Northern Texas PGA Section and Its Fairway to Success Program to be Spotlighted April 23 on Golf Channel

NTPGA • April 20, 2016

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The Northern Texas PGA Section and its Fairway to Success program, directed by Northern Texas PGA Foundation coordinator Katie Manor, will be spotlighted on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive program on Saturday, April 23, in celebration of the PGA of America’s Centennial.

The Fairway to Success program was established in 2007 as a collaboration among the Northern Texas PGA Section, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Deloitte. Fairway to Success introduces golf to students at three Dallas Independent School District (DISD) high schools, including W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln. These schools were selected based on level of need and lack of outside resources. The program annually awards $20,000 scholarships to deserving students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need.

Through the program, golf instruction is offered during physical education classes, and Northern Texas PGA Professionals offer after-school programming in the spring and fall for those interested in developing their golf skills. Featured in the spotlight is Tony Martinez, PGA Director of Golf at Keeton Park Golf Course, who is one of many PGA Professionals serving as an instructor – and in many cases, also a mentor – to students and imparting values of discipline, honor and integrity that are central to the game of golf. To date, $740,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 37 students, and through the contributions of North Texas Deloitte partners and staff, the scholarship endowment fund has surpassed more than $1.4 million.

In celebration of its Centennial, the PGA of America has partnered with Golf Channel to shine a spotlight on all 41 PGA Sections and their featured programs and initiatives led by PGA Professionals nationwide. The PGA Section Spotlights are scheduled to air on the Golf Channel from Jan. 27–May 4, spanning 100 days in honor of the Centennial.

“In celebrating our Centennial, we want to honor our 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals in all PGA Sections across the country,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “Each day, they’re growing the game and using golf to better lives in their communities, as evidenced by efforts like those of the Northern Texas PGA Section. We’re very proud of these PGA Professionals and look forward to highlighting their efforts this year.”

The spotlights will run in conjunction with the #ThxPGAPro Centennial celebration social media campaign, where golfers everywhere can post videos, photos and messages in support of their favorite PGA Professionals on ThxPGAPro.com or through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Section Spotlights also will be featured prominently on ThxPGAPro.com.


About the PGA of America
Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.

Media Contacts:
Hayley Wilson, Alday Communications, Inc., hayley@aldaycommunications.com, 615-791-1535 x28
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America, jcarbone@pgahq.com, 561-624-8446

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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