Killeen Conquers the West Texas Wind to Claim the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship

Steven Clements • September 22, 2021

MIDLAND, Texas - JJ Killeen, PGA director of instruction at 4ORE! Golf, conquered the West Texas winds to claim the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship.

 

Killeen fired rounds of 67-74–141 to finish at 3-under-par and win by one shot. This season was his first playing with the Northern Texas PGA and this marks his first win with the Section.

 

Winds topped 30 mph today after a cold front rolled through West Texas overnight. Killeen said the two rounds “really couldn’t have been more different, the weather and my golf game in general.” 

 

“I grinded the whole back nine, made a bunch of good par saves and had a clutch chip in/pitch in,” said Killeen. 

 

Jeff Barton, PGA director of instruction at Preston Trail Golf Club finished in second place and 2-under-par. He also recorded a double eagle on the par-5 fourth hole.

 

The Senior Division was claimed by Mickey Piersall, PGA Life Member after rounds of 72-73–145 to finish at one-over-par. Piersall was down by two shots with two holes to play, but birdied the 17th and made par at the 18th to win.

 

Piersall has won four Senior Division Section individual major championships after today’s win. He also secured a spot into the 2021 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf Match Play Championship. This was the final chance to do so.

 

“I thought the golf course was in great shape, and it’s a great facility. I didn't have any expectations of winning, my goal was to qualify for the match play [championship],” said Piersall. “I had no idea that I won until I turned the scorecard in.”

 

The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship was the final individual stroke play major championship of the 2021 season. It was also the last chance  to earn points towards the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / ASICS Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf and Cyber Group. The winners for all 2021 Northern Texas PGA playing awards will be announced Wednesday, September 29, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. 

 

The championship also served as the final qualifier for the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches and Levy Cup Matches.

 

96 Northern Texas PGA Members competed for a Section Championship record overall purse of $100,000. Killeen took home $10,000 and Piersall took home $5,000 for their wins. 

 

In addition to the $10,000, Killeen also earned an exemption into the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. “Nothing is better than playing on the PGA TOUR for a golfer in the world. Period,” said Killeen.

 

The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship was presented by AT&T Byron Nelson, Ewing Automotive Group, GT Golf Supplies, Jim Beam Black, the PGA TOUR, and Surf & Turf Golf. 

 

Midland Country Club: 7,094-yard, par 72. 


View final 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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