March 2, 2026 •Southern Texas PGA
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!
Maddox Cleavinger Claims Boys 15–18 Title at The HTX Challenge
Maddox Cleavinger captured the Boys 15–18 title in impressive fashion at The HTX Challenge, delivering a performance that set the tone from the very start. He fired a 4-under-par round on Day 1, highlighted by five birdies, to take control of the leaderboard early. Maddox never relinquished his spot at the top, staying in first place throughout the entire tournament. He followed up with a steady even-par performance to close out the weekend, finishing even overall and securing a well-earned victory with consistency and confidence.
Emma Ziniuk Claims Girls 15-18 & Overall Title at The HTX Challenge
Emma Ziniuk delivered a dominant performance at The HTX Challenge, leading the Girls 15 - 18 Division from start to finish. She opened with an impressive 71 in Round 1 to take control of the leaderboard and followed it up with a 76 in Round 2 to secure the victory and become the Girls Overall Champion. Emma’s consistency proved to be the difference, highlighted by 14 pars in the opening round, the most in her division, showcasing the steady and composed play that set her apart throughout the tournament.
Kevin Jiang Claims Boys 11-14 Title at The HTX Challenge
Kevin Jiang earned the Boys 11–14 Division title with a strong and steady performance across both rounds. He finished Round 1 tied for first after posting a +4 score, putting himself in position heading into the final day. Kevin elevated his game in Round 2, shooting even par to pull ahead of the field and secure the victory. His ability to improve and take control on the final day proved to be the difference in a competitive division.
Kathy Liu Claims Girls 11-14 Title at The HTX Challenge
Kathy Liu led from start to finish to capture the Girls 11–14 Division title at The HTX Challenge. She opened the tournament in first place after Day 1 and maintained her lead through the final round to secure the victory. Kathy’s steady play throughout the weekend proved to be the difference, as she recorded 18 pars over the two days, the most in her division, showcasing the consistency and composure that earned her the win.
