Northern Texas PGA Team Leads After Day One of the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches

NTPGA • October 25, 2016

Lajitas, Texas – The Northern Texas PGA leads the Southern Texas PGA 9.5 to 2.5 after day one of the 36th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches.

The NTPGA started off strong by capturing 5 points in the morning Four-Ball Matches. Britt Patton, PGA director of golf at Dallas National Golf Club, and Daniel Coughlan, PGA head professional at Abilene Country Club, had the most decisive victory of the morning besting Ricky Arnett, PGA head professional at Great Hills Country Club, and Doug DeSive, PGA head professional at Corpus Christi Country Club, 3 & 1.

Dean Larsson, PGA head professional at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, and Adam Headley, PGA head professional at Hillcrest Country Club, earned a great half point after splitting their match with Casey Russell, PGA head professional at The Club at Colony Creek, and Jason Alexander, PGA Head Professional at The Club at Carlton Woods. Larsson and Headley were able to battle back after trailing most of the match. Larsson made eagle on #16 and birdie on #17 and brought the match back to All Square heading into #18. Both teams made birdie, given each team a half a point. The other half point came when Tony Martinez, PGA director of golf at Keeton Park Golf Course, and Chance Blythe, PGA general manager at The Old Brickyard Golf Course, took a back and forth match to #18 against Eric Bogar, PGA head professional at Sugar Creek Country Club, and Joe Mitchell, PGA head professional at Victoria Country Club.

In the afternoon Foursome Matches, it appeared that the Southern Texas team was going to mount a comeback, taking the lead early in several of the matches, but the NTPGA battled back and notched an additional 4.5 points to take a commanding lead into tomorrow’s Singles Matches.

The Northern Texas team had seven wins and five halves as nine of the 12 matches came down to #18. This was the first time in the history of the matches that either team was undefeated on day one of the Matches.

“In the 36 years of the Matches I do not ever recall so many matches coming to the final hole in both sessions, including all six matches this afternoon,” said Mr. Joe Black.

The teams from each Section are represented by their Section President, the top playing PGA Directors of Golf, PGA Head Professionals and PGA General Managers, a Senior Representative, and a Captain’s Pick. Paul Earnest, PGA director of golf at Four Seasons Resort and Club, is captain of the Northern Texas PGA team, and Randy Jones, PGA director of instruction at The Golf Club of Texas, is serving as the Southern Texas PGA captain.

The Texas Joe Black Cup Matches is an annual competition between the Northern Texas PGA and the Southern Texas PGA Sections. The Southern Texas PGA currently leads the matches with an 18-16-1 overall record. The Ryder Cup-style format features 12 golf professionals from each Section competing in Four-Ball and Foursome Matches the first day followed by Singles Matches the final day. The event was started in 1981 to honor Joe Black, a Snyder, Texas native who was completing his first year as President of The PGA of America.

One point is awarded to a winning match and a half point is awarded to any match that is tied after eighteen holes. The Northern Texas PGA needs 12.5 points to capture the cup while the Southern Texas PGA needs 12 points to retain the cup. Singles matches will begin at 9:30 a.m. off of the first tee on Wednesday morning. The Matches are being contested at Black Jack’s Crossing Golf Course at Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa, a 7,296-yards, par 72 layout in Lajitas, Texas.

Day One Results.

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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