Southern Texas PGA Hosts Memorable 51st Annual Meeting

Southern Texas PGA • February 19, 2019

HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS --- The Southern Texas PGA held its 51st Annual Meeting at Horseshoe Bay Resort on Monday and Tuesday. Approximately 200 Members attended the event, which kicked off with a Panel Discussion featuring PGA of America Vice President Jim Richerson, District 12 Director Tony Martinez, STPGA Honorary President Marc DeWall, and STPGA Past President Jeff Strong. Additional featured speakers included Tim Novak, Executive Director of the John Maxwell Team, and Jim Terry, PGA Senior Director of PGA Golf Properties.

The newly elected Board of Directors were also welcomed into office on Monday afternoon. Doug DeSive, PGA Head Professional at Corpus Christi Country Club, headlines the group of officers as Section President. James Brown, PGA Head Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club has moved into the Vice President position, with Bryan Minnick, PGA Head Professional at Shadow Hawk Golf Club being elected to Secretary. Marc DeWall, PGA General Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch will serve as Honorary President. In addition to the officers, Rich Ballinger, PGA Master Professional and Director of Sam Houston State University PGA Golf Management Program, Darrell Fuston, PGA Director of Golf at The Woodlands Country Club, and Jim Nittoli, PGA Director of Golf at San Antonio, joined the Board.

In addition, Chapter Officers were also sworn in. Mark Duranski, PGA Head Professional at BraeBurn Country Club, will serve as Eastern Chapter President with Ricky Lyons, PGA General Manager at Westwood Golf Club, as Vice President. In the Western Chapter, Chad Donegan, PGA Director of Golf at Landa Park Golf Course, moved into the President spot, while Aaron Krause, PGA Head Professional at Max Starcke Park Golf Club, will serve as Vice President. Jeremiah Cabrera, PGA Head Professional at Laredo Country Club, will serve as Southern Chapter President with John Garcia, PGA Head Professional at The Practice Tee, as his Vice President.

The 2018 STPGA Award Winners were celebrated with a dinner and awards ceremony on Monday evening with the awards class being headlined by Golf Professional of the Year C.W. Canfield, PGA Director of Golf at Lakeside Country Club.

Tuesday’s session featured Chuck Cook, Top 10 Teacher, and Cary Collins, PGA of America Rules Committee Member. Attendees then participated in breakout session which included topics:

  • Golf Fitness by AMPD Fitness
  • Attracting & Retaining Millennials with PGA Career Consultant Kelly Gilley
  • Golf Genius & Tournament Operations
  • Best Practices in Merchandising with 2016 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year and 2018 Southern Texas PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort) Kelly O’Donnell (Wolfdancer Golf Club) and Patrick Ascherl (Traditions Club), 2018 Southern Texas PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Private)
  • PGM 3.0 for Associates & Continuing Education (Specialist, Certified, Master) for Members with PGA Master Professional Rich Ballinger
  • Marking the Course & Local Rules at your Facility with Cary Collins, PGA



The 51st Southern Texas PGA Annual Meeting was presented by Constellation, Garia, Golf Scorecards, Inc., Haas-Jordan, Lorente, Mark Danton Golf, Ouray, Streamsong, and Winston Collection.

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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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.
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