15 CHAMPS NAMED AT THE BIGGEST STPGA JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP EVER!

August 7, 2025Southern Texas PGA

The STPGA Junior Championship closes out the largest week in Junior Golf!

THE WOODLANDS, TX (AUGUST 4-6, 2025) - 15 Champions were named at the 2025 STPGA Junior Championship at The Woodlands Country Club (Palmer Course), which featured our largest field in history with 299 players! This year’s championship celebrated our great nation with a theme of red, white, and blue, with our juniors creating a flag hill and signing a “thank you” board for our PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) veterans that will be featured at our PGA HOPE Cup in September.


Hoisting the crystal at the end of the day were our victors from the Little Linksters, Junior Links, and Junior Tour Programs. 2025 was an exciting rendition of the STPGA Junior Championship, as this is the first year that players of the Junior Links Tour joined the fold and were able to showcase their skills!  In addition to crowning our Summer Points List Champions on Monday, an incredible opportunity to qualify for the 14th Annual Texas Junior Cup team was also on the line this week for the Little Linksters and Junior Tour players.

Henry Nieto kicked off the day by capturing the first trophy as the Little Linksters 6–8 Co-Ed Division Champion. After opening with a round of +2, he battled back with three birdies in his final round to finish at even par and take home the win.


“I’m really happy my dad was my caddie,” said Nieto. “We were really thinking it out on the course, and I’m thankful that I won for my family.”

Kelsie Ybarra emerged as the Girls 9–10 Division Champion after a thrilling playoff finish at the Little Linksters Championship. Tied after regulation, Ybarra and Holly Simpson returned to the first hole for a sudden-death match, where Ybarra sealed the victory with an impressive second shot that set her up for the win.


“I was just focusing on every shot, hitting my spots with putting, and worrying only about the shot I was on before moving on to the next one,” said Ybarra.

Domenic Larenzo continued his winning streak by taking the Little Linksters Boys 9–10 Division title, his third consecutive Junior Championship victory, and first in the 9–10 age group.


“It was really challenging but still really fun,” said Larenzo. “I want to thank my coach because I wouldn't have won without him. I just love playing in these events and all of the friends I have made. I want to thank my friends, my coach, and everyone I love!”

Connor Liang delivered an impressive performance to win the Little Linksters Boys 11–12 Division, firing rounds of 34–35 for a tournament total of 69 (-3) to secure the Championship title. He secured his spot on the Texas Junior Cup Matches Team STPGA as they face off against Team NTPGA in the Fall.


“I want to thank the STPGA and my parents for supporting me; I wouldn’t be here without them,” said Liang. “I also want to thank The Woodlands Country Club for hosting us. I am so excited to win, and I was looking forward to the final hole and getting this trophy.”

Julietta Gasca secured the Girls 11–12 Division title with a strong showing and plenty of family support along the way. She secured one of our four spots for Team STPGA at the Texas Junior Cup Matches.


“It was really fun, and being able to have my dad along with me made it so much better because every choice he makes is right, and I just want to come back and do it again next year,” said Gasca.

Carson Tippy captured the Junior Links Boys 13–14 Division title with a standout performance, highlighted by a memorable birdie putt that helped propel him to the top of the leaderboard.


“My favorite moment was when I made a long putt for birdie. I was so excited when it went in,” said Tippy. “I was just hoping to get third, honestly, and play well, but thanks to my dad for helping me get this win. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Abby Praytor continued her impressive summer run by winning the Junior Links Girls 13–14 Division, closing out the season on a high note. With eyes now set on the Fall, Praytor hopes her performance will earn her an exemption into the 2025 STPGA Fall Championship.


“I have had such a good summer season, and it means a lot to keep the momentum going and win this event,” said Praytor. “Hopefully, I can keep carrying this momentum into next season.”

Raudy Rangel made the long drive from Rio Grande City worth it by capturing the Junior Links Boys 15–18 Division title in what marked his final Junior Golf appearance before heading off to college. With a big smile and plenty of heart, Rangel embraced the moment and made the most of his last championship.


“Where I’m from, we don’t have a lot of access to golf courses, so to come up to The Woodlands was incredible,” said Rangel. “However, I did have to get used to the trees, because we don’t have this many down south.”

Pari Patel claimed the Junior Links Girls 15–18 Division title with a confident and composed performance, proudly walking the course as her own caddie. Her win marked a memorable moment in her junior golf journey, fueled by determination and family support.


“It felt awesome to get the win,” said Patel, smiling. “I am just so happy. I was so proud of myself and my golf game. I caddied for myself, but I am so thankful for my parents and their support.”

Phoenix Aguilar captured the Junior Tour Girls 11–12 Division title, securing her spot on the 2025 Texas Junior Cup Team. This will mark her second appearance representing Team STPGA, and she’s ready to help bring the Cup back to Southern Texas.


“I played on Team STPGA last year, and I am excited to be back on it,” said Aguilar. “I am so happy I get a chance to win the Cup back. I had such a good tournament, and my game is at such a good spot right now. I want to thank my coach and parents, even though I don’t let them watch me,” she added with a smirk.

Keion Ting fired a 2-under final round to edge out friend and fellow competitor Andrew Jin and claim the Junior Tour Boys 11–12 Division title. While the win brought excitement, Ting’s immediate reaction showed the strength of his friendship and sportsmanship.


“I am happy to win, but I just feel bad for Andrew,” said Ting. “I did enjoy being able to come out and play with my friends. I just want to thank all my friends who play in these events with me and my family.”

Pippa Fikes rebounded from a tough opening round to secure the Junior Tour Girls 13–14 Championship, finishing strong against a competitive field.


“The first round, I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, so I just wanted to play my game,” said Fikes. “It feels great getting the win because this event is full of the best golfers in our Section, so it means a lot being able to cap off the summer with this win.”

Pablo Mora captured the Junior Tour Boys 13–14 Division title with a hometown win at The Woodlands Country Club, where his course familiarity and steady play proved to be the difference.


“My game was really steady, and I just had a lot of patience throughout my round,” said Mora. “I felt really good about my short game and long game, but my dad always keeps my confidence up, and I have complete trust in him and always want him on the bag.”

Audrey Kuntz delivered a clutch performance to win the Junior Tour Girls 15–18 Division, highlighted by a dramatic putt on her final hole.


“It was a pretty up-and-down round on the back nine, but I made a 40-footer on my eighteenth hole to win the event,” said Kuntz. “I was surprised when I saw it fall. It felt especially great because I wasn’t even sure I was going to be in the running for champion.”

Thomas Ochoa delivered a commanding performance to win the Junior Tour Boys 15–18 Division, posting the tournament low score at 4-under par to secure a three-shot victory.


“I didn’t look at the leaderboard throughout the entire round,” said Ochoa. “I was just trying to make pars and stay steady—if I got a birdie, that was just a bonus. I enjoyed the first tee shot, and both of my drives from each day started me off in a good position.”

The Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program would like to thank PGA TOUR Superstore, Veritex Community Bank, First Community, and Lexus for their continued support of our Junior Golf Program. Also, thank you to the entire staff at The Woodlands Country Club for their hospitality and for allowing us to host this event at their facility for over 10 years!


Congratulations to all of our winners and our four juniors who qualified for the Texas Junior Cup Matches! Team STPGA is officially finalized and ready to #WintheCup in September!


Click here to view the photo gallery!


Click here to view the final results of Little Linksters!

Click here to view the final results of Junior Links!

Click here to view the final results of Junior Tour!

By Southern Texas PGA November 3, 2025
Good Afternoon Players, Parents, & Family Friends, They say cooler weather means it’s time to bundle up but on the Srixon Prestige Tour, the competition is just heating up. Srixon Prestige Tour Champions - October The Srixon Prestige Tour teed off it's October schedule at Bay Forest Golf Course for the Bay Forest Junior Championship, where Ryan Joseph Lopez of Houston, TX claimed his first Srixon Prestige Tour victory with back to back under par rounds. In the girls division, Krysta Loftin of Pearland, TX managed to cap off her tournament weekend with the only under-par round within the girls division to claim her 2nd Srixon Prestige Tour victory of 2025. Next, the Prestige Tour traveled south to Victoria for the VCVB South Texas Showcase at Victoria Country Club. Kai Tamez of Edinburg, TX, captured his first career Prestige Tour title after finishing even par with a Round 2 score of 71 ( -1 ), while Sohia Liu of Sugar Land, TX, started her tournament weekend strong with a Round 1 score of 68 ( -4 ) giving her a 4 stroke lead heading into Sunday’s Round 2 where she would be crowned with her first Srixon Prestige Tour victory. The month wrapped up in one of Texas’ best Tourist towns at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course for the Antigua Fredericksburg Open, where Caleb Thomas of Spring Branch, TX, secured his first career Prestige Tour win with a 134 ( -8 ). Quinn Timmerman of Boerne, TX, also broke through for her first career title, with a 69-68-137 ( -5 ) . 2025 Bayou Cup - Team STPGA! In just over a month, 12 junior golfers from the Srixon Prestige Tour will tee it up against 12 junior golfers from the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour in the highly anticipated Bayou Cup Matches at Big Easy Ranch in Columbus, TX on December 5-7! Below is a list of players that have earned the opportunity to represent YOUR Section in the 2025 Bayou cup Matches. Boys 13-18 Hugo Dittrich - Spring, TX Ryan Lee - College Station, TX Ryan Joseph Lopez - Houston, TX Daniel Rice - Magnolia, TX Boys 13-14 Cody Borden - The Woodlands, TX Levi Hullinger - Missouri City, TX Jordan Thomas - Spring Branch, TX Bennett Underwood - Austin, TX Girls 13-18 Katelyn Allen - Montgomery, TX Muci Guo - Bellaire, TX Lora Kim - Katy, TX Payson Pistono - The Woodlands, TX New Registration Process for the Srixon Prestige Tour & 2026 Important Dates A few changes are coming to the Srixon Prestige Tour regarding registration processes for our Championships starting in 2026. Below is a list of dates we wanted to share with you to ensure a smooth transition into the new year. December 2nd - Srixon Prestige Tour (January - May) Schedule will be Viewable December 16th - January & February Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration January 6th - March Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration February 3rd - April Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration March 3rd - May Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration April 7th - June Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration May 5th - July Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration June 2nd - August Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration July 7th - September Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration August 4th - October Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration September 1st - November Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration October 6th - December Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration As you can see, we’ll be following a new consistent schedule Prestige Tour tournament registrations will open on the first Tuesday of each month, for events taking place two months later. Thank You to our Sponsors! For the seventh consecutive year, Srixon is returning as the sole Prestige Tour Title Partner for the 2025 year. Keep in mind, if you are looking for golf balls to golf clubs, Srixon is one of the premiere brands in the industry and will always keep you at the top of your game. Another thank you to the City of Victoria and the VCVB team for their continued support of STPGA Junior Golf and for welcoming many families to town for the VCVB South Texas Showcase! Huge thanks to Antigua Apparel for sponsoring the Antigua Fredericksburg Open and for providing each junior golfer with a new vest to rep on the golf course as the temperatures start to drop!
By Southern Texas PGA November 3, 2025
Round Rock, TX (November 1–2, 2025) – The STPGA Srixon Prestige Tour returned to the scenic fairways of Forest Creek Golf Club for The Round Rock Cup. A beloved stop on the Prestige Tour schedule, this event continues to draw enthusiastic players and families thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and championship-style setup. With towering trees, rolling terrain, and a course design that demands smart shot-making, Forest Creek provided the perfect stage for two exciting days of competition, sportsmanship, and memorable moments.
By Southern Texas PGA October 30, 2025
SPRING, TX (October 27, 2025) – The Southern Texas PGA is proud to announce our 2025 STPGA Junior Golfers of the Year, Jules Mahan and Daniel Rice. This distinguished honor recognizes these junior golfers' exceptional accomplishments on the course, leadership in their communities, and their unwavering commitment to representing the values and spirit of the Southern Texas PGA. Jules Mahan, a standout competitor within our STPGA Junior Golf programs, has built an impressive junior golf resume that reflects her drive, consistency, and sportsmanship. She is a two-time Texas Junior Cup team member (2018, 2020), helping lead Southern Texas to victory in both years. Her success also includes two STPGA Prestige Tour wins, two STPGA Little Linksters Summer Championship wins, and a title at the 2025 STPGA Parent-Child Championship. Mahan, who is committed to playing Division I golf at Murray State University, embodies the true meaning of a student-athlete. A member of the National Honor Society, she balances a demanding tournament schedule with academic excellence, earning the NEISD Writing Award, multiple A/B Honor Roll honors, and strong results in a rigorous AP course load. Beyond her achievements on the course and in the classroom, Mahan is deeply dedicated to service. She volunteers over 200 hours each year with First Tee Greater San Antonio, mentoring younger golfers as an Ace Level participant, and has helped raise $35,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children’s Medical Center through Kids Play Fore Kids. Her journey has not been without challenges. Diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age, Mahan overcame pain and fear with determination and perseverance—qualities that now define her both on and off the golf course. “Some of my favorite memories are playing until the sun set with my dad and brother,” she shared. “Golf means family to me—it’s where I find peace, joy, and gratitude.” From her earliest days competing in STPGA events after moving to San Antonio, to representing Southern Texas on victorious team stages, Mahan has grown into a shining example of what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and heart. Since picking up a club at age nine, Daniel Rice has become one of the Section’s most decorated junior players. A two-time STPGA Prestige Tour Champion and three-time runner-up during the 2024–2025 season, Rice’s consistency and competitive spirit have made him a fixture at the top of leaderboards. He is set to compete in the first-ever STPGA Prestige Tour Bayou Cup this December, marking an impressive achievement. Rice is also a two-time high school state qualifier, Magnolia High School MVP, and First Team All-Region and All-District selection. Rice has committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Houston Christian University, competing in Division I college golf. Demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically, he has earned Lifetime A/B Honor Roll status, completed six AP courses, and received three Academic All-District honors, maintaining a 3.6 unweighted GPA (4.6 weighted) and placing in the top 16% of his class. Rice also volunteers each spring with his high school coach to mentor junior high golfers—teaching fundamentals, course management, and sportsmanship while encouraging young players to compete in STPGA tournaments. Rice’s journey in golf has also been one of resilience. Overcoming personal hardship with strength and maturity, Rice has found in golf a lifelong source of discipline, friendship, and purpose — qualities that define him as one of Southern Texas’s most inspiring young golfers. That mindset was on full display during one of Rice’s most memorable moments: shooting a career-low 64 (-8) at Houston National to win his first STPGA Prestige Tour event—a round shared with friends who also achieved personal bests. “That day reminded me why I love the game,” he said. “It’s about competition, friendship, and constantly striving to improve.” For Rice, golf has been a teacher of life’s most meaningful lessons—discipline, patience, sportsmanship, and respect. Whether he’s competing, mentoring others, or volunteering in his community, he carries those lessons with him. His commitment to excellence, perseverance through hardship, and unwavering love for the game make him a shining example of what it means to be the STPGA Junior Golfer of the Year. These exceptional Junior Golfers of the Year will be formally recognized alongside the other Section Award recipients at the STPGA’s 58th Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, February 9, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Chapter Award recipients will be honored at their respective Chapter Meetings later this fall.
By STPGA Demo October 27, 2025
Fredericksburg, TX (October 25-26, 2025) – The STPGA Srixon Prestige Tour returned to the familiar fairways of Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course for the Antigua Fredericksburg Open. A staple on the Prestige Tour schedule since 2014, this event continues to be a favorite among players and families alike. Surrounded by the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the course’s scenic views and challenging design set the stage for two exciting days of competition, sportsmanship, and memorable moments.
Show More