COLLEGE GOLFER SPOTLIGHT: SEAN BADGER

NTPGA • September 14, 2018

COLLEGE GOLFER SPOTLIGHT: SEAN BADGER

As many of you know, our motto here at the NTPGA Junior Tour is #WHOSNEXT ®. The NTPGA Junior Tour is well represented by its alumni on the PGA, Web.com and LPGA Tours. Currently, there are 22 former Junior Tour members competing professionally including Jordan Spieth, Cody Gribble, Ryan Palmer, Angela Stanford, Brittany Lang and many more.

 

But, our #WHOSNEXT® motto doesn’t just apply to future professional golfers. It applies to our former members currently showcasing their talents at the collegiate level all across the country.

 

In this bi-monthly blog series, we will be featuring former Junior Tour members who are currently playing golf. Every other week we’ll check out what they had to say about their time playing on the NTPGA Junior Tour, and gain some insight into what it’s like to play college golf.

 

We know it is the goal of many of our current members to move on to play golf in college. Are you the next college golfer? #WHOSNEXT®


Sean Badger - NTPGA Junior Tour Member 2013-2014

Graduate - Weber State University 

Professional Sales Major


Q: What are your post graduation plans?

A: Possibly start graduate school while finishing my final year of eligibility next season. After I finish playing golf for Weber, I plan to begin working either in Utah or back home in Dallas. 


Q: How old were you when you became an NTPGA Junior Tour Member?

A: I believe 15 or 16 yrs old. 


Q: How did being a part of the NTPGA Junior Tour help or impact your golf game?

A: It gave me the experience I needed to become a better player and to eventually become a collegiate player. I had a late start to the game and being able to play a ton of tournaments on the NTPGA Junior Tour helped give me the experience I needed to catch up to a lot of the players that had been playing their entire lives. 


Q: What was the biggest thing you learned while you were a part of the NTPGA Junior Tour?

A: I learned how to compete and most importantly, I learned how to network and build lifelong friendships on the golf course. There are players today at the college tournaments that I played junior golf with in Texas and it’s awesome to see them! The friendships I built on the NTPGA Junior Tour are some I’ll always remember. 


Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to current NTPGA Junior Tour members?

A: No matter what happens during a round of golf, try and remember to have fun and if you gave it your best effort then that’s all you can ask for. The results don’t matter. At the end of the day, remember that there is always a tomorrow, always another round of golf, and always another chance to make that final putt for your lowest round ever. 


Q: How did the NTPGA Junior Tour help prepare you for playing golf in college?

A: It gave me the opportunity to play tournaments with some quality players, which is something you see in college. It helped me compete and learn to compete. The NTPGA Junior Tour is a great tour to get a lot of experience on and to build the golf resume. There are many great tournaments that the NTPGA Junior Tour conducted that helped me prepare for my future.


Q: Please describe what your personal golf recruiting process looked like. 

A: I emailed a bunch of coaches at universities in Texas and Utah. I sent them swing videos, scores, and most importantly, information about myself, my grades and other accomplishments outside of golf. Form there, I went on a few visits to schools that emailed me back. Once I got the offer to play for Weber, though, I took it. My recruiting process was simple and didn’t require a ton of thinking once I received an offer from Weber. 


Q: How does playing in college differ from the NTPGA Junior Tour?

A: College golf differs in the sense that it is a lot more serious and you are playing against some of the best players in the country, from all different universities. It’s simply the next level; the courses are much harder and it is a fun challenge. 

By Margaret Miller June 17, 2025
From left to right: Karina Herrera, Jocelyn Ancelmo, Crystal Soto, Natalie Guerrero, Quintasia Isby, Maryah Smith, Clarissa Gamez and Natalie Aranda.
By Margaret Miller June 4, 2025
The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to higher education by announcing our 2025 scholarship recipients. Eighty-one high school seniors who will be attending college this fall have earned scholarships totaling $763,000 – breaking last year’s record by $26,500. This year, the NTPGA Foundation celebrates our newest recipients and the fact that since our scholarship program began, we have now awarded over $6 million in scholarships! The 2025 scholarship amounts vary from $2,500 to $20,000. In addition, two students were awarded a “last-dollar” full scholarship to two of the Foundation’s partner schools, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Since 1983, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation has awarded over $6 million in college scholarships to 922 deserving students. “Surpassing $6 million in scholarships awarded this year is an incredible milestone for our Foundation,” said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “More importantly, it represents meaningful opportunities for 81 remarkable students who are continuing their journey in higher education. This level of impact is only possible because of the generous individuals and partners who believe in our mission and share our commitment to supporting the next generation. To our partners, donors and all those that participate in fundraising events that benefit our Foundation, thank you. And to this year’s scholarship recipients, congratulations. Your future is full of promise, and we’re honored to be a part of your path forward.” This year, of the scholarships awarded, 67% were based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement, while 33% were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Listed below are the names of the 2025 scholarship recipients: 2024 SA Smith Scholarship In Memory of Jerry D. Smith – Dylan Ford – Sonora Secondary School 2024 SA Smith Scholarship In Memory of Jerry D. Smith – Ella Upchurch – Monahans High School Allison & Jerry Freeman Scholarship – Emily Briscoe – Covenant Christian Academy Colleyville ANNIKA Foundation NTPGA Scholarship – Landry Addison – Lake Highlands High School April &Mark Anthony Scholarship – Brady Mann – Bridgeport High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Dorothy Chen – Allen High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Michael Xiao – Colleyville Heritage High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – William Zhang – Highland Park High School Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship/Robert Stennett Scholarship – Coleman Bales – Prestonwood Christian Academy North Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Avery Zweig – Enlightium Academy Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Taylor Phan – Wakeland High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Natalie Aranda – Thomas Jefferson High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Clarissa Gamez – Thomas Jefferson High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Maryah Smith – Booker T. Washington HSPVA Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Karina Herrera – W. W. Samuell High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Natalie Guerrero – W.W. Samuell High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Crystal Soto – W.W. Samuell High School Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open Scholarship – Chloe Sirkin – Grapevine High School Doug & Lisa Hickok Scholarship – Preston Bradford – Highland Park High School Dr. Bill Blair Scholarship – Alyse Gerardot – Liberty High School Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Grace Kalina – Wakeland High School Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Daniel Ferguson – Homeschool Fore Frisco – Layla Baker – Lone Star High School Fore Frisco – Jalen Randle – Lone Star High School Fore Frisco – Sa’Niyah Coleman – Panther Creek High School Fore Frisco – Marie Hampton – Panther Creek High School Fore Frisco – Joel Lim – Panther Creek High School Frank & Evelyn Borgsmiller Scholarship – Marianee Moran Argueta – Thomas Jefferson High School Fritz & Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation Scholarship – Kenneth Fambro – Carroll High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Nicholas Norris – Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Connor Chisum – Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Sean Meador – Trinity Christian Academy Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Emily York – Lovejoy High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Noah Hankinson – Independence High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jackson Licker – Lovejoy High School I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – Akela Larzeia – David W. Carter High School Jerry Andrews Scholarship – Lucas Latimer – Rockwall Heath High School Jerry J. Ransom Pro-Junior-Am Scholarship – To be announced June 23 Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Reese Rayburn – Walnut Grove High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Hayley Kiesling – Flower Mound High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Jack Gibson – Emerson High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Ella Murphree – Lubbock-Cooper High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Priscilla Gant – Cornerstone Christian Academy Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Lucy Kate Smith – Liberty University Online Academy Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Corbin Murray – Mansfield High School Joe Black/Texas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship – Ava Murcer – Lake Highlands High School Joe Bob Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship – Jaxson Green – Troup High School Jon & Kim Morgan Scholarship – Aditya Dawane – Rick Reedy High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Jorge Marquez – Thomas Jefferson High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Alejandro Benitez – Thomas Jefferson High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Kiara Miles – Lincoln High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Stephanie Soria – W.W. Samuell High School Levy Cup Scholarship – Holden Harris – Argyle High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Adrienne Ahn-Upton – Laurel Springs High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Daniel Smith – Coppell High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Patrick Babb – Mansfield High School M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship – Cameron Phillips – Grace Community School Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship – Mary Bleakney – Woodrow Wilson High School Miss Katie Scholarship – Kristopher Thomas – David W. Carter High School Miss Katie Scholarship – Makayla Guerrero – Lincoln High School Neil Lockie/Dallas District Golf Association Scholarship – Luke McKinley – McKinney High School Perry Arthur Scholarship – Jackson Hunt – New Tech High at Coppell Philip Bleakney Scholarship – Hudson Winter – Kingdom Preparatory Academy Randy Smith Scholarship – Haleigh Nash – Amarillo High School Rob Norland Scholarship – Brandt Powers – Malakoff High School Ronny Glanton Scholarship – Callan Patton – Colleyville Heritage High School Ronny Golf Park Scholarship – Adelina Toba – Wakeland High School Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship – Isabella Carter – Shadow Creek High School Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Brandon Gullo – Frisco High School Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Luke Ratikowski – Plano Senior High School Sherrill Park / Two Dads and a Coach Scholarship – Adalyn Hardeman – JJ Pearce High School Tehan Scholarship – Brayden Tomlinson – Frenship High School THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Scholarship – Leroy (LT) Harris – Walnut Grove High School Thomas Hanson Memorial Scholarship – Marek Oley – Colleyville Heritage High School Troy Reiser Scholarship – Kylie Hachtel – McKinney Boyd High School UNTD / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Quintasia Isby – Lincoln High School UTA / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Jocelyn Ancelmo – W. W. Samuell High School West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring SA Smith, Hart Warren, Jay McClure and Sherwin Cox – Brayden Bridges – Compass Academy Charter School
By Molly Rawlins May 23, 2025
Students Honored at Breakfast Hosted by Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa 
By Sarah Jordan February 11, 2025
Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour to PGA Professional: Spencer Dillard 's Journey to Success
By Sarah Jordan January 22, 2025
Northern Texas PGA Receives 2025 Herb Graffis Award
June 18, 2024
Educational program tops $2.5 million in awards 
By Margaret Miller June 3, 2024
Scholarships Given Now Surpass $5 Million in Total
By Vincent Lopez April 4, 2024
The Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour will have three participants at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7, 2024.The National Finals have been held the Sunday before The Masters since 2013 and has ingrained itself into the legendary traditions of the tournament and course. Dixie Mae Crain has competed on the NTPGA Junior Tour since 2019 and has shown steady improvement over the past five years. Although her experience on the Junior Tour has undoubtedly improved her game, there is another aspect of the tour that has aided her on her journey to Augusta. “Just getting the pressure from other people being there, like competitors and all that, just having that pressure,” said Crain. She hasn’t let the rush of being a National Finalist change her preparation however, “It’s really all about if you really get consistent. You just need to get consistent with your chipping and putting.” After seven years of participating in Drive, Chip and Putt Dixie will be competing in the age 12-13 division at Augusta and looks forward to the trip to Georgia with her dad, brother, and two former coaches. 
By Vincent Lopez January 22, 2024
The Northern Texas PGA is proud to share that eight PGA members have been named PGA jr. League #GameChanger Player Engagement Award winners! The award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to PGA Jr. League and serve as leaders in golf instruction and player development. Additionally, Charleton Dechert, PGA facilities manager at First Tee of Fort Worth, and Joey Anders, PGA instructor at Brookhaven Country Club were celebrated for having two of the top 10 largest programs in the country. 
By Molly Rawlins September 26, 2023
FRISCO, TX – The Northern Texas PGA and Veritex Community Bank announced a partnership extension with support directed towards junior golf and events for PGA of America Golf Professionals. The enhanced partnership will last through 2026 and benefit both the NTPGA and NTPGA Foundation. Veritex has been involved as a sponsor of the NTPGA since 2012. Veritex will support tournaments for the NTPGA’s nearly 900 professionals as a sponsor of the Joyce Crane | Veritex Community Bank Section Championship and The National Car Rental Northern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship presented by Veritex Community Bank. Additionally, the NTPGA’s Assistant of the Year will receive a $1,500 bonus from Veritex. Tournaments and events conducted on the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour will be referred to as the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour presented by Veritex Community Bank. The Spring, Summer and Fall Series Points Challenges in all three areas (East, Metro and West) will be referred to as the Veritex Community Bank Points Challenges. “Veritex’s core values are truth, transparency, and integrity. These beliefs are synonymous with those inherent in the game, which is why we are proud to align with organizations such as the NTPGA,” said C. Malcolm Holland, CEO and President of Veritex Community Bank. “We support the game at every level, beginning with junior golf, to rising college and Korn Ferry Tour players, and peak with major champions. Providing a foundation for kids to learn, have fun and compete through the guidance of PGA Professionals is a core aspect of that journey.” “The Northern Texas PGA Members, Associates, staff and junior golfers are fortunate to have a partner on our side like Veritex. We are delighted to continue this long-standing relationship that helps the NTPGA in fulfilling our missions of serving the PGA Professionals and growing the game of golf alongside our friends at Veritex Community Bank who have become a major contributor to the game here in North Texas,” said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA.
More Posts