McCorkle Bests the Seniors and Killeen and Antunes advance to the Duel in the Desert at the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf / Asics Match Play Championship

Steven Clements • October 4, 2022

ROCKWALL, TX – JJ Killeen, PGA director of golf at Red Feather Golf and Social Club, and Jon Antunes, director of instruction at Heart of Texas Golf Academy, are advancing to the Duel in the Desert following the first four rounds of the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf / Asics Match Play Championship. 


The Duel in the Desert will feature No. 1 seed Killeen and No. 7 seed Antunes going head-to-head competing in a 36-hole, finals showdown on December 12-13 at Lajitas Golf Resort’s Black Jack’s Crossing. The event will feature a $10,000 prize for the champion and $5,000 for the runner-up. It will be both professionals' first time at Lajitas Golf Resort.


Killeen won his first two matches on Monday in convincing fashion, 4&2 and 6&5. Today, he survived a tough test from NTPGA veteran Cameron Doan, PGA director of golf at Preston Trail Golf Club, winning 1up in a 20-hole match this morning. In the afternoon, he faced No.4 seed Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Bent Tree Country Club, and defeated him 2&1.


“It’s a grind. Like I've said before, this Section has some great players and in match play anything can happen. This course was fantastic, a really good test and in perfect condition,” said Killeen.


Jon Antunes came in as the defending champion and the No. 7 seed. He faced the No. 26 and No. 10 seeded professionals yesterday and won those matches 2&1 and 3&2 respectively. This morning he faced the No. 2 overall seed Gabe Raynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas, and defeated him 4&3. In the afternoon, Antunes clawed his way back from 2-holes down to win against the No. 11 seed, Brian Coe, PGA instructor at The Highlands Performance Golf Center, 4&3.


“It’s a great facility. I’ve never been here before, but I can’t wait to come back again,” said Antunes about Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club. “There are lots of good players in this Section and no one is ever an easy out in this event. I’ve seen that myself, out in the first round before and also lucky enough to win last year.”


Todd McCorkle, PGA Life Member, claimed the Senior Division today after defeating Stuart Hendley, PGA director of instruction at Dallas Athletic Club, 2&1. This is McCorkle’s second win of the year.


“I’ve never won a match play tournament, it’s not my forte because I tend to be emotional out on the course. It was a real battle for me to stay even keeled, but I did a good job this week,” said McCorkle. “Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club is awesome, it is an incredible test and Stuart was a tough competitor. McCorkle earned $4,000 for his victory today.


The Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf / Asics Match Play Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, AT&T Byron Nelson, Lajitas Golf Resort, PGA TOUR and XXIO. 


Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club

Par: 36-36–72

Yardage: 7,321 yards


View Current Open Division Bracket HERE


View Completed Senior Division Bracket HERE

Northern Texas PGA and Lajitas Golf Resort Expand Partnership to include NTPGA Women’s Section Championship

By Steven Clements • February 25, 2025
Duel in the Desert to Continue Through 2027

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 .
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