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

Steven Clements • February 25, 2025

Duel in the Desert to Continue Through 2027

FRISCO, Texas (February 24) - The Northern Texas PGA is excited to announce the enhancement of our existing partnership with Lajitas Golf Resort. The extended partnership includes sponsorship of the newly created Women’s Section Championship, the continuation of the Duel in the Desert and support of the NTPGA Foundation through the All American Tour.


Beginning in 2025, the Northern Texas PGA will host the Lajitas Golf Resorts Women’s Section Championship. It is set for August 12-13 at Royal Oaks Country Club.


“Our staff saw a special opportunity to enhance our partnership with Lajitas Golf Resort and the creation of the Lajitas Golf Resort NTPGA Women’s Section Championship,” said NTPGA CEO Mark Harrison. “It is great to have their support for this tournament. We are also excited to continue providing a truly unique experience to our PGA of America Golf Professionals with the Duel in the Desert. We sincerely appreciate the Lajitas team for their continued support of every segment of the membership of the Northern Texas PGA.”


The highly successful Duel in the Desert, the final match to determine the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Champion, will continue through 2027 for both the Open and Senior Divisions. In 2024, Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, won the Open Division title and Rick Woodson, PGA instructor at Sherrill Park Golf Course, claimed the Senior Division title. Learn more about that event HERE.


“Expanding our partnership with the Northern Texas PGA was something we were excited to do,” said Scott Beasley, President of WSB Resorts, who manage Lajitas Golf Resort. “The success of the Duel in the Desert the last three years has been fantastic, and we wanted to make sure that Lajitas Golf Resort was able to impact every aspect of the Northern Texas PGA’s membership. New for this year we are creating a Pro-Am at Lajitas Golf Resort, specifically for ladies, so when Mark Harrison came to me and talked about the creation of the new NTPGA Women’s Section Championship, it made perfect sense for Lajitas Golf Resort to become the new title sponsor of this exciting event.” 


Additionally, Lajitas Golf Resort has expanded its partnership further to the Northern Texas PGA Foundation. Lajitas Golf Resort will be a title sponsor for an All American Tour tournament to be named at a later date.


About Lajitas Golf Resort

Tucked away in Texas’ historic Big Bend between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park lies Lajitas Resort, the perfect setting for your away-from-it-all adventure. Our 27,000-acre Texas resort is famous for its solitude, natural beauty and rugged desert environment. The resort’s unique destination is rich in Old West history. The resort features our world-class 18-hole golf course, Lajitas Texas Golf. “Black Jack’s Crossing”, designed by PGA Hall of Fame golfer, Lanny Wadkins. We also offer our 5 Stand Sporting Clay Shoot, Cowboy Action shoot, Equestrian Center for family horseback rides, and many other Lajitas Golf Resort activities designed to keep your family as busy as it wants to be.


Learn more: https://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/ 

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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