Kern Claims the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship

NTPGA • August 22, 2017

LEWISVILLE, TEXAS – Ben Kern, PGA head professional at Diamondback Golf Club, captured the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship besting Josh Havard, PGA director of instruction at Rolling Hills Country Club, on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Kern had a one shot lead heading into today’s final round, and after an eventful 17 holes where he carded five birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey, he eagled #18 for the second straight day to force the playoff. Havard played steady golf over the two-day event, carding only one bogey during the Championship rounds, but could not overcome Kern’s dominant play on #18 where the playoff was conducted. Kern made birdie to claim his first individual major championship and a check for $2,970.

“I like playing a right to left shot, and the hole is right to left with the wind going with me, so I am able to go after my driver. I had a midiron in, and I was able to hit it in close on day one. I was in the rough today on my final hole in regulation, but I hit a phenomenal shot that landed on the front of the green and chased back there to 10 feet and was lucky enough to make the putt,” Kern said about his play of #18 this week. “My mental game today was pretty good. This whole week my scorecard was pretty colorful. I had a lot of birdies, and I had a lot of bogeys, so I took it as it was and moved on to the next shot. My first two months of [PGA] membership have been a fun ride, low PGA honors at the State Open, and now this, and also a change in job…it’s been eventful, that’s for sure.”

Kern will lead seven other PGA professionals who qualified today from the Northern Texas Section to the 2018 PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz USA and OMEGA. The Championship will be contested June 17 - June 20, 2018 at Bayonet Black Horse in Seaside, California. Joining him will be Havard along with Jon Antunes, PGA director of instruction at Hot Golf, Inc., Michael Martin, PGA teaching professional at Leonard Golf Links, Corey Roberson, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Top Golf – Dallas, Ronny Glanton, PGA head professional at Sherrill Park Golf Course, and Brian Coe, PGA teaching professional at the Golf Center at the Highlands.

In addition, Greg Gregory, PGA assistant professional at Hidden Creek Golf Course, Stuart Deane, PGA director of golf at The University of Texas at Arlington, and Brian Norman, PGA teaching professional at Gleneagles Country Club, are exempt into the 2018 PGA Professional Championship based on their top 20 finish at the 2017 PGA Professional Championship earlier this year.

“I grew up on the West Coast, so I am looking forward to going out there and playing some golf. I am sure I will be beyond nervous, but I am beyond excited to go,” Kern also stated.

The top 20 players from the 2018 PGA Professional Championship will compete in the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, set for August 6-12, 2018.

This 36-hole NTPGA Section major championship was the third of the four individual stroke play championships that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. It also served as a qualifier to earn points to make the 2017 Yamaha Golf-Car Company / Lajitas Golf Resort Match Play Championship, Texas Joe Black Cup team and Levy Cup team.

The Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship was presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz and OMEGA and supported by TaylorMade adidas, Titleist & FootJoy, Golf Advisor and PGA TOUR. The Championship was conducted at The Lakes at Castle Hills, a 7,259-yard, par 72 layout located in Lewisville, Texas.

The Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship featured 102 Section PGA members who competed for a $24,500 overall purse.

The Lakes at Castle Hills
Lewisville, Texas

Par: 36-36--72
Yardage: 7,259

Final roundand qualifyingresults

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. 
More Posts
Share by: