The Inaugural Levy Cup Matches Tied After Day One
Dallas, Texas –
The Northern Texas PGA and the Southern Texas PGA are tied at six points apiece after day one of the Levy Cup Matches. The Levy Cup Matches is a newly created annual competition between the Northern Texas PGA and the Southern Texas PGA Sections. This is the inaugural year of the Matches.
The Ryder Cup-style format features teams represented by six Assistant PGA Professionals and six Senior PGA Professionals (any classification, aged 50 and older) who qualified through their respective Section Major Championships. The teams competed in Four-Ball and Foursome Matches day one and will compete in Singles Matches the final day. These Matches were created this year to celebrate the PGA of America's President, Paul Levy who is completing his first year of a two-year term as President of the PGA of America.
“It's all tied up after the first day, just like it should be. Northern and Southern Texas have had a great relationship in the PGA for years. Being a member of Southern Texas forever, it's kind of cool to see the Matches be even," said Paul Levy. "There was some great golf out there today, and it should be really close again tomorrow."
The Matches were tied at three points apiece following the morning Four-Ball Matches. The STPGA took the first three Matches of the morning, but the NTPGA roared back and won the final three Matches to even the score.
Corey Roberson, assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, and Bruce Smith, director of instruction at Black Belt Golf Academy won their Match on the 18th hole, finishing 1-up against Christopher Pribyl, assistant professional at Houston Country Club, and Billy Sitton, golf executive at Triumph Golf. Greg Gregory, assistant professional at Hidden Creek Golf Course, and Perry Arthur, part-owner of The Golf Club of Dallas, finished their Match 2&1 against Michael Rodriguez, assistant professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, and Troy Schleicher, teaching professional at Lake Windcrest Golf Club. After trailing early, Shane Pearce, assistant professional at Hurricane Creek Country Club, and Tom Strueber, PGA Life Member, had the most decisive victory of the Four-Ball Matches for the NTPGA Team. They finished 3&2 against Brandon Drake, assistant professional at Spanish Oaks Golf Course, and Edwin Dickens, assistant professional at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course.
In the afternoon Foursome Matches, Northern and Southern Texas both won two Matches and halved two Matches, leaving the Matches at all-square, six points apiece, leading into the final day's Singles Matches.
Randy Smith, golf professional emeritus and director of instruction at Royal Oaks Country Club, and Clif Nelson, assistant professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, are serving as Co-Captains for the NTPGA Team. The STPGA Co-Captains are Charlie Eskridge, a golf executive at with Padre Isles Management Company and Eskridge Properties, and Christopher Pribyl, assistant professional at Houston Country Club.
One point is awarded to a winning match and a half point is awarded to any match that is tied after eighteen holes. Singles Matches will begin at 8:15 a.m. off of the first tee on Tuesday morning. The Matches are being contested at Royal Oaks Country Club a par 71 layout in Dallas, Texas.
Day One Results.
