In case you haven’t figured it out yet, Texas is the greatest state for golf in the country.Anditisn’tevenclose,according to Executive Director of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, Katie Manor. Ten of the 30 U.S. Ryder Cup Captains, 85 major winners, 897 LPGA/ PGA Tour winners, are all individuals from the Lone Star State, and every single one is a member of the prestigious Texas Golf Hall of Fame. And those numbers don’t include future members like Stacy Lewis, Jordan Spieth, or Scottie Scheffler. Did we mention 24 of the 164 of theWorld Golf Hall of Fame members (15%) are in theTexas Golf Hall of Fame?
Our state has produced generations of incredible golf talent, and not just professional players. Six of the 67 PGA of America Golf Professionals of the Year are from Texas. 25 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Team Titles have been won by Texas universities (including a record 16 by the University of Houston). And 13 U.S Amateur titles have been claimed by Texan men and women.When listed all together, the stats are truly staggering. Every two years theTexas Golf Hall of Fame recognizes up to five membership categories.They are Amateur Player, Professional Player, Golf Professional/ Teacher, Lifetime Achievement, and Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses. There are stringent requirements to be considered a finalist, including a professional having won at least four times on the LPGA or PGA Tour. Just 150 individuals and 14 golf courses have been inducted into theTexas Golf Hall of Fame since its inception in 1978.
The Class of 2022 (Ryan Palmer, Brad Elder, Barney Adams, Ronny Glanton, PGA, Gordon Johnson, PGA, and Houston Country Club) were inducted last October. Professional Player - Ryan Palmer Amateur - Brad Elder Lifetime Achievement - Barney Adams Golf Professional/Teacher - Gordon Johnson Golf Professional/Teacher - Ronny Glanton Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses - Houston Country Club
On October 17th, 2022 the Texas Golf Hall of Fame inducted its newest individuals and golf course into its storied membership in a day-long event calledThe Gathering of Eagles. Until Manor’s hiring in October 2021 (she is the first ever full-time employed staff member), that was the extent of what was done to celebrate the membership. During COVID, TheTexas Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors conducted a feasibility study to determine the future of the organization.Texas golf, andTexas Golf Hall of Fame members, deserved so much more in recognition and awareness of achievements, and the Board moved quickly to bring on someone who could live and breathe the Hall every day.
Since starting in her role, Manor has made sure the future of theTexas Golf Hall of Fame is bright. Starting with social media followers, which have grown from a little over 100 in December 2021 to almost 3,000 at the end of 2022, there are big plans in place to properly honor the past, celebrate the present, and create the future greats of Texas golf.The Hall is making moves to ensure its members, and Texas golf, is acknowledged on a grand and lasting scale.
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame will unveil a new physical structure in the fall of 2023 at PGA Frisco on the Northern Texas PGA’s campus.The Frisco anchor site will be an addition to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame’s footprint in the state, joining theTexas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course. “The opportunity to have a prominent presence on the NorthernTexas PGA campus at PGA Frisco is an incredible addition to theTexas Golf Hall of Fame, and significantly helps us reach our goal to bring as much awareness as possible to the greatest golf hall of fame in the country,” said Manor. “It is the modern home of golf in America and Texas golf will be on display in all ways.”
In addition, the Hall has a new partnership withVeritex Community Bank - the Official Bank of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and Presenting Sponsor of the futureTexas Golf Hall of Fame anchor site at PGA Frisco. Veritex’s commitment to golf in Texas is unparalleled and felt at all levels. It sponsors 23 LPGA/PGA/ Korn Ferry/ChampionsTour players, includingTGHoF Member Ryan Palmer and 2022 Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler. It is also the Title Sponsor of both theVeritex Bank Championship Korn FerryTour event and the historicVeritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship.“Golf has always been aligned with our brand, which is why this partnership made sense and we are known as the Golf Bank of Texas,” says Malcolm Holland, CEO & President of Veritex Community Bank.
Finally, both the Walk of Fame in San Antonio and PGA Frisco location will incorporate QR codes which will lead visitors to a one-of-a-kind interactive virtual museum highlighting individual members with his/her own digital exhibit and collection. completed content: Scan the QR Code
“The entire history of Texas golf will be in the palm of your hand through this incredible platform and resource.Texas greats looking back at you, telling you their stories and anecdotes. It is a gift that the Texas Golf Hall of Fame is giving back to the game, to our great state, and to anyone who visits our virtual exhibits from anywhere in the world,” Manor added. And so,Texas golf just keeps getting better – and bigger – just as we do with everything in this great state. Keep up with all the latest happenings with the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, including details about the unveiling of the PGA Frisco Anchor Site and Digital Museum, by following on social media: These exhibits will include high-level films about each member, as well as separate videos diving into specific details of the individual’s career and artifacts.
In addition,acomprehensive library of Facebook: Texas Golf Hall of Fame artifacts, photos, memorabilia, trophies, LinkedIn:TexasGolfHallofFame and articles will be made available in a digital archive. Future special exhibits are also planned, to broaden the scope of stories captured and brought to life. Manor has even provided readers with a sneak preview of some of the For more information on how to support these initiatives through the Texas Golf Hall of Fame’s capital campaign, please contact Katie Manor, via phone or email: 214.294.7967 or katie@texasgolfhof.org.