CBS Sports presents - Golf's Best Stories End in Thanks

NTPGA • May 5, 2016

Condeleeza Rice, Charlie Rose, Lucas Black, Keegan Bradley, Billy Horschel, Cheyenne Woods Explain the Impact of PGA Professionals; One-Hour Special Debuts Saturday, May 7

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Recognized as the leaders in the game of golf, PGA Professionals also build lifetime relationships with their students.

CBS Sports—in celebration of the PGA of America’s Centennial and its #ThxPGAPro campaign—presents “Golf’s Best Stories End in Thanks,” an hour-long special, narrated by Bill Macatee, which introduces viewers to PGA Professionals nationwide and the profound impact they have made in their students’ lives.

The program will air on Saturday, May 7, from 2–3 p.m. ET on CBS, prior to third-round coverage of the Wells Fargo Championship.

Notable “Thanks PGA Pro” messages include: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; 2011 Champion Keegan Bradley; 2014 FedEx Cup Champion Billy Horschel; LPGA Tour player Cheyenne Woods; “CBS This Morning”
co-anchor Charlie Rose, with PGA Head Professional Jeff Gschwind, of Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, New York; and “NCIS: New Orleans” actor Lucas Black, with PGA Director of Instruction Rick Grayson, at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Missouri.

Among the PGA Professional-student profiles:
• Andy Mitchell, PGA Director of Golf & Rooms Operations at Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando, Florida, site of multiple programming for military veterans with disabilities through PGA HOPE and On Course Foundation. Sgt. John McAfee, one of Mitchell’s students, is a Purple Heart recipient who was awarded two Commendation and Achievement Medals during his tenure in the U.S. Army.

• Aurora Kirchner-McClain, PGA Director of Instruction at Kingwood (Texas) Country Club and her touching connection with 9-year-old PGA Junior League golfer Jhett Skaggs, who is awaiting his second heart transplant.

• Cameron Doan, a PGA Head Professional in Dallas, has a student roster that includes PGA Champion Rich Beem. Yet, Doan draws much of his inspiration from his daughter, Charlsie, 14, who was born without a right hand. In addition to helping his daughter learn the game, Doan taught her the long-lasting and charitable impact golf can have off the course.

• Gerry Hammond, PGA, Owner of the Hammond Golf Academy in Columbus, Ohio, boasts an impressive “Wall of Fame,” which lists 70 names of student-athletes he instructed who have earned college golf scholarships. One of Gerry’s students is fellow PGA Professional Wyatt Worthington II, a graduate of Methodist’s PGA Golf Management University program, who now instructs at the Academy, alongside his mentor, and will compete at the 49th PGA Professional Championship.

• PGA/LPGA Professionals Donna White and Judy Alvarez have spearheaded a successful PGA HOPE program in South Florida, and have seen first-hand the difference golf is making in the lives of veterans. Judy is a national trainer for PGA HOPE, and three-time LPGA Tour winner White is the PGA Head Professional at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach. One veteran, Mary Anderson-Kokell, suffered from severe flashbacks for the past 30 years, but overcame them the day she started playing golf. Anderson-Kokell praises Alvarez and White for giving her a new beginning in her life.

• Tom Mason met a healthy Jalen Castle at Par Tee Golf Center, in West Columbia, South Carolina, where Mason is the Head Professional and owner. Castle was later diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent a noninvasive spinal surgery at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. Between Mason’s guidance and PGA Junior League Golf, Castle is back on the course. Castle met her hero, LPGA major champion Stacy Lewis, who overcame her own similar spinal condition as a teenager.
Golfers everywhere are invited to upload videos, photos and messages to tell their story in support of their favorite PGA Professional at ThxPGAPro.com or on their social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using #thxpgapro.



About the PGA of America
Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

Contact:
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America, 561-624-8446, jcarbone@pgahq.com

By Margaret Miller December 9, 2025
LAJITAS, Texas (December 9) – Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club, won the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort to claim the 2025 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship Open Division title. Rob Shields, PGA member at The Winsford Group, claimed the Senior Division title. The No. 2-seeded Bingaman battled No. 12 Jon Antunes, PGA director of instruction at Heart of Texas Golf Academy, in a 36-hole final match for the title and $10,000. Both players began their run to the championship match back in October at White Bluff Resort, where they battled their way through the 32-player Match Play Championship bracket. “It’s incredible out here,” said Bingaman. “Jon is awesome; we couldn’t have had more fun. It’s hard, because on one hand you want to win and it's stressful, but on the other hand we were just two guys enjoying playing golf.” After playing 18 holes on Monday, their match stood at 2UP in favor of Bingaman. He continued his charge with birdies on holes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, extending his lead to 7UP. Antunes quickly answered back with a long putt on the 9th hole to cut into Bingaman's lead. But, Bingaman drained a birdie putt on hole 13 to end the match. He claimed his first Match Play title 7&5. Bingaman made a putter switch in between the 36-hole match. “I brought two putters with me. I’ve been flipping back and forth recently between a L.A.B Putter and a Scottie Cameron, which did me well last week. Going into this weekend, I had a good feeling [about the latter], and good feelings turned into good playing.” This is the first year that Bingaman has made it to the final match. Antunes has won the title twice, previously in 2021 and 2022. “This was my first time qualifying for [Duel in the Desert], and I was super excited because I’ve heard nothing but great things about Lajitas Golf Resort,” said Bingaman. In the Senior Division, Rob Shields, PGA Member of the Winsford Group, started the day with a 1UP lead over Billy Harris. Harris birdied the 2nd hole to tie the match, and on the next hole, he went 1UP. Shields and Harris battled back and forth on holes 4, 5, 6 and 7 before Shields won holes 8, 9 and 10. His 3UP lead was enough to take the victory on hole 16, 3&2. “I think my putting was good. I hit the fairways today, which is good because if not, you’re playing in the trees, or desert; but, it was fun. I had a good time,” said Shields. He continued by praising his opponent and friend, Billy Harris, “I’ve known Billy for a long time. He’s a good guy.” Shields earned $5,000 for his victory today and his first match play title. This year was the fourth year that the Open Division championship match was conducted in Lajitas and the second year that the Senior Division joined them. “This place is a hidden gem. It’s a great golf course, lots and lots of fun. It was a joy being out here. The elevation changes are awesome,” said Shields about Lajitas Golf Resort. The Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, Lajitas Golf Resort, PGA TOUR, THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, TPx Communications and XXIO.
Cameron Doan GY
By Molly Rawlins November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners
November 18, 2025
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 18, 2025) – The historic 45th Joe Black Cup has concluded, and we proudly congratulate Team NTPGA on securing the victory at BraeBurn Country Club with a final score of 15.5–8.5 over Team STPGA. Team NTPGA established early momentum during Day One, delivering an impressive performance in the Four-Ball and Foursomes matches, where they earned 9.5 points to build a commanding lead. Their strong play continued into the Singles matches, where they successfully held off a determined rally from Team STPGA. Throughout Tuesday’s competition, spectators were treated to a dynamic and engaging battle, with the leaderboard frequently shifting between red and blue as both teams exchanged critical points to tie the session 6-6. This year’s event was elevated by a truly memorable “Evening of Honor,” during which we welcomed and celebrated 29 Past Captains. Their presence underscored the tradition, legacy, and camaraderie that define the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The evening served as a powerful reminder of the event’s rich history and the influential leaders who have helped shape its enduring significance. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Team NTPGA for their outstanding performance and to both teams for exemplifying sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and pride in their respective sections. The 45th Joe Black Cup will long be remembered as a fitting tribute to the heritage of golf in Texas, Mr. Joe Black, and the individuals who continue to elevate the game. After 45 years of competition, the Northern Texas PGA now holds a 22–21–2 lead over the Southern Texas PGA in the storied history of the Joe Black Cup Matches. The 46th playing will return to Midland Country Club on November 16–17, 2026, where Team STPGA will look to reclaim the cup and bring it back to Southern Texas. A special thank you to Club Car, Srixon, Cleveland Golf, Peter Millar, and Winston Collection for their outstanding partnership and support in creating a world-class atmosphere befitting this historic 45th edition of the Matches. To view the final results, click here .
By Molly Rawlins November 9, 2025
GREENVILLE, Texas (November 9) – Spencer Dillard, PGA head professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, claimed the Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks title, taking home $25,000 for the shootout win. It took two playoff holes for Dillard to best runner-up Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF, with Dillard making par on the second playoff hole while Lohmeyer made bogey after his tee shot found its way into the creek. “Playing hole nine a few times was hard,” commented Dillard. “[The shootout] is different than stroke play golf. It was like match play. You kind of saw what your opponents were in position for and what they were going to do, just trying to outlast them to the finish line. I was pretty comfortable in the shootout portion. Having Mark [Harrison] and Randy [Smith] there with the mics commenting and having some good banter kept us all relaxed. It is awesome to win that kind of money. Quite life-changing for those of us who get the chance to play for it. Thanks, Mr. Ransom, for everything you do for the Section.” Longtime NTPGA Foundation supporter Jerry J. Ransom welcomed 70 Northern Texas PGA Members and Associates to The Oaks Country Club for the second annual Shootout. The event was created last year as a way to recognize the PGA Professionals across the Section who dedicate their time and energy to growing the game through the NTPGA Foundation’s initiatives. The event was developed by Ransom in collaboration with NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison as a way to thank PGA Professionals across the Northern Texas Section while also providing exposure to The Oaks Country Club. The Oaks is a top-five nine-hole course in Texas according to the Dallas Morning News golf course rankings. The format for the event features a 9-hole qualifier, with the top three finishers and one randomly selected participant moving on to the afternoon shootout. Darren Malicki, PGA Associate at Cascades Country Club, was the first qualifier after finishing 3-under-par. Lohmeyer was the next to advance at 2-under, and finally Dillard at 1-under. Andrew Martin, PGA Associate at Tanglewood Golf Course, was the random drawing winner. The nine-hole Shootout portion of the event was played in three stages of three holes each, with one professional eliminated after every stage. After the first three holes, Martin was eliminated and landed a prize of $2,500. The scores were then reset to even par and the second three holes saw Darren Malicki bow out, but still earned $7,500. The scores again reset to even par for the final three-hole segment, where Dillard and Lohmeyer battled it out in five. The Oaks Country Club 9 Holes Par 36 3,355 yards View the final results HERE