Napier Maintains Two Stroke Lead at 54th M&P Group Texas State Open After 54-Holes

Steven Clements • August 1, 2024

Tanner Napier of Paris, TX carded a third round 66 to maintain his two stroke lead after 54 holes of the 54th M&P Group Texas State Open. Napier has recorded rounds of 62-63-66 and is at 19-under-par at Cascades Country Club.


Napier started the round by increasing his lead to three strokes with a birdie on the first hole. “[I] got off to a great start, hit it in the fairway on number one and made birdie. Made a few pars and had a really fortunate bounce on the third hole to keep my ball in bounds,” said Napier.


Unfortunately Napier didn’t chip in again on the 18th like he did in the first two rounds. “Hole 18 is my favorite hole right now, I thought I was going to chip in again today.”


Frederick Wedel of The Woodlands, TX is currently in second place at 17-under-par. Wedel fired the second lowest round of the day, a 30-32–62, 8-under-par.


“I hit it pretty steady and kept everything in front of me, I really got going with the putter. In the middle part of my round I made probably four putts all between 20 to 30 feet,” said Wedel. One of the putts was on the par-5, 8th hole down the hill and breaking right to left for eagle.


“I had a couple great opportunities coming in but didn’t get them to fall. Overall [it was a] very good day.” 


Wedel and Napier, who are sharing a house together this week, will be joined by Ryan Johnson in the final group at 9:50 am tomorrow morning.


2019 Texas State Open Champion Kyle Pritchard carded the lowest round of the day at 30-31–61. The 9-under-par round moved Pritchard 25 places up the leaderboard to 14-under-par and five strokes behind Napier.


On holes 13-16 he went birdie, eagle, eagle, birdie. On just the 14th and 15th holes Pritchard is 8-under-par for the week. “It was kind of a surprise. I have been playing well all week and then turned it on for hole 13, 14 , 15. It turned 3-under-par into 8-under-par real quick,” he said. 


The Championship features two additional divisions, Low PGA Professional and Low Amateur. 


Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club in Dallas, TX, leads the PGA Professional Division at 13-under-par after rounds of 66, 65, 66. “I have had so much fun this week. I have just enjoyed getting to come out here and play against these guys that have good talent.” Dillard continues, “I was able to bring my A-game this week and play some good golf, so it's been a blast.”


Jack Burke (a) of Orange, TX, a rising senior at Texas State University leads the Amateur Division at 10-under-par, after carding a 33-33–66 with four birdies and an eagle, with only two bogies. 


Additionally, Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX remains the only player in the field that has not made a bogey during the Championship.


The 54th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event and consists of 156 professionals and amateurs. The starting field was made up of exempt players as well as successful qualifiers. The 61 players who made the cut will compete for the Championship purse of $201,000. The winner will take home $40,000. 


This is M&P Group’s second year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by Christus Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys Hamburgers and Patterson Tyler.


Cascades Country Club

Par: 35-35–70

Yardage: 6,882 yards


View Round Three Results HERE

View Final Round Tee Times 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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