PGA TOUR Rookie Scottie Scheffler’s Donation Makes Lasting Impact on Junior Golf
Abbi Kasitz • July 1, 2020
The Northern Texas PGA Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with PGA TOUR professional Scottie Scheffler as he supports junior golf in conjunction with the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program. During the Ewing Charity Classic, held in December 2019, Scheffler announced that $50,000 of the $300,000 he won through the RSM Birdies Fore Love program would be donated to the NTPGA Foundation.
As a former NTPGA Junior Tour member from 2002-2010, Scheffler played 136 tournaments on the Prep, Medalist and All American Tours, before “graduating” to the Legends Junior Tour. He has a personal connection to the NTPGA’s junior golf programs.
“Playing on the NTPGA Junior Tour was a learning curve for me. It is basically where I learned how to play golf. You know, playing since I was probably six or seven years old starting in the 9-hole tournaments and eventually making it all the way to the Legends Tour, it really kind of shaped me as a golfer when I was pretty young,” said Scheffler in an interview with the Northern Texas PGA Foundation recently.
Because of his personal growth and development as a junior golfer on the NTPGA Junior Tour, Scheffler has designated this donation be directed toward the NTPGA Foundation’s junior golf and education pillars.
Introduction - Prep Tour (9-hole competitions)
To encourage the growth of the game and continued skill development, Junior Tour members who have never played in a 9-hole tournament on the NTPGA Junior Tour will be provided a free entry fee for their first Prep Tour event, compliments of Scottie Scheffler and the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program. Scottie played in 50 Prep Tour events when he was starting to compete.
Playing - Membership and Financial Assistance for Junior Golfers
Junior golfers in North Texas who have a passion for the game of golf but lack the financial means to join and compete on the Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour will have an opportunity to do so through a new grant initiative that has been created compliments of Scottie Scheffler and the RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program.
This grant initiative, named the Scottie Scheffler / RSM Birdies Fore Love grant program, provides funds for junior golfers to cover the cost of Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour membership as well as entry fees for tournaments. Those who are eligible and wish to apply for this grant can do so HERE.
Education - College Scholarships
Each year, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation continues its charitable commitment to educational services by providing scholarships for very deserving students to attend college. This year, the NTPGA Foundation awarded a record $417,000 in scholarships to 44 deserving high school seniors.
This year, the Scottie Scheffler / RSM Birdies Fore Love Scholarships were awarded to Courtney Kang and Matthew Willner who will both be attending Scottie’s alma mater in the fall, the University of Texas at Austin.
“We have literally watched Scottie grow up on our Junior Tour over the years and we are so proud of him,” said Mark Harrison, Executive Director / CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “It is an honor to have him support the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and our Junior Golf and Education pillars. The support that he is providing will afford amazing opportunities to junior golfers that truly could become the next Scottie Scheffler. He is providing access that will have a lasting and meaningful impact on junior golf in North Texas for years to come.”
For more information on the Northern Texas PGA Foundation and Junior Tour, please visit www.foundation.ntpga.com
or contact the Northern Texas PGA office at (214) 420-7421.
Duel in the Desert to Continue Through 2027
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.”
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!
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 .
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