Lohmeyer & Dillard Tie Course Record After First Round of the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship

Sam De La Paz • September 16, 2024

THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Exemption on the Line for Champion

DALLAS, Texas (September 16) – Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF and Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, lead the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship. Both professionals fired an opening round of 33-33-66, 6-under-par at the newly renovated Gold Course at Dallas Athletic Club. The pair hold a two-stroke lead with 18-holes remaining tomorrow.


Lohmeyer, who started his round on the back nine, got off to a quick start with an eagle on the par-5, 11th hole. He followed with two more birdies in the next three holes. “In my practice round yesterday, I had eight birdies and an eagle,” Lohmeyer said. “Today, I had an eagle and six birdies, so that’s two good rounds I haven’t had back-to-back in a long time, on a difficult golf course.”


Dillard was able to card one of the two bogey-free rounds today. “It feels good,” Dillard said about his first round. “I’ve been struggling with my swing a little bit and sometimes when you’re struggling a little bit, you play your best because you’re so focused on one or two things. You’re not worried about all the trouble or all the pressure.”


The pair of 6-under-par rounds tie the Gold Course record originally set by Blaine Hale, Jr. The PGA TOUR member and former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour member set the record on February 3, 2024, just weeks after the course reopened from a 12-month renovation.


The Open Division totals 81 PGA professionals, with 11 taking it under-par. The winning professional in the Open Division will be rewarded with an exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson for 2025.


The Senior Division consists of 42 professionals ages 50 and over, playing for a separate title and purse. Brennan Little, PGA sits atop the Senior Division after first round action. He recorded a score of 3-under-par, 39-30–69 and holds a two-stroke lead over Rob Shields, PGA member at The Winsford Group.


The Championship boasts a Northern Texas PGA record $110,000 overall Championship purse. For the fourth-consecutive year, the field is competing for a purse of $100,000 or more. The Open Division champion will earn $8,750 and the Senior Division champion will earn $4,750.


This 36-hole major championship is the final 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. It is also the final opportunity for professionals to earn points to qualify for the Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup teams.


The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship is presented by BlueGolf, Ewing Automotive Group, GT Golf Supply Co, PGA TOUR, StrackaLine, Strike Visuals and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. 


Dallas Athletic Club (Gold Course)

Par: 35-37–72

Open Division Yardage: 7,099 yards

Senior Division Yardage: 6,725 yards


View Current 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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