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. 

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. 

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.

THE COLONY, TX – Maelynn Kim of Katy, TX Captured the 2023 The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship. Kim will tee it up on the LPGA Tour on October 5-8, 2023 in The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America at Old American Golf Club. Kim fired a 1-over-par, 72 final round, the second lowest score of the day on Old American Golf Club, to secure her victory by one stroke. She finished the championship at 6-under-par after rounds of 67-70-72–209. The final round course set-up was nearly the exact same as the final round of the 2022 LPGA Tour’s Sunday set-up. After finishing in 4th place last year Kim had her eyes set on returning to Northern Texas for a victory. “Last year I had a good chance at it then I just got nervous,” said Kim. “I knew I had a good chance of winning this week and that was my goal anyway to come out and win so it feels really good to be able to accomplish that.” Kim will attend the University of Houston in the fall and play on the Women’s Golf Team, where she will be teammates with the inaugural champion of this event Brooke Morales. Morales won in 2020. “I might reach out to Michelle (2023 champion) and probably to Brooke as well just to kind of see what it was like and if they can give me advice,” said Kim about preparing for her LPGA debut. The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship is supported by Jerry J. Ransom. Old American Golf Club Par 35-36–71 Yardage: 6,297 yards View the final results HERE

THE COLONY, TX – Alicia Bellendir cards an even-par second round at The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship. After a 34-38–72 she now leads by two strokes heading into tomorrow’s final round at Golf Clubs at The Tribute. Bellendir once again started off strong with two birdies in the opening three holes. “It was okay today, I started off pretty well, at one point I was 2-under and I kept that up for most of the round,” she said. “I ended with two bogeys because I put myself in bad positions, so I ended up shooting even. It wasn't terrible but it could have been better.” Looking ahead to tomorrow’s final round Bellendir said, “I’m just hoping that I can shoot par, since it's a harder course, not many people will shoot a super good round.” In the final grouping at 9:39 a.m. with Bellendir will be Maelynn Kim and Veronika Exposito. Kim, who is from Katy, is two strokes behind the lead at 7-under-par. She also played in the final grouping in last year’s Championship. Exposito, from The Woodlands, is in 3rd place at 6-under-par after shooting a 67 today. Her 5-under-par round was the lowest of the day. Of the field of 52 players, 31 made the 36 hole cut and will move onto the final round. After playing the first 36 holes of the Championship on the Tribute Golf Links, tomorrow’s final round will be played on Old American Golf Club. It is the host site for the LPGA Tour event and Friday’s final round course set-up will simulate the LPGA Tour event's Sunday set-up. Tomorrow the Championship will once again award an exemption into The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America on October 5-8, 2023 to the champion. The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship is supported by Jerry J. Ransom. Tribute Golf Links Par 36-36–72 Yardage: 6,297 yards View current leaderboard HERE

THE COLONY, TX – Alicia Bellendir of Coppell continued the Independence Day fireworks at The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship. She fired an opening round 32-31–63, 9-under-par and sits four shots ahead of second place. Starting the championship with an opening birdie, Bellendir never looked back on her way to a career low 63. “I started off with birdie, par and then eagle and then I just was playing pretty well throughout and then I had a row of five birdies and then I had a bogey and then I ended with birdie, par so it was pretty good today.” Bellendir had a strong day on the greens “I was making a lot of putts from 12 feet and in,” she said. This is Bellendir’s third time playing in the championship. She qualified by winning the All American Tour Talley Riggins Summer Showdown by 12 strokes on May 31 - June 1, 2023 at Sherrill Park Golf Course. Coincidentally Bellendir’s previous career low round of 67 came at this event. Maelynn Kim from Katy who finished in 4th place last year is once again in contention. She carded a first round 5-under-par, 67 and sits in second place. 14 players of the 52 player field are under-par after 18 holes. Tribute Golf Links will host the first 36 holes of the Championship before a cut is made to the low 30 scores and ties. The remaining players will play the final round on Old American Golf Club, the host site for the LPGA Tour event. Wednesday’s final round course set-up will simulate the LPGA Tour event's Sunday set-up. This year’s Championship will once again award an exemption into The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America on October 5-8, 2023. The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Girls Championship is supported by Jerry J. Ransom. Tribute Golf Links Par 36-36–72 Yardage: 6,297 yards View current leaderboard HERE

> Educational program tops $2.7 million in awards over the past decade > Funding comes from Deloitte* partners, principals, managing directors and professionals in North Texas > Four-year University of North Texas at Dallas scholarship awarded > Four-year University of Texas at Arlington scholarship awarded

The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to higher education by announcing our 2023 scholarship recipients. A record 80 high school seniors who will be attending college this fall have earned scholarships totaling $696,500 – the most ever awarded in a single year by the NTPGA Foundation. The 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 University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Two $5,000 scholarships, the iWash of Texas Scholarship and the Gary Dunkerson College Scholarship, will be awarded to two junior golfers via a random drawing during the SA Smith West Texas Junior Invitational tournament later this June. Another two scholarships thanks to the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation totaling $10,000 will be awarded to two students graduating high school or currently in college who are the child or grandchild of a past NTPGA PGA HOPE graduate. “To award $696,500 in scholarships this year to a record-breaking 80 students is truly incredible," said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “We would not be able to continue this program without the support of everyone who believes in our Foundation and our commitment to higher education. Thank you to our supporters, and congratulations to these 80 deserving students. We know they all have a bright future ahead.” 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. Since 1983, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation has awarded $4.99 M in college scholarships to 754 deserving students. Listed below are the names of the 2023 scholarship recipients:  Allison & Jerry Freeman Scholarship – Jack Whalen – Dallas, TX April & Mark Anthony Scholarship – Luke Newton – Highland Village, TX Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America Scholarship – Grace Frei – The Colony, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Maddox Burton – Irving, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Clarita Fuentes – Dallas, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Gael Soto-Barboza – Dallas, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Lizbeth Enriquez – Dallas, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Gabriel Herrera – Dallas, TX AT&T Byron Nelson Scholarship – Leslie Jamarillo – Dallas, TX Ben Hogan Foundation / Bruce & Gloria Devlin Scholarship – Brock Braden – Midland, TX Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship – Matthew Rui – Allen, TX Ben Hogan Foundation Scholarship – James Thomson – Dallas, TX Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Seve Aguirre – Colleyville, TX Birdies for Kids Scholarship – Davis Ovard – Frisco, TX CMAA Scholarship – Lilly Sillis – Midlothian, TX Dean Larsson / Dallas District Golf Association Scholarship – Katherine Brown – Colleyville, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Cithlaly Crispin – Dallas, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Shane Davis – Dallas, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Doris Gradiz – Dallas, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Rachelle Gutierrez – Dallas, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Jose Loredo Quintana – Dallas, TX Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Emily Silva – Dallas, TX Dr. Bill Blair Scholarship – Brett Walsh – Lantana, TX Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Sophie Drago – Mansfield, TX Ewing Automotive Scholarship – Nathan Womack – Elk City, OK Frank & Evelyn Borgsmiller Scholarship – Areli Macz Melchor – Dallas, TX Fritz & Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation Scholarship – William Kroneberger – McGregor, TX Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – AJ Adams – Plano, TX Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jeremiah Cuellar – Midlothian, TX Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Chase Fields – Roswell, NM Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jack Kash – Flower Mound, TX Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jordyn Keeton – Forsan, TX Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship – Jacob Pasteur – Roanoke, TX I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – Aliya Larzeia – Dallas, TX I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship – JaLynn McKinney – Dallas, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Dante Bush – Plano, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Grant Kutz – Coppell, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Lauren Gatsos – Fort Worth, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Christian Willis – Hickory Creek, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Katya Tibbets – Montgomery,TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Julia Helsel – Arlington, TX Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship – Madison Wong – Allen, TX Joe Bob Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship – Magen Dow – Ponder, TX Joe Black / Texas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship – Kade Burton – Midland, TX Jon & Kim Morgan Scholarship – Lucas Thorley – Alvarado, TX Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Greece Gomez – Dallas, TX Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Ashley Cruz – Dallas, TX Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Destiny Reed – Dallas, TX Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship – Luis Leon Pastor – Dallas, TX Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Grady Ault – Jacksonville, TX Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Madison Wert – Roanoke, TX Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship – Evan Wunsch – Trophy Club, TX M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship – William Gillen – Tyler, TX Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship – Maddie Anders – Fairview, TX Misty Morgan / Laura Morgan FISD Scholarship – Erica Kim – Frisco, TX Mizzen + Main Scholarship – Barret Wisener – Dallas, TX Perry Arthur Scholarship – Kennedy McCullough – Aledo, TX PGA Frisco Scholarship – Aashana Patel – Frisco, TX Philip Bleakney Scholarship – Chase Brown – Wichita Falls, TX Randy Smith Scholarship – Elena Jurado – Childress, TX Rob Norland Scholarship – Marcus Williams – Prosper, TX Ronny Glanton Scholarship – Blake Patterson – Forney, TX Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship – Madeleine Melson – Colleyville, TX Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Olivia Santiago – Flower Mound, TX Scottie & Meredith Scheffler Scholarship – Kara Kim – Frisco, TX Talley Riggins Construction Group Scholarship – Shay West – San Angelo, TX Tees for Keys Scholarship – Michael Rasmussen – Lufkin, TX The Ronny Golf Park Scholarship – Jackson Baughman – Prosper, TX Thomas Hanson Memorial Scholarship – Diane “Queenie” Guercio – Plano, TX Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Will Harris – Garland, TX Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Victoria Malott – Richardson, TX Two Dads and a Coach / Sherrill Park Scholarship – Catalina Malott – Richardson, TX UNTD / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Eh Tu Gae – Dallas, TX UTA / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship – Joshua Puga – Dallas, TX West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring SA Smith, Hart Warren, Jay McClure and Sherwin Cox Scholarship – Ethan Evans – Amarillo, TX Workday Scholarship – David Jensen – Hickory Creek, TX For more information about the Northern Texas PGA Foundation scholarship program or for additional information about our 2023 recipients, please contact Casey Rayburn at crayburn@ntpga.com or visit www.ntpgajuniorgolf.com/scholarships .

FRISCO, TX – Last week the Northern Texas PGA announced to its Members and Associates an organizational change amongst the staff and the hiring of a new Executive Director. Current Executive Director / CEO Mark Harrison will transition from this hybrid role to a true CEO position that will continue to work with the Board of Directors to create and set the vision for the NTPGA and its Foundation, protect our assets and brand as well as manage, develop and enhance key partnerships and relationships. With the change to Harrison’s role, Kelly Gilley, PGA, has been hired to serve as the next Executive Director of the Northern Texas PGA. As just the fourth-ever Executive Director, Gilley will handle the day-to-day operations of the Section specifically focusing on the organization’s mission of serving the PGA Member and growing the game while developing the Section and Foundation staff. Gilley is a PGA Member whose current role is Regional Director, Member and Section Operations for the PGA of America and PGA Career Consultant for the NTPGA. Prior to her role with the PGA of America, she worked for the Southern Texas PGA Section office. She has also worked at green grass facilities such as Canongate Golf Club as a head professional and Sequoia Golf as an operations manager and regional director. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Mark Harrison and the incredibly talented team at the Northern Texas PGA,” said Gilley. “As the next Executive Director, I look forward to listening, learning and serving the PGA Members and Associates of this great Section on a daily basis.” Gilley will join the NTPGA team on May 16, 2023. With Gilley set to oversee the day-to-day operations, Ryan Kossick will transition from Assistant Executive Director / COO into a newly formed position as Senior Director of Event Management. In this role, Kossick will focus on creating new relationships and executing events. Additionally, Kossick will assist with the execution and event management of all existing NTPGA fundraising events. The NTPGA and the Board of Directors made these changes at the recommendation of Mark Harrison to better deliver on our mission. Additionally, the changes will allow the NTPGA staff to execute and improve our operations and explore new possibilities of what’s next for the Northern Texas PGA.