Ishee Seeking Major Championship Victory at Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship

Steven Clements • August 12, 2024

LONGVIEW, Texas (August 12) – Nic Ishee, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club birdied the final three holes at Pinecrest Country Club to take a one stroke lead at the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship.


Ishee fired a 6-under-par, 33-31–64 with no bogeys in the opening round. Ishee was 3-under-par with three holes remaining. “I hit it to 3-feet on #16…then I really just tried to play smart from there. I was able to get up and down on #17 after a nice wedge shot and then #18 was a bonus after I rolled it dead in the middle,” said Ishee.


Ishee’s co-worker Matt Ryba, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club won this Championship in 2022, the last time it was hosted at Pinecrest Country Club. Ryba coined the phrase “Pinecrest rewards patience”. Ishee leaned on that saying and his past experience at Pinecrest during today’s round. “Past experience and being patient, thinking about that helped a lot,” he said.


Seven qualifying spots into the PGA Professional Championship are on the line this week. The Championship is set to be held April 27-30, 2025 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In addition to the seven qualifiers determined tomorrow, the Section will also send reigning Player of the Year Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club to the Championship. 


The PGA Professional Championship serves as a qualifier for 312 PGA of America golf professionals from across the country to compete for 20 spots into the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Eight NTPGA professionals in the field this week have qualified via the Championship for the PGA Championship in the past, including Ishee.


  • Lee Rhind, 2013 at Oak Hill Country Club
  • Brian Norman, 2014 at Valhalla Golf Club
  • Greg Gregory, 2017 Quail Hollow Club
  • Brandon Bingaman, 2022 at Southern Hills Club
  • Nic Ishee, 2022 at Southern Hills Country Club
  • JJ Killeen, 2023 at Oak Hill Country Club
  • Gabe Reynolds, 2023 at Oak Hill Country Club
  • *Kenny Pigman, 2023 Oak Hill Country Club & 2017 Quail Hollow Club
  • *Pigman qualified via the Southern California PGA.


This 36-hole Northern Texas PGA major championship is the third of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. The field is competing for a record tying purse of $50,000 and a $6,000 champion check.


The Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex. Supporting sponsors include Gallagher, Golf Channel and the PGA TOUR. The Championship is supported by Titleist, FootJoy, Callaway Golf, Nike and Taylormade and presenting sponsors include Elijah Craig Bourbon, Therabody and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. 


Pinecrest Country Club 

Par: 35-35–70 

Open Division Yardage: 6,533 


View Results HERE

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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