Three Tied at the Top After Round One of the 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open

Steven Clements • July 28, 2021

Tyler, Texas - Three players sit atop the 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open leaderboard after round one. Dillon Board, Paul Gonzalez (a), and 2012 Champion Nathan Tyler all shot 8-under-par 62.


Nathan Tyler of Mesquite, Texas, had a round that featured an incredible three eagles. “On number twelve I put it in the hole, 7-iron. So that was pretty nice to get the third one,” said Tyler. He fired an 8-under-par 33-29-62 catching fire on the back nine, playing holes 10 through 16 at 6-under-par.

 

In 2012 Tyler won the Texas State Open at the Lakes at Castle Hills on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. 


Paul Gonzalez (a) of Waxahachie, Texas, made his return to Northern Texas PGA competition today and leads both the Professional and Amatuer Divisions. Gonzalez grew up playing NTPGA Junior Tour events and now attends the University of Texas at Arlington. “I told my coaches after my last tournament that I want to go out and try to win this thing,” said Gonzalez. “I drove it well and just hit it to the fat parts of the greens. That was the game plan today.” 


Gonzalez signed for a bogey-free, 8-under-par 31-31-62 card that included eight birdies. Gonzalez is trying to become the first amateur since Homero Blancas to capture the title. Blancas accomplished the feat in 1960, the first year that the Texas State Open was played. 


Dillon Board of Jacksonville, Florida is the final player tied for the lead at 8-under-par. “I got off to a good start and birdied two of the first three holes. I drove it really well and knocked a couple putts in. Bogey-free is always a good thing,” said Board. Board also added a bogey-free 31-31-62 card including an eagle on par-5 14th.  Board was one of seven players who qualified at The Cascades on June 30. He fired a 4-under par round of 67, finishing tied for second in the qualifier. 


Jack Ireland of The Woodlands, Texas and Tyson Reeder of Edmond, Oklahoma are only one shot back of the leaders in a tie for fourth at 7-under-par 63. 


Davis Seybert (a) of Midland,Texas, the youngest player in the field and a Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour member finished round one at 1-under-par 33-36-69. Seybert earned an exemption through the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour’s All American Tour.


The 51st Higginbotham Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event consisting of 123 professionals and 33 amateurs competing for a $200,000 projected purse. The field will play 36-holes before being cut to the low 55 scores and ties.  72 players are at 1-under par or better following round one. All four rounds will be contested at The Cascades Club from Tuesday, July 27 through Friday, July 30.


The Cascades Club: 6,882 yard, par 70 


View full 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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