developing the vision and business plan behind the landmark partnership between the PGA of America, the City of Frisco, and TRT Holdings. Under his leadership, the NTPGA has grown into one of the most influential PGA Sections in the country, while his impact on junior golf, philanthropy, and growing the game continues to shape golf across Texas and beyond.


Lifetime Achievement - Dave Pelz (Posthumously)

Dave Pelz’s legacy is defined by innovation, intellect, and a lifelong passion for understanding the game. A former NASA scientist turned golf pioneer, Pelz revolutionized short-game instruction through research, teaching, and technology, influencing generations of players, from amateurs to major champions. Pelz was among the first to scientifically study golf performance and identify the short game as the primary factor in scoring success. His research revealed that nearly 80% of shots lost to par occur within 100 yards of the hole. This groundbreaking insight became the foundation for his teachings, shifting the focus of golf instruction toward more wedge play and putting. Founder of the renowned Scoring Game School and author of multiple best-selling books, his work made golf more accessible, measurable, and enjoyable for millions worldwide.


Historic Course - River Oaks Country Club (Houston)

Established in 1923, River Oaks Country Club is one of the most storied golf courses in Texas. Originally designed by Donald Ross and later renovated by Tom Fazio, the course blends classic architecture with modern championship standards. River Oaks has hosted premier amateur and professional events and has long been associated with some of the game’s greatest figures, including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Babe Zaharias. The club also played an important role in the legacies of the Burke and Harmon families, whose influence on the game helped shape generations of champions and teachers. With a century-long tradition of excellence in competition, instruction, and stewardship of the game, River Oaks continues to hold a significant place in Texas golf history.


_____________________________________________________________________________________________


The induction ceremony is open to the public, and tickets and partnership opportunities are available. https://www.texasgolfhof.org/2026-gathering-of-eagles-celebration


The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present and inspiring future generations of Texas golfers. 


 

Contact:

Alli Jarrett

713-382-8723

www.texasgolfhof.org

By Erik Anderson • September 29, 2026
GREENVILLE, Texas (September 28) – For the second year in a row, Spencer Dillard, PGA director of golf at Golf Clubs at The Tribute, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks, taking home $25,000 for the win. Just like last year, it took Dillard two playoff holes to best runner-up Nick Paez, instructor at The Ronny Golf Park. Both players found the 440-yard, par 4, 9th green in two, but a costly three-putt from Paez from 35 feet led to Dillard finishing off a nervy three-foot putt for the win. Dillard also won with a par in last year’s event and has now taken home the victory in two out of three years in the event’s short history. “It’s pretty special, just the opportunity to play in the event. I just can’t thank Dr. Ransom enough for putting this on and all he does for us,” said Dillard. “Just being able to play is a huge deal and then lasting through the shootout is so tough, so it feels great to be here.” The players in the shootout were battling in what seemed to be a competition of who could continue to make birdies. “Nathan was 9-under through a 12-hole stretch today and still went out. There is so much talent in our Section, so you got to go win it,” said Dillard. Longtime Northern Texas PGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 98 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the third annual Shootout. The event was created 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 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 featured a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the evening shootout. Nathan Park, instructor at Stonebriar Country Club, qualified first after finishing with an impressive 6-under-par, 30. Dillard was the next to advance, carding a 4-under-par, 32, and finally Paez at 3-under-par, 33, who won a six-for-one spot playoff with a birdie on the first extra hole in the playoff. Zack Vinson, PGA head professional at Athens Country Club, 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, Vinson was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par, and the second three holes saw Nathan Park bow out, despite being 9-under-par through 15 holes. He played his final three holes in the shootout at even par. Still, he earned $7,500 for his efforts. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Paez battled it out for three holes, followed by two extra holes in the playoff.
By Erik Anderson • September 23, 2026
Woodson and Schaefer (a) Capture Senior Division
By Erik Anderson • September 16, 2026
Little Secures Senior Division
By Erik Anderson • August 25, 2026
Six qualify for Senior PGA Professional Championship