HOMETOWN GLORY AT THE 2025 STPGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP

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.

"Hodde is one of my best friends, and I love playing with Greg, so it was an incredible group to play with throughout the day. On top of that, I know this course better than anyone on the planet, so I felt confident coming into today."

The competition would not lighten up as the battle would go all the way down to the final hole, as Russell would successfully go for the green in two. A great putt from off the green would allow him to card a birdie and force a playoff between himself and Droemer. They would play Hole 18, then Hole 1, then Hole 10, and repeat Hole 18, where it was decided.

"I took a look at the leaderboard and saw I was down one, and I've never been a laying-up guy, so I knew I could go for it. I gave myself a good look at Eagle and left a little more than I would like, but I gave myself a chance with that birdie putt."

Russell would seal the deal on the fourth hole of the playoff and solidify himself as the 2025 Section Championship. This is Russell's second time hoisting the Tommy Aycock Trophy, with his first Section Championship victory coming in 2016.

"You know I have had a rough time playing golf a few years back, so it feels really good to be back and playing great golf this year. I took a look at the trophy to make sure my name was still on it," Russell joked. "It is an incredible win for me, and to do it on my home turf feels even better."

The Top 8 finishers in our PGA Professional Championship qualifier earned spots on the First Community STPGA Team to compete at the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for April 26-29 at the iconic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. Bobby Gates, PGA Teaching Professional at Summit Golf Academy, and Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club, have already earned their exemptions through their finish at this year’s 2025 PGA Professional Championship. The eight professionals who will be joining Bobby and Jesse on the West Coast on the First Community STPGA Team include:

Casey Russell, PGA

Steve Jurgensen, PGA

Robert Scott, PGA

Gilbert Mendez, PGA

Alan Hodde, PGA

Jamie Fraser, PGA

Greg Hiller, PGA

J.T. Taylor, PGA

The Southern Texas PGA would like to thank the entire team at Big Easy Ranch for hosting this year’s Section Championship. The Covey at Big Easy Ranch was recently named the best new golf course in the country, and the players thoroughly enjoyed the layout, hospitality, and unbelievable course conditions. Thank you to owner Billy Brown, PGA General Manager Ricky Lyons, and his entire team!

This year’s event featured a purse of $75,510 and played to a Par-72 with a total length of 7,091 for the male Professionals and 6,034 for the female Professionals.

As the final chance to climb the 2025 Player of the Year points list wraps up, we are thrilled to announce that your 2025 STPGA Player of the Year is Austin Wylie, Teaching Professional at Mac Wylie Golf Center! Austin’s season was nothing short of spectacular, finishing inside the Top 3 at four Section Majors and capturing the title at the Omega Transactions Memorial Championship. Congratulations to Austin on an incredible season of consistent excellence and championship play! With this, Wylie has earned an exemption into a PGA TOUR event in Southern Texas in 2026.

As this year’s championship ends, the excitement is already building for what’s next. The Southern Texas PGA is thrilled to announce that the 2026 STPGA Section Championship will be hosted at Spanish Oaks Golf Club in Bee Cave, Texas on September 28-29, 2026. This premier venue promises an unforgettable stage for our Section’s best to compete, and we appreciate PGA Director of Golf David von Hoffmann for hosting! The Southern Texas PGA extends its deepest gratitude to the partners who make the Section Championship possible. We are proud to recognize our Presenting Sponsors: Lexus, First Community, BagCaddie, Strackaline, Club Car, Rolex, and Corebridge Financial, for their outstanding commitment and support of our Section’s premier championship. We also thank our Supporting Sponsors: Gallagher, GOLF Channel, PGA TOUR, Titleist–FootJoy, Callaway, TaylorMade, Ship Sticks, and Nike, for their continued dedication to advancing the game and enhancing the experience for our Members and players.

Click Here for the Section Championship final results.
Click Here for the PGA Professional Championship qualifier final results.
Click Here for pictures throughout the event.

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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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By Southern Texas PGA • June 26, 2026

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Milstead and Bryant Capture 2026 9/9/9 Pro-Pro Championship!

By Southern Texas PGA • June 23, 2026

LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS (June 23, 2026) – Three countries, three formats and 27 holes later, Michael Milstead, PGA Associate at The Back Nine Golf (Houston Memorial), and Cooper Bryant, PGA Associate at Lakeside Country Club, emerged as champions of the 2026 Southern Texas PGA 9/9/9 Pro-Pro Championship at Magnolia Creek Golf Club. The one-day event featured nine holes of Scramble on the Scotland Nine, nine holes of Four-Ball on the Ireland Nine and nine holes of Modified Alternate Shot on the England Nine. Each format required a different approach, placing an emphasis on strategy, communication and execution throughout the 27-hole championship. Milstead and Bryant combined for a final score of 12-under-par, using strong iron play, timely putting and consistent teamwork to conquer the championship’s unique three-format test. “We started with some good momentum,” Milstead said. “I didn’t make him putt much during the Scramble, which was the goal, but in Alternate Shot he made some long putts. On the first hole of the day, he made one from about 30 feet, maybe even farther.”

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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.

Jesse Droemer Captures One-Shot Victory at 2026 PGA Professional Championship

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.

Droemer and Jurgensen Capture Titles at 2026 Huntington Bank Spring Classic

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.

Meet Your 2026 Team STPGA Captains

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.