Northern Texas PGA Announces 2024 Section Award Winners

(November 14) – With the scent of fresh grass and the promise of competition in the air, three Northern Texas PGA Assistant Professionals are gearing up for a week at the 48th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Taking place November 14-17, 2024, at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, FL, this tournament is more than just a test of skill; it’s a celebration of dedication, perseverance and the love of the game. As these golfers prepare to represent the NTPGA on a national stage, they bring with them not just their aspirations, but also the countless years, hours, minutes and miles devoted to honing their skills on the course. The Competition: A total of 132 PGA Assistant Professionals will compete in a four-day, 72-hole stroke play tournament at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This field includes PGA of America Assistant Professionals and registered Assistant Professional Associates at level two or beyond, all of whom qualified through their local PGA Sections. After two rounds, the field will be cut to the top 70 players and ties. The champion will secure a spot in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship, while the top four finishers and ties will receive exemptions into the 2025 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Meet the Competitors: Ben Swaffield - PGA Assistant Professional at Preston Trail Golf Club Ben Swaffield, originally from a small coastal town in Australia, discovered his passion for golf at a young age, inspired by legends like Adam Scott and Cam Smith. His journey took a pivotal turn when he watched the NFL with friends and thought, "how do we get to the United States?" This dream earned him a golf scholarship to Alabama State University where he competed freshman year, and later transferred to Texas State University. There, he leveraged his golf experience to secure a job offer from Cameron Doan, PGA director of golf at Preston Trail Golf Club, crediting much of his improvement to Doan's guidance. Reflecting on his experience, Swaffield said, "I don't think I can really fathom... moving from Australia to the United States and being able to compete in a national event,” Swaffield said. “It’s certainly something I didn't believe three years ago." Now thriving as a PGA professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, he emphasizes mental resilience, consistency and the importance of a supportive team in his growth as a golfer. After winning the 2023 National Car Rental Northern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship, Swaffield was disappointed when he wasn't eligible to qualify for nationals, a setback that ultimately became a turning point in his career. It motivated him to complete his PGA education and strive for qualification in 2024. With renewed determination, Swaffield is looking forward to representing his Section on a national stage while remaining committed to keeping things simple and soaking in every moment of the journey. Tristan Cottrell - PGA Assistant Professional at Bent Tree Country Club Tristan Cottrell's journey into the world of golf has been shaped by both passion and perseverance. Growing up in a military family, he bounced between Texas and Arizona, but his heart has always been in Texas. “I’ve just always considered myself a Texan,” Cottrell says, reflecting on his roots in San Antonio. After initially dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player as a child, Cottrell quickly pivoted to golf, recognizing the height deficit and set out on his own path into the PGA industry instead. Starting golf at age eight with encouragement from his father, Cottrell's love for the game deepened as he transitioned from a player to a coach. “What I do have a passion about is on the teaching side of the golf industry in instructing and fitting,” he said, underscoring his evolution in the sport. His collegiate golf experience at Wayland Baptist University was a wake-up call, surrounded by skilled peers that pushed him to sharpen his competitive edge. Reflecting on that time, he recalled, “I just saw how hard people worked at their golf game, and I wasn’t sure that I had the passion of practicing as much as they did,” Cottrell said. That realization made him recognize that to excel, he needed to find his own unique passion within the game. With a recent string of impressive performances—including six top-five finishes and consistent top-25 placements—Cottrell is now set to represent the Northern Texas Section at the Assistant PGA Professional Championship in Florida. “The top goal is just to make the cut and get to play some golf throughout the whole weekend,” he said. Ultimately, Cottrell’s journey is about more than just individual success; it’s about honoring his Texas roots and the Section that has supported him along the way. As he looks ahead to national milestones, his future in the game is filled with passion and potential. Spencer Dillard - PGA Assistant Professional at Preston Trail Golf Club Spencer Dillard’s journey to becoming a PGA assistant professional has been anything but conventional. Unlike many golfers who dream of turning pro at an early age, Dillard didn’t decide to pursue a career in golf until he was almost a senior in high school. It wasn’t until he enrolled in the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University that he began to truly see the path ahead. “I didn't really decide that I wanted to be a PGA professional till I was probably a senior in high school, maybe even college,” Dillard recalled. “I didn't fully understand or realize that I wanted to be one until after my first full year.” Though Dillard didn’t play collegiate golf, he gained valuable experience through the PGA Golf Management program and competed in events like the Jones Cup, an amateur invitational tournament that brings together amateurs from the United States and abroad, which helped him build his tournament resilience and focus. Now, as a seasoned PGA professional, Dillard’s consistency and dedication have led to standout performances, including being named the 2024 Player of the Year and the Ben Hogan Stroke Play Scoring Average Winner in the Northern Texas Section. One of the keys to Dillard's success has been his ability to stay grounded and focus on the process, rather than obsessing over the results. “It's not always a linear line between work and results,” he said. “There’s ups and downs, and it can be like a roller coaster sometimes.” By shifting his mindset, Dillard has learned to embrace the game for what it is. “I've been really working on just having more fun and not being so worried about going out and playing the best that you can, just enjoying it for what it's worth, and just staying in the moment,” Dillard said. He attributes his success and passion for the game to his ability to stay mentally and physically balanced, focusing on enjoying the sport rather than placing unnecessary pressure on himself. This mindset has been particularly valuable as he prepares for another trip to the upcoming PGA Professional Championship in Florida. As he heads into the national competition, Dillard’s focus remains on enjoying the experience and representing the Northern Texas Section with pride. “We have one of the best Sections, if not the best Section in the country.” When asked about representing it on the national level Dillard said, “it’s something I take a lot of pride in.” With his hard-earned success and deep love for the game, Dillard is not only proving his competitive mettle, but also setting an example for others, showing that success is as much about the journey as the destination. A Strong Representation: These three professionals not only represent their clubs, but also embody the heart and spirit of the Northern Texas PGA community. Their journeys to this Championship have been shaped by dedication, invaluable mentorship and a deep passion for the game. The Champion, provided they’re eligible, will earn a spot in the 2025 PGA Professional Championship. The top four finishers and ties will earn exemptions into the 2025 National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship. With the support of the entire Northern Texas PGA membership behind them, Tristan Cottrell, Spencer Dillard and Ben Swaffield are ready to take on the national stage in the Sunshine State. We wish them the best of luck as they compete! To follow their journey and catch all the tournament updates, click HERE .