Golf Channel Airing "National Instruction Day" in Partnership with PGA of America, Wednesday, May 4, with Live Clinics from Top PGA Instructors

NTPGA • April 27, 2016

Eight Live Hours of Clinics to Feature Renowned PGA Professionals: Breed, Hall, Haney, Harmon, Leadbetter, McCormick, McLean & Utley

ORLANDO, Fla. – Golf Channel – in partnership with the PGA of America – announced its plans for the inaugural “National Instruction Day,” airing on Wednesday, May 4, and featuring a dedicated day of live programming devoted to helping golfers improve their game. National Instruction Day will bring together several of the most respected and recognized PGA Professionals in the game – a culmination of a 100-day campaign celebrating the PGA of America’s Centennial – staging live clinics on Golf Channel, originating from golf courses around the United States, and spanning across four time zones, beginning at 10 a.m. ET.

“National Instruction Day may be the most impactful instruction initiative we’ve ever engaged in at Golf Channel,” said Kevin Schultz, senior director of lifestyle content for Golf Channel. “And that’s significant, given that instruction has been a pillar of our brand from the very beginning. With the support of the PGA of America and its Professionals, for the first time ever, we’ll be able to assemble the game’s most distinguished instructors on one given day, with one goal in mind: to help golfers play better and have more fun.”

“When the PGA of America’s founders gathered a century ago, they made it their mission to elevate the golf profession. The cornerstone of their plans was teaching the game,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “We’re thrilled to partner with Golf Channel to present National Instruction Day, which will be celebrated from coast-to-coast and dedicated to the generations of PGA members who have ensured that all may enjoy the game of a lifetime.”

Each of the six golf course locations participating in National Instruction Day will feature a lead PGA Professional, along with two guest instructors working in collaboration on a live, one-hour clinic from their respective location. Participating PGA Professionals include: Michael Breed, Martin Hall, Hank Haney, Craig Harmon, David Leadbetter, Cameron McCormick, Jim McLean, Stan Utley, along with several others, including PGA President Sprague and PGA Secretary Suzy Whaley. The schedule of programming airing throughout the day, as well as corresponding instructors at each site includes:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4: NATIONAL INSTRUCTION DAY SCHEDULE (all times ET)

7 a.m.-10 a.m.
Golf Channel’s Morning Drive (Orlando, Fla.)
Special Guests: Pete Bevacqua, CEO, PGA of America (in-studio);
Blair O’Neal & Jeff Ritter (in-studio co-hosts for National Instruction Day)

10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield Township, N.J.)
Lead Instructor: Michael Breed
Guest Instructors: Lou Guzzi, Tom Henderson
Special Guest: Derek Sprague, President, PGA of America

11 a.m.-Noon
Ibis Golf & Country Club (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Lead Instructor: Martin Hall
Guest Instructors: Jim McLean, Craig Harmon
Golf Channel Host: Sara Brown

2 p.m.-3 p.m.
Keeton Park Golf Course (Dallas)
Lead Instructor: Cameron McCormick
Guest Instructors: Tony Martinez, Randy Smith
Golf Channel Host: Matt Adams

4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club (Lemont Township, Ill.)
Lead Instructor: Stan Utley
Guest Instructors: Todd Sones, Kevin Weeks
Golf Channel Host: Charlie Rymer

6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Golf Channel’s Golf Central (Orlando, Fla.)
Special Guests: National Instruction Day instructors

7 p.m.-8 p.m.
Fossil Trace Golf Club (Golden, Colo.)
Lead Instructor: Hank Haney
Guest Instructors: Trent Wearner, Sandy LaBauve
Golf Channel Host: Brian Crowell

8 p.m.-9 p.m.
TPC Harding Park (San Francisco)
Lead Instructor: David Leadbetter
Guest Instructors: Suzy Whaley, Secretary, PGA of America, Josh Zander
Golf Channel Host: Lisa Cornwell

9 p.m.-11 p.m.
Golf Channel Studio A (Orlando, Fla.)
Lead Instructors: Michael Breed, Martin Hall
Guest Instructors: Mike Bender, Cheryl Anderson

Blair O’Neal and PGA Professional Jeff Ritter will participate in National Instruction Day, as hosts throughout the day from Studio A at Golf Channel’s World Headquarters in Orlando. O’Neal and Ritter will help viewers transition from one live clinic location to the next, expanding upon tips and themes offered at each clinic location leading up to the live, in-studio two-hour primetime show airing at 9 p.m. ET. Golf Channel’s Morning Drive will prepare viewers for the day of instruction ahead, welcoming O’Neal and Ritter in-studio for an overview of the clinics. Additionally, Pete Bevacqua, CEO of the PGA of America, is expected to join Morning Drive that day, along with Breed and Hall, who will offer a preview of their respective clinics.

National Instruction Day also will serve as an exclamation point on the PGA of America’s celebration of its Centennial in 2016. The 100-day celebration campaign began with a tribute from the PGA’s “Outdoor Demo Day” during its annual PGA Merchandise Show in January, which featured ceremonial tee shots with PGA Professionals from each of the 41 PGA Sections, along with members of PGA Junior League Golf. National Instruction Day on Wednesday, May 4, will mark the 100th day of the campaign. Since January, Golf Channel has been airing PGA Section spotlights on Morning Drive, profiling a charitable, social or educational program initiative taking place within each of the 41 PGA Sections.


ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of NBC Sports Group – is available in more than 200 million homes in 84 countries and 11 languages around the world. Golf Channel features more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, including tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, The Open Championship, Olympics, and Ryder Cup, as well as high-quality news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel’s digital platforms, headed by GolfChannel.com, deliver unmatched coverage of the world of golf. Fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Live Extra and NBC Sports Live Extra and select programming is simulcast via SiriusXM’s PGA TOUR Radio. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital and lifestyle services including Golf Channel Mobile, a comprehensive app covering golf’s latest headlines, scores and analysis; GolfNow, the world’s largest online tee time booking platform and golf course technology partner, which includes the GolfNow Mobile App, featuring on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking; GolfAdvisor.com, the world’s largest golf course ratings and review resource for golfers, by golfers; a North American network of Golf Channel Academy instructional facilities; and Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour.

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.

Media Contact:
Jeff Szklinski
Golf Channel Communication
407-248-3267
Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com

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

Bingaman, Shields Earn First Match Play Victories at the Duel in the Desert at Lajitas Golf Resort

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

Northern Texas PGA Announces 2025 Section Award Winners

By Molly Rawlins • November 21, 2025
2025 NTPGA Award Winners

Team NTPGA Victorious at Historic 45th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches

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 .

Dillard Earns $25,000 at Jerry J. Ransom Northern Texas PGA Shootout at The Oaks

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