Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

Men’s Championship Updates (COVID-19)

TGA COVID 19 Update

For the first time in just under three months, the TGA returned to conducting first-class competitions for the benefit of its membership. With new health and safety protocols in place, the 21st Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, held June 2-4 at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, went off without a hitch.

The gradual easing of state and local lockdown restrictions, coupled with the successful implementation of new tournament safety guidelines for players, staff, volunteers, spectators and host club staff, has allowed the TGA to revisit and make adjustments for the upcoming Men’s Championships listed below.

 

Texas Father-Son (July 10-12, Omni Barton Creek, Austin)

With the state moving into Phase 3 of reopening, the Texas Father-Son starting field size will be expanded to the original 80 teams (160 players). The championship will also be played under the original format. There will also be shared carts and the utilization of double-tee, double-wave starting times.

For more information about the Texas Father-Son, click HERE.

 

West Texas Amateur (July 17-19, Bentwood CC, San Angelo)

The West Texas Amateur will be played under the original format and will return to the original field size of 144 participants in three divisions (Championship, Senior and Super Senior).

Entries will now be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Those that have earned an exemption will have a reserved spot in the field provided they register by the Exempt Entry Deadline. With the expanded field size there will be a cut following 36 holes of play. There will also be shared carts and the utilization of double-tee, double-wave starting times.

For more information about the West Texas Amateur, click HERE.

 

Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play (July 23-26, Willow Brook CC, Tyler)

The Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play will be played under the original format and original field size (84 players).  Shared carts ridership will be allowed throughout the championship, including the Stroke Play Qualifying Round.

For more information about the Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play can be found HERE.

 

111th Texas Amateur (Aug. 6-9, Boot Ranch GC, Fredricksburg)

When the decision was made in April to reschedule the 111th Texas Amateur to August 6-9, 2020, the starting field size was reduced from 144 to 120 participants. At the time, this change was seen as necessary because of the expected lower qualifying numbers as a whole, given the reduced number of sites and new dates for the qualifying rounds.

However, due to higher than anticipated qualifying numbers, the TGA will be increasing the field size to 132 players. The field size cannot increase to 144 players due to roughly 45 minutes less daylight in August as opposed to June.

For more information about the 111th Texas Amateur, click HERE.

Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

TGA Partners With Spirit Golf Association to Launch Spirit Food Fund

Food Fund

DALLAS – The Texas Golf Association (TGA) is pleased to announce it has recently partnered with The Spirit Golf Association (SGA) in its Spirit Food Fund campaign to support the Houston Food Bank (HFB) as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Houston community, there is currently a 130%-150% increase in demand over the 1.1 million food insecure people who are relying on the HFB and its partner network for food assistance. The Houston Food Bank is responding by increasing food distribution by 150% of usual operations, distributing on average 1 million pounds of food a day. This unprecedented need means millions of dollars in additional funding are required to keep Houstonians healthy and fed.

SGA is launching the Spirit Food Fund campaign with a lead gift of $500,000 raised from SGA founder Corby Robertson, Jr., and his family, as well as The Cullen Foundation and the Cullen Trust for Higher Education. Prominent supporters of the campaign include local sports celebrities Jim Nantz, Stacy Lewis and Clyde Drexler along with the TGA. Watch Video

“We’re grateful to be able to partner with the great people at the Houston Food Bank to support fellow Texans in need,” said Robertson. “It is our responsibility to be there for our neighbors and communities.”

The SGA is not only mobilizing the golf community, but the greater Houston community as well, with plans to expand its mission throughout the state of Texas and beyond in support of those who are most vulnerable at this critical time. A $10 donation will provide 30 meals to families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.

“The significant support from The Spirit Golf Association will add critically needed funds to allow us to work to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for food assistance created by COVID-19,” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of Houston Food Bank. “With our distribution up 150% over pre-COVID figures and demand continuing to grow, our need for funding and volunteers increases daily. With tens of thousands of people out of work – for many this is the first time they need assistance – and kids who get meals at school now at home, the generous support from donors like The Spirit Golf Association will make a significant impact upon what we can do for our many neighbors in need.”

To make a financial contribution to the Spirit Food Fund or to sign up and volunteer with the Houston Food Bank, please visit houstonfoodbank.org/spiritfoodfund or text SpiritFoodFund to 41444 with your donation. Funds will be used for food recovery, sorting and distribution, as well as the creation of Emergency Food Boxes for families.

WHAT: The Spirit Food Fund to benefit the Houston Food Bank

WHEN: Beginning Thursday, May 14, 2020

WHERE: Houston and Surrounding Communities

HOW:

Donate or signup to volunteer at the Houston Food Bank: houstonfoodbank.org/spiritfoodfund. Other ways to donate:

  • Text SpiritFoodFund to 41444
  • Mail Check (Include “Spirit Food Fund” in memo line), payable to Houston Food Fund to Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall, Houston, TX 77029
  • Contact Donor Services at 713-547-8623

WHO: 

  • The Spirit Golf Association (SGA) led by Corby and Barbara Robertson along with local sports celebrities
  • Cullen Foundation
  • The Cullen Trust for Higher Education
  • Texas Golf Association

 

About The Spirit Golf Association | The Spirit Golf Association (SGA) is a 501 (c) (3) charity dedicated to the promotion of amateur golf for the benefit of supporting basic human needs for providing food, education and health programs and services. The SGA is the host organization of the premier amateur golf championship, The Spirit International, and home to Whispering Pines Golf Club, ranked by Golfweek as the #1 course in Texas and #24 on its top 100 modern courses list. The SGA has contributed more than $13 million to its charitable activities: The Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship and healthcare service providers such as Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics, Medical Bridges and The Immunization Partnership. In 2017, The Spirit Golf Association responded to the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts by directing funds to Harvey victims through the United Way, Houston Food Bank, KIPP, Yellowstone Academy and the Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics.

For more information about The Spirit Golf Association, please visit spiritgolfassociation.org.

About Houston Food Bank | Houston Food Bank’s mission is to provide food for better lives. Last year we provided access to 104 million nutritious meals in 18 counties in southeast Texas through our 1,500 community partners which includes food pantries, soup kitchens, social service providers and schools. We have a strong focus on healthy foods and fresh produce. In addition to distributing food, we provide services and connections to programs that address the root causes of hunger and are aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability, including nutrition education, job training, health management and help with securing state-funded assistance. We are a resource for individuals and families in times of hardship. We are a solution to food waste, working with grocery stores and growers to rescue food before it reaches landfills. In collaboration with our community, we advocate for policy change and promote dialogue on ways to increase access to food and to improve the lives of those we serve. Houston Food Bank works alongside our partner food banks in Montgomery County, Galveston Country, and Brazos Valley. Houston Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

Updated TGA Statement on COVID-19

TGA COVID 19 Update

As of May 6, all TGA events and activities have been suspended through May 31 because of continued safety concerns from the COVID-19 virus.

The 111th Texas Amateur Championship at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg has been rescheduled for Aug. 6-9. Along with the new dates for the championship, the qualifying schedule also changed. Qualifiers will be conducted from June 29 to July 24. More information regarding the rescheduling of the 111th Texas Amateur will be provided in the coming weeks.

For more information regarding Revised Schedules for TGA Events, click here.

Back on April 1, the TGA extended its suspension of events and activities through May 3. That was done in accordance with Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order issued on March 31 to minimize social gatherings and in-person contact with non-household members through April 30.

As the TGA continues to regularly monitor the ever-changing landscape, we are committed to following governmental directives and expert guidance. Our top priority during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to be safeguarding the health and well-being of the entire TGA Family, as well as the general public.

At this time, we urge all TGA Members and their families to listen to and follow the guidance from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your local health professionals.

A copy of Governor Abbott’s March 31 Executive Order has been added to the TGA Resource Hub, where you will find numerous links to important information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, including Best Practices for facilities that remain open, the USGA’s Rules and Handicapping Guidelines during this time and daily updates from the WHO.

Please stay safe during this critical time. We will get through this crisis, and we can’t wait to see you all playing golf again soon. The TGA will continue to provide updates as needed.

Around the Green

The latest golf-related news, notes, and feature stories from the TGA.

Updated TGA Statement on COVID-19 (April 1)

COVID Update April 1

We have extended the suspension of all TGA events and activities through May 3. Our top priority during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to be safeguarding the health and well-being of the entire TGA Family, as well as the general public.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on March 31 issued an Executive Order that instructed every person in the state to minimize social gatherings, as well as in-person contact with people who do not live in the same household through April 30. As the TGA continues to regularly monitor the ever-changing landscape, we are committed to following governmental directives and expert guidance.

To meet the recommendations of the Texas Executive Order, the TGA has suspended organized golf events scheduled through May 3. The events impacted include:

• Texas Super Senior (April 21-23) – Canceled
• Brookhaven Country Club Fun Golf Outing (April 23) – Canceled
• Medalist North #3 and Hill Country #3 tournaments (April 25) – Canceled
• Texas Amateur Qualifying through May 3 – Rescheduled

Participants registered for the Super Senior, Fun Golf Outing and/or the April 25 Medalist events will receive full refunds.

Unless further guidance prevents it, we still intend to conduct the 111th Texas Amateur Championship at Boot Ranch in Fredericksburg from June 18-21. The qualifying schedule will be amended to allow participants who are registered in canceled qualifying events to register for a different date and site. More information on the modified Texas Amateur Qualifying schedule will be provided by April 8. Registration for the 111th Texas Amateur will remain open through April 22.

Efforts also are underway to determine the best alternative for the potential continuation and conclusion of Texas League Play. More information on Texas League Play will be provided as it is available.

At this time, we urge all TGA Members and their families to listen to and follow the guidance from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your local health professionals.

A copy of Governor Abbott’s March 31 Executive Order has been added to the TGA Resource Hub, where you will find numerous links to important information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, including Best Practices for facilities that remain open, the USGA’s Rules and Handicapping Guidelines during this time and daily updates from the WHO.

Please stay safe during this critical time. We will get through this crisis, and we can’t wait to see you all playing golf again soon. The TGA will continue to provide updates as needed.