Texas Super Senior Amateur Set for April 22-24

Riverbend Country Club in Sugar Land will be the host site for the 9th Texas Super Senior Amateur, to be played from April 22-24.

This year’s Texas Super Senior Amateur will be the fourth TGA championship held at Riverbend Country Club, which most recently hosted the 2022 Women’s Four-Ball, won by Elise Parel and Jacqueline Nguyen.

“We are thrilled to return to such a wonderful venue as Riverbend Country Club,” said Owen Kinney, TGA Tournament Manager. “The club has been a tremendous supporter of the amateur game, and we know the membership and staff are looking forward to showcasing their exceptional facility and providing a memorable experience for the players.”

Designed by Press Maxwell, Riverbend Country Club opened for play in 1957. Maxwell routed the challenging layout through gently rolling terrain and created interest and strategy by incorporating the site’s abundant natural features. In 2010, architect Jeff Blume oversaw an extensive renovation project that included rebuilding and shifting tees and bunkers, reconstructing green complexes, and upgrading irrigation and drainage systems.

“Riverbend is a thorough test of golf from tee to green,” Kinney said. “It’s a very traditional design that demands accuracy and good course management skills and I know the players will enjoy competing for the championship title on this great stage.”

First conducted in 2015, the Texas Super Senior features two age divisions: 65 and older (Super Senior) and 75 and older (Legends). Entries are open to male amateur golfers who meet the age requirements by the first round of tournament play and have an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 12.4 (16.4 for Legends) issued through a member club of the TGA.

The starting field of 84 players (60 Super Seniors, 24 Legends) will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. Each age division will compete from different tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized. Players who are 75 and older can opt to compete in the Super Senior Division at the time an entry form is submitted. The top three finishers and ties in the Super Senior Division, regardless of age, and the winner of the Legends Division will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Senior Amateur to be held Sept. 27-29 on the Tournament Players Course at The Nelson Golf & Sports Club in Irving. In addition to the overall Super Senior and Legends champions, awards will also be given to the lowest net scores in each division.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted online at txga.org no later than April 16. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available on the TGA website once the action gets underway from Riverbend Country Club.

At the 2023 Texas Super Senior Amateur, Chuck Gardner of Texarkana won for the second year in a row with rounds of 72-74-69 on the New Course at White Bluff Resort in Whitney. His one-under-par 215 total was good for a one-shot margin of victory over 2016 champion Jerry Hudgins of Tyler. With the win, Gardner became the first person in the event’s history to successfully defend the title. Bill Holstead of Wichita Falls shot 73-76-83 to claim a wire-to-wire victory in the Legends Division. Holstead, the 1970 Texas Amateur champion, finished at 16-over 232 and well ahead of a trio of players tied at 237. Ed Turner of Dallas and Jay Trahan of Montgomery won low net honors in the Super Senior and Legends Divisions, respectively.

Cedar Crest Golf Course First of Six Courses Hosting U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifier

Addison – Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, Texas is set to host their first U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifier. The qualifier will be one of only six sites across the United States between April 16 to May 7.  

In 2017, the USGA followed through with a pledge to establish a “championship for the adaptive golf community”. The U.S. Adaptive Open is the 15th and newest USGA Championship for men and women amateur golfers. The tournament is split into eight groups based on the player’s disability and features the widest age range of players with eligible players ranging from 16-80 years old. Modifications in the Rules of Golf were added by the USGA in 2023, permitting players to “compete using on-course aides, loosened club-anchoring rules, and adjusted drops” to accommodate carts. The players compete for two trophies that are given to the lowest-scoring players in the women’s and men’s divisions while copper medals are awarded to the lowest scorers in each of the divisions in the tournament.  

Blazing a path for the future of adaptive golf, you can say that more than a trophy is what is on the line for these players. This is a golf event unlike any other with an opportunity to grow the adaptive golf community year-by-year going into the future. Every golfer wants to uphold this great game and keep improving it and these players are no different. Some of the players shared with the USGA after last year’s event that they wouldn’t even think they could play a full 18 holes and now they are playing as part of a USGA championship.  

With the first two tournaments taking place at Pinehurst Country Club & Resort, this is the first year the tournament will head to a new site. That is not the only new part of the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open with this year’s event featuring a cut for the first time. Starting April 16, Adaptive players across the country will play in qualifiers to try and punch their ticket to Sand Creek Station.  

The Texas Golf Association is one of six AGAs (Allied Golf Associations) hosting a qualifier with Cedar Crest Golf Course hosting the first U.S Adaptive Open qualifier in the Lonestar State.  

“We are very excited to be a part of this growing initiative for adaptive golf. Cedar Crest is a great and historic course, and we couldn’t think of a better place for a USGA qualifier site,” said Managing Director of TGA Foundation/Outreach Kelly Kilgo “To be a part of six other AGAs hosting a qualifier is something special. We can’t wait to meet these players and not only see them play some great golf but also hear some of their incredible stories.” 

Cedar Crest Golf Course has a rich history of golf and is a favorite amongst metroplex golfers. Designed by A.W Tillinghast, the course held the 1927 PGA Championship, 1926 Dallas Open, 1954 USGA Negro National Open and USGA’s Public Links Championship. The country club was turned public in 1946 after the City of Dallas purchased it. In 2001 the club built a new clubhouse and renovated the course. 

“It means a great deal to Cedar Crest and our team to be able to host an event like this,” shared Cedar Crest’s PGA Professional Ira Molayo. “This provides an opportunity to promote golf in an inclusive way.”  

The Texas Golf Association will be working with the Texas Adaptive Golf Association and hosting its 3rd Texas Adaptive Golf Championship later this fall at Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas on October 7-9.  The TGA has supported the Texas Adaptive Golf Association to help with staff, volunteers, and rules officials for the tournament and this year the TGA will be more involved with the event. Based in Fort Worth, TAGA was founded by Bobby Bell, Randy Shack, and Josh Tankersley to bring the game of adaptive golf to Texas.  

For more information on the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open, click here. For more information on the Texas Golf Association Adaptive Open, click here.  

25th Women’s Partnership Match Play set for April 15-17

Addison – The 25^th Women’s Partnership Match Play is heading to River Crossing Club in Spring Branch, Texas for the first time. The three-day tournament is the second tournament on the Women’s Calendar for the 2024 season.

“We are excited to bring this event to River Crossing Club,” shared Director of Women’s Golf Kristi Knight. “River Crossing is a great course that is well known in the San Antonio and Hill Country area, and we think the Women are going to enjoy playing there. This is an event we are used to seeing a great turnout and we have a Titleist rep coming out for the event as part of a relationship we can’t wait to grow with the Texas Golf Association.”

River Crossing Club is set in Spring Branch, Texas just north of San Antonio. With panoramic views of the Hill Country, River Crossing Club is an 18-hole championship course designed by Larry Hawkins that opened in 2001. The course stretches just over 6,700 yards from the back tees and features a perfect balance of challenge and forgiveness that provides enjoyable play for all golfers.

The Women’s Partnership Match Play is a 45-hole Round Robin Net Four-Ball Match Play. Two competitors play as partners in a 9-hole match against two other competitors playing as partners, with each player playing her own ball. The lowest net score of the partners is the score for the hole. Each hole will be worth 2 points, and a tie will be worth 1 point. The team with the most points after the 45 holes will be the flight winner.

The 24^th Women’s Partnership Match Play took place at the Hideout Golf Club & Retreat in Brownwood, Texas. Karen Northcutt of The Woodlands and Lettia Collins of Midland won the first flight with 54 points. This was Northcutt’s and Collins’ second consecutive year to win the first flight. Mary Ann Knipe of Garland and Lindy Fox of Rockwall won the second flight with 51 points. Katherine Biggs of Houston and Lorraine Werner of The Woodlands claimed the third flight after finishing with 54 points. Cindy Campbell of Willow Park and Vicki Jordan of Lipan won the fourth flight after scoring 55 points.

The first round of the Women’s Partnership Match Play begins at 9 a.m. on April 15. For more information on the 25^th Women’s Partnership Match Play, click here.

Regional Senior Amateurs Set for April 2-3

The Texas Golf Association’s 2024 men’s regional tournament series rolls on in the first week of April with the North and South Senior Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from April 2-3.

The North Senior Amateur will be played on the Pecan Course at Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield. Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort in Boerne will be the host site for the South Senior Amateur.

This will be the fourth TGA championship held at Walnut Creek and the sixth at Tapatio Springs. The last TGA championship held at Walnut Creek was the 2019 North Four-Ball, won by Dru Fenimore and Jason Schultz. Tapatio Springs most recently hosted the 2023 Texas Father-Son, won by Brian and Wick Comegys. The resort has also hosted the TGA’s Texas Shamble, a mixed team event, for the last six years.

The Pecan Course at Walnut Creek Country Club opened in 1974 and was designed by Billy Martindale and Texas Golf Hall of Fame member Don January. The classic, parkland-style layout weaves through groves of trees, natural water hazards, and unspoiled native areas. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort opened in 1981 with a course originally designed by Bill Johnston. In 2015, Tripp Davis & Associates completed an extensive renovation of the facility which included reshaping and rebuilding all fairways, bunkers, teeing areas, and green complexes.

First played in 2003, the Regional Senior Amateurs feature two age divisions: 55 and older (Senior) and 65 and older (Super Senior). Entries are open to male amateur golfers who meet the age requirements by the first round of tournament play, have an up-to-date Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 (10.0 for Super Senior) issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players (60 Seniors, 24 Super Seniors) will play 36 holes of individual stroke play over two days with no cut. Each age division will compete from different tees and yardages, with separate champions recognized. Players who are 65 and older can opt to compete in the Senior Division at the time an entry form is submitted.

The top 15 finishers and ties in the Senior Division, regardless of age, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Senior Amateur to be held Sept. 27-29 on the TPC Course at The Nelson Golf & Sports Club in Irving. In addition, the top five finishers and ties will earn performance points which will be applied to the year-long Senior Player of the Year race.

Starting times and pairings for the first round of both championships will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 27. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Walnut Creek Country Club and Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort.

At the 2023 championships, Mike Booker secured his fifth overall South Senior Amateur title with a 36-hole total of 2-under-par 140 at Gus Wortham Park Golf Course in Houston. Charles Reeve won the Super Senior Division on the second playoff hole over Steve Moran after the two players tied at 4-over 146 at the end of regulation play. John Schaefer won the North Senior Amateur with rounds of 74-75 (+5) over 36 holes at Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook. Rick Lindsay took home the honors in the Super Senior Division with a 7-over 151 total.

Chris Wheeler wins North Mid-Amateur

Briefly: Chris Wheeler of Addison, TX captures the 2024 North Mid-Amateur, and earns low Mid-Master recognition, at The Courses at Watters Creek for his third TGA championship victory. Wheeler closed the event with a bogey free final round of 3-under par 69. Wheeler improved his scores each day and was the only player to record three rounds of par or better. Overall, Wheeler recorded rounds of 72-71-69 for a 4-under par 212. With this win Wheeler earns an exemption into the 115th Texas Amateur at Trinity Forest Golf Club

Wheeler duked it out against 36-hole co-leader Luke Condon throughout the better part of the final round. Condon held serve until the final three holes, which he played in 5-over par. Condon finished the championship in third place, which opened the door for Rob Couture. Couture stayed within striking distance after posting 73-73-146 after 36 holes. Couture recorded a bogey free final round of 3-under par 69 to finish at 1-under par 215 and work his way into second place for the championship. With his 2nd place finish, Couture will also earn an exemption into the 115th Texas Amateur.

Final Results

Golf Course: Formerly known as Chase Oaks and redesigned by the the Weibring/Wolfard team, The Courses at Watters Creek weaves through woodlands of red oak, cedar elm and pecan trees. Comprised of 419 Bermuda grass fairways and mini verde greens, The Courses at Watters Creek offers a challenge to all levels of players.

Weather: The players navigated a soft, wet course during Friday’s first round due to an inch of overnight rain. Temperatures ranged from the high 50’s in the AM to mid 60’s in the afternoon on the overcast day. Players experienced similar temperatures during Saturday’s second round, but the cloud cover broke for a sunny afternoon. Conditions ramped up for Sunday’s final round with wind speeds of 20 mph and 30 mph gusts.

Top Finishers: Dallas’s Will Strickler and Tyler’s Aaron Hickman both finished tied for fourth at 2-over par 218 overall. Hickman held the 36-hole co-lead coming into the final round, but moved backwards after a final round 78. Strickler’s championship was quite the opposite. After an uncharacteristic 82 in the opening round, Strickler recorded rounds of 7-under 65 & 1-under 71 to charge back into the top five.

Plano’s Paul McNamara, Richardson’s Kendrick Vinar, Lantana’s Chase Traughber, and Fort Worth’s Adam Valickus all finished tied for sixth at 3-over par 219 overall.

Regional POY: North Player of the Year points will be awarded to the top finishers at the 2024 North Mid-Amateur. The winning player will receive 900 points, followed by 750 for second, 650 for third, 600 for fourth, and 550 for fifth.  Points will be awarded through the top 30 players and ties. For Regional POY information, click here.

What’s Next: The North Regional Series will head to Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield, TX for the North Senior Amateur.

Registration for the 115th Texas Amateur is currently open and will close on March 27 at 5:00 PM. For more information and to register for the Texas Amateur, click here.

More Info: The Texas Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to the staff of The Courses at Watters Creek, as well as our volunteers for their integral part in making the North Mid-Amateur a memorable and successful event. For more information on the North Mid-Amateur, click here.

Regional Mid-Amateurs Set for March 22-24

The TGA’s 2024 men’s regional tournament series continues this month with the North and South Mid-Amateurs. The championships will be held concurrently from March 22-24.

The North Mid-Amateur will be played on the Traditions Course at The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano. The South Mid-Amateur will be contested on a combination of the South and Shore nine-hole layouts at South Shore Harbour Country Club in League City.

This will be the fourth TGA championship held at Watters Creek and the third at South Shore Harbour. Watters Creek most recently hosted the 2023 North Four-Ball, won by Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano. The last TGA championship held at South Shore Harbour was the 2019 Women’s Eclectic, won by Anna Schultz.

Opened in 1986, the Traditions Course at Watters Creek was originally designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin. It was remodeled by D.A. Weibring and Golf Resources Group in 2012. South Shore Harbour features three nine-hole courses (South, Shore, and Harbour) designed by Dave Marr and Jay Riviere. The original 18 holes, the South and Harbour Courses, opened for play in 1983, followed by the Shore Course, which opened in 1994.

First played in 2003, Regional Mid-Amateur entries are open to male amateur golfers who are 25 years of age or older by the tournament start date, have an up-to-date Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA, and reside in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 84 players will play 54 holes of individual stroke play over three days with no cut. Along with crowning an overall champion, special recognition will be given to the low mid-master (player aged 40 and older). Regional performance points, which are applied to the yearlong North and South Regional Player of the Year races, are awarded to the top 30 finishers and ties. In addition, the top three finishers and ties in each event, as well as low mid-master, will earn exemptions into this year’s Texas Mid-Amateur to be held this fall at a site to be announced.

Starting times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be posted on the TGA website no later than March 19. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from The Courses at Watters Creek and South Shore Harbour Country Club.

At last year’s North Mid-Amateur, hosted by Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club in Rockwall, C.J. Brock won the title with rounds of 72-70-69. His 5-under-par 211 total was good for a one-stroke margin of victory over Brock Mulder. Brock and Mulder also finished 1-2 for low mid-master. Logan Thomason posted a 54-hole total of 3-over 219 on the Forest Course at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood to capture the 2023 South Mid-Amateur by one shot over a quartet of players tied at 220. Otto Iskandar, one of the four second place finishers, claimed low mid-master honors.

TGA Mourns the Loss of Win Padgett

The TGA is saddened to report on the loss of H. Winfield “Win” Padgett of Dallas. Padgett passed away on March 6 at the age of 78.

Padgett was a tremendous supporter of amateur golf at the local, state and national levels, and devoted many years to giving back to the game that meant so much to him. Among his many significant contributions included serving on the Board of Directors of both the TGA and TGA Foundation. Padgett was the founding President of the TGA Foundation and was presented with the TGA’s Bob Wells Award for a lifetime of distinguished service in 2008. Padgett was also a member of the USGA Executive Committee and was a recipient of the USGA’s Issac B. Grainger Award, which recognizes 25 years of service to the Association.

In addition to his leadership roles with the TGA and USGA, Padgett served several terms on the Board of Directors at Brook Hollow Golf Club where he was a longtime member. Padgett had a passion for the history of the game as well and was a co-founder of the Society of Hickory Golfers, an organization that promotes the experience of golf in a manner consistent with how the ‘royal and ancient game’ was played in the hickory era.

16th Women’s Eclectic Set for Mar. 11-12

ADDISON – The Women’s Eclectic will head to Panorama Golf Club on March 11-12 for the first time in its 16-year history.

“This tournament is one of the more popular in the women’s season,” shared Women’s Director Kristi Knight. “It’s a fun change from your normal stroke play tournament and we are excited to bring the tournament to a great club. Panorama Golf Club has a great layout. It has everything you want for beginner and experienced golfers.”

The 112-player field will play a two-day, 36-hole individual Eclectic. Each player will take her better hole score over the two days. Gross and Net winners will be awarded.

Located North of The Woodlands, Texas – Panorama Golf Club sits as one of the more exciting golf clubs in the Houston Area. Opening in 1962, Panorama Golf Club has three different nine-hole layouts that each have their character. Rolling Hills, Winged Foot, and Thunderbird combine both old-style and modern golf to challenge every golfer.

This is the first multi-day event for the Women on the 2024 Schedule. “All the players are excited to get out there and play,” Knight said. “The last tournament we had was in the beginning of November so it’s exciting to be back.”

Last year’s Overall Gross winner of the Women’s Eclectic was Huntsville’s Grace Jin with a total of 11-under 130. The Overall Net winner of last year’s Women’s Eclectic was Arlington’s Sarah Farmer after finishing with a 10-under 131.

Round One of the 16^th Women’s Eclectic is set for 9:00 AM on Monday, March 11. For more info on the 16^th Women’s Eclectic, click here.

Regional Four-Balls Set for Feb. 24-25

The Texas Golf Association’s 2024 men’s tournament schedule kicks off with the North and South Regional Four-Ball Championships. The season openers will be held concurrently from Feb. 24-25.

Whitestone Golf Club in Benbrook will host the North Regional Four-Ball, while The Bearkat Course at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville will host the South Regional Four-Ball.

This will be the third TGA championship contested at Whitestone and the first-ever at The Bearkat Course. Whitestone previously hosted the 2001 Texas Mid-Amateur Match Play, won by Texas Golf Hall of Famer Chip Stewart, and the 2023 North Regional Senior Amateur, won by John Schaefer.

Located about 12 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Whitestone Golf Club was co-designed by Jeff Brauer and Jay Morrish and opened in 2000. The Bearkat Course (formerly known as Raven Nest Golf Club) opened in 2003 and was designed by Tripp Davis.

First played in 2003, Regional Four-Ball entries are open to two-player teams of male amateur golfers with each member of the team having an up-to-date WHS Handicap Index® not exceeding 8.4 issued through a member club of the TGA and residing in the region relative to their respective championship. The delineation between the North and South regions is the 31st parallel that passes through the city of Salado.

Both championships are conducted using the same competitive format. The starting field of 44 teams (88 players) will play 36 holes of four-ball stroke play over two days with no cut. Regional performance points, which are applied to the yearlong North and South Regional Player of the Year races, are awarded to the top five team finishers.

Starting times and pairings for the first round will be posted online on the TGA website no later than Feb. 20. Live scoring updates and daily recaps will also be available online once the action gets underway from Whitestone Golf Club and The Bearkat Course.

Bobby Massa and Ryan Zamorano won the 2023 North Regional Four-Ball with rounds of 62-63 on the Traditions Course at The Courses at Watters Creek in Plano. Their 19-under-par 125 total was good for a three-shot margin of victory over runners-up Kolton Crawford and Sean Heidrick and Liam Logan and Colby Pickavance. At the 2023 South Regional Four-Ball, Jonathan Alden and Austen Fulmer finished at 15-under 129 at Vaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco to capture the title by one shot over Sean Ferris and Thomas Immenschuh.

World Handicap System™: 3 Key Changes for 2024

Introduced in January 2020, the World Handicap System (WHS) was based upon three key principles: be inclusive, provide a consistent measure of ability, and remain modern. Four years later, with the first revision to the WHS set for this January, those same principles apply to the main changes going into effect, namely:

1)  A lower minimum length for a golf course to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™

Under the current system, an 18-hole course must be at least 3,000 yards to receive a Course Rating and Slope Rating (or 1,500 yards for 9 holes). Starting in 2024, the yardage requirements will be cut in half, to 1,500 and 750 yards, respectively. This is good news for golfers who regularly play par-3 and shorter-length courses and have wanted those scores to count toward their Handicap Index®.

 2)  A new treatment of 9-hole scores

Today, 9-hole scores are combined in the order posted to create an 18-hole Score Differential™. This means that a 9-hole score shot today could be combined with a 9-hole score from days, weeks, or even months before – which can lead to volatile results.

Beginning in 2024, when a player posts a 9-hole score, it will be combined with their expected Score Differential over 9 holes to create an 18-hole Score Differential for immediate use – with expected score based on the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round is played as well as a course of standard difficulty.

 3)  An updated approach for holes not played

At present when a hole isn’t played (due to darkness, for example), the score recorded is a net par. When the 2024 revision goes into effect, when 10-17 holes are played, an 18-hole Score Differential will be determined by adding the player’s Score Differential from the holes played to an expected Score Differential for the number of holes not played. Since a player’s expected score is not specific to a course or reliant upon the course’s stroke index allocation (as net par is today), this will lead to more consistency.

To learn more about the revisions coming to the WHS in 2024, click here.