Introducing your 2026 First Community STPGA Team!

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.

MEET THE FIRST COMMUNITY STPGA TEAM

Jesse Droemer, PGA
Teaching Professional, Riverbend Country Club

Jesse is a Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club and a proven competitor at the state and national levels. Originally from Sealy, Texas, he played collegiate golf at the University of Houston from 2010 to 2014 before becoming a PGA Member in 2016.

Jesse continued his strong form in 2025, recording top-five finishes in five of the eight events he competed in, further solidifying his reputation as one of the Section’s most consistent performers.

That performance carried onto the national stage, where he earned a spot in the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow following a runner-up finish at the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club. Showcasing remarkable passion and perseverance while battling through an injured back during the final round.

Jamie Fraser, PGA

Head Professional, Darmor Club

Originally from Oban, Scotland, Jamie began his golf journey at Glencruitten Golf Club before continuing his development at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Dornoch. He later completed his British PGA qualification at The Renaissance Club.

From 2013 to 2019, Jamie split time between Scotland and Houston before fully transitioning to Texas. Now the Head Professional at Darmor Club, he has been a consistent competitor in the Southern Texas Section since 2020, recording a 34% Top-10 finish rating in the events he plays.

This year marks a major milestone as Jamie qualifies for his first PGA Professional Championship while representing the First Community STPGA Team. Off the course, he recently welcomed his first child, a baby boy.

Bobby Gates, PGA

Director of Instruction, Summit Golf School

Bobby brings elite-level experience to the First Community STPGA Team. A Gainesville, Florida native, he played collegiate golf at Texas A&M before turning professional and competing on the Gateway Tour, Canadian Tour, and Nationwide Tour.

His professional career includes a victory at the 2010 Michael Hill New Zealand Open and earning PGA TOUR status through Q School and the Web.com Tour Finals. He competed in multiple PGA TOUR events before transitioning into teaching.

Now Director of Instruction at Summit Golf School, Bobby earned his spot on this year’s First Community STPGA Team with a T15 finish at last year’s PGA Professional Championship. He looks forward to once again competing on one of the game’s biggest stages at the 2026 PGA Professional Championship.

Greg Hiller, PGA

Director of Instruction, TPC San Antonio

Greg brings a wealth of experience both as a player and instructor to the First Community STPGA Team. Originally from North Dakota and a Texas resident since 2001, Greg enjoyed a successful playing career that included 10 years competing full-time, seven mini-tour victories, and qualifying for the 2003 U.S. Open. As a PGA Professional, he has continued to compete at a high level, earning two Southern Texas Section titles, qualifying for the 2025 Senior PGA Championship, and competing in nine PGA Professional National Championships.

Now serving as Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio for over nine years, Greg has studied under some of the game’s most respected minds, including PGA TOUR winner Bill Rogers and GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher John Dahl. A certified club fitter and AimPoint Express instructor, he blends elite playing experience with technical expertise. Greg and his wife Anne, have twin sons, Payton and Preston, who are both currently playing college golf.

Alan Hodde, PGA

Director of Instruction & Co-Owner, Axis Golf Academy & Fitting Center

Alan is the Director of Instruction and Co-Owner of Axis Golf Academy & Fitting Center. Raised in Brenham, Texas, he built his career through a strong work ethic and a passion for teaching, becoming a PGA Member in 2013.

A decorated professional, Alan was named the 2019 STPGA Harvey Penick Teacher of the Year and the 2023 STPGA Professional Development Award recipient. He also served as Captain of the 2024 Levy Cup Team and Vice Captain in 2025, helping lead the team to victory.

With 34 top-10 finishes, 26 top-5 finishes, and nine wins in Section events, Alan will make his second appearance at the PGA Professional Championship.

Steve Jurgensen, PGA

Teaching Professional, Westwood Golf Club

Steve brings decades of competitive experience, including four years on the PGA TOUR, to his role as a Teaching Professional at Westwood Golf Club. Having played competitively around the world through the age of 40, Steve now focuses on helping students achieve their goals while continuing to compete himself.

His competitive success within the Southern Texas PGA Section is highlighted by 44 top-five finishes and 20 victories in Section events. In 2025 alone, he delivered a standout season with first-place finishes at the TPx Player’s Cup, Texas Team Championship, and multiple strong finishes across the Section

Gilbert Mendez, PGA

Teaching Professional, Performance Golf Klub

Gilbert’s journey in golf began in Kingsville, Texas, where he first picked up a club at age 13, inspired by Tiger Woods. After earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M–Kingsville, Gilbert chose to pursue his true passion and attended the Golf Academy of America in Carlsbad, California.

His career has been defined by a commitment to growth, from teaching at GOLFTEC to gaining experience at Blackhawk and Sun City, and now helping lead a startup facility at Performance Golf Klub. Along the way, Gilbert has built an impressive competitive record within the STPGA, highlighted by 42 top-10 finishes, 28 top-5 finishes, and four victories.

Driven by a love for both playing and teaching, Gilbert finds his greatest fulfillment in helping others improve and enjoy the game at a higher level.

Casey Russell, PGA

Director of Golf, Pine Forest Country Club

Casey serves as the Director of Golf at The Covey at Big Easy Ranch, where he leads with a focus on service, competition, and player development. A lifelong competitor, Casey has been playing tournament golf since the age of 13 and continues to perform at a high level.

A two-time Southern Texas PGA Section Champion (2016, 2025), Casey has also qualified for multiple PGA Professional National Championships, with this year marking his sixth appearance. One of his career highlights includes competing in the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.

Off the course, Casey takes the most pride in his family. He and his wife, Ashley, support their daughter Charly, who is heavily involved in competitive volleyball. His competitive mindset and leadership have shaped the culture at Big Easy Ranch and will continue to guide him in his transition to Director of Golf at Pine Forest Country Club.

Robert Scott, PGA

Teaching Professional, Royal Oaks Country Club

Robert is a Teaching Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club and serves as Assistant Director of Instruction. A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Robert began playing golf at age 14 and has since developed into both a skilled competitor and a dedicated coach.

He is passionate about helping players of all skill levels improve and solve challenges within their game. His competitive record within the Southern Texas PGA Section includes 27 top-five finishes and five victories, underscoring his consistency and ability to contend. In 2025, he recorded a T4 finish at the STPGA Section Championship and a T3 at the TPx Player’s Cup.

J.T. Taylor, PGA

Teaching Professional, Woodforest Golf Club

J.T. combines high-level playing experience with a passion for teaching in his role as Lead Teaching Professional at Woodforest Golf Club. A standout collegiate player at McLennan Community College and Sam Houston State, J.T. earned All-Conference honors and won the 2015 Southland Conference Individual Championship, helping lead SHSU to a regional appearance.

Following college, he spent five years competing professionally on tours, including the All Pro Tour and Swing Thought Tour. Since joining the STPGA, J.T. has continued to compete successfully, recording 13 top-10 finishes, five top-5 finishes, and two victories. He and his wife, Brenna, reside in Montgomery, Texas, with their twin boys, Sam and Tate.

David von Hoffmann, PGA

Director of Golf, Spanish Oaks Golf Club

David is the Director of Golf at Spanish Oaks Golf Club in Austin, Texas, and a longtime standout competitor within the Southern Texas PGA. A PGA Member since 1999, von Hoffmann earned his place on the First Community STPGA Team as an alternate following a strong finish at the 2025 STPGA Section Championship.

His recent competitive success includes a victory at the 2026 STPGA Pro-Pro Championship and a close call at the first major, where he lost in a playoff against fellow Team Member Jesse Droemer. On the national stage, von Hoffmann delivered an impressive performance at the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship, highlighted by a remarkable round of 66.

The First Community STPGA Team represents the highest level of professional golf within the Southern Texas PGA Section. As these accomplished professionals head to Oregon 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 1000 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 who are experts in the game and business of golf and are located at over 350 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.

The STPGA Headquarters are in Spring, TX, and employ 16 full-time employees and over 100 part-time employees. 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.

We look forward to watching the First Community STPGA Team compete at the 2026 PGA Professional Championship and wish them the best of luck!

Click here to view the photo gallery of our First Community STPGA Team Media Day.

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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.

Presidential Points: STPGA 2026 Q2 Update

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.

Meet the Member: Tyler Gammill, PGA

By Southern Texas PGA • March 20, 2026

Tyler Gammill, PGA - From Backyard Putts to Big-Team Moments

Meet the Member: Todd Harbour, PGA

By Southern Texas PGA • February 26, 2026

TODD HARBOUR, PGA - A FULL CIRCLE RETURN ROOTED IN CONNECTION & COMMUNITY

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Presidential Points: STPGA 2026 Q1 Update

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.