The 13th Annual Big Tex Golf Classic was a hole-in-one for Texas students. A record-breaking $197,950 was raised at the event, with all proceeds going directly to the Fair’s Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program to help fund education for youth throughout the Lone Star State.
“On behalf of the State Fair of Texas and the State Fair of Texas Chairman’s Task Force, I am immensely grateful to our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers who have propelled this year’s Big Tex Golf Classic to new heights, enabling us to raise a record amount of student awards,” said Caleb Robinson of Robinson Growth Partners, co-chair of the tournament. “Their unwavering support and dedication have allowed us to conduct a high-quality and enjoyable event that will positively impact the lives of many deserving kids across the state of Texas.”
One hundred percent of the money raised at this event goes to support the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $32 million in auction awards and college scholarships in its history. This program benefits students from across the state who have competed in youth livestock events at the Fair, students attending one of six Dallas ISD high schools surrounding Fair Park, and seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas.
A competitive 68 teams comprised of 276 golfers competed at the event held at both Tenison Golf Courses in Dallas, The Highlands, and The Glen. First and second-place teams per course took home the trophies and annual bragging rights. Taking honors on The Glen was Ennis High School with a score of 59 for second place, and All American Turf Solutions with a score of 58 for first place. On the Highlands, second place went to N. Beach with a score of 55, and Mansfield High School took first place with a score of 53.
Keeping the tradition alive, four local high school teams played alongside our donors, who sponsored the student teams. High School team sponsors included 5401 N. Beach, LP, 5555 N. Beach LP, Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, Stratford Group/Davey Davis, Walne Family Holdings, Neal Robinson, Talley-Riggins Construction Group, and Texans Credit Union. High school teams playing with corporate sponsors included Ennis High School, Highland Park High School, Irma Rangel/Obama Academy, and Mansfield High School. Students and Big Tex Scholarship Program donors were paired on the tee boxes to strengthen relationships.
Axcent Networks sponsored the $5,000 putting contest which resulted in a draw. Axcent Networks also sponsored two $10,000 Hole-in-One contests. Crest Cars sponsored two 2024 Trip to the Masters Hole-in-One contests, and Primera Companies and United Mechanical each sponsored two Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa trip Hole-In-One contests, which each resulted in a draw.
“The 13th Annual Big Tex Golf Classic was ambitious from the start. Expanding from one 18-hole course to two meant double the number of players, sponsors, efforts, and most importantly, proceeds for the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program,” Zack Lamp of HKS, Inc., co-chair of the tournament, added. “With a record-breaking year of 68 teams and 276 golfers, the event at Tenison Golf Course was a remarkable success, filling both the Highlands and the Glen courses and raising nearly $200,000. Big thanks to our hard-working volunteers and our generous sponsors for making this an incredible event.”
A special thanks to the following organizations for sponsoring the tournament:
- 2023 Presenting sponsor: Crest Cars
- 2023 Co-Title sponsor: Axcent Networks
- Player ball sponsor: Grapevine Golf Cars
- Glove sponsor: Texans Credit Union
- Towel sponsor: Axcent Networks
- Player hat sponsor: ACT Event Services
- Forecaddie sponsor: Ruibal’s Plants of Texas
- State Fair scholars’ sponsor: Primera Companies
- Player breakfast sponsor: Atmos Energy
- Player lunch sponsor: New York Life
- Shirt sponsor: Lockton
- Golf tees sponsor: Dallas Sports Commission
- Player merchandise tent sponsor: National Write Your Congressman
- Team photo sponsor: Marsh & McLennan Agency
- Ball marker sponsor: ParkHub
- Closest to the Pin: Raising Cane’s
- More than 45 valued volunteers from the State Fair’s Chairman’s Task Force & State Fair staff.
Special thanks to the beverage station sponsors: Actus Logistics, Cigna, HKS, Inc., Keurig Dr Pepper, Lone Star Ag Credit, MIINC Mechanical Contractors, New York Life and Robinson Growth Partners.
The tournament was also sponsored by All American Turf Solutions, Altschuler and Company, Ben E. Keith, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Calwest, Leslie Chatman, Daniel Murchison, Direct Retail Partners, Frost Bank, Martin Peck, Meyer Williams, Miller Knauff Law Firm, J. Stephen Muncey Law Firm, Northwest Insurance, Assured Comfort Services, Oak Legacy Management, Parking Company of America, Platinum Event Services, Robinson Growth Partners, Sendero Consulting, Steven Mancillas, Jr., Taylor Bledsoe, United Mechanical, Veritex Bank, Wayside Cotton, Westwood Civil Engineers and Younger Partners.
We are grateful to our in-kind donors: Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Emergency Ice, Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dogs, Pointer Outfitters, White Lion Safaris, Raising Cane’s, Kangaroo Cases, Big Tex Champion Club, Tenison Golf Course, Shea Self, Primera Companies, Team Golf, Lone Star Ag Credit, Team Golf, Republic National Distribution Co., Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Terry Blacks, Hall Arts Hotel, The Albany Group, Neal Robinson and United Mechanical.
Learn more about the 2023 Big Tex Golf Classic at BigTex.com/Golf.
Learn more about the State Fair’s Big Tex Scholarship Program at BigTex.com/Scholarship.
Learn more about the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction at BigTex.com/Auction.