Luke Long Jumps to the Top After Three Rounds of the 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open

Steven Clements • July 28, 2022

TYLER, TX - Luke Long, of Fayetteville Arkansas has jumped to the top spot after three rounds of the 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open. In the third round Long fired an 8-under-par, 31-31–62. The round featured nine birdies including five straight on holes 14-18. This is the lowest round of the week thus far and puts him at 15-under-par for the Championship.

 

“The round started off really hot, I made birdie on the first hole. I just kind of put it on cruise control until I got another opportunity on hole six,” said Long. Coming down the stretch starting on 14 those are the holes you can really get after it… it was made a few 15-footers, I just had a good day with the flatstick.”

 

Long played collegiate golf at the University of Houston before transferring to the University of Arkansas for his final year of eligibility. He graduated in May and turned pro shortly after and has been playing on the All Pro Tour.

 

Four other players are within five shots of the lead. Joel Thelen is the closest at 13-under-par for the Championship. The 36-hole leader Ryan Grider struggled today, but managed to scrape together 1-under-par, 69. He is now 12-under for the Championship.

 

The par 70, Cascades Country Club played 2.05 shots lower today than in round two with a 69.14 scoring average. The first day of the Championship that it has played under par.

 

The Championship features two additional divisions, Low Amateur and Low PGA Professional. Holden Wisener (a) of Dallas Texas still leads the Amateur Division at 4-under-par. Wisener struggled today and was +2 through 11 holes, but rallied down the stretch and finished at even-par 70. The Low PGA Professional Division saw a lot of movement between the three players that made the cut. Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club fired a 35-31–66, his lowest round of the week, to jump into second place and only two shots behind JJ Killeen, PGA head professional at Red Feather Golf and Social Club.


The 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play Championship that ends Friday, July 29. Final round tee-times will begin on the first and tenth hole at 8:00 a.m.. This year’s Championship boasts a $200,850 purse and the winner will receive $40,000. The awards ceremony is slated to begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.


The Cascades Country Club

Par: 35-35–70

Yardage: 6,882 yards


View Round Three results HERE


ABOUT HIGGINBOTHAM INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation’s 20th largest independent insurance firm, making it the largest Texas-based broker. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations coast to coast, Higginbotham’s approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads.

 



ABOUT THE CASCADES COUNTRY CLUB

The Cascades Country Club, a Master-Planned 5-Star community, is the most comprehensive community in East Texas. This luxury lake front golf, tennis, fitness and residential community sits on 386 acres and is located just five miles from downtown Tyler, Texas. The Cascades Country Club is also conveniently located midway between Dallas, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana. The Cascades Country Club was re-designed by PGA Tour player Mark Hayes to challenge players at any skill level.  Lush, tour-quality greens and broad fairways wind among tall oak and pine trees, with many holes set alongside scenic lakes on the golf course, and a stunning back drop framed by Lake Bellwood greeting you on your first tee shot of the day. 


ABOUT THE NORTHERN TEXAS PGA

The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America and its geographic territory includes the State of Texas north of the 31st latitude, or just north of Austin. The Northern Texas PGA has approximately 900 PGA members and associates employed at more than 300 facilities. 

 

The Northern Texas PGA has 17 full-time staff members and is currently headquartered in Dallas. The Northern Texas PGA will be joining the PGA of America national office relocation to Frisco in the summer of 2022 with its own state-of-the-art headquarters on the PGA Frisco campus.

 

In addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Section, the Northern Texas PGA also operates a non-profit and charitable foundation that focuses on five pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, inclusion, internships and military & veterans.

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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