There is a reason the Texas Golf Hall Of Fame flag flies so high, twenty five of its members are in the World Golf Hall Of Fame, the most of any state. Their members have won 83 major championships. From Ralph Guldahl’s 1937 Masters win to Angela Stanford’s 2018 Evian Championship, Texans have been making their mark on the game’s most important Championships. And the numbers, plus members, continue to grow with the 2024 class of inductees.
The honorees will be celebrated during the formal induction ceremony,which will take place at the prestigious Houston Country Club, Houston, TX onMonday, October 21, 2024. This year’s class represents a remarkable group ofindividuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf inTexas. Each inductee will be commemorated with a granite marker on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at the historic Bracken-ridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio,Texas and at our newest Anchor Site at NTPGA The Ronny Golf Park in Frisco,Texas.“We are thrilled to welcome the 2024 class of inductees into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame,” said Board Chairman Reid Meyers. “These individuals have not only excelled in their respective categories buthave also significantly contributed to the legacy and growth of golf in Texas. We look forward to honoring their achievementsand celebrating their impact on the sport.”Alli Jarrett, Executive Director ofthe Texas Golf Hall of Fame, added,“This year’s inductees embody the spirit and excellence of Texas golf. Their dedication, talent, and contri-butions have left an indelible markon the sport, and we are honored torecognize their accomplishments. We eagerly anticipate celebrating their remarkable careers at the induction ceremony.
About the Inductees: AMATEUR PLAYER Randy Sonnier Randy Sonnier, a native of The Woodlands, Texas, is an accredited pilot and amateur golfer. Throughout his career, he is a two-time Texas State Amateur Champion (1986, 1991), the Texas State Mid-Amateur Champion (1985), played on the World Amateur team (1984) and the Walker Cup Team (1985). In addition to his state and international accomplishments, Sonnier made multiple appearances at the Masters and U.S. Open from 1987 through 1994. Sonnier’s letter of recommendation was written by 1979 inductee Jack Burke, Jr.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYERD.A. Weibring D.A. Weibring, a na-tive of Quincy, Illinois, and a resident of Texas for over 45 years, has an impressive resume of professional accomplish-ments and accolades.The Illinois State University graduate and member of the ISU Golf Hall of Fame has 10 combined victories on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions from 1979 through 2008. Weibring also founded the Byron Nelson Classic Junior Class and has been involved with it for the last 23 years.As the Founder of Golf Resources (Weibring Wolford Design), D.A. has designed/renovated, managed, or pro-vided agronomic consultation to 100+ courses in 25 states and four countries.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTC. Malcolm Holland IIIC. Malcolm Holland III, a native of Dallas, Texas, is known for impacting the game of golf through personal service. He dedicated his time to improving the game at the national, state, and local levels. Holland’s talent is exemplified by innovating the competitive landscape of Junior golf, with a major impact made in efforts such as the College Golf Fellowship and the Legends Junior Tour. He’s given meaningful assistance to organizations dedicated to professionals, amateurs, and those just starting their journey. Holland was also the President of the Texas Golf Association and served on the USGA Executive Committee. Holland now serves as the Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Veritex Holdings, Inc and Veritex Commu-nity Bank since the originations began in 2009 and 2010 respectively. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Mike Ray, PGA Mike Ray, born in Borger, Texas, has made significant contributions to golf, particularly through his roles as Director of Member-Section Operations for the PGA of America and as Executive Director of the Southern Texas PGA.During his tenure, he grew the STPGA’s budget from $100,000 to over $4 million, established STPGA Scholarships awarding over $1 million, and built one of the most ro-bust junior programs in the country. One of Ray’s biggest accomplish-ments was his work around the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. Ray’s idea was to create one membership for juniors to play either STPGA or NT-PGA Junior Golf and receive a free membership to the Legends Junior Tour. This model continues to thrive today, with close to 100 2-Day Cham-pionships for the best junior golfers in Texas. Additionally, Ray was instrumental in reconstituting the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and a proponent of bringing the PGA of America Headquarters to Texas. Known as the “Head Pro of the STPGA,” he has mentored countless professionals and junior golfers. His legacy is marked by his dedication to growing the game and supporting the golf community.
REGISTRY OF HISTORIC COURSES Royal Oaks Country Club (Dallas) Royal Oaks Country Club, established in 1967 and managed by Todd Harbour, has a storied history beginning at Glen Lakes Country Club.The club has remained true to the original layout and designs of Don January, Billy Martindale, and J. Press Maxwell, who hailed from a prestigious lineage of course architects. Royal Oaks boasts a pedigree that includes influ-ences from Southern Hills and Augusta National. Despite initial design challenges, the course opened in 1969 and has continually evolved, with notable redesigns by D.A. Weibring and Chet Williams.The club underwent a significant renovation in 2023, updating irrigation and replanting fairways, greens, and roughs. Renowned for nurturing talent, Royal Oaks is home to top golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Justin Leonard and Ryan Palmer and has been shaped by Pro Emeritus Randy Smith’s 46-year legacy. Smith’s dedication has fostered countless junior golfers who have achieved collegiate and professional suc-cess. With its rich history, commitment to junior golf, and welcoming environ-ment, Royal Oaks remains a vibrant and beloved community.The induction ceremony is open to the public, and tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit 2024 Gathering of Eagles Info, Tickets & Sponsorships.The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring individuals and courses that have significantly impacted the game of golf in Texas.
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