Three NTPGA Members Earn Prestigious Northern Texas PGA Playing Awards
Taylor Coffelt • September 23, 2020
DALLAS, TX
- The Northern Texas PGA is pleased to announce that Brian Norman, PGA assistant professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, has captured the 2020 Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / ASICS Player of the Year Award presented by Adventures In Golf.
Norman accumulated a 335-point total to claim the 2020 Player of the Year title by a 27.21-point margin over Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Bent Tree Country Club. Norman's year included two T2 finishes at the TPx Communications Western Championship and Prize Possessions Eastern Championship, and two T6 finishes at the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship and Joyce Crane & Veritex Bank Section Championship. This is Norman's third time earning this playing achievement. He secured his first Player of the Year award in 2014 and his second came in 2017.
The Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / ASICS Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf is a season-long competition that rewards the top finishers in the four major individual stroke play events. The four events are the TPx Communications Western Championship, Prize Possessions Eastern Championship, Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship and the Joyce Crane & Veritex Bank Section Championship. The top 32 finishers on the Player of the Year Points Challenge list receive invitations into the season-ending Yamaha Golf-Car Company & Srixon / Cleveland Golf Match Play Championship slated for October 5-7 at Ridgewood Country Club in Waco.
Along with capturing the Player of the Year title, Brian Norman won the 2020 Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Scoring Average Award, averaging 71.13 strokes for eight rounds. The Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Scoring Average Award is presented to the Section member compiling the lowest overall adjusted scoring average in the Open Division for the Western Championship, Eastern Championship, Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship and Section Championship. A minimum of six rounds is required to be eligible for award. This marks Norman’s second Stroke Play Award with his first coming in 2014.
Jim Henderson, PGA director of golf at Stevens Park Golf Course, secured the 2020 OMEGA / XXIO Senior Points Challenge Award after his Senior Division victory at the Joyce Crane & Veritex Bank Section Championship. He amassed 285.71 points to become this season's winner. This marks his first Senior Points Challenge win.
The Northern Texas PGA is also proud to announce that Julie Wells, PGA teaching professional at John Sikes Golf Academy, has captured the title of 2020 NTPGA Woman Player of the Year. She finished in T20 at the TPx Communications Western Championship, T40 at the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship and T38 in the Joyce Crane & Veritex Bank Section Championship. She accumulated 81 points, a 36.67-point margin over Ashley Thorpe, PGA assistant professional at Brook Hollow Golf Club.
Congratulations to Brian, Jim and Julie, and thank you for a great season!
PGA of America Golf Professional Wins $50,000 in Closest-to-the-Hole Shootout
GRAPEVINE, Texas – Registration is now open for the 2026 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open and its qualifying events. The Championship will take place Wednesday, May 27, through Friday, May 29, at Grapevine Golf Course. This 46th year of the Championship marks another chapter in the event’s rich history, continuing its tradition as one of the premier women’s tournaments in Texas. The projected overall purse is $80,000. For the third consecutive year, Grapevine Golf Course will serve as host, reinforcing the City of Grapevine’s commitment to supporting and growing women’s golf. Known for its hospitality and spirited community, Grapevine looks forward to building on the success of previous Championships while delivering a first-class experience for players and spectators alike. The 2026 Championship continues its partnership with the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT). Thanks to the support of the ANNIKA WAPT, this Championship allows the top two finishers to receive exemptions into the Epson Tour’s Island Resort Championship, June 22–28 in Harris, Michigan. Additionally, ANNIKA WAPT members will earn points toward the Callaway Race to Q2, with all earnings counting toward the 2026 ANNIKA WAPT Official Money List. A total of 144 players will compete in a 54-hole stroke play format, with a cut to the low 50 players and ties after 36 holes. New for 2026, players shall gain access to compete in the Championship through qualifying events unless they are otherwise exempt. Exemption categories for the 2026 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open include: Past Champions Top 10 professionals and ties from the 2025 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open Top five amateurs and ties from the 2025 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open First five LPGA Tour Members First 10 Epson Tour Members ANNIKA Top 80 through third event ending April 24 Five amateurs ranked within the Top 500 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking Six All American Tour Exemptions Two Legends Junior Tour Exemptions Two Prestige Exemptions One Host Exemption Two Sponsor Exemptions Three NTPGA/WAPT Exemptions Three Good Good Golf Exemptions Eligibility for the 2026 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open is open to professional and amateur golfers. Amateurs are encouraged to hold a USGA Handicap Index of 6.4 or lower. Additionally, the Championship is recognized as an official Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking and World Amateur Golf Ranking event, further enhancing its prestige and competitive significance. Registration for the 2026 Championship can be found HERE . Qualifying information can be found HERE . For more information about the Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open, visit www.ntpga.com/texas-womens-open . For those wishing to attend the event, admission is complimentary, allowing fans to enjoy top-tier women’s golf in an accessible public setting at one of Texas’ top-ranked public courses. With more than 20 hotels to stay at, it is an easy weekend getaway while you catch the action or play a few rounds of your own. Grapevine offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury resorts like the Gaylord Texan to family-friendly stays like Great Wolf Lodge, plus a variety of select-service hotels. For more information, visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com/texaswomensopen . ###
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