Northern Texas PGA Announces Section Award Winners

Margaret Miller • November 19, 2021

Courtney Connell Named Golf Professional of the Year

DALLAS, Texas – Each year the Northern Texas PGA recognizes its members and others in the golf community through the NTPGA Awards program. On behalf of the Northern Texas PGA Awards Committee and past Presidents of the Section, it is our pleasure to announce the 2021 Section Award Winners.

 

Courtney Connell, PGA head professional at Mira Vista Country Club, is the recipient of the 2021 Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award. This is the highest annual honor given to a Northern Texas PGA member, awarded for qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NTPGA and the game of golf. 

 

As PGA head professional at Mira Vista Country Club, Connell has spent the last 13 years focusing on delivering exceptional customer service to the Mira Vista membership as well as growing, and developing the game for adult and junior golfers.

 

Connell has been a PGA member for 35 years, joining the Quarter Century Club as a 25 year member of the PGA in 2011. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012 and is in his second and final year serving as NTPGA President. In 2004 Connell received “Master Professional” status, the highest level of PGA status awarded to members.

 

Congratulations to the following 2021 Northern Texas PGA Award Winners. 

 

PGA Member Award Categories

 

Golf Professional of the Year Award – Courtney Connell, Mira Vista Country Club

 

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year Award – Ashley Thorpe, Brook Hollow Golf Club

 

Distinguished Service Award – Billy Harris, Dallas Country Club

 

Teacher and Coach of the Year Award – Corey Lundberg, Altus Performance

 

Randy Smith Youth Player Development Award – Alex Curnutt, Lakewood Country Club

 

Player Development Award (Growth of the Game) – Chad Moscovic, Brook Hollow Golf Club

 

Patriot Award – Ira Molayo, Cedar Crest Golf Course

 

Bill Strausbaugh Award (Club Relations, Employment and Mentoring) – John Sikes, Hollytree Country Club

 

PGA Professional Development Award (Education / Building the Image of a PGA Professional) – Lee Rhind, Midland Country Club

 

Merchandiser of the Year Award (Private Category) – Brandon Veld, Lubbock Country Club

 

Merchandiser of the Year Award (Resort/Public Category) – Cody Roye, Golf Clubs at The Tribute

 

Playing Awards

 

Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO / Asics Player of the Year – JJ Killeen, 4ORE! Golf

 

Ben Hogan / NTPGA Stroke Play Average Award – JJ Killeen, 4ORE! Golf

 

Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge Winner – Bruce Smith, Black Belt Golf Academy

 

NTPGA Woman Player of the Year – Julie Wells, John Sikes Golf Academy

 

Non-PGA Member Award Categories

 

Bob Galt Award (Media) – Arnold Payne, WFAA-TV

 

Byron Nelson Award (Amateur) – Mark Harrison, Northern Texas PGA 

 

Leon Faucett Award (Sales Representative) – Rob Banta, Adventures In Golf

 

Golf Course Superintendent Award – Fore Brown, Midland Country Club

 

 

The winners will be honored at the President’s Dinner on Sunday, February 6, 2022

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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