2019 Southern Texas PGA Award Winners Announced

Southern Texas PGA • November 13, 2019

Rich Ballinger named Golf Professional of the Year

SPRING, TEXAS—The Southern Texas PGA is excited to announce the 2019 Section Award winners. Led by Golf Professional of the Year Rich Ballinger, the list includes 18 individuals who have won a Section Award and an additional 10 Chapter Awards winners.

Rich Ballinger is currently the Director of the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

The Golf Professional of the Year honor has been presented annually for 52 years and is based on the recipient’s overall performance as a PGA Professional, level of service to the Southern Texas PGA, leadership, image, ability to inspire fellow Professionals, and service to the region’s golf community. The first STPGA Golf Professional of the Year award went to the late Hardy Loudermilk, shortly after the STPGA’s creation in 1968.

Elected to Membership in 1996, Ballinger works to model what a PGA professional should look and act like to the students he educates in order to better prepare them for jobs in the golf industry. He does this by focusing on the continuation of education and involvement with the Association.

"I am tasked with running an educational program that produces members for the PGA of America. With that being said, I do my best to be a positive role model and mentor to these young men and women," said Ballinger. "I have continued my education by earning an MBA and Doctor of Education, have achieved PGA Master Professional status, and am very involved in both Section and National governance."

Ballinger's passion for education in and about the golf industry can be seen through the PGA 2.0 and 3.0 education programs he has helped design. He also works to promote the game of golf through the Free Lesson Fridays program and the Boys and Girls Club and Scouts at Sam complimentary clinics.

"I try to lead by being an effective role model and mentor for not only students enrolled in the PGA Golf Management program, but to my peers," said Ballinger. "We must practice what we preach or we lose credibility with those we are attempting to lead."

This marks the fifth Southern Texas PGA Section Award for Ballinger, who previously won the Section's Horton Smith Award four times in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2017.

Ballinger and his fellow Section award winners will be formally presented with their honors during the STPGA’s 52nd Annual President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Monday, February 10, 2020, at the Woodlands Country Club. Chapter Award winners will be honored at their respective Chapter Meetings in December 2019. A complete listing of the 2019 Southern Texas PGA award recipients is below:

2019 Southern Texas PGA Section Awards

Golf Professional of the Year: Rich Ballinger (Sam Houston State University)

Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year: Alan Hodde (Axis Golf Academy)

Bill Strausbaugh Award: Chad Donegan (Landa Park Golf Course)

Horton Smith Award: Cary Collins (Oak Hills Country Club)

Dick Forester Quarter Century Award: Dale Morgan (Austin Country Club)

Special Service Award: Brad Widener (Lonestar NGL)

Assistant Professional of the Year: Ryan Briggs (Whispering Pines Golf Club)

Player Development Award: Derek Hooper (Royal Oaks Country Club)

Youth Player Development Award: Jim Nittoli (San Antonio Country Club)

Merchandiser of the Year (Private): University of Texas Golf Club (Austin)

Merchandiser of the Year (Public/Semi): Blackhorse Golf Club (Cypress)

Merchandiser of the Year (Resort): TPC San Antonio (San Antonio)

Patriot Award: David L. Ramirez (NorthShore Country Club)

Golf Sales Representative of the Year: Brett Dolat (Cobra-Puma)

Media Award: Jason Alexander (The Club at Carlton Woods)

Junior Golfer of the Year (Boy): Ty Roberts (Schertz)

Junior Golfer of the Year (Girl): Valerie Routzong (Richmond)

Amateur of the Year: Parker Louis Holekamp (Kingwood)

2019 Southern Texas PGA Chapter Awards

Golf Professional of the Year

Eastern Chapter: Rich Ballinger (Sam Houston State University)

Western Chapter: Dale Morgan (Austin Country Club)

Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year

Eastern Chapter: Jim Murphy (Sugar Creek Country Club)

Western Chapter: Bryan Gathright (Clubs of Cordillera Ranch)

Youth Player Development Award

Eastern Chapter: Ben Willman (Axis Golf Academy)

Western Chapter: Jennifer MacCurrach (First Tee of Greater Austin)

Southern Chapter: Rodolfo Gonzalez (Laredo Country Club)

Merchandiser of the Year

Eastern Chapter: The Club at Carlton Woods (The Woodlands)

Western Chapter: University of Texas Golf Club (Austin)

Southern Chapter: Laredo Country Club (Laredo)

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HOMETOWN GLORY AT THE 2025 STPGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

By Southern Texas PGA • September 16, 2025

COLUMBUS, TX (September 16) – Over the last two days, the Southern Texas PGA proudly hosted its premier event, the 58th STPGA Section Championship, at The Covey at Big Easy Ranch in Columbus, Texas. 112 PGA of America Members from across the Section competed in a two-day championship not only to crown the 2025 STPGA Section Champion but also served as the pathway to the national PGA Professional Championship, Player of the Year Honors, and the last opportunity to climb our points list and earn a spot on #TeamSTPGA for the Joe Black Cup Matches and Levy Cup Matches. Congratulations to Casey Russell, PGA Director of Golf at Big Easy Ranch, for winning this year’s Section Championship at Big Easy Ranch. The home-field advantage would serve Casey well as he would finish with a tournament total of 70-71–141 (-3) After round one, the leaderboard was extremely tight with a three-way tie for first at 2-under (70) between Alan Hodde, PGA Director of Instruction at Axis Golf Academy & Fitting Center, Greg Hiller, PGA Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio, and Casey Russell, PGA, and another 16 people within three strokes of the lead. With the added pressure of a tie, Casey would be put at ease with his course knowledge and the perfect pairing to go to battle with.

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Jake Sitterle Claims 2025 Southern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship!

By Southern Texas PGA • August 18, 2025

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 18, 2025) – Mother Nature had different plans at Champions Golf Club, where drawn-out lightning delays ultimately forced the cancellation of Round Two and shortened the 2025 Southern Texas Assistant PGA Professional Championship to 18 holes. Taking advantage of his strong opening round, Jake Sitterle, Assistant Professional at Lakecliff Country Club, earned the victory with a score of 70 (-1) on the par-71 layout, securing his place at this year’s champion. “This wasn’t the way anyone wanted this championship to end. Gilbert was playing great in the second round, but I am happy I could get the win,” Sitterle reflected. “With how the last major ended, I was always confident in my game and that I could be up at the top, but this field is strong, and I just wish all the guys who qualified the best of luck.” The tournament, hosted at Champions Golf Club, featured over 50 Assistant Professionals from across the Section, competing for qualifying spots into the Assistant PGA Professional Championship, set to be played at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, November 13-16, 2025.

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Help Support the Hill Country at Riverhill Country Club

By Southern Texas PGA • July 30, 2025

Sunday, August 17, 2025 Come join us for a Great Event. An exciting Day of Golf, Live Music, Auctions, and Special Appearances. 100% of all funds received will go directly to benefit the Hill Country Arts Foundation in Ingram, Texas, to help them rebuild from devastating flood damage. Golf Tournament at Riverhill Country Club - the home of legendary Byron Nelson 8:00 am Registration 10:00 am Shotgun Start $500 per player (limited to 120 players) Golf at the Historic Riverhill Country Club Two Concert Tickets at Arcadia Live All-inclusive Food and Drink on the Course Player Gift Bags Live Concert at the Beautiful Arcadia Live Theater Featuring; 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm $100 per ticket (only 600 tickets available) Acts to be Announced coming soon due to security concerns and limited seating To Enter and for More Information , go to the website (working on) or Contact Jeff Hunter, PGA at (830)-896-1400 ext. 2260 or jhunter@riverhillcc.com John Junker at (830-896-1400) ext. 2260 or jjunker@riverhillcc.com Checks and donations can also be sent to Riverhill Country Club, made out to: Guitars and Greens for the Guadalupe