First Community STPGA Team Announced for 2025 PGA Professional Championship!

Southern Texas PGA • April 1, 2025

SPRING, TEXAS (April 1, 2025) – The Southern Texas PGA (STPGA) is proud to announce the nine PGA of America Members who have earned their place on the inaugural First Community STPGA Team. Based on their outstanding performances in the 2024 STPGA Section Championship, these elite professionals will represent the Section at the 2025 PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, from April 27-30, 2025.


We will showcase this team throughout April, with the support of First Community Credit Union.

MEET THE FIRST COMMUNITY STPGA TEAM

Jesse Droemer, PGA
Teaching Professional, Riverbend Country Club


Jesse Droemer, originally from Sealy, Texas, began playing golf at the age of 12 and went on to play for the University of Houston from 2010 to 2014, becoming a PGA Member in 2016. His playing accomplishments include Houston Golf Association Player of the Year, Texas Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year, AJGA Champion, and victories at the 2023 TPX Player’s Cup, the 2023 Veritex Bank Spring Classic, and the 2022 Memorial Championship. Jesse has competed in numerous prestigious events, including the 2025 VidantaWorld Mexico Open, 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, and 2018 Valero Texas Open, as well as five PGA Professional Championships. Jesse achieved four top-five finishes in 2024, including second-place honors at the Veritex Bank Spring Classic and Southern Texas PGA Section Championship.

Darrell Fuston, PGA

General Manager, Westwood Golf Club


Darrell Fuston, a Dallas native and former collegiate golfer at North Texas State University, has dedicated over three decades to the golf industry as a 33-year member of the PGA of America. His career spans prominent roles, including positions with Four Seasons Hotels, Troon Golf, and leadership at elite clubs such as The Woodlands Country Club and Kingwood Country Club. He has directed operations for nine PGA Tour events, including the Byron Nelson Classic and Insperity Invitational, and continues to compete as an accomplished player, having qualified for numerous PGA and Senior PGA Professional Championships. Darrell has qualified to represent Team STPGA in 11 Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. Currently serving as the STPGA Vice President and has been a proud member of the Board of Directors since 2013.

Bobby Gates, PGA

Director of Instruction, Summit Golf School


A Gainesville, Florida, native, Gates developed into a highly competitive golfer during his youth. He played collegiate golf at Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in agriculture. Turning professional the same year, Gates played on the Gateway Tour, Canadian Tour, and Nationwide Tour, where he won the 2010 Michael Hill New Zealand Open. He later earned PGA Tour status through Q School and the Web.com Tour Finals, competing at the highest level for multiple seasons. His experience includes multiple PGA Tour events. Gates earned his spot on the First Community STPGA Team by finishing T6 at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship and looks forward to showcasing his skills at the 2025 PGA Professional Championship.

Greg Hiller, PGA

Director of Instruction, TPC San Antonio


Greg Hiller, originally from North Dakota, began playing golf on sand greens at the age of 11 and has been a PGA Member since 2014. His career includes six years as a Head Professional and nine years as a Director of Instruction at facilities ranging from public to private, currently serving as the Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio. An accomplished player, Greg has competed in two majors (the U.S. Open and Senior PGA Championship) and seven PGA Professional Championships. Highlights from 2024 include second-place honors at the STPGA Senior PGA Professional Championship, a sixth-place finish at the GolfStatus Tradition Championship, and top-ten finishes at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship and TPx Player’s Cup.

Jared Jones, PGA

Director of Instruction, River Oaks Country Club


Jared Jones, originally from Kenova, West Virginia, was a scholarship player at The Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in Personal Finance in 2008. Pursuing a career in golf, Jared gained experience at prestigious private clubs like Scioto Country Club, The Golf Club, Belle Meade Country Club, and PGA West under renowned instructor Jim McLean. In recent years, Jared has excelled in tournaments, qualifying for two PGA Championships (2022 – Southern Hills Country Club, 2024 – Valhalla Golf Club), finishing in a tie for second in the PGA Professional Championship in 2022 and 2024, and representing the victorious PGA Cup teams in 2022 and 2024. Additionally, he secured wins at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship in 2019 and 2024 and achieved top placements at the Veritex Bank Spring Classic and Boxto Memorial Championship in 2024.

Steve Jurgensen, PGA

Teaching Professional, Westwood Golf Club


Steve Jurgensen, a proud Member of the Southern Texas PGA, played competitively through the age of 40, travelling the world playing golf, including four years on the PGA Tour. Now dedicated to teaching, Steve finds immense joy in helping students achieve their goals while continuing to compete himself. In 2024, he earned five top-five finishes, highlighted by victories at the Texas Senior Open Qualifying Series at Landa Park and the STPGA Senior PGA Professional Championship. He also secured a second-place finish at the Golf Status Tradition Championship, a T3 at the Boxto Memorial Championship, and fifth at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship.

Robert Scott, PGA

Teaching Professional, Royal Oaks Country Club


Robert Scott, a native of Sugar Land, Texas, now residing in Richmond, Texas, began playing golf at the age of 14 to continue his passion for sports prior to a growth spurt. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Instruction at Royal Oaks Country Club in Houston, Robert loves coaching players of all skill levels to help them achieve their goals and solve challenges in various aspects of the game. As a player, he has achieved personal highlights such as shooting 63 three times and will compete in his third PGA Professional Championship in four years. In 2024, Robert secured a T6 placement at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship and a T15 finish at the Boxto Memorial Championship.

Ben Willman, PGA

Teaching Professional, Axis Golf Academy


Ben Willman, Co-Owner of Axis Golf Academy, was born and raised in England, where he began playing golf at the age of 13 and turned professional at 21. A Member of the British PGA since 2004, Ben achieved his dream of playing professionally by earning his European Tour Card in 2006, competing on prestigious tours like the PGA Tour and European Tour before transitioning to coaching in 2009 as a Member of the PGA of America. Ben has been recognized as one of Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Every State in 2022-23 and 2024-25. Despite focusing on instruction, Ben remains a competitive player, securing titles such as Southern Texas PGA Player of the Year in 2014, 2016, and 2019. While qualifying for events like the Shell Houston Open, Valero Texas Open, and Mexico Open. In 2024, he achieved five top-ten finishes, including T3 placements at the Southern Texas PGA Section Championship and TPx Player’s Cup. Ben has also competed in two PGA Professional Championships.

JJ Wood, PGA

Director of Instruction, Golf Performance Group


JJ Wood, originally from San Diego, California, excelled as a junior golfer with a top 25 national ranking, earning golf scholarships to Pepperdine University and the University of Oklahoma, where he was ranked in the Top 75 World Amateur Golf Ranking and obtained his master's degree in sports psychology for peak performance. His professional career includes playing on the PGA Tour, participating in one major championship, and founding Golf Performance Group as its Director of Instruction. Renowned for his coaching philosophy shaped by insights from elite instructors like Chris Como and Neale Smith, JJ has guided over 100 players to college scholarships and professional careers. A two-time Southern Texas PGA Player of the Year, he achieved standout tournament placements, such as T3 at the TPx Player’s Cup, T3 at the STPGA Section Championship, and T9 at the Veritex Bank Spring Classic, and will compete in his sixth PGA Professional Championship in 2025.

The First Community STPGA Team represents the highest level of professional golf within the Southern Texas PGA Section. As these accomplished professionals head to Florida in April, they will showcase the skill, dedication, and sportsmanship that define the STPGA.

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 and are located at over 250 facilities throughout Southern Texas. The STPGA Headquarters is in Spring, TX, and employs 14 full-time employees and over 100 part-time employees.


We look forward to watching the First Community STPGA Team compete at the 2025 PGA Professional Championship and wish them the best of luck!

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.
By Southern Texas PGA April 15, 2026
PEARLAND, TX (April 15, 2026) — The Southern Texas PGA Major season opened with drama and momentum at Golfcrest Country Club, where Jesse Droemer, PGA, and Steve Jurgensen, PGA, captured their respective division titles at the 2026 Huntington Bank Spring Classic, held over the last two days. The Open Division delivered a thrilling finish as Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club, secured the championship at 6-under-par following a playoff against David von Hoffmann, PGA Director of Golf at Spanish Oaks Golf Club. The two competitors replayed the iconic 18th hole to determine the champion after a tightly contested final round, where Droemer carded a steady two-putt par to decide the title. David von Hoffmann began Round Two tied for third before quickly surging into the lead after birdieing three of his first four holes. His early charge applied pressure throughout the round and set the tone for a dramatic finish. Meanwhile, Droemer, who began the day tied for fifth, battled through adversity after an early setback with a double bogey on Hole #7 before mounting a late push when it mattered most. A stretch of birdies on Holes 15, 16, and 17 ignited Droemer’s charge and ultimately forced the playoff showdown on the finishing hole.
By Southern Texas PGA April 8, 2026
Three Leaders. Three Cups. One Mission. Trevino, Kilian-Smith, and MacCurrach will lead Team STPGA into the 2026 season across the Joe Black Cup, Levy Cup, and Texas Junior Cup Matches.
By Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA March 25, 2026
STPGA 2026 Q2 UPDATE A Message from the President: Building the Future of the STPGA Dear STPGA Members and Associates, Fresh off our March Board of Directors meeting at the STPGA home office, I am energized by the momentum we are building together. Every conversation we had centered on one thing: you . Our goal is to ensure that our PGA Members and Associates remain the focal point of every initiative we launch. We’ve had a productive start to the year, but we are just getting started. Here are a few highlights from our meeting: Refining Our Flagship Event: We conducted a deep dive into the 2026 Education Summit and Annual Meeting. While it was a success, we are already laying the groundwork to make 2027 even more impactful. Celebrating Excellence: We discussed enhancements to our awards process and brainstormed fresh ways to showcase the incredible talent within our Section. I’ll give you a quick "teaser"—the Board is working on a very exciting project to highlight our members, and I can’t wait to share more details with you soon! Education & Growth: From the recent ADM Education Summit to the upcoming Coaching & Teaching Summit and Specialized Workshop, we are committed to providing world-class professional development. Legacy & Competition: We received an update from Alli Jarrett, Executive Director of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. As one of the six permanent organizations of the TGHOF, we remain proud of our ties to the history of the game in Texas. We also discussed exciting enhancements to our Championship schedule, including the Golden Nugget events and upcoming captaincy announcements for the Joe Black, Levy Cup, and Texas Junior Cup. Fiscal Stewardship: We reviewed our investment strategies to ensure we remain good stewards of our Association’s resources, securing a strong financial future for the STPGA. Your Turn to Lead: Get Involved! As we solidified our election process for the upcoming cycle, I had a personal realization: my term as President is already halfway through. This journey has been one of the absolute highlights of my career. Serving as an Officer and leading this Section has been immensely rewarding, and I want that same experience for you. Our Association is only as strong as the leaders who step up to guide it. If you are passionate about the Southern Texas PGA and want to help shape the future of our profession, I strongly encourage you to consider running for a board position. Whether you have a specific vision or simply a desire to give back to the game, we need your voice and your leadership. I promise that the professional and personal growth you experience in these roles is well worth the investment. As always, my door is open. If you have questions about the election process, our recent board initiatives, or how you can get more involved, please don't hesitate to reach out.
By Southern Texas PGA March 20, 2026
Tyler Gammill, PGA - From Backyard Putts to Big-Team Moments
By Southern Texas PGA March 19, 2026
SPRING, TEXAS (March 19, 2026) – The Southern Texas PGA is proud to announce the Second Annual First Community STPGA Team , recognizing ten of the Section’s top-performing PGA Professionals who have earned the opportunity to represent the STPGA on a national stage. The team is comprised of accomplished professionals who exemplify excellence in playing ability, leadership, and dedication to the game, with each member earning their position through standout performances at the 2025 STPGA Section Championship. This year’s roster features a blend of seasoned veterans, rising competitors, and accomplished instructors who will showcase the strength of the Section at the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, April 26-29.
By Southern Texas PGA February 26, 2026
TODD HARBOUR, PGA - A FULL CIRCLE RETURN ROOTED IN CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
By Southern Texas PGA February 25, 2026
A Partnership Focused on Community, Character, and Championship Standards
By Dr. Rich Ballinger, PGA February 16, 2026
STPGA 2026 Q1 UPDATE Record Growth & Our Roadmap Ahead Dear STPGA Members and Associates, We recently kicked off 2026 with our first Board Meeting and Annual Meeting in San Antonio. It was inspiring to see over 200 members in attendance for what was a productive and insightful few days. As we look toward the year ahead, I am proud to share some significant highlights regarding our Section’s health and future direction. Exceptional Financial Growth During the Annual Meeting, we reported our 2025 year-end financials, and I am pleased to confirm that the STPGA remains in excellent financial condition. Revenue Milestone: We surpassed $8.7 million in revenue for 2025, marking a 55% increase since 2021. National Standing: The STPGA is now the 3rd largest operation out of the 41 PGA Sections—a remarkable feat considering we rank 11th in total membership. Reserve Fund: Our financial success has allowed us to establish a conservatively invested reserve fund. This provides a safety net for unforeseen circumstances and the flexibility to expand our staff, enhance our programs, and capitalize on future opportunities. A Roadmap for the Future We were thrilled to unveil our finalized Vision, Mission, and Strategic Pillars . It has been several years since this foundational document was updated, and these pillars will now serve as the compass for all annual planning and goal setting.
By Susie Redman, PGA, LPGA February 13, 2026
By Susie Redman, Founder, “Keep Her Playing”
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