DeSive and Gathright Lead 2020 STPGA Award Winners

SPRING, TEXAS —The Southern Texas PGA is excited to announce this year’s Section and Chapter Award Winners. Doug DeSive, who is set to finish his term as President of the Southern Texas PGA in February 2021, has won the 2020 STPGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor within the section. This award 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. 

DeSive, who was elected to PGA Membership in 1986, is best known for his willingness to grow the game through charitable efforts and his consistent professionalism as the Head Golf Professional at Corpus Christi Country Club for close to 30 years. Through programs like Charity Golf Summer and Foundation Pro-Ams, DeSive has raised over $80,000 for PGA Reach Southern Texas, whose mission is to impact lives through golf. 

Most recently, DeSive gained even more respect from his peers as he led the association through the COVID-19 pandemic as President of the STPGA. He ensured communication lines were open between PGA Professionals, best practices were shared, and constant communication took place around local and state guidelines. He continued to preach to his members the need to create memorable experiences at their facilities and to provide a safe place for guests and members to escape what most people believe to be one of the most challenging years in our country's history.

Bryan Gathright, PGA Director of Instruction at the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, TX won this year’s Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year. Named after legendary PGA Professional and teacher Harvey Penick, this award is given to an individual for overall excellence in golf instruction. In 2020, Gathright’s ability to help his students perform at the highest level was on full display across the state of Texas. His students won the Southern Amateur Championship, the Texas State Open, the Texas State Amateur, and the Texas State Junior Amateur. 

Gathright not only helps players of all skill levels progress, but also spends time helping other instructors across the STPGA and the country. Gathright enjoys presenting at events like the STPGA Coaching and Teaching Summit and Junior Golf Summit. He is a proud member of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers in America for 20 consecutive years and has spent time coaching notable players like Jimmy Walker and Notah Begay III.   

DeSive, Gathright, and their other Section award winners will be formally presented with their honors during the STPGA’s 53rd Annual President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Monday, February 15, 2021, at the Omni Houston Galleria. Chapter Award winners will be honored at their respective Chapter Meetings in December 2020. A complete listing of the 2020 Southern Texas PGA award recipients is below:

2020 Southern Texas PGA Section Awards

Golf Professional of the Year: Doug DeSive (PGA Member)
Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year: Bryan Gathright (The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch)
Bill Strausbaugh Award: Chris Rowe (Whispering Pines Golf Club)
Professional Development Award: Chris de Keratry (Cimarron Hills Golf & CC)
Assistant Professional of the Year: Alessandra Maurtua (Walden on Lake Conroe GC)
Player Development Award: Ben Willman (Axis Golf Academy)
Youth Player Development Award: EJ Kim (Axis Golf Academy)
Merchandiser of the Year (Private): Westwood Golf Club
Patriot Award: Tirrel Baymon (Cypresswood Golf Club)
Golf Sales Representative of the Year: Daryl Walker (EZGO)
Special Services Award: Steve Abalos (Vortech Contracting)
Junior Golfer of the Year: Zachary Heffernan

2020 Southern Texas PGA Chapter Awards

Golf Professional of the Year
Eastern Chapter: Ricky Lyons (Westwood Golf Club)
Western Chapter: Ashley Skidmore (Hyatt Hill Country Resort)
Southern Chapter: Joe Mitchell (Victoria Country Club)

Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year
Eastern Chapter: Doug Strawbridge (GolfTec)
Western Chapter: Ann Marie Gildersleeve (Austin Country Club)
Southern Chapter: Rudy Gonzalez (Laredo Country Club)

Youth Player Development Award
Eastern Chapter: Pam Dixon (The Golf Academy at Cinco Ranch)
Western Chapter: Jared Shaw (Austin Golf Club)

Merchandiser of the Year
Eastern Chapter: Bluejack National
Western Chapter: Spanish Oaks Golf Club
Southern Chapter: Laredo Country Club

2020 Southern Texas PGA Players of the Year

OMEGA Player of the Year: Carlos Sainz (GolfTec - Upper Kirby)
OMEGA Senior Player of the Year: Omar Uresti (PGA Life Member)