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FRISCO, Texas – The PGA of America today honored the Northern Texas PGA Section with the Herb Graffis Award during the 109th PGA Annual Meeting held at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. The award is presented 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.
Led by President Cameron Doan, PGA, CEO Mark Harrison and Executive Director Kelly Gilley, PGA, the NTPGA Section, headquartered at PGA Frisco, represents a membership of more than 1,100 PGA of America Golf Professionals who are employed at more than 300 facilities. The mission of the Section is to serve its PGA of America Golf Professionals and grow the game.
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 while instilling in them the positive, character-developing traits for which the game is known. Approximately 10,000 children and their families are impacted each year through the Foundation’s programs and services.
“The men and women of the Northern Texas PGA are exceptional at using golf as a vehicle to both develop individuals into better versions of themselves and create a community that brings folks together for a higher purpose,” shared Doan. “We’re using the game and all its principles to help young people handle what life throws at them, giving them a chance to go to college and showing them what a career in the game could look like for them. North Texas is our neighborhood—it’s where our members and associates learn, develop, compete and find community. It’s where wisdom and experience meet youth and curiosity, as the older generation mentors and develops the younger one. It’s where we collectively use the game to reach people that need a purpose, or sometimes just a friend. It’s where our Foundation, and all its resources, come together to make the world a better place. Our job is to leave it better than we found it, and nobody does it better.”
Founded in 1983, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation focuses on five pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, inclusion, internships and military veterans. In addition, the Foundation owns and operates the Ronny Golf Park, a first-of-its-kind facility that features a two-acre, lighted synthetic golf park. It is designed specifically for kids ages 3-14 and is led by PGA Members, Associates and staff dedicated to programming year-round.
The Ronny Golf Park is named after Sherrill Park PGA Head Golf Professional Ronny Glanton, who will be inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame Wednesday evening at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort.
In addition to the growth of the game initiatives at The Ronny Golf Park, the NTPGA Foundation awarded $763,000 in college scholarships in 2025, serves more than 4,400 junior golfers each year through its Ewing Automotive Junior Tour, more than 400 Veterans through PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) and annually develops 70 college interns.
In October, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation, in partnership with Scottie and Meredith Scheffler, announced the creation of the Randy Smith Tour, a new, no-cost level of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour established for children ages 6-12 to learn tournament golf.
The tour honors Smith—a long-time PGA of America Golf Professional, mentor, coach and an inaugural inductee of the Byron Nelson Foundation | Northern Texas PGA Hall of Fame—whose impact has shaped generations of players, including Scheffler. The mission of this tour is to offer a joyful step into the game, where every child feels welcomed, supported and celebrated. Starting in the late spring of 2026, the Randy Smith Tour will initially conduct 10-12 events across East Texas, North Texas, and West Texas, growing to 20-25 events annually starting in 2027. This will add to the nearly 500 Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour events the Foundation already runs each year for kids ages 6-19.
The Herb Graffis Award celebrates Graffis’ profound impact on the game, and is a tribute to his efforts to promote and enhance the understanding and appreciation of golf. A golf historian and founder of several golf magazines, Graffis, with his brother, Joe, also founded the National Golf Foundation and the Golf Writers Association of America. The recipient of the 1988 PGA Distinguished Service Award, Graffis died at the age of 95 on Feb. 12, 1989.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who love the game, are expert coaches, operators and business leaders, and work daily to drive interest, inclusion and participation in the sport. The PGA of America owns and operates numerous championships and events, including major championships for men, women, seniors and the Ryder Cup, one of the world’s foremost sporting events. For more information, visit PGA.com and follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook.
About the Northern Texas PGA Section
The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 sections of The PGA of America and has a membership of more than 1,100 PGA of America Golf Professionals. The mission of the Northern Texas PGA Section is to serve our PGA of America Golf Professionals and grow the game.
Media Contacts
Jesse Dodson, PGA – PGA of America, jdodson@pgahq.com
Molly Rawlins – Northern Texas PGA, mrawlins@ntpga.com