Congrats to our New Quarter Century Club Members

Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA – Make your Passion your Career!

The Southern Texas PGA is excited to announce our Captains for the upcoming 2024 Cup Matches. From Landa Park Golf Course, our Texas Joe Black Cup Matches Captain is PGA General Manager Chad Donegan who will call on Team STPGA to #KeeptheCup. Chad is an incredible leader and four-time Joe Black Cup participant whose experience will be a strong benefit for our future roster. The 44th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches will be contested on October 28-29, 2024 at Midland Country Club in Midland, Texas.

Southern Texas PGA Members, As a member-based organization, keeping accurate records of our Members is vital to our success both from a communication standpoint and overall service to the membership. During our March Board Meeting, your Board of Directors determined that each year in April moving forward, the STPGA would perform an internal Member Audit. This Member Audit is around ensuring Members are classified correctly, information is listed accurately, and facility information is as updated as possible. While according to the PGA of America Constitution it is the Member or Associate’s responsibility to ensure employment records are updated within ten (10) business days of change in employment and/or classification, the STPGA believes this audit will serve as a Member Benefit for making sure that all records are up to date. To assist us in this process, please visit your PGA.org Profile and navigate to “My Official PGA Records” to verify that your contact information, place of employment, and other personal data is correct. If you are having trouble updating anything, please contact Scott Archer ( sarcher@pgahq.com ) or call the STPGA Office at 832-442-2404. The Board of Directors have formed a working group made up of Members and Staff to review our membership and help with ensuring employment information and facilities are correct. If the working group needs your help or wants to verify something, you will be reached out to individually. Furthermore, we believe this annual process will also help educate Members on different classifications and policies within the PGA of America and our governance to ensure accuracy and correct information. To view the list of applicable classifications available to our Members and Associates, please Click Here. We would like to thank you in advance for your assistance with this process and please head to PGA.org and ensure you are listed correctly. Thomas Hutton, PGA Bryan Minnick, PGA

RICHMOND, TEXAS (APRIL 9) - The Veritex Bank Spring Classic was truly one of a kind down at Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Texas. 108 of our PGA of America Members and Associates faced off during the Solar Eclipse and a light drizzle during the first round. We kicked off our first major of the year in competitive fashion with Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club and Omar Uresti, PGA Life Member leading the way in their respective divisions after the first day. In the Open Division there was a five-way tie for second place at four-under. After being one of the five tied for second place following round one, Carlos Sainz, Director of Instruction at The Clubs at Houston Oaks, carded six birdies on the front nine to propel himself to solo leader. From there, he remained calm and collected to win the Veritex Bank Spring Classic at a tournament total of 10-under par. “You have to get out to a fast start with the first two holes being a Par-5 and a short Par-4. I was expecting the wind to have more of an impact, but luckily it calmed down and I was able to take advantage on the front nine” said Sainz. After a slight delay due to lightning, round two was underway and Uresti kept his foot on the gas, extending his lead to 12-under after an incredible tournament total of 14 birdies. “I was very fortunate with a lot of wedge shots sticking pretty close. I had a couple of tee shots I missed a little but still ended up with clear looks,” said Uresti. “It has been a little while since the last tournament I played but it feels great to be back in STPGA competition.” A huge thank you to Shadow Hawk Golf Club, PGA General Manager Mike Shoelen, PGA Head Professional Justin Engel, and their staff for being incredible hosts. We also want to thank our Title Sponsor, Veritex Bank, along with our Presenting Partners, as this event would not be possible without them; Vortech Contracting, Tournament Solutions, Donald Ross Sportswear, PRG, Maui Jim, and NexBelt. Click here to view the photo gallery. Click here to view the final results.

See below for the most up-to-date information regarding our Section One-Day Event Schedule! Any questions please contact Director of Tournament Operations, Nick Drew at ndrew@pgahq.com 3-Club Challenge Monday, May 20 East River 9 (Houston) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Pro-Scratch * Monday, July 29 The Covey at Big Easy Ranch (Columbus) *Rescheduled Date CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Two-Person Shamble Monday, August 12 Corpus Christi Country Club (Corpus Christi) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Four-Person Step Back Scramble Monday, September 16 Bentwater Yacht & Golf Club - Miller (Montgomery) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Two-Person Scramble Monday, October 21 Lost Pines Golf Course (Cedar Creek) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION Four-Person Shamble Monday, November 11 Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club - Blackjack (Fair Oaks Ranch) CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

HOUSTON, TEXAS (MARCH 12) - The Pro-Pro Championship returned for 2024 at the beautiful Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas. 104 of our PGA of America Members faced off in near perfect conditions for Southern Texas. An incredible first day of play ended with Jesse Droemer, PGA Member and Ronnie Fletcher, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakeside Country Club leading the charge at 13-under. “The greens were rolling really well. The ball would roll where you were looking, if you got the read correct it’s going to go in.” said Ronnie. When asked what their mindset would be going into round two Jesse had this to say, “Ronnie and I have played enough of these together so we know each other’s games and we read the greens the same. So, I think we are going to keep it the same for tomorrow while trying to grow the lead and keep the pedal down.” After an incredible comeback from Ryan Hodge, PGA Head Professional at Spanish Oaks Golf Club and Lonny Alexander, PGA Teaching Professional at Onion Creek Club by shooting 11-under in round two, Droemer and Fletcher had to find a rhythm to make it back to the leading spot. Following a couple clutch birdies on the back nine, especially on Hole #17, they reclaimed the lead. All that was left was to make par on Hole #18 to seal the victory. “I was looking at the scores on the back nine and saw that we had to step on it a little more,” said Jesse. “We were able to sneak in a couple more birdies which was a good thing, then we were able to make a par on the last hole to pull it off” added Ronnie. A huge thank you to Royal Oaks Country Club and their staff for being incredible hosts. We want to thank our partners, as this event would not be possible without them; Boxto, BlueGolf, Callaway, Evolve Golf, Lorente Golf, and TPC Industrial. Click here to view the photo gallery! Click here to see the final results!

Cary Collins, PGA – Dedicated, Knowledgeable, Your Go-To Rules Official!

This partnership supports PGA Professionals, grow the game initiatives, and the next generation golfer. Spring, TX (February 27) – The Southern Texas PGA would like to welcome back two of our largest partners in Srixon and Cleveland Golf, who help support STPGA’s mission of serving members, growing the game through STPGA programs, and elevating the association as a whole. This year, the STPGA is excited to feature a new brand, Nike Golf, to help continue to elevate this partnership. Srixon and Nike will be presenting partners of the 44 th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches, October 28-29, 2024, where the STPGA looks to keep the cup in Southern Texas. Srixon will be providing new staff bags for each player, while Nike Golf will provide shoes to continue to elevate one of the most important events of the year for PGA Professionals. “We’re delighted to showcase these brands at the 44 th Joe Black Cup Matches,” said Thomas Hutton, Executive Director at STPGA. “Srixon and Nike Golf continue to invest in our PGA Professionals and in turn sees the impact that makes on their business.” Srixon will also continue their partnership with the Srixon Billiard Factory Prestige Tour, which will feature 40 two-day events for the best junior golfers in Southern Texas. This will mark the seventh year that Srixon has been the title partner of this tour. During this time, Srixon has allowed this tour to grow from 3,700 rounds annually to over 7,200 rounds in 2023. Srixon supports the tour by providing their high-performance golf balls for the next superstar coming out of Texas, as well as major brand activation throughout the year. “Working with the Southern Texas PGA is truly a win-win for our organization,” said Steve Nichols, Regional Team Leader at Srixon, Cleveland Golf. “This allows our brands and products to be in front of golfers consistently but more importantly, invest in the next generation.” The Southern Texas PGA would like to thank Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and Nike for their support of our business and desire to support PGA Professionals. We highly recommend the entire STPGA community considers doing business with these brands or test the equipment to find out what is best for your game or facility. In the coming weeks, the STPGA will be announcing an updated partnership with XXIO, Asics, and Never Compromise. While these companies are fall under the same parent company, we will have two separate teams in the market working alongside each other to support our PGA of America Members and the overall game. For all of you Srixon, Cleveland Golf, and Nike Golf needs, please reach out to the following people. Steve Nichols Regional Team Leader stevenichols@clevelandgolf.com 71 4 .231.6192 Chuck Cox, PGA Territory Manager chuckcox@clevelandgolf.com 832.381.0667 Britt Vealey Territory Manager brittvealey@clevelandgolf.com 512.809.2306

STPGA kicks off 2024 with a new look!