Playoff Victories at the Talley Riggins Construction Group | Boxto Pro-Pro Championship

Steven Clements • March 19, 2024

Champions from left to right: Senior Division Bruce Smith & Brian Mahon | Open Division Blake Elliott & Rick Woodson

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (March 19) – The Open Division and Senior Division titles at the Talley Riggins Construction Group | Boxto Pro-Pro Championship were decided in extra holes at Southern Trace Golf Club.


Rick Woodson, PGA instructor at Sherrill Park Golf Course and Blake Elliott, PGA eagled the first playoff hole to defeat Clint Avara, PGA instructor at TGA Premier Sports - Collin County and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club.


Both teams finished the championship at 10-under-par after final rounds of 64 and 65 respectively, and returned to the 18th tee box for a sudden death playoff. After hitting his approach into the par-5 just off the back edge of the green, Elliott had a downhill, left to right breaking putt from 35 feet, that found the hole to win. “I saw the read earlier and knew exactly what it was going to do. It was pretty much get it started on the line with good speed and that was it,” said Elliott.


Woodson, who won two individual Section Major Championships said “They are always fun to win, but this is amazing to win as a team. Especially with Blake,” about their win today. The team won a combined $4,500 of the $30,000 Open Division purse.


The championship was hosted at Southern Trace Country Club and featured a full field of 60, two-person teams that competed in a Four-Ball Stroke Play format for a share of the $39,000 overall purse. The Championship was the second of four team events on the Northern Texas PGA tournament schedule this year.



In the Senior Division the team of Bruce Smith, PGA director of instruction at Black Belt Golf Academy and Brian Mahon, PGA director of instruction at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club won after a two hole playoff. They bested Rafael Floriani, PGA education faculty member at the PGA of America and Gilbert Freeman, PGA Life Member and duo Todd McCorkle, PGA Life Member and Paul Norris, PGA. All three teams finished the championship at 6-under-par.


Smith and Mahon birdied five of their last six holes to get into the playoff with the other two teams. Playing the par-4 9th hole the first time, each team made par. On the second attempt Mahon drained a 15-foot uphill putt for birdie to capture the title. “We got hot coming in to make the playoff holes and pulled it off somehow,” said Mahon. “I always feel pretty comfortable when Brian has the putter in his hand,” said Smith. They will head home with $2,000 of the $9,000 Senior Division purse.


The Talley Riggins Construction Group | Boxto Pro-Pro Championship was presented by Adventures In Golf, Callaway Golf, E-Z-GO, Golf Scorecards Inc., Jim Quinn Finer Golf Products, Lorente Golf, and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. 


Southern Trace Country Club

Par: 36-36–72

Open Division Yardage: 7,038 yards

Senior Division Yardage 6,572 yards


View the final 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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