For the Second Year, Five Frisco ISD Seniors Receive Fore Frisco Scholarships

Logan Bearden • May 28, 2026

FRISCO, TX (May 28, 2026) – This week, Omni Hotels & Resorts, alongside the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA), hosted a celebratory breakfast to honor five Frisco ISD seniors who received a Fore Frisco scholarship at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa. The 2026 Fore Frisco scholarship recipients are Amara Okafor, Kayla Rochez, Rajdeep Singh, Lauryn Spraggs and Nikki Zahed.


Now in its second year, Fore Frisco is a need-based scholarship program that is a joint effort between the NTPGA Foundation and Omni Hotels and Resorts aimed at helping local students by considering their academic performance, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. The two participating Frisco ISD high schools in this program are currently Panther Creek and Lone Star High School. More than 30 students from both schools participated in a five-week program hosted at The Ronny Golf Park and learned the fundamentals of golf at The Ronny Golf Park. In addition to learning golf skills, students gained insight into career opportunities in hospitality at Omni Hotels & Resorts as well as careers in golf. Upon completion of the program, eligible students could apply for a scholarship.



Fore Frisco embodies Omni Hotels & Resorts ‘Heart for All’ commitment to championing our communities in meaningful, lasting ways. At Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, we are proud to support a program that not only provides financial assistance but also opens doors for local Frisco ISD students through mentorship and exposure to careers in golf and hospitality. Watching these students gain confidence and envision their futures is incredibly powerful, and we are excited to see Fore Frisco continue to grow its impact across Frisco,” said Jeff Smith, Vice President & Area Managing Director, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa.


Furthermore, each recipient will be paired with a mentor from the leadership team at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa to help guide them throughout their college years.


An exciting and impressive addition for year two of this program, the University of North Texas joined as a partner to offer one full-ride scholarship to a Fore Frisco participant who had interest in attending UNT. The winner was Kayla Rochez.


"We are proud to partner with Fore Frisco to create opportunities for exceptional students to unlock their full potential. Program participants at UNT are highly successful. We are honored to award a full scholarship to Kayla, who represents the very best of what this partnership makes possible,” said Harrison Smith, Ph.D., President of The University of North Texas.


“Year two of the Fore Frisco program was a great success, and the addition of UNT as a partner and these five students are a testament to that,” said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “Amara, Kayla, Rajdeep, Lauryn and Nikki represent what this program is all about, and I know that they are going to impress us as they begin their college journeys. We have great support from both flagship high schools, their staff and the Omni team. We feel very fortunate to have the ability to keep building the Fore Frisco program.”


More about the 2026 Fore Frisco scholarship recipients:


Fore Frisco $20,000 Scholarships provided by Omni Hotels & Resorts:


Amara Okafor - Amara is a graduate of Lone Star High School and is heading to the University of Texas at Dallas to study Business Administration. While visiting Nigeria with her family last year, Amara volunteered with underprivileged children in the community and discovered an interest in law as she witnessed the impact that legal professionals can have on the lives of others. Amara loves spending time with her family and is looking forward to serving as a summer camp counselor before starting classes in the fall. 


Rajdeep Singh - Rajdeep is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. Inspired by the work ethic of his parents, Rajdeep has been involved in a variety of programs, such as the Frisco Mayor's Youth Council, Subiendo Academy with the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, and Student Ambassadors. Rajdeep plans to study Business to help others have access to financial education. In his free time, Rajdeep enjoys fishing and teaching Bhangra dance to younger children.


Lauryn Spraggs - Lauryn is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana in the fall. While at Panther Creek, Lauryn was a Student Ambassador, an active member of the Swim and Dive team, and involved in the art program. Lauryn plans to study Biology and pursue medical school to dive into a career in reconstructive surgery. When asked about her takeaways from Fore Frisco, Lauryn said, "I learned more than I ever expected - about golf, business, and even myself."


Nikki Zahedi- Nikki is a graduate of Lone Star High School and will attend the University of North Texas in the fall to study Psychology. While at Lone Star, Nikki was a part of the yearbook team, served as the Team Manager for the Rangerettes Drill Team, and was also a member of the National Honor Society. Nikki is passionate about becoming a child psychologist in hopes to make a positive impact on children's and families' lives in the same way others made an impact on her growing up. 


UNT Full Ride Scholarship Recipient:


Kayla Rochez - Kayla is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and will be attending the University of North Texas in Denton in the fall. The middle child of five, Kayla, has a strong support system and is inspired by her older siblings to pursue higher education. By participating in the school's track team, Kayla grew in her discipline and was selected as a team captain as a result of her work ethic. Kayla is pursuing a degree in Business with the hopes of becoming an accountant. 


About the Northern Texas PGA Foundation

Founded in 1983, the nationally acclaimed Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization, was rebranded in 2019 as the Northern Texas PGA Foundation. The Northern Texas PGA Foundation focuses on five pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, inclusion, internships and military & veterans. The mission of the Northern Texas PGA Foundation is to positively impact lives and communities through golf.

 

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at over 50 distinct hotels and resorts in the most popular leisure and business destinations across the United States, as well as in Canada. With 28 iconic golf courses, including multiple short courses, and 25 award-winning spas across the country, every Omni welcomes you to experience the true spirit of each destination. Reflected through local color, personalized service, unique wellness options, signature restaurants and creative culinary offerings, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every guest and a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest® loyalty program. Omni is committed to reducing hunger and is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to provide millions of meals each year for food banks to feed children, families, and seniors in communities in which it operates. Through its partnership with Shared Hope International, Omni is dedicated to the education and training of its associates to help combat human trafficking. Omni Hotels & Resorts is the official hotel of the PGA TOUR® and PGA of America. For information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.


About The University of North Texas

The University of North Texas is a Carnegie R1 public research university and the largest university in Dallas-Fort Worth — one of the most dynamic regions in the world. Through its campuses in Denton and Frisco, Texas, UNT serves nearly 44,000 students with 242 degree programs and awarded more than 13,000 degrees last year. UNT proudly serves in the vanguard of leading American universities willing to measure success by how well we educate and support every qualified student who commits to learning with us. We deliver outcomes that matter to students, families, employers, and the nation, as a public university committed to create enduring value for the public good.


By Erik Anderson June 2, 2026
FRISCO, Texas (June 2, 2026) – Following a milestone celebration of their 20-year partnership this May, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and Ewing Automotive Group are proud to announce a five-year extension of their agreement. This agreement ensures the Ewing Automotive Group will remain a key supporter of golf in North Texas through 2030. Under the extended terms, Ewing Automotive Group will continue as the title sponsor of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour and its three competitive tours. As one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States, the Junior Tour serves approximately 4,500 members (ages 6–19) and conducts more than 450 tournaments annually. The pathway includes The Prep Tour powered by Ewing Subaru of Plano, The Medalist Tour powered by Ewing Buick GMC, and The All American Tour powered by Mercedes-Benz of Plano. A recent addition to the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour is the Randy Smith Tour . This non-competitive tour is a beginner-friendly tour focused on fun, teamwork, and learning, and is the first step on the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour pathway. Since the partnership’s inception in 2006, the scope of junior golf in the region has expanded significantly. The Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour has hosted over 6,565 tournaments and facilitated approximately 365,000 rounds of golf. Annual event totals have more than doubled, rising from 200 tournaments in 2006 to 457 in 2025. Beyond the numbers, the Junior Tour has become a premier proving ground for elite talent. Alumni of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour have secured nine Major Championships, including titles won by Scottie Scheffler (4), Jordan Spieth (3), Angela Stanford (1), and Brittany Lang (1). Remarkably, since 2006, NTPGA Junior Tour alumni have produced more major champions than entire nations, including England, Australia, Spain, and South Africa. The extension also reaffirms Ewing Automotive Group’s commitment to the Northern Texas PGA Foundation through the continued hosting of the Ewing Charity Classic. Over the past 30 years, the Ewing Charity Classic and its predecessor, The Westcott Pro-Am, have raised over $6.3 million to support community outreach programs. Furthermore, the "Closest-to-the-Hole" contest, a tradition started by Fin Ewing III in 2012 to recognize and thank participating PGA professionals, will continue through 2030 by awarding a new car for first place and cash prizes for second and third places in the shootout. “Learning to play golf as a child was an incredible blessing that provided priceless time with my father and brother,” said Finley Ewing IV, CEO of Ewing Automotive Group. “We credit golf for our close family relationships, and that passion eventually led to scholarships at Vanderbilt and Texas Tech for my brother, Charlie, and me, providing access to amazing opportunities. We are honored to help provide that same foundation for the next generation.” The partnership extension also secures vital funding for the NTPGA Foundation’s scholarship program. Two Ewing Automotive Group scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, will be awarded annually to graduating seniors. This contribution supports a program that has grown from $62,000 in total annual giving in 2006 to $947,500 in 2026. “Simply put, we could not achieve our mission at the Northern Texas PGA without the unwavering support of Fin Ewing III and his family,” said Mark Harrison, CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “The Ewing name is synonymous with golf in North Texas, but more importantly, the family represents the very best of our community. Their generosity allows us to go above and beyond in serving our PGA professionals and growing the game. We are thrilled to formally extend this partnership, but even more grateful to continue the friendship through the end of the decade and well beyond.”
By Logan Bearden May 5, 2026
PGA of America Golf Professional Wins $50,000 in Closest-to-the-Hole Shootout
April 7, 2026
Congratulations to Stephen “SJ” Sanders, Jr., an 11-year-old from Grand Prairie, Texas, on winning the Boys 10–11 division at the Drive, Chip, & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club. Sanders delivered an impressive performance, highlighted by a 245-yard drive and a putt to 10 inches to help secure the victory. He began playing golf at age six and has been a member of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour for five years, competing in more than 100 tournaments. His win on a national stage is a testament to his hard work, dedication and passion for the game. Well done, SJ! 
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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