Northern Texas PGA Unveils Namesake of Pavilion
On Wednesday, May 4, the Northern Texas PGA’s Board of Directors and Executive Director hosted a luncheon at Royal Oaks Country Club.
The luncheon’s purpose was to unveil the namesake of a second building that will be adjacent to the Northern Texas PGA’s offices located at PGA Frisco.
The building will be known as the Randy Smith & Dr. Bill Blair Who’s Next Pavilion.
It is a 2,200-square-foot building specifically designed for the NTPGA Foundation’s community outreach and growth of the game programs, programs for which the Foundation is so well known.
It came as a great surprise to long-time NTPGA Member Randy Smith, Golf Professional Emeritus at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, that the building would bear his name alongside NTPGA Foundation supporter Dr. Bill Blair.
It also features an image of Smith giving a lesson to a 3-year-old junior golfer Finley Ewing IV.
“It was a complete surprise to me to see my name on the building,” said Smith through a few happy tears. “Thank you to my friend Dr. Blair for his significant contribution and to the NTPGA Board of Directors for this honor.”
Smith and Ewing IV were coaxed into appearing at the luncheon, being told it was an update for NTPGA Foundation supporters.
Neither was aware of the name or image the pavilion would bear until it was announced by Northern Texas PGA Executive Director / CEO Mark Harrison.
“The picture that will be on the pavilion is my favorite picture from when I was a junior golfer and I am so humbled that I will be linked to Randy at the NTPGA’s new home forever,” said Finely Ewing IV.
Smith has been a PGA Member for 45 years and has received a multitude of accolades during that time. He was honored as the PGA of America’s Golf Professional of the Year in 1996 and the Northern Texas PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1989. Smith is known as a top instructor coaching Justin Leonard, Ryan Palmer and the 2022 Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler from the age of seven. He has also been a great advocate for the game of golf and the NTPGA Foundation. In 38 years, the Royal Oaks’ Great 108 fundraiser has raised over $1.9 million dollars for the Foundation. Smith has also played a role in making many introductions to Foundation supporters like the Ewing family, Dr. Blair and others.
“It was such a truly special moment to surprise Randy with this announcement. He has been a great friend and champion for the Northern Texas PGA, the PGA professional and our junior golf growth of the game initiatives and there is no better person to bestow with this honor,” said Mark Harrison.
The Northern Texas PGA looks forward to opening the Randy Smith & Dr. Bill Blair Who’s Next Pavilion later this summer along with the new Northern Texas PGA Section office building and 2-acre synthetic turf, lighted golf park.
