Reynolds Tops the Field at the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship

Sam De La Paz • Sep 18, 2024

Earned an Exemption into 2025 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson

DALLAS, Texas (September 17) – Gabe Reynolds, PGA director of instruction at Topgolf - Dallas, won the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship. He carded rounds of 68-63-131, 13-under-par, tying the lowest two-day total in a Northern Texas PGA Championship since 2004. With the victory, Reynolds earned an exemption into THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson for 2025.

Reynolds began the day at 4-under-par and two shots behind Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club and Matt Lohmeyer, PGA director of instruction at SLICGOLF. After a front nine of 30, 5-under-par, he was still one shot behind Dillard, but a tap-in for eagle on the 11th hole tied things up. The two remained tied on the 15th tee, but Reynolds would miss the green and make bogey, while Dillard made birdie to regain his two shot lead.

The par-5, 16th hole provided more movement on the leaderboard. Dillard hit his approach in the water, but managed to save par, while Reynolds made an easy birdie to get within one of the lead. With two holes to play, Dillard had yet to make a bogey for the Championship, but unfortunately bogeyed the final two holes. Reynolds made par on both holes to win by one stroke.

“This golf course is really challenging,” Reynolds said. “If you make pars, you feel like you’re doing well. With Spencer [Dillard] shooting 6-under yesterday and getting off to a hot start today, I knew it was going to take birdies for sure.”

Reynolds’ final round, 9-under-par, set a course record for the newly renovated Gold Course at Dallas Athletic Club, shattering yesterday’s record-tying rounds of 66.

“I feel so proud anytime I get to represent our section,” Reynolds said. “I really do think this is the best run section in the country. To have this title, and to get to go represent us in the Byron Nelson, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” Along with his exemption into the PGA TOUR event Reynolds earned $8,750.

Forty-two professionals ages 50 and over competed in the Senior Division and played for a separate title and purse. Brennan Little, PGA fired a 69-71-140, 4-under-par to claim the title.

Little began the final round with a 36, 1-over-par on the front nine, before responding with four straight birdies to open the back nine. He fended off Pablo Del Olmo, PGA instructor at the PGA Coaching Center, by one stroke to secure the win. They were the only two members in the Senior Division to finish under-par.

“Any time you get to win it’s obviously great,” Little said. “I like competing, I like being around the guys and I think the Section does a fantastic job. It’s nice to be able to play and win a couple tournaments this year.” Today’s victory marks the second of the season for Little. He earned $4,750 for his efforts.

Matt Ryba carded the lone hole-in-one of the Championship on the par-3, 15th hole. After bogeying holes 13 and 14, Ryba stepped up to the 168-yard hole with an 8-iron in hand. “I hit it hard and it took off at the flagstick,” Ryba said. “I had no idea where it came down, but thought it should be close.” The ace was his third career hole-in-one and first in competition.

This 36-hole Northern Texas PGA major championship was the final of four individual stroke play events that comprise the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Points Challenge presented by Adventures In Golf. It was also the final opportunity for professionals to earn points to qualify for the Texas Joe Black Cup and Levy Cup teams.

The Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship was presented by BlueGolf, Ewing Automotive Group, GT Golf Supply Co, PGA TOUR, StrackaLine, Strike Visuals and THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.

Dallas Athletic Club (Gold Course)

Par: 35-37–72

Open Division Yardage: 7,099 yards

Senior Division Yardage: 6,725 yards

View Final Results HERE

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Northern Texas PGA Members to Represent Section on the West Coast at the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship

By Harper Lawson • 25 Sep, 2024

Click here to access the media hub. Click here for live leaderboard. FRISCO, Texas (September 25) — As the crisp autumn air settles over the Sunriver Resort in Oregon, anticipation is building for the 2024 Senior PGA Professional Championship, taking place September 26-29. Five Northern Texas PGA professionals will make the 1,933-mile journey to compete for a chance to advance to the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club next May, with the top 35 finishers earning a spot in the major championship and solidifying their spot on the Corebridge Financial PGA Team. Meet the Northern Texas Contenders: Brennan Little – A longtime caddie on the PGA TOUR, first-time qualifier, caddying for Gary Woodland has extended Little's golf knowledge and eliminated superstitions, improving his consistency in his game. John Sikes – The PGA director of instruction at Hollytree Country Club and a Senior PPC qualifier veteran, brings a rich blend of experience and competitiveness to the field. Karl Altheide – A sales consultant at Ahead LLC, Altheide’s superstitions, such as keeping his tees in one pocket and his ball marker/coin in the other, are integral to his routine which he relied on to perform well at the Championship. Vince Jewell – A PGA instructor at Woodbridge Golf Club, Jewell has honed his mental game to stay exceptionally focused and dialed in. In addition to benefiting the upcoming generation of golfers, his inventive coaching techniques and dedication to constant growth have enhanced his own game. Rob Shields – From The Winsford Group, PGA Member Shields has demonstrated remarkable resilience since a car crash 18 months ago necessitated neck fusion surgery. Surprisingly, there may be a silver lining, as this injury allowed him to fine-tune various aspects of his game. Neck brace no more, Shields is now more prepared than ever and eager to showcase his skills as he represents the NTPGA Section. Learn more about our five Members below: Brennan Little

Northern Texas PGA Announces Player of the Year Honors

By Margaret Miller • 25 Sep, 2024

The Northern Texas PGA is proud to announce that Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club, has captured the 2024 Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year Award presented by Adventures In Golf. Dillard accumulated a 355-point total this season to claim his first Player of the Year title. Dillard is also the Ben Hogan | NTPGA Stroke Play Scoring Average Award winner with a stroke average of 68.88. His year included three second-place finishes at the Prize Possessions | E-Z-GO Eastern Championship, Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship and the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship. Dillard will be the top seed heading into the season-ending Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship slated for Monday, October 7 - Tuesday, October 8 at White Bluff Resort (New Course). Additionally, the Northern Texas PGA is pleased to announce Katelyn Sepmoree, PGA assistant professional at Willow Brook Country Club, as the 2024 NTPGA Woman Player of the Year and Rob Shields, PGA member at the Winsford Group, as the 2024 Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge Award winner. Sepmoree finished the year with 257.50 points and Shields finished the year with 269.17 points. Sepmoree was the top woman finisher at all four individual stroke play Section Major Championships this year. Her best finish was second overall at the Northern Texas PGA Professional Championship. Shields finished the year with one second-place finish in the Senior Division at the Golf Pro Payments Western Championship and one third-place finish in the Senior Division at the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship. Sepmoree will be the number five seed at the Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Match Play Championship, the highest seed by a female ever in the Section. Shields will compete as the top seed against seven other PGA Members in the Senior Division of the year-ending Championship. All three of the points winners also earned spots in PGA of America National Championships. Dillard qualified for the PGA Professional Championship and the Assistant PGA Championship, Sepmoree qualified for the PGA Professional Championship and Shields qualified for the Senior PGA Professional Championship. Congratulations to Spencer, Katelyn and Rob! View the final Yamaha Golf-Car Company | Srixon and Nike Player of the Year points list HERE . View the final Woman Player of the Year Points list HERE . View the final Rolex | XXIO Senior Points Challenge list HERE . View the final Ben Hogan | NTPGA Stroke Play Scoring Average Award list HERE .