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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