First Community Expands Partnership With Southern Texas PGA

Southern Texas PGA • February 19, 2025

Creation of the First Community STPGA Team to be showcased in 2025 and 2026

February 19th, 2025 (Spring, TX) - This week at the STPGA Annual Meeting, a special announcement was made around an expanded partnership between First Community and the Southern Texas PGA. The elevated partnership includes showcasing First Community and unique story telling opportunities as we create a new team of STPGA Members. Known now as the First Community STPGA Team, this group of STPGA Members are the PGA Professionals that have qualified for the PGA Professional Championship to be played on April 27-30 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL.

This year’s First Community STPGA Team currently features 9 PGA Members from Southern Texas that hope to qualify for the PGA Championship and earn a spot on the Corebridge PGA Team of 20. Prior to the event in April, the STPGA will showcase these players in unique spotlights and then follow them along at the PGA Professional Championship. All 9 of these players earned this spot at the 2024 STPGA Section Championship.

Our First Community STPGA Team will be led by Jared Jones, PGA Director of Instruction at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX who came in a tie for second at last year’s PGA Professional Championship and won the 2024 STPGA Section Championship. These 9 First Community STPGA Team members will not only represent the STPGA but their facilities as well. PGA Members continue to be the backbone of the industry and the First Community STPGA Team will showcase the playing ability of the STPGA membership.

“We could not be more thrilled to try something new and have a current partner that believes in the value this Team will showcase,” said Thomas Hutton, Executive Director of the STPGA. “This idea started on a white board and to see a company like First Community jump on board and then our members get excited about it, makes this something special.”

In addition to this announcement, First Community is also excited to announce special perks and exclusive offers for STPGA Members and Employees to elevate their banking needs with products and services from First Community.

“Last year was our first year expanding our outreach within the golf community through the STPGA and it was a big success,” said TJ Tijerina, CEO of First Community. “We saw tremendous exposure through the STPGA Junior Golf Program and are excited for this additional opportunity to support the community and showcase stories that will resonate with our potential members.”

The First Community STPGA Team will feature the following PGA Members in 2025.

Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club
Darrell Fuston, PGA General Manager at Westwood Golf Club
Bobby Gates, PGA Director of Instruction at Summit Golf Schools
Greg Hiller, PGA Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio
Jared Jones, PGA Director of Instruction at River Oaks Country Club
Steve Jurgensen, PGA Teaching Professional at Westwood Golf Club
Robert Scott, PGA Teaching Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club
Ben Willman, PGA Teaching Professional at Axis Golf Academy
JJ Wood, PGA Director of Instruction at Golf Performance Group

The STPGA would like to extend a massive thank you to First Community for their support of the STPGA and all of our initiatives. First Community will continue to be a Patron Partner of the STPGA Junior Golf Program and will also commence a new scholarship that will be awarded through the STPGA Scholarship Program in 2025.

While we look forward to seeing if someone from the First Community STPGA Team will qualify for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in May, we also look forward to this year’s STPGA Section Championship September 15-16 at The Covey at Big Easy Ranch where the 2026 First Community STPGA Team will be determined.

The PGA Professional Championship will be aired on Golf Channel throughout the 4 days and make sure to follow all STPGA Social Media Accounts for behind the scenes items and player updates.

About First Community

First Community was founded in 1954 with Spring Branch ISD as their founders. Their corporate office is in Houston, TX. First Community has over 455 employees serving over 170,000 members with 18 locations in Texas and over $2.5 billion in assets. First Community is a full-service, federally insured financial institution serving Texas counties from Houston to the DFW area. To find a First Community location near you, please visit FCCU.org.

First Community membership is open to anyone that lives, works, attends school or worships in one of the Texas counties we serve, FCCU.org/counties, any person employed by a Select Employee Group, FCCU.org/seg-list, or any relative or family member of an FCCU member or employee.

About the Southern Texas PGA

The Southern Texas PGA is a member-based organization with a mission to serve its 900 PGA of America Members and Associates, grow the game through STPGA programs, and elevate the Association. We are part of the PGA of America and one of 41 Sections across the country.

Our PGA of America Members and Associates are world class professionals that are experts in the game and business of golf. PGA Members are the backbone of the golf industry and are located at over 250 facilities throughout Southern Texas. Our Members are proud to wear the PGA badge and work in all aspects of the industry including golf operations, teaching and coaching, and executive management. PGA Members pride themselves on working daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

The STPGA Headquarters are in Spring, TX and employs 14 full-time employees and over 100 part-time employees. Our Section is made up of 7 metropolitan areas that include Austin, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio. The organization focuses on areas that serve our PGA Members through educational opportunities, tournaments, employment and recruiting, and overall promotion of our Members.

The STPGA also focuses its time and resources on managing a 501(c)3 organization called PGA of America REACH Foundation Southern Texas, best known as PGA REACH Southern Texas. This Foundation has a mission to positively impact lives through the game of golf.

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By Southern Texas PGA • July 29, 2026

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Omar Uresti Wins Back to Back STPGA Senior Championships

By Southern Texas PGA • July 22, 2026

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Litwak and Knudsen Ride Six-Birdie Surge to Texas Team Title

By Southern Texas PGA • July 8, 2026

HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS – Jeff Litwak, PGA Head Professional at Lakeside Country Club, and Erik Knudsen, PGA Sales Representative at BagCaddie, captured the Texas Team Championship following a dramatic final-round climb at Horseshoe Bay Resort. The 36-hole, Four-Ball Stroke Play Championship featured 232 PGA Professionals and Associates from the Southern Texas PGA and Northern Texas PGA Sections. The field included 116 teams representing 91 unique facilities playing both Apple Rock, a par-72 layout, and Ram Rock, a par-71 course over two days. Litwak and Knudsen began the final round tied for 11th place before mounting their charge up the leaderboard.

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STPGA Section Awards Nomination Period is Now Open!

By Sarah Lummus • May 26, 2026

Each year the Southern Texas PGA recognizes fellow PGA of America Members for their outstanding work and achievements. Our 2026 Section Awards nomination period is currently open and will close on August 12th at 11:59 pm. Please note that only PGA Professionals may submit nominations for their fellow PGA Professionals in the Southern Texas Section. Nominees will be notified and sent their application on a rolling basis throughout the nomination period. All completed applications must be submitted by September 14th at 11:59pm. If you have any questions regarding the 2026 Section Awards and nomination process, please reach out to Sarah Lummus at slummus @pgahq.com . Head to the link below to read more about the awards process and nominate your fellow PGA members!

Sainz Jr. and Uresti Capture Omega Transactions Memorial Championship Titles

By Southern Texas PGA • May 20, 2026

COLUMBUS, TEXAS (May 20, 2026) — The Southern Texas PGA returned to Big Easy Ranch on May 18-19 for the 2026 Omega Transactions Memorial Championship, where shifting weather, difficult scoring conditions, and two strong closing performances defined the championship in Columbus. Round One brought heavy winds across Big Easy Ranch, forcing players to manage ball flight, stay patient, and grind through difficult conditions. Round Two began with light morning rain that delayed tee times, but the weather eventually gave way to a beautiful afternoon as the wind settled and scoring opportunities opened across the course.

Texas Golf Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026

By Southern Texas PGA • May 19, 2026

Houston, Texas – The Southern Texas PGA will be represented in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026 by Dale Morgan, PGA, and River Oaks Country Club, two honorees whose impact reflects the Section’s deep influence across Texas golf. The full Class of 2026 will be honored during the formal induction ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2026, at San Antonio Country Club, presented by Huntington Bank. Morgan will be inducted in the Golf Professional / Teacher category, while River Oaks Country Club will be recognized as the Historic Course honoree. They join Stacy Lewis, Colt Knost, Mark Harrison, and Dave Pelz in a distinguished class celebrating playing excellence, leadership, service, innovation, and historic contributions to the game. 2026 Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductees: • Golf Professional / Teacher: Dale Morgan, PGA • Historic Course: River Oaks Country Club (Houston) • Professional Player: Stacy Lewis • Amateur: Colt Knost • Professional Service: Mark Harrison • Lifetime Achievement: Dave Pelz (Posthumously) Each inductee will be commemorated with a granite marker on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio, as well as at the Hall of Fame’s anchor sites at The Ronny Golf Park at PGA Frisco and Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. “This class represents the very best of Texas golf across generations,” said Chairman Mike Booker. “From global champions to transformative leaders and historic venues, each honoree has left a lasting imprint on the game. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the legacy they continue to build.” Alli Jarrett, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, added, “The Class of 2026 reflects excellence not only in playing performance, but in leadership, innovation, and service. These inductees have elevated the game in meaningful and lasting ways, and we look forward to honoring their stories and contributions.” The Class of 2026 Digital Museum exhibits are being made possible through a generous grant from the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation, ensuring these legacies are preserved and shared for future generations.

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By Southern Texas PGA • April 29, 2026

BANDON, Oregon (April 29, 2026) ー Jesse Droemer embraced the elements. With the Walter Hagen Cup and a berth into the PGA Championship within reach, Droemer expected Wednesday’s final round of the 2026 PGA Professional Championship to be a test of patience and control. Strong, brisk winds made Bandon Dunes an even greater challenge, but the Southern Texas PGA standout rose to the occasion. Droemer (Houston, Texas) fired a final-round 2-under-par 70 to finish at 4-under-par 283, securing victory by one stroke and earning his place among the game’s elite. “I knew it was going to be windy,” said Droemer, the fifth champion from the Southern Texas PGA Section and the first since 2021. “I knew the conditions were going to be tough, and I just really was trying to embrace the elements. I'm glad it was windy. I'm glad it was playing hard.” A PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club, Droemer began his round with five consecutive pars before recording his lone front-nine bogey at the par-3 sixth. He quickly rebounded with his first of four birdies at the par-4 seventh and added another at the par-5 ninth to make the turn at 1-under-par 35. Carrying momentum into the back nine, Droemer birdied the par-4 10th and par-5 13th to strengthen his position atop the leaderboard. A bogey at the par-3 15th briefly tightened the margin, but three steady pars to close sealed the championship victory.