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Encouraged by Kyle's win at Jekyll Island, we looked into the North Texas PGA
- Junior Foundation. The youngest division is the 7 - 9. Although the golfers would be older than Kyle,
sometimes by as much as 4 years, Paul felt that Kyle would be able to handle the yardages and so we asked if Kyle would be
able to join.
The answer was that Kyle would need at least two recommendations. Brian Mahon, Local
US Kids Golf Director, Coach Wesley Francis and Kyle's other coach, Billy Beverly from the Golden Bear Golf Center all stated
that they indeed felt Kyle would be competitive in the NTPGA, despite his young age.
So, during Spring Break of
2006, 5 year-old Kyle and Paul went to the Bear Creek Golf Course and despite an 8 on the first hole, Kyle held on and shot
a 46. A scorecard playoff resulted in his first win.
NTPGA Boys 7
- 9 Hank
Haney Vista Ridge
| NTPGA - Hank Haney Vista Ridge March 2006 |
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| Kyle proudly displays his 2nd Place award. |
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Since school was still out for Spring Break, Kyle competed in two more tournaments
for NTPGA. He tied for third at the North Texas Golf Institute and on a very chilly Friday morning, we went to the Hank
Haney Golf Ranch at Vista Ridge. A tricky little par 3 & 4 course, Kyle shot a 40 to put him in 2nd place.
Overall, we were encouraged by his start and looked forward to the opportunity for more tournaments to challenge.
There weren't any other tournaments until the summer though and we weren't able to juggle both NTPGA and US Kids, so
after two more wins in June (Keeton Park and Stewart Peninsula) we concentrated on US Kids. After the summer, we did
two more in October. where he won at Hank Haney Vista Ridge and took 2nd after a scorecard playoff at Firewheel in Garland.
In November, Kyle and Paul went to a West Texas NTPGA event in Midland so that Kyle's grandparents could watch him
compete at Hogan Park and win.
He went back to Hank Haney Vista Ridge on Jan 2, 2007 and again won. His record for the 2006 was 10 events - 10 top ten placements - 6
wins.
NTPGA Boys 7
- 9 Hank
Haney Vista Ridge
| Hank Haney NTPGA October 2006 |
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| A first place finish against tough competition |
NTPGA Boys 7
- 9 Firewheel
GC
| Firewheel - Garland. NTPGA October 2006 |
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| A scorecard playoff nets a 2nd place finish |
NTPGA Boys 7
- 9 Hogan
Park - Midland
| Hogan Park Midland NTPGA November 2006 |
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| Kyle proudly displays his 1st place medal he won with his Papa Cox in attendance. |
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