Deane Claims Joyce Crane / Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company Section Championship, Nabs Exemption Into 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson

NTPGA • September 13, 2016

DALLAS, TX – Stuart Deane, PGA golf coach at The University of Texas at Arlington, bested Greg Gregory, PGA assistant professional at Hidden Creek Golf Course, on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Deane carded a 5-under par 66 during the final round, while Gregory, making his Section Championship debut, fired a 6-under 65 to force the playoff. It took two holes, but Deane came out on top by making par on the 10th hole to claim the title of 2016 Joyce Crane / Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company Section Champion. This was Deane’s second Section Championship victory and his 12th overall Northern Texas PGA Section Individual Major Championship. Deane started the day three shots back of the lead, finishing with a two-day total of 71-66—137, a score of 5-under par.

"It's not an easy golf course to get around and to get those numbers is not easy, so I am proud to be the champion,” said Deane. “I played really, really good. It is probably the best round of golf I have played all year.”

Deane took home a check for $4,500 for his victory, but even more important is the exemption he earned into the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson.

“It feels really good [to earn the exemption]. It's hard to win, but I guess this one means the most because of the difficulty to win these events. [The exemption] is such a big prize for one event, so it is kind of the one that I care about the most even more so now that I am the head coach. I get to go play to represent my boys, my team and the school. Every time I tee it up I recognize that I am a role model and a mentor for the boys," Deane said while getting a bit overcome with the emotion from the victory. "I am very much looking forward to them getting to see their coach compete in a TOUR event."

The Championship also included a Senior Division that was comprised of 28 professionals ages 50 and older who elected to compete for a separate $12,000 purse and played from a modified yardage. Perry Arthur, part owner of The Golf Club of Dallas, was able to hold on to his lead and capture the Senior Division with rounds of 71-71—142 to finish the Championship at even par. He took home a check for $1,750.

The Joyce Crane / Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company Section Championship, presented by AT&T Byron Nelson, Cutter & Buck, Ewing Automotive Group, PGA TOUR and Sterling Cut Glass, was conducted at Lakewood Country Club, a 6,742-yard, par 71 course located in Dallas, Texas. The Open Division field consisted of 77 PGA professionals from the Northern Texas Section of the PGA of America competing for a $33,000 purse.

The Championship was the fourth and final individual stroke play championship of the 2016 season to earn points towards the Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Player of the Year Points Challenge. The Eastern, Western, NTPGA Professional and Section Championships all served as qualifiers for the year-end Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Match Play Championship. The top 32 from the points list and the top eight from the Senior points challenge list will be invited to play in the Championship. With the win Deane is also the 2016 Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Player of the Year. The Player of the Year Points Challenge also serves as a qualifier for the 2016 NTPGA Texas Joe Black Cup team.

Final 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.” 

Northern Texas PGA Celebrates Award Winners, Conducts 57th Annual Meeting

By Molly Rawlins • February 3, 2025
FORT WORTH, TX – The Northern Texas PGA held their annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, February 2, at River Crest Country Club. The banquet celebrated the 2024 NTPGA award winners, which included Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the Section's highest award, won by Neil Lockie, PGA director of golf at Dallas National Golf Club. This is the highest honor given annually to a Northern Texas PGA Member, and is awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA as well as the game of golf. The complete list of award winners can be found HERE . Congratulations to all!

Northern Texas PGA Receives 2025 Herb Graffis Award

By Sarah Jordan • January 22, 2025
Today, our Section was selected as the 2025 Herb Graffis Award recipient! The award is given annually to one of the 41 PGA of America Sections for tireless dedication to growing the game of golf and furthering player-development programming in the community. Thank you to all of our PGA of America Golf Professionals who are involved in so many of our Foundation programs, helping us to impact lives in the communities we serve in North Texas!  Led by President Cameron Doan, PGA, and Executive Director Kelly Gilley, PGA, the Section is backed by a membership of more than 1,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who are employed at more than 300 facilities. The Section’s mission is to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The NTPGA’s success is fueled by the Northern Texas PGA Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to promoting and growing the game of golf among diverse groups of kids in North Texas, and instilling in them the positive, character-developing traits for which the game is known. Annually, approximately 10,000 children and their families are impacted through the Foundation’s full circle of programs and services. Today, based on the three key pillars of the PGA of America REACH Foundation—Youth, Military, Diverse populations—as well as pillars for college scholarships, internships and inclusion, the Foundation reaches a greater audience to promote and grow the game. The centerpiece of the Foundation’s golf programming is the Ronny Golf Park, a first-of-its-kind facility that features a two-acre, lighted golf park made entirely of fully synthetic turf. It can be enjoyed rain or shine, day or night. It is designed with junior golfers in mind, and led by the Section’s PGA-led staff, who offer a variety of programs for children ages 3-14. The Section will be formally recognized again later this year when the PGA of America hosts its Annual Meeting at PGA Frisco in November. Congratulations to all of the 2025 PGA of America award recipients! A full list can be found HERE .

PGA Jr. League #GameChanger Award Winners Honored at 2025 PGA Show

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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