Jared Jones Crowned 2024 STPGA Section Champion!

Southern Texas PGA • September 11, 2024

Houston, TX (September 10, 2024) – The historic Champions Golf Club added another page to its history books this week with Jared Jones, PGA Director of Instruction at River Oaks Country Club winning the 57th edition of the STPGA Section Championship with a score of 136 (-6). Jones defeated a field of over 100 PGA of America Members from across Southern Texas to win the Tommy Aycock Trophy.


“It feels great to win another Section Championship,” said Jones. “Champions Golf Club has such a rich history, and it was an honor to play our biggest event on one of the best courses in our Section!”


Jones was leading the event by one stroke after Round 1 on Monday with a 3-under-par round of 68, but it was a tight leaderboard with 9 players within 3 strokes of the lead. Outside of trying to win another Section Championship, Jones was also pressed for time as later this week he will be representing the USA on the PGA Cup team!


Right after winning the event, he had to hurry to the airport to catch a flight. He is one of 10 PGA of America Members who qualified to represent the PGA of America when they battle it out against the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Golf Professionals later this week on September 13-15 at Sunriver Resort in Oregon.

The turning point to the final round came when Jones refocused for the last five holes.


“I three-putted 10 and missed a good birdie chance on the reachable par-5 13th,” said Jones. “I refocused on the 14th tee, and really just stuck with my process and remained confident in myself and my game.”


Jones proceeded to birdie the next three holes and separate himself from the field, shooting another 3-under 68 for a tournament total of 6-under par, 136.

“I knew I was playing well, and I knew we had birdie holes ahead of us, and it felt good to execute coming down the stretch.”


This year’s event featured a record purse of $77,200 with Jones taking home a $15,000 first place prize. These purses would not be possible without the support of our partners that see the value in supporting PGA of America Members, the Southern Texas PGA, and the overall game of golf.


This year’s event was presented by Billiard Factory, Omega Transactions, Lexus, Forecaddie, Strackaline, Club Car, Corebridge Financial, Omega Transactions, & Rolex and then supported by Gallagher Insurance, Golf Channel, Titleist/FJ, Callaway, Nike, Taylormade, and the PGA TOUR. Thank you for your continued support!

(Left to Right) Jesse Droemer, PGA - Ben Willman, PGA - JJ Wood, PGA - Steve Jurgensen, PGA - Robert Scott, PGA - Bobby Gates, PGA - Darrell Fuston, PGA - Greg Hiller, PGA

This event also starts the journey to the PGA Championship and trying to earn a spot on the PGA Team of 20. Joining Jones in 2025 at the PGA Professional Championship are the following PGA Members: Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club, Ben Willman, PGA Teaching Professional at Axis Golf Academy, JJ Wood, PGA Director of Instruction at Golf Performance Group, Steve Jurgensen, PGA Teaching Professional at Wildcat Golf Club, Bobby Gates, PGA Director of Instruction at Summit Golf Schools, Robert Scott, PGA Teaching Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club, Darrell Fuston, PGA Head Professional at Bay Oaks Country Club, and Greg Hiller, PGA Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio. The 2025 PGA Professional Championship will be played at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie in April of next year!


The Champions Golf Club, Cypress Course, played to a Par-71 with the Male Professionals playing at 7,069 yards and the Female Professionals playing at 6,023 yards. The golf course played extremely hard, but the conditions were first class! The STPGA would like to thank PGA General Manager Russell Roten and his entire team for hosting the event and allowing the STPGA to play at Champions Golf Club.


With this victory, Jones earns an exemption into a PGA TOUR event in 2025 in Southern Texas. This Championship is also used as our final Player of the Year Points event, and our 2024 STPGA Player of the Year is Teaching Professional at The Clubs at Houston Oaks Carlos Sainz Jr., who will also earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR event in 2025 in Southern Texas.


Click Here to view the leaderboard.


Click Here to view pictures from the event.


Click Here to view our Lexus showcase video.


Click Here to view our Pre-event Champions Golf Club video. 

Meet the Member: Chris Martinez, PGA

By Southern Texas PGA • July 29, 2026
Chris Martinez, PGA – Creating Connection Through Golf

Omar Uresti Wins Back to Back STPGA Senior Championships

By Southern Texas PGA • July 22, 2026
This marks Uresti’s 5th Senior Championship title, tying Robert Thompson for most all-time in STPGA history. Bryan, TX (July 22, 2026) – For the last two days, 48 STPGA Senior Professionals took on the challenging Traditions Club in Bryan, TX with PGA Life Member Omar Uresti coming away with a win after shooting two rounds of 74-70 for an overall score of even-par. This is Uresti’s 5 th time winning this event which included going 2-under on the back-nine in the final round to win by one over Eric Bogar, PGA Assistant Professional at Golfcrest Country Club and two over Steve Jurgensen, PGA Teaching Professional at Westwood Golf Club. Bogar and Uresti were paired together in the final round and could see what each of them were doing shot for shot. Bogar started off hot with birdies at three and four but it was Uresti’s three birdies in six holes on the back nine that clinched it. While all eyes were on the main title up for grabs, players were also competing for a chance to play in the Senior PGA Professional Championship set to take place later this fall when PGA Members from all 41 PGA Sections compete together for the national title. Uresti, as a former winner of the national event, was already exempt along with Robert Thompson, PGA Teaching Professional at Whispering Pines. Uresti and Thompson will lead six other STPGA Members to the national event October 22-25 at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club in Arizona. The six qualifiers include: Eric Bogar, PGA Golfcrest Country Club Steve Jurgensen, PGA Westwood Golf Club Lonny Alexander, PGA Onion Creek Club David von Hoffmann, PGA Spanish Oaks Golf Club Chad Donegan, PGA Kissing Tree Golf Club Chris Kaufman, PGA Spanish Oaks Golf Club The STPGA would like to recognize round one leader, PGA Life Member Steve Veriato, who shot an even par-72 on Monday at the remarkable age of 80 years old, being the oldest player in the field. While his round two did not go as planned, it was still fun to watch on Monday in Aggieland. The STPGA would like to thank PGA Head Professional Bryan Minnick and his staff for hosting this year’s event. The players played the course to a par-72 at 6,666 yards for the male professionals and 5,666 yards for the female professionals. This event would not be possible without support from PXG, PGA TOUR, and Golf Channel. Click Here for the Photo Gallery. Click Here for the Final Results.

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.

Meet the Member: Travis Short, PGA

By Southern Texas PGA • June 26, 2026
Travis Short, PGA - Determination and Belief in Yourself

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.”

Meet the Member: Rich Barcelo, PGA

By Southern Texas PGA • May 28, 2026
Rich Barcelo, PGA - Different Path, Always Golf

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.
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