The Northern Texas PGA Foundation Awards $696,500 in Scholarships, Continues to Break Own Record
June 5, 2023
The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to higher education by announcing our 2023 scholarship recipients. A record 80 high school seniors who will be attending college this fall have earned scholarships totaling $696,500 – the most ever awarded in a single year by the NTPGA Foundation.
The scholarship amounts vary from $2,500 to $20,000. In addition, two students were awarded a “last-dollar” full scholarship to two of the Foundation’s partner schools, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) and University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
Two $5,000 scholarships, the iWash of Texas Scholarship and the Gary Dunkerson College Scholarship, will be awarded to two junior golfers via a random drawing during the SA Smith West Texas Junior Invitational tournament later this June.
Another two scholarships thanks to the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation totaling $10,000 will be awarded to two students graduating high school or currently in college who are the child or grandchild of a past NTPGA PGA HOPE graduate.
“To award $696,500 in scholarships this year to a record-breaking 80 students is truly incredible," said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “We would not be able to continue this program without the support of everyone who believes in our Foundation and our commitment to higher education. Thank you to our supporters, and congratulations to these 80 deserving students. We know they all have a bright future ahead.”
This year, of the scholarships awarded, 67% were based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, while 33% were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Since 1983, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation has awarded $4.99 M in college scholarships to 754 deserving students.
Listed below are the names of the 2023 scholarship recipients:
- Allison & Jerry Freeman Scholarship – Jack Whalen – Dallas, TX
- April & Mark Anthony Scholarship – Luke Newton – Highland Village, TX
- Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Scholarship – Grace Frei – The Colony, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Maddox Burton – Irving, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Clarita Fuentes – Dallas, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Gael Soto-Barboza – Dallas, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Lizbeth Enriquez – Dallas, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Gabriel Herrera – Dallas, TX
- AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Leslie Jamarillo – Dallas, TX
- Ben Hogan Foundation / Bruce & Gloria Devlin Scholarship – Brock Braden – Midland, TX
- Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship – Matthew Rui – Allen, TX
- Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship – James Thomson – Dallas, TX
- Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Seve Aguirre – Colleyville, TX
- Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Davis Ovard – Frisco, TX
- CMAA Scholarship – Lilly Sillis – Midlothian, TX
- Dean Larsson / Dallas District Golf Association Scholarship – Katherine Brown – Colleyville, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Cithlaly Crispin – Dallas, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Shane Davis – Dallas, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Doris Gradiz – Dallas, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Rachelle Gutierrez – Dallas, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Jose Loredo Quintana – Dallas, TX
- Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Emily Silva – Dallas, TX
- Dr. Bill Blair Scholarship – Brett Walsh – Lantana, TX
- Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Sophie Drago – Mansfield, TX
- Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Nathan Womack – Elk City, OK
- Frank & Evelyn Borgsmiller Scholarship – Areli Macz Melchor – Dallas, TX
- Fritz & Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation Scholarship – William Kroneberger – McGregor, TX
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – AJ Adams – Plano, TX
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jeremiah Cuellar – Midlothian, TX
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Chase Fields – Roswell, NM
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jack Kash – Flower Mound, TX
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jordyn Keeton – Forsan, TX
- Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jacob Pasteur – Roanoke, TX
- I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – Aliya Larzeia – Dallas, TX
- I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – JaLynn McKinney – Dallas, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Dante Bush – Plano, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Grant Kutz – Coppell, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Lauren Gatsos – Fort Worth, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Christian Willis – Hickory Creek, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Katya Tibbets – Montgomery,TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Julia Helsel – Arlington, TX
- Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Madison Wong – Allen, TX
- Joe Bob Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship – Magen Dow – Ponder, TX
- Joe Black / Texas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship – Kade Burton – Midland, TX
- Jon & Kim Morgan Scholarship – Lucas Thorley – Alvarado, TX
- Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Greece Gomez – Dallas, TX
- Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Ashley Cruz – Dallas, TX
- Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Destiny Reed – Dallas, TX
- Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Luis Leon Pastor – Dallas, TX
- Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Grady Ault – Jacksonville, TX
- Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Madison Wert – Roanoke, TX
- Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Evan Wunsch – Trophy Club, TX
- M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship – William Gillen – Tyler, TX
- Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship – Maddie Anders – Fairview, TX
- Misty Morgan / Laura Morgan FISD Scholarship – Erica Kim – Frisco, TX
- Mizzen + Main Scholarship – Barret Wisener – Dallas, TX
- Perry Arthur Scholarship – Kennedy McCullough – Aledo, TX
- PGA Frisco Scholarship – Aashana Patel – Frisco, TX
- Philip Bleakney Scholarship – Chase Brown – Wichita Falls, TX
- Randy Smith Scholarship – Elena Jurado – Childress, TX
- Rob Norland Scholarship – Marcus Williams – Prosper, TX
- Ronny Glanton Scholarship – Blake Patterson – Forney, TX
- Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship – Madeleine Melson – Colleyville, TX
- Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Olivia Santiago – Flower Mound, TX
- Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Kara Kim – Frisco, TX
- Talley Riggins Construction Group Scholarship – Shay West – San Angelo, TX
- Tees for Keys Scholarship – Michael Rasmussen – Lufkin, TX
- The Ronny Golf Park Scholarship – Jackson Baughman – Prosper, TX
- Thomas Hanson Memorial Scholarship – Diane “Queenie” Guercio – Plano, TX
- Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Will Harris – Garland, TX
- Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Victoria Malott – Richardson, TX
- Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Catalina Malott – Richardson, TX
- UNTD / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Eh Tu Gae – Dallas, TX
- UTA / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Joshua Puga – Dallas, TX
- West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring SA Smith, Hart Warren, Jay McClure and Sherwin Cox Scholarship – Ethan Evans – Amarillo, TX
- Workday Scholarship – David Jensen – Hickory Creek, TX
For more information about the Northern Texas PGA Foundation scholarship program or for additional information about our 2023 recipients, please contact Casey Rayburn at crayburn@ntpga.com or visit www.ntpgajuniorgolf.com/scholarships.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch welcomed 22 teams of veterans and PGA of America Golf Professionals for the 6th Annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Cup. Charleton Dechert, PGA Member at the First Tee of Fort Worth, alongside Jethro Hays, Jerry Gaston, Monte Martin and Jason Rocha claimed the title of tournament champions, earning them a spot at the 2027 Secretary’s Cup, which will take place at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, during PGA Championship week. The team shot 7-under-par and then won the front-nine/back-nine playoff competition in a chip-off to secure the win. The annual event brought together participants from across Northern Texas for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and celebration of the impact PGA HOPE continues to make in the lives of our veterans. The day began as participants gathered for breakfast at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch. During the meal, attendees heard from guest speaker Colonel Don Taylor, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years. Each team, which consisted of a PGA of America Golf Professional and four PGA HOPE graduates from their program, then played a nine-hole scramble format. “I love PGA HOPE. I think that these veterans deserve this opportunity. I hear from everyone saying, this is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
It's supposed to bring us back together,” said team captain Charleton Dechert. “We look forward to representing the Northern Texas PGA at the Secretary’s Cup next year.” The Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup continues to highlight the meaningful relationships built through the program and the dedication of the PGA Professionals who make it possible. Through instruction, mentorship, and time spent on the course, PGA HOPE provides veterans with opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences while discovering the many benefits of the game. Thank you to all of the PGA of America Golf Professionals, veterans, volunteers, and supporters who helped make the 6th annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup a success. Your continued commitment to PGA HOPE allows the NTPGA Foundation to create meaningful experiences and expand opportunities for veterans throughout northern Texas. We would also like to recognize the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation and the team at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch for their support today. A special thank you goes to the PGA of America Golf Professionals across our Section who lead PGA HOPE programs and dedicate their time to serving those who have served our country. Congratulations to all of our participants, and thank you for being part of another memorable Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year. If you weren't able to join us at the Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup, there's still an opportunity to make an impact through the HOPE 4 Heroes initiative. Consider making a donation by clicking HERE . Every donation helps make a difference in the lives of veterans through PGA HOPE programs. Final Results can be found HERE and photos of the event can be found HERE .
DALLAS, Texas (November 3) — After two hard-fought days, the 10th Levy Cup Matches have concluded, and Team NTPGA has secured the victory in dominant fashion with a final score of 16 to 8 over Team STPGA. The Levy Cup is a Ryder Cup-style format tournament featuring teams represented by four Assistant PGA Professionals, four Senior PGA Professionals (any PGA classification, aged 50 and older) and four PGA Members (excluding A-8s and classifications not included in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches) who qualified by earning points through their respective Section’s 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. The 2026 Levy Cup Matches returned to where they first began, Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. In the first edition of the Matches, Team STPGA was victorious 14-10, but Team NTPGA would not be denied this time. They took a commanding 5-1 lead after Monday morning’s opening Four-Ball Matches and looked to keep rolling heading into the afternoon Foursomes Matches. Team STPGA steadied themselves as the Foursomes Matches finished 3-3, giving Team NTPGA an 8 to 4 lead after day one. With a STPGA win in the 9th Levy Cup Matches, Team NTPGA needed 4.5 points in Singles Matches to win the cup. They came out firing, winning the first three matches and never looked back. Team NTPGA dominated the Singles Matches 8 to 4, leading to the largest margin of victory in the history of the Levy Cup Matches – 16 to 8. “It was awesome watching these guys display great golf from both sides, and you know, Team NTPGA just showed out and played just some amazing golf,” said NTPGA Captain Miguel Aguilar. The record-setting victory in the Levy Cup continues an impressive run for the Northern Texas PGA, following back-to-back record victories in the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The streak began in 2024 with a commanding 20–4 victory on home soil, followed by a record-setting 15.5–8.5 victory on the road last year. The 10th Levy Cup Matches were supported by Club Car, Harlestons, Mizzen and Main, and Ping.
On behalf of each NTPGA Chapter Awards Committee, East Texas, Metro Texas and West Texas, we are pleased to announce the 2026 Northern Texas PGA Chapter Award Winners below. 2026 East Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Tim Lawson, The Pinnacle Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Justin Benson, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Cory Ryan, Crown Colony Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Kendall Earp Motes, Sulphur Springs Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Professional Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Doug Myer, Tyler Golf Player Development Award John Sikes, Eagle's Bluff Country Club Patriot Award Dick Goetz, PGA Life Member Youth Player Development Award Mike Williams, Alpine Target Golf Center 2026 Metro Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Abe Hernandez, Royal Oaks Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Shelly Davis, Dallas Athletic Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Gabe Reynolds, Topgolf - Dallas Merchandiser of the Year - Private Brian Schorsten, Colonial Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Chad Williams, Tierra Verde Golf Club Professional Development Award Deborah Foley, PGA of America Bill Strausbaugh Award Trish Holt, Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco Player Development Award Michelle Edgar, The Clubs of Prestonwood - The Hills Patriot Award Bob Nied, The Courses at Watters Creek Youth Player Development Award Garrett Anderson, Golf Clubs at The Tribute 2026 West Chapter Award Winners Golf Professional of the Year Jimmy Tidwell, Abilene Country Club Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Dru Hein, Midland Country Club Teacher & Coach of the Year Brandon Veld, Red Feather Golf & Social Club Merchandiser of the Year - Private Matt Lawson, Lubbock Country Club Merchandiser of the Year - Public Casey Renner, Palo Duro Creek Golf Course Professional Development Award Brian Nagy, Abilene Country Club Bill Strausbaugh Award Jake McCullough, Odessa Country Club Player Development Award Thomas Martin, Green Tree Country Club Patriot Award George Priolo, Ross Rogers Golf Complex Youth Player Development Award Ryan Osgood, Odessa Country Club Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients.
