Bouniol and Hudson Co-Leaders After Round Two of the 48th Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open, 59 Make Cut

NTPGA • August 1, 2018

TYLER, Texas – Cyril Bouniol of Willow Park, TX fired a 7-under 63 and Robert Hudson of Memphis, TN carded a 5-under 65 during Round Two of the 48th Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open to share the lead at 8-under par 132 heading into the third round.

Bouniol started today’s round on hole #10 and notched two early eagles on #14 and #18. He added an additional three birdies on the front nine and completed the round with no bogeys. Hudson notched six birdies on the day with five coming on the back nine. He had an impressive finish with birdies on holes #16, #17 and #18 to finish 5-under on the back.

“I would say, overall, my whole game was there today. You’ve got to put the ball in play here, especially on some of those longer par-4’s,” said Bouniol after his round. “I put the ball in play really nicely and putted much better today.”

Following today’s round, the 156-player field was cut to the low 59 scores and ties. Bouniol and Hudson will lead a field of 59 players into Round Three of the Championship. 48 professionals and 11 amateurs survived the cut, which was at even par 140.

Drew Evans of Dallas, TX and Ryan Grider (a) of Lewisville, TX share possession of third place after both carded rounds of 4-under 66. They are just one stroke back of Bouniol and Hudson.

2009 Champion Mikel Martinson of Arlington, TX, 2017 Low PGA Professional Ben Kern of Georgetown, TX and Pierceson Coody (a) of Plano, TX are all two strokes back of Bouniol and Hudson at 6-under par 134. Next week, Kern, who is the PGA head professional at Georgetown Country Club, will be competing as one of 20 PGA club professionals in the PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO.

Again in 2018, the Low PGA Club Professional will be recognized at the Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open. Twenty PGA club professionals started in the State Open field, but only three survived the cut. Kern, currently leads this division at 6-under par. Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at TopGolf Dallas, sits at 3-under 137, while Matt Lohmeyer, PGA teaching professional at GolfTEC – Montgomery Plaza sits at 1-under 139.

A record 11 amateurs made the cut. Grider will continue to battle a strong field of amateur competitors over the next two days who are vying to earn Low Amateur honors. Coody sits just one shot back of Grider.


The Cascades Club is hosting the 72-hole stroke play event for all four rounds. The course is a 6,882-yard, par 70 layout. For the Championship, hole #10 is being played as a par 4 rather than a par 5.

The purse for the Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open is a record $205,000, one of the largest state open purses in the country. The champion will win $42,500.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation’s scholarship program with the creation of the Tanos Exploration II / Patterson-UTI Drilling Texas State Open Scholarship. Emma French from Bullard, Texas was awarded this scholarship. This year the NTPGA Junior Golf Foundation awarded more than $307,500 in scholarships to 44 high school seniors from North Texas.

Round Three will commence on Thursday, August 2 at 8:00 a.m. Bouniol and Hudson will tee off at 12:16 p.m.

Starting times and groupings can be found at www.ntpga.com. Admission is free to all.

Please note: (a) denotes amateur, and amateurs will be awarded gift certificates.

Round Two results

Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour to PGA Professional: Spencer Dillard’s Journey to Success

By Sarah Jordan • February 11, 2025
Spencer Dillard’s rise from a young golfer to a devoted PGA of America Golf Professional is a story of passion and purpose. His love for the game began when he was gifted a Tiger Wood’s golf video game as a kid. Spencer, who is now an Assistant Golf Professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, reflects on a journey shaped by the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour. Spencer’s golfing journey began at the age of seven when his parents enrolled him in a small golf camp in McKinney, Texas. A year later, he discovered the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour and started competing in tournaments. These early experiences helped him develop both his skills and excitement for the game. Spencer’s first experience on the junior tour was memorable. “I think I shot 72 for my very first [Prep Tour] event,” Dillard shares. “By the end of that year, I shot a 46. I was so happy to go from shooting a 72 for nine holes to [shooting] in the 40s.” 

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By Sarah Jordan • January 22, 2025
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By Sarah Jordan • January 21, 2025
At this year's PGA Show, eight Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates were recognized as #GameChanger Award recipients! The #GameChanger Awards celebrate PGA Jr. League Coaches who go above and beyond to grow the game. The awards honor the 25 largest PGA Jr. League programs in the country as well as the largest programs in each of the 41 PGA of America Sections. The ceremony at the PGA SHOW highlighted the efforts of PGA and LPGA Professionals who are leading the way for youth to enjoy and learn the game of golf. 
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