Randy Smith of Royal Oaks CC to join Teachers Hall of Fame

Randy Smith is inducted into another hall of fame. Perhaps the only surprise is that the emeritus pro and director of teaching at the Royal Oaks Country Club had yet to be honored by the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. golf review announced on Monday that the induction will take place on November 14.

The World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame was established by golf review in 1999 and has inducted over 25 instructors. He says it’s the only Hall of Fame solely dedicated to golf instruction. Past inductees include Claude and Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter, Bob Toski, Peggy Kirk Bell, Dave Pelz, Harvey Penick and Jim McClean.

Smith, who has been at Royal Oaks since 1977, was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2019, Royal Oaks honored Smith with a bronze relief placed between No. 1 and 10 starter boxes.

Earlier this year, the PGA of North Texas honored Smith by putting his name on its new building at PGA Frisco, naming it Randy Smith and Dr. Bill Blair Whos Next Pavillion. The 2,200 square foot building will be a centerpiece for the NTPGA Foundation’s community outreach and growth of gaming programs.

Smith’s list of accomplishments and honors is long. His current claim to fame is coaching reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who was only recently replaced at No. 1 in the world golf rankings by Rory McIlroy. Smith’s other students include 1997 British Open Champion Justin Leonard, Harrison Frazar, Ryan Palmer and 2007 US Amateur Champion and Public Links Champion Colt Knost. The Royal Oaks Teaching Center bears his name.

Perhaps his greatest legacy is The Great 108, which he started in 1983. The event raised nearly $2 million to benefit junior golf in North Texas.

Ascending LPGA dates set

The Ascendant LPGA to benefit Volunteers of America will return to Old American Golf Club at The Colony from Oct. 5-8, 2023, tournament officials announced Wednesday. With the dates for the LPGA set, the schedules for the six North Texas pro tournaments next year have been finalized.

The Veritex Bank Korn Ferry Tour Championship kicks off April 13-16 at Texas Rangers Golf Club. The PGA Tour Champions Guest Celebrity Classic at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving will take place the following week, April 21-23.

The AT&T Byron Nelson will be at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney May 11-14. The Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth will be held May 25-28, the same week as PGA Frisco’s first major tournament, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East Course.

Briefly: The second East West Matches, a Ryder Cup-style event for American mid-amateurs and seniors, begins Friday at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton. Each team is made up of 18 players: six seniors, at least 10 mid-amateurs and two amateurs who have not yet reached the age of 25. … The South held off the North to win the Texas Golf Association’s Texas Shootout at Grand Pines Golf Club on Sunday. Clay Fullick got the deciding point in the final game by winning the back nine against Kevin Doskocil. Each game was worth three points – one for top nine, one for bottom nine and one for 18. … Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa has reopened the Fazio Canyons course after seven months of a $5 million renovation at the Tom Fazio – pattern. New tee boxes have been added for extra length as well as new bunkers and greens to improve playability.

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