August 6, 2026 •Southern Texas PGA
307 Junior Golfers from across Southern Texas earned their way to the Championship after playing in countless events all summer long.
THE WOODLANDS, TX (AUGUST 6, 2026) - The Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program wrapped up the summer season for 2026 with a record-breaking 307 player field at the annual STPGA Junior Championship. Hosted at The Woodlands Country Club – Palmer Course for the 13th time, 15 Champions were crowned across our three programs of Little Linksters, Junior Links, and Junior Tour. The extraordinary talent and sportsmanship on display all week long serve as an ongoing inspiration for aspiring junior golfers.
The event started with a bang with the yearly “Carnival Day” on Monday, giving our junior golfers and families the opportunity to have some summertime fun before the competition began. In true carnival fashion, there were so many activities that it was hard to hit everything!
From face painting to snow cones to cool off from the Houston heat to a Demo Day with 5 different manufacturers onsite to a putting and chipping content, the day was full of fun. Players also got to experience the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and see the Astros World Series Trophies alongside The Insperity, Texas Children’s Houston Open, and Ryder Cup trophies. Players had the chance to compete in a chipping and putting contest as well as a marshmallow longest drive contest throughout the afternoon.
The first day of fun wrapped up with the opening ceremonies, where our summer points list winners were honored and STPGA Junior Golf Alumni Marek Fleming came and spoke to the juniors. Marek, a current college golfer, recently made the cut at the US Open and won this Championship in 2017! Lastly, a lucky junior golfer also won tickets to the 2027 PGA Championship, which will be hosted in Frisco at Fields Ranch!
On Tuesday, players were ready to go for Round 1 of the Championship. Golfers from all three tours showcased their determination and skills through gorgeous summer weather, culminating in our Junior Champions being crowned on Wednesday. The Woodlands Country Club was in outstanding condition throughout the week, with lush fairways, smooth greens, and sunny skies creating a perfect backdrop for the season finale. The warm August temperatures tested every player, but the championship atmosphere brought out the best in the field as our juniors stayed focused and composed in pursuit of a season-ending title.
Clifford Lai of Austin, TX secured the victory in the Junior Tour Boys 11-12 Division on the first playoff hole, bringing him to a two-round total of 75-74-149 (+5).
McKinley Su of Houston earned the win in the Girls 11-12 division, ending the tournament with a score of 76-78-154 (+10).
For the second championship in a row, Dawson Dial of Cedar Park, TX brought home the hardware in the Boys 13-14 division, scoring nine birdies to bring him to a impressive final of 68-70-138 (-6).
In the Girls 13-14 division, Ellie Rieger of Brenham also repeated her Spring Championship victory, carding five birdies to bring her to a final score of 72-73-145 (+1).
Brayden Akers of Livingston, TX scored 3-under-par on Tuesday in the Boys 15-18 division, maintaining his lead on Wednesday for an overall total of 69-71-140 (-4).
In the Girls 15-18 division, Madalyn Conley of Pinehurst, TX held off challengers in a close field, ending the tournament with a score of 78-78-156 (+12).
Champions of the Boys and Girls 11-12 divisions for both the Junior Tour and Little Linksters earned the opportunity to compete at the 15th Texas Junior Cup Matches, an annual tournament between top junior golfers from Northern and Southern Texas, held at Sand Hill Farm from September 18-20.
This year, the two Little Linksters qualifiers had already earned their coveted spot in the tournament, so the two runners-up will get the chance to compete! The following players from both tours will be representing Team STPGA on the quest to bring the trophy back to Southern Texas: Clifford Lai and McKinley Su on the Junior Tour alongside Ryan Hale and Kathryn Van Elden from the Little Linksters.
In the Co-Ed 6-8 division, Brooks Robles carded two birdies and eight pars, finishing with a score of 40-41-81 (+5).
Saaya Patel claimed the Girls 9-10 division with a score of 41-41-82 (+10) after finishing Round 1 in second place.
Zach Yonker put together a steady performance across two days of golf in the Boys 11-12 division, winning with a total of 34-35-69 (-3).
Alayna Konwar of Cypress became the repeat champion in the the Girls 11-12 Division with a final of 36-36-72 (E) in the tournament.
The Boys 11-12 division saw Teddy Sullivan of Spring, TX win his second championship trophy of the year with a score of 34-37-71 (-1) to hold off a competitive field.
Rounding out the event were the competitors from the Junior Links tour.
In the Girls 13-14 division, Kamryn Ramirez played a steady two rounds, finishing five shots ahead of her competitors with a final total of 50-49-99 (+27).
A score of 39-38-77 (+5) secured the victory for Christian Larson of Concan, TX in the Boys 13-14 division where he shot 4 birdies in the tournament.
In the Girls 15-18 division, Avery Wolfe of Spring improved on her Round 1 score by six strokes, bringing her to a two-day score of 48-42-90 (+18).
Jordan Porter of Missouri City won the Boys 15-18 Division by six with a tournament total of 48-41-89 (+17).
The Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program is grateful for the support of our four Patron Partners, First Community Credit Union, Cavender Buick GMC North, Huntington Bank, and PGA TOUR Superstore for their steadfast commitment to junior golf, allowing us to provide our golfers with high-quality events at affordable prices and experiences across the region.
The STPGA would also like to thank the Laurel Springs School, ahead, YETI, and Mulloy Bell Wealth Management of Raymond James for their contributions as Presenting Sponsors of this event, as well as the PGA Golf Management Program at Sam Houston State University for their support. We also extend our gratitude to Srixon for providing golf balls.
A special thank you to The Woodlands Country Club and its staff for providing their excellent facilities and hospitality for the 13th year! Their support is vital to the success of the STPGA Junior Championship and allows for elite-level opportunities for our players.
To view the Little Linksters final results, please
click here.
To view the Junior Links final results, please
click here.
To view the Junior Tour final results, please
click here.
To view the photo gallery, please
click here.
