Introducing the 2025 Fall Interns

March 3, 2026 • Southern Texas PGA

The Southern Texas PGA is happy to announce our new interns joining the staff for the Fall 2025 season! Please welcome these individuals into our great Section and we look to continue our incredible service and grow the game!


Operations Interns

Ryan Amyx


Hello, My name is Ryan Amyx. I am from Spring, Texas and I graduated from Ole Miss in August of 2025. I majored in sports management and minored in legal studies. I am a big sports fan and love to try new things and I have recently gotten into golf over the last few years. I really enjoy playing and working around the game and I am really excited to see where my career takes me. My main goal for my career is to become a part of something where I can make a positive impact on as many people as possible and so far working with the STPGA has been a blast! 


Fun Fact: I am a big ice hockey fan.

Laura Loredo


Hello! My name is Laura Loredo, and I’m from Houston, Texas. I am a senior studying Sport Administration at the University of Houston, and I’m set to graduate in December. I’m a huge soccer and baseball fan, especially of the Houston Astros and Houston Dynamo, but I’m also excited to explore new areas within the sports world. I’m looking forward to learning more about golf and making a meaningful impact in the sport! I’m eager to grow my knowledge of golf and to be a valuable resource to the STPGA team!


Fun Fact: I enjoy playing sports, trying new arts and crafts, and spending time in nature.

Kara Giallanza


Hey y’all! My name is Kara Giallanza and I am from Cypress, Tx. I recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Woo Pig Sooie! 


After a great summer with the STPGA, I'm excited to be a part of the fall internship team and continue to expand my knowledge of the sports industry!


Fun Fact: I enjoy traveling, attending sporting events, going to concerts and being outdoors!

Natalia Facchinato-Sitja


Hello, my name is Natalia Facchinato-Sitja, and I am from Washington, D.C. I graduated with my bachelor's in Sports Management from Marietta College in the Spring of 2024. I am currently working towards my master's in professional studies from Georgetown University in Sports Industry Management. I have always loved the passion that sporting events bring out in their fans and the memories they create, so I am thankful for the opportunity to help build these memories for others. I am excited to continue to grow my knowledge of golf and the intricacies of putting on tournaments. 


Fun Fact: I have been a coxswain for men's rowing teams for almost 12 years.


Another fun fact, you will catch me dancing at any given time music is playing.

Digital Media Interns

Amy Sofía Sánchez Estrada


Hola! My name is Sofía Sánchez, I was born and raised in Guatemala City and moved to the U.S. in 2020 for college. I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA. with a B.F.A. in Advertising and Branding and a M.A. in Business Leadership. I'm not a golfer, but a bowler and I’ve been part of Guatemala’s national team since I was 14, which has allowed me to travel the world and earn a few medals along the way. I continued my bowling journey at SCAD on a full scholarship, which was an incredible experience.


This internship has been amazing so far, I love everything that has to do with social media. I’ve learned so much about sports from a new perspective. In my free time, I love watching movies and spending time with friends and family.


Fun fact: I have an entire collection of avocado themed objects and keychains from every country I’ve visited!

Martha Sánchez M.


Hello!! My name is Martha Sanchez M and I am one of the Digital Media Interns for Fall 2025. I recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Masters in Creative Business Leadership where I was also a part of the Golf team since 2019. I have been playing golf since I was 4 years old and started competing which then led me to get a scholarship and play college golf at SCAD.


n my free time I like doing artsy and crafty things like crochet, sea shell art, drawing or painting. This internship has allowed me to combine my love for golf and my love for creative work and it has been really fun working with all the staff and the rest of the interns. 


Fun Fact: I once was kissed by a manatee while swimming with them during a lesson. 

By Southern Texas PGA March 4, 2026
The STPGA is excited to welcome back Natalia Facchinato-Sitja as our new PGA Works Fellow. We are thrilled to have her on the team and are eager to see her grow the game for our Junior Golf Program! Here's a little more about her:
By Southern Texas PGA March 3, 2026
The STPGA is excited to introduce our new Business & Office Administrator, Charissa Wylie. We are thrilled to have her on board the team and are eager to see her grow the game for our Section! Here's a little more about her:
By Southern Texas PGA March 3, 2026
Good Evening Players, Parents, & Family Friends, Even amid the roar of the Super Bowl and the thrill of the Olympics, the Srixon Prestige Tour refuses to be outshined, standing tall as February’s ultimate showstopper. Srixon Prestige Tour Champions - February The Srixon Prestige Tour launched into February in thrilling fashion, teeing off at Legacy Hills Golf Club for the ATX Showcase — and the fireworks started immediately. Beckett McLaughlin of Austin, TX set the tone early, firing under par in both rounds, including a sizzling 5-under 67 in Round 2 to capture the Boys 11–14 title in style. Not to be outdone, Hudson Burell of New Braunfels, TX stormed back from a two-shot deficit with a clutch second-round 67 to secure his first Boys 15–18 victory of the season. On the girls’ side, Lora Kim of Katy, TX took command with a dominant five-shot lead after Round 1 and never let up, earning her first Girls 11–18 championship. The action only intensified when the Tour headed east to Houston for the Battle in the Big City at Gus Wortham Park Golf Course. Conrad Holzman of Houston, TX delivered a commanding performance, cruising to a seven-shot win in the Boys 11–14 division. Daniel Trousdale of Tomball, TX electrified the field in the Boys 15–18 championship, catching absolute fire on the back nine of Round 2 with a bogey-free 30 to seal the victory. Kat Janda of Friendswood, TX showed remarkable consistency, posting back-to-back rounds of 77 to earn her first career Girls 11–18 win. The Tour stayed hot in Houston for the Winter Showdown at Panorama Golf Club. Beckett McLaughlin of Austin, TX continued his incredible run, backing up rounds of 74 and 73 to claim his second Boys 11–14 win of the month. Hudson Burell of New Braunfels, TX matched the feat in the Boys 15–18 division, going wire-to-wire for his second February victory. Meanwhile, Esther Li of Houston, TX delivered one of the most dominant performances of the month, pulling away from the field to win by a staggering 11 shots and capture her first Girls 11–18 title. Now, all eyes turn to Hearthstone Country Club for the highly anticipated HTX Challenge — where one more chapter of championship golf is ready to be written. Insperity Invitational Tour Championship Earlier this month, we proudly announced the return of the Srixon Prestige Tour Insperity Invitational Tour Championship — and the stage is set for something truly special. This elite two-day championship will take place July 20–21 at the breathtaking Boot Ranch, one of Texas’ most prestigious and sought-after venues. 90 of the top players from across Southern Texas will earn the opportunity to compete, making this one of the most exclusive and competitive events of the season. Invitations are already landing in the hands of players who have secured their spot — and the excitement is building fast. Think you have what it takes to join the field? Click here to visit the Insperity Invitational Tour Championship website and learn exactly how you can earn your place in this can’t-miss summer showdown. Thank You to our Sponsors! For the eighth consecutive year, Srixon is returning as the sole Prestige Tour Title Partner for the 2026 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.
By Southern Texas PGA March 2, 2026
Houston, TX (February 28 - March 1, 2026) – The Srixon Prestige Tour stayed in Houston this past weekend for The HTX Challenge , held February 28 – March 1 at Hearthstone Country Club. Junior golfers competed over two strong days of tournament play, delivering impressive performances and steady determination across the field. With beautiful weather setting the stage and a great atmosphere throughout the weekend, the event provided the perfect backdrop for another competitive stop on the 2026 Srixon Prestige Tour. Congratulations to our Boys 15-18 Champion, Maddox Cleavinger and our Girls 11-15 Champion, Emma Ziniuk for earning an invite to the Insperity Invitational Tour Championship , hosted at Boot Ranch on July 20–21, 2026! This prestigious championship brings together top junior talent for an exciting two days of competition at one of Texas’ premier venues. You can find more information about the championship here . A big thank you to the staff at Hearthstone Country Club, our STPGA area staff, and all of the golfers and parents who made the weekend such a success. Read more about our winning junior golfers below!
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