Kenzie Wright Leads After Round One of the 2021 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open

Steven Clements • June 3, 2021

GARLAND, TEXAS – Kenzie Wright, takes the early lead at the 2021 Energy Producers, Inc.Texas Women’s Open, hosted at Firewheel Golf Park - Bridges Course in Garland, Texas with an opening round 6-under par, bogey-free 32-34-66. 


Following her round, Wright spoke about her on course performance today. “I was able to make some good putts, especially on the back nine. I was able to get some to drop,” she said. “Overall it was a solid day.” 


Wright concluded her collegiate playing career last week at the NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. She began her collegiate career at Southern Methodist University, before transferring to the University of Alabama. This is her first event as a professional. 


Wright is from McKinney, Texas and grew up playing tournaments at Firewheel Golf Park on the Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour. She reflected on this after the round and said, “I grew up on the junior tour and playing tournaments every other week. It was awesome!”


Wright leads by two over new Frisco, Texas resident Emily Penttilä who finished the day at 4-under par 34-34-68. Penttilä said The Bridges Course at Firewheel suits her strong short-iron play well. “I putted really well, I was reading the greens well. Solid day, but [my] putting really stood out and was the best part of today,” stated Penttilä. 


Michelle (Yunxuan) Zhang of Plano, Texas and Grace Kim of Windermere, Florida are leading the way in the amateur division after firing rounds of 69 to finish the day at 3-under par and tied for third place overall. 


The fourteenth hole yielded a hole-in-one today to amateur Brooke Sullivan. The hole was playing 110 yards. Sullivan, who plays at Texas Wesleyan University knocked it in with a 9-iron. This is her first time participating in the Texas Women’s Open, and this was her second hole-in-one. 


The 59 professionals in the field are competing for a share of the $78,000 overall purse - a Texas Women’s Open record purse. The 96 amateurs are competing for the Low Amateur award and a crystal trophy. Also, the top five amateurs who make the cut will be awarded gift certificates redeemable inside the golf shop at Firewheel Golf Park. After round two, the field will be cut to the low 50 scores and ties.


The 54-hole stroke play championship features a record field of 155 top playing professionals and amateurs competing at Firewheel Golf Park - The Bridges Course | Masters/Champion. The 2021 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open field is the largest in the Championship's history with professionals from across the country, World Amateur Golf ranked amateurs, and some of the top juniors in Texas.


The 2021 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open at Firewheel Golf Park is presented by Visit Garland and supported by Volvik.


Firewheel Golf Park - Bridges Course | Masters/Champion: 6,409 yards, par 72


View the Round One Leaderboard 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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