STPGA Ends the Summer with 11 Champions at the Chevrolet STPGA Junior Championship

July 29, 2022Southern Texas PGA

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (July 28, 2022) – Eleven champions were named at the 2022 Chevrolet STPGA Junior Championship at The Woodlands Country Club (Palmer Course). Presented by Ahead, First Financial Bank, Sam Houston State University’s PGA Golf Management Program, Foresight Sports and HOW Water, this year’s field was one of the largest this annual event has seen, bringing in more than 260 junior golfers ages 6-18 from across Southern Texas.

 

This year’s Championship took place on Wednesday, July 27th – Thursday, July 28th. Over these two days, players in the Little Linksters program played a total of 18-holes on the Deacon Course and Junior Tour players competed over 36-holes on the King and General Courses.

In the Little Linksters Co-Ed 6-8 Division, Blake Ayuso of Cypress took home the win after leading the field by three strokes after Round One and finished the two days with a total score of 74 (+2).

 

Viktoria Germain of Houston secured the Little Linksters Girls 9-10 Division after being tied with Ellie Rieger of Brenham after their first nine holes. “My favorite part of playing this week was how hard the course was,” said Viktoria. Viktoria came out on top by one stroke after Round Two with a final score of 78 (+6). 

 

The Little Linksters Boys 9-10 Division saw Chase Stebbins of Magnolia have an impressive Round Two with a score of 32 (-4), jumping four spots on the leaderboard. “I really enjoyed getting to play with my friends during this tournament,” said Chase.

Carolyn Liu of Katy took a commanding lead after Round One with four birdies and held on to claim the Little Linksters Girls 11-12 Division title and final score of 70 (-2). 

 

In the Little Linksters Boys 11-12 Division, John Patrick Lynch of Austin took home his third Junior Championship win after making a birdie on his last hole and finishing the two days at 73 (+1). “It was great to make it to this event,” said John Patrick. “43 boys in this division and over 250 juniors making it to this event makes it really special to be a part of this tournament, and especially to win for a third year in a row is really special to me.” 

 

With their wins today, Carolyn Liu and John Patrick Lynch have earned a spot compete for Team STPGA at the 2022 Texas Junior Cup Matches.

The Junior Tour Girls 11-12 Division saw Kaitlin Kiew of Bellaire claim this year’s title. Kaitlin trailed Jessie Lee of San Antonio by one stroke heading into Round Two and a birdie on the last hole sealed her win with a total score of 166 (+22).

 

Elliot Cope of Austin and Jace Beverly of Montgomery finished Round One tied at 71 (-1) but it was Elliot who came out on top of the Junior Tour Boys 11-12 Division after carding nine birdies over the two days. “I think my favorite part of this event was being able to play this nice of a course,” said Elliot. “It’s a privilege.”


Kaitlin and Elliot will join the rest of Team STPGA at the 2022 Texas Junior Cup Matches with their division wins today.



In the Junior Tour Girls 13-14 Division, Katelyn Allen of Montgomery held on to her two stroke lead from Round One to claim this year’s title. Katelyn finished the two days with a total score of 156 (+12).

Ryan Lee of College Station had an incredible two days at this year’s Championship with scores of 67-68 for a total of 135 (-9). “My favorite part of this year’s event was the experience,” said Ryan. “I learned how to play more conservative and smarter.” Ryan’s bogey-free Round Two helped him claim the Junior Tour Boys 13-14 Division title.


Mary Kerr of Friendswood was victorious in the Junior Tour Girls 15-18 Division after leading by five strokes at the end of Round One. “The atmosphere was so much fun at this year’s Championship,” said Mary. “I liked the carnival and having my friends caddie for me was so much fun.” Mary finished the two days leading the field by six strokes with a total score of 144 (E).

 

The Junior Tour Boys 15-18 Division finished in a playoff between James Devore of Porter and Bryan Sandoval of Edinburg with a final score of 142 (-2). After the first playoff hole, James came out on top with a par.

 

“This means a lot to me,” said James. “This is only my fourth time playing in this event, going all the way back to Little Linksters, and to finally win is just an honor. As the flagship event of the STPGA Junior Golf Program, it feels amazing and I look forward to doing this again.”

 

The Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program would like to thank PGA General Manager Paul Earnest, PGA Senior Head Professional Matt Nyren and the entire staff at The Woodlands Country Club (Palmer Course) for hosting such a great event.

 

To view the full results of the 2022 STPGA Junior Championship, please click the links below.


Little Linksters Leaderboard

Junior Tour Leaderboard


To view the full photo gallery from the event,
click here.

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.
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