STPGA Announces Captains for Texas Joe Black Cup Matches, Levy Cup Matches, and Texas Junior Cup Matches

Southern Texas PGA • April 17, 2019

SPRING, TEXAS – The Southern Texas PGA announced the Captains for the 39th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches and the 9th Texas Junior Cup Matches presented by TCG Advisors as well as the Co-Captains for the 3rd Levy Cup Matches on Wednesday.

Royal Oaks Country Club’s General Manager Dave Altemus has been chosen to lead the Southern Texas PGA’s 2019 Texas Joe Black Cup team. The STPGA will compete in this year’s Ryder Cup-style competition against a team of Northern Texas PGA Professionals on October 28-29 at The Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be chosen as the Captain for the 2019 STPGA Texas Joe Black Cup team,” said Altemus. “Mr. Black is a legend not only in Texas but across the country as he set the standard by which many of us try to live up to as PGA Professionals. I look forward to keeping the Cup in South Texas.”

Altemus, who earned his PGA Membership in 1996 and served as the STPGA President from 2013-2014, will look to finalize his team following play of the 51st Southern Texas PGA Professional Championship at Shadow Hawk Golf Club on August 26-28 in Richmond.

The Texas Joe Black Cup Matches is the most anticipated competitive event in the Northern and Southern Texas Sections. This highly contested rivalry between the two Sections was established in 1981 to honor Snyder native Joe Black, who was completing his first term as President of the PGA of America.

The Southern Texas PGA captured the 38th Texas Joe Black Cup Matches with an overall point total of 11.5 to 6.5. They took a one-point lead heading into the Singles Matches needing six additional points after day one to capture the Matches.
The Southern Texas PGA now leads the matches with a 19-18-1 overall record.

The Levy Cup Matches will be contested much like the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches. The Levy Cup team consist of six Southern Texas PGA Assistant Professionals and six Southern Texas PGA Senior Members (age 50 and over) competing against a Northern Texas PGA team comprised in the same fashion.

The 2019 Southern Texas PGA Levy Cup Matches team will be led by Chuck Westergard, PGA Director of Instruction at Mac Wylie Golf Center, and Justin Engel, PGA Assistant Professional at Shadow Hawk Golf Club. The Northern Texas PGA will play host to the third meeting in October.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as a Co-Captain for the 2019 Levy Cup Matches,” said Westergard, who earned his PGA Membership in 1985. “I look forward to working with Justin and keeping the trophy in the Southern Texas PGA Section.”

Engel echoed Westergard on receiving this honor. “I am honored to serve as a Co-Captain of the STPGA Levy Cup Matches team with Chuck,” said Engel. “Team golf has always been something I have enjoyed. I look forward to being a part of this special event and spending time with some of the best PGA Professionals in the country.”

Engel, who was elected to PGA Membership in October 2017, was a member of the 2018 STPGA Levy Cup Matches team who defeated NTPGA 10.5 to 7.5 at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.

The Levy Cup Matches were established in 2017 in honor of PGA of America President Paul Levy.

The 2019 STPGA Texas Junior Cup Matches Team will be Captained by Emily Kvinta (pronounced Quin-ta), PGA Assistant Professional at the University of Texas Golf Club. Kvinta, the 2017 STPGA Assistant Professional of the Year, brings a love for the game as well as for junior golf. At the University of Texas Golf Club, she is a golf promoter and a development program leader. She has captained PGA Junior League teams during her tenure. According to Greg Garner, PGA Head Professional at the University of Texas Golf Club, “the kids grow under her coaching and the parents are appreciative of her leadership with the kids and her programs.”

“I am very honored and excited to captain the 2019 STPGA Texas Junior Cup Matches team, said Kvinta. “I look forward to a fun weekend with the junior golfers and their families.”

This annual Ryder Cup-style competition between the two sister Sections’ top six boys and top six girls aged 9-12, who compete in 9-Hole Four-Ball and 9-Hole Scramble Matches the first day, followed by 9-hole Singles Matches the final day that provides a one-of-a-kind experience for all, will be the eighth meeting and is slated for September 28-29 at The Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio Course) in The Woodlands.

Members from the Southern Texas PGA team qualify to compete via Little Linksters and Junior Tour Spring and Summer Championships as well as the Srixon Prestige Tour Junior PGA Championship, while Northern Texas PGA team members will qualify via All American Tour, Texas Boys and Girls PGA Championship, and the Summer Series Championship.

In last year’s meeting, STPGA took an early lead and never looked back. Shiv Parmar in Match Eight of the Singles Matches earned the clinching point for STPGA. Team STPGA prevailed over Team NTPGA by a final score of 16-8. The Northern Texas PGA leads the Matches with a 5-2-0 overall record.

Meet the Member: Aaron Green, PGA

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Gray and Uresti Win the 2026 Player's Cup

By Southern Texas PGA • August 26, 2026
CORPUS CHRISTI (August 25, 2026) – Bret Gray, PGA Assistant Coach at Sam Houston State University and Omar Uresti, PGA Life Member emerged victorious at the 2026 Player's Cup at Corpus Christi Country Club. Gray claimed the Open Division title at 9-under par, while Uresti won the Senior Division at 8-under after defeating Carl Baker, PGA Life Member, in a playoff. Gray and Uresti both opened the championship with bogey-free rounds to take control of their respective divisions. Gray finished Round 1 at 6-under to lead the Open Division, while Uresti put himself in a strong position atop the Senior Division leaderboard at 7-under to lead by three.  Conditions became more difficult during the second round as the wind picked up across Corpus Christi Country Club. Gray entered the final day knowing bogeys could happen in the tougher conditions, but remained committed to his game plan and focused on bouncing back whenever mistakes occurred. That approach helped him maintain his lead and complete a wire-to-wire victory at 9-under par. “Leading after the first round, I didn’t want to change my approach,” Gray said. “I knew that if I played my game, that would allow me to play my best. At the same time, I knew the winds were going to pick up and that bogeys could happen, so I was more focused on bouncing back and recovering when they did.” During the final round, Grey got off to a fast start with 4 birdies in the first seven holes but as he was expecting made a couple of bogeys on the back nine. His birdie on the reachable par-5 15 was critical to winning the title. In the Senior Division, Uresti carded four bogeys on the front nine of Round 2 and briefly surrendered the lead as Baker closed the gap. Baker birdied five out of six holes starting on hole seven to take the lead, but Uresti responded with four birdies on the back nine to eventually tie Baker. While both players had birdie putts on 18, extra holes were needed with Uresti making a birdie on the first playoff hole to secure the Senior Division title. “I had a rough start to the day, and Carl played great, so I knew I was going to have to play extremely well on the back nine to keep it within reach,” Uresti said. “Carl’s putting was lights out, and thankfully I started getting birdies to drop. It was a lot of fun out there today with some great competition.” The Southern Texas PGA extends its appreciation to Joe Mitchell, PGA Head Professional, and the entire staff at Corpus Christi Country Club for hosting the championship. The Section also thanks Vortex, Prize Possessions, Clubessential/ForeUP/BlueGolf, GT Golf Supply, Club Car, HUB, PRG, Hole-in-One USA, and AndersonOrd for their support of the Player's Cup. The STPGA would also like to thank the Port of Corpus Christi, Kleberg Bank, Buick GMC North, andAnderson Alexander Law for their support of our Pro-Am prior to the event and the overall championship.

Nominations Open for the Inaugural Class of the STPGA Hall of Fame!

By Julia Doucet • August 5, 2026
The Southern Texas PGA is proud to announce the launch of the STPGA Hall of Fame , established to honor PGA Professionals whose leadership, service, mentorship, competitive excellence, and instructional impact have helped shape the legacy of golf across Southern Texas. Candidates will be evaluated through five core pillars: Leadership Recognizing those who have inspired their peers, strengthened the profession, and maintained a distinguished professional reputation. Service Honoring PGA Professionals with a sustained record of service to the Association, their communities, and the growth of the game. Mentorship Celebrating those who have dedicated their careers to educating, supporting, and advancing fellow PGA Professionals. Competitive Record Recognizing individuals with a proven and sustained record of excellence in competitive play. Instructional Leadership Honoring those who have made a meaningful impact on player development and elevated performance at any level of the game.

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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

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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!
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