The 12th Annual Big Tex Golf Classic was a hole-in-one for Texas students. A record-breaking $145,540 was raised at the event, with all proceeds going directly to the Fair’s Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Program.
“Despite the heat, we’re pleased that folks still came out to raise money for Texas students,” said Daryl Real, Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Livestock for the State Fair of Texas. “Every year, we set high goals for this event, and we’re proud that we’ve been able to exceed those goals, including involving local high school teams again this year, including two high schools that are eligible for Big Tex scholarships. Nothing exemplifies our creed ‘more money for more kids’ than being able to engage the students as we raise funds for them”.
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 $30 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 DISD high schools surrounding Fair Park, and seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas.
A competitive 46 teams comprised of 180 golfers competed at the event held at the Tenison Highlands Golf Course in Dallas. The tournament’s first-place team members of the Mansfield High School team collected the trophy and annual bragging rights with a score of 53. With two teams scoring 57, a scorecard playoff was required. Landing in second place, the team members of Marsh & McLennan.
For the first time, five local high school teams played alongside our donors, who sponsored the student teams: CALwest (Ennis HS), Dallas Communications Complex/Capital Commercial (Woodrow Wilson HS), State Fair of Texas Chairman’s Task Force (Duncanville HS), Stratford Group (Irma Rangel/Obama Academies) and Texans Credit Union (Mansfield HS). Irma Rangel and Woodrow Wilson High schools, participating schools in the Big Tex Scholarship Program, fielded foursomes. Students and SFT scholarship program donors were paired on the tee boxes to strengthen relationships.
New York Life sponsored the $5,000 putting contest which resulted in a draw. The Axcent Networks sponsored the $10,000 Hole-in-One contest. Crest Cars sponsored the 2023 Trip to the Masters Hole-in-One contest, and Marsh & McLennan Agency the Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa trip Hole-In-One contest, which each resulted in a draw.
A special thanks to the following organizations and individuals:
- 2022 Presenting Sponsor: Crest Cars
- 2022 Co-Title Sponsor: Axcent Networks
- Player Ball Sponsor: Grapevine Golf Cars
- Glove Sponsor: Texans Credit Union
- Towel Sponsor: Dallas Sports Commission
- Player Hat Sponsor: Sendero Consulting
- Forecaddie Sponsor, Ruibal’s Plants of Texas
- State Fair Scholars’ Sponsor, Mary Kay Foundation
- Tailgate Game Sponsor, Gilhang & Hays
- Breakfast Sponsor: Atmos Energy
- Social Hour Sponsor, Caliber Collision
- Shirt Sponsor: Lockton
- 45+ valued State Fair of Texas volunteers
The tournament was also sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bobby Brosin, Bush Rudnicki Shelton, Leslie Chatman, Cigna, Direct Retail Development, Frost Bank, HKS Architects, Keurig Dr PepperTM, Lone Star Ag Credit, Marsh & McLennan, New York Life, Omni Hotels, ParkHub, Caleb Robinson, Mark Strickland, United Mechanical, Walne Family Holdings, and Cindy & Kirk Williams.
High School team sponsors included CALwest, Dallas Communications Complex/Capital Commercial, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, State Fair of Texas’ Chairman’s Task Force, the Stratford Group, and Texans Credit Union,
We are grateful to our in-kind donors: Emergency Ice, Fletcher’s Original State Fair Corny Dogs, Pointer Outfitters, White Lion Safaris, Odonata Escape, Solo Stove, Woodhouse Day Spa, Time Ten Cellars, Codigo, A; Biernat’s, 33 Restaurant Group, Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill, Eliza Page Jewelry, Palmer’s Chicken, Jack Mason, Northgate Country Club, Home2Suites Baylor, Scheels, Hall Arts Hotel, Woodbine Hotels, Dallas Jacks Rugby, Alto, Eataly, Shilen Rifles, Enlighten MD, Visit Dallas and Tenison Golf Club.
Learn more about the 2022 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.