Northern Texas PGA Foundation Hosts Successful 4th Annual PGA HOPE Cup

Harper Lawson • November 14, 2024

Winning Team Advances to 2025 Secretary’s Cup at PGA Championship

On Wednesday, November 13, 14 teams comprised of a PGA professional and four Veterans competed at Indian Creek Golf Club in the 4th annual PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Cup. The winning team, led by Christopher Lawson, PGA head professional at Ridglea Country Club, alongside veterans Colin Cremin, Marco Garcia, Kenny Edwards, and Ryder Johnson, triumphed with a score of 6-under-par, shooting 30 on the front nine. Their victory earned them the coveted opportunity to represent the Northern Texas PGA at the 2025 Secretary’s Cup, which will take place during the PGA Championship at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.


However, as Lawson noted, the real win wasn’t just the title—it was the chance to give back to those who’ve given so much.


“There is no better way to give back than to those that protected us or are protecting us now,” said Lawson. 


His words reflect the heart of the PGA HOPE program, which introduces golf to military veterans as a tool for improving their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The tournament may have been competitive, but it was also a powerful reminder of the bonds shared between veterans and these PGA professionals.


The team’s journey to victory didn’t come easily. After a strong performance in the morning’s nine-hole segment, Lawson’s team advanced to a unique three-hole aggregate playoff. Playing on holes #11, #8, and #9, they posted a birdie, eagle, and birdie (4-under-par), securing a one-stroke win over the second-place team from Sammons Golf Course. The final putt came from Ryder Johnson, a Navy veteran, who sank an 8-foot putt on the final hole to clinch the win for the team. 


However, for Johnson, the win was more than a team triumph. As a Navy veteran, Johnson’s journey to the PGA HOPE Cup has been filled with personal battles that made his victory all the more poignant. 


“Ten months ago I was an addict and became homeless. This is therapy for me. It helps with my recovery. Each and every day I’m out here learning something on the golf course that I can apply in recovery and so it’s just a blessing to be out here,” Johnson shared, reflecting on the life-changing impact golf and PGA HOPE has had on him.


Johnson’s story is one of resilience and hope, exemplifying the transformative power of the PGA HOPE program. For veterans like him, the game of golf has become more than just a sport—it’s a tool for healing, a means of building camaraderie, and a source of peace.

Highlights from the Day


The day began with registration and tee gifts available starting at 8:00 a.m., with veterans receiving their gifts upon arrival. Players enjoyed breakfast before heading out for a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start on the beautiful Lakes Course at Indian Creek Golf Club. Lunch was served at noon in the clubhouse, where everyone had a chance to relax and network while wrapping up the competition.


A Strong Finish: Secretary’s Cup Qualifier


The Northern Texas PGA Foundation’s PGA HOPE Cup served as a qualifier for the 2025 Secretary’s Cup, which will be held at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, in conjunction with the 2025 PGA Championship. The winning team earned the honor of representing the NTPGA at this prestigious event in May 2025.


The Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup format featured a unique three-hole playoff. The winners of each nine-hole segment advanced to the playoff, and the team with the lowest aggregate score from the three holes was crowned the champion. In the event of a tie, teams faced a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner, but this was not needed.


Thank You to All Who Made It Possible


A big thank you to all the PGA Professionals, veterans, and volunteers who helped make this year’s PGA HOPE Cup a success. Your dedication and hard work are what make the PGA HOPE programs so impactful, and we are grateful for your continued support in changing the lives of veterans. We’d also like to extend a special thank you to the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation, and the Indian Creek Golf Club staff for their invaluable support of this incredible tournament. A heartfelt thanks to the PGA of America Golf Professionals across our Section who hosted PGA HOPE programs in 2024, helping the NTPGA Foundation serve over 500 veterans this year.


As always, we’d like to thank everyone involved for making this event successful. Congratulations to the winning team, and thank you to all participants for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you again next year for another great day at the PGA HOPE Cup!

Missed the Event? You Can Still Make a Difference!


If you were unable to attend the PGA HOPE Cup, you can still contribute to the HOPE 4 Heroes initiative and support our veterans. Please consider donating to the cause by clicking HERE. Every donation helps provide life-changing opportunities for veterans through PGA HOPE programs. Thank you for your continued support.


View current results 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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