STPGA DCP National Finalists are Sent Off in Style!

March 22, 2024Southern Texas PGA

 Three junior golfers were hosted at the first ever STPGA Drive, Chip & Putt Media Day.

WALLER,TX (MARCH 22, 2024) - Today, the Southern Texas PGA hosted our very first Drive, Chip & Putt Media Day at Sand Hill Farm Golf Club to celebrate three junior golfers and their awesome accomplishment of reaching the 10th Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals.


The National Finals will be played on Sunday, April 7 at the famous Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. Texas Terry, Hayes Pethtel, and Waits Rodriguez will all represent the STPGA alongside 77 other junior golfers that qualified throughout the country. Drive, Chip & Putt is a grow the game initiative where thousands of juniors participate in local, sub-regional, and then regional competitions to reach the National Finals.


Waits Rodriguez of Houston, Texas is 9 years old and qualified at the regional qualifier at Champions Golf Club hosted by the STPGA in the fall. He punched his ticket by being the only player in the Boys 7-9 divisions to earn a score above 100, with a final score of 128. Waits finished first in chipping by being one of the only players at the regional to sink a chip.


Rodriguez says “I wouldn’t be going to Augusta without the support of my dad, he is the reason that I started golfing.”


Hayes Pethtel of Belton, Texas is 11 years old and also qualified through the regional at Champions Golf Club. Hayes finished with a final score of 117 after putting on a show on the putting green. He put all three puts within a foot of the hole, which included his second one that he sunk from 15 feet. That led him to the top of the leaderboard in the Boys 10-11 division and a punched ticket to Augusta.


Pethel says “It means a lot to have this opportunity to go to such a pristine course like Augusta National. ”


Texas Terry of Austin, Texas is 11 years old and competed in the regional qualifier at TPC Deere Run in Illinois. Texas didn’t have much room for error during the qualifier and needed all 120 points to beat second place by just one point. He secured his spot at Augusta by finding the grid all three times with his driver during the drive skill.


Terry says “I’m most confident with the driving portion going into Augusta, especially after I hit all three drives in the grid at the regional qualifier!”


For all three of these junior golfers, this will be one of the many accolades in their golf careers, as they have played a combined total of 179 tournaments with the STPGA and they are only just getting started.


This unique media day allowed for the three finalists to participate in a press conference, as well as one on one interviews with local news channels. They received some goodie bags, participated in challenges and played a round of golf together afterward.

Be on the lookout for fun content from the event on STPGA Junior Golf social media from now until the National Finals and then watch them on Golf Channel April 7
th!


Click here for the photo gallery!

By Southern Texas PGA January 28, 2026
Organization continues its support for both junior golfers and PGA Professionals SPRING, TX (January 28, 2026) - The Southern Texas PGA is thrilled to welcome back First Community Credit Union (First Community) as a returning Patron Partner of the STPGA and its initiatives. This will mark the third year that the organizations are tied together with a shared mission to give back to the Houston community, create unique storytelling opportunities, and invest in the next generation of golfers. The partnership spans across all three competitive seasons of the STPGA Junior Golf Program and covers support of Little Linksters, Junior Links, and Junior Tour events. Another major facet of the partnership includes the First Community Scholarship that is awarded annually through the PGA REACH Southern Texas Scholarship Program. “As we enter our third year of partnership, we are grateful for First Community’s unwavering support of junior golf in Southern Texas,” said Thomas Hutton, PGA, Executive Director of the STPGA. “Their involvement allows us to expand opportunities across all levels of our junior golf programs, support our section professionals, and continue to make an impact in our community.” In 2025, First Community and the STPGA expanded their involvement through the creation of the First Community STPGA Team and after a major success, the 2026 First Community STPGA Team is ready to go. The team is made up of PGA Professionals that qualify for the PGA Professional Championship, which will be held this year at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon from April 26-29. “Supporting the STPGA Junior Golf program and the First Community STPGA Team aligns perfectly with our mission of investing in the people and communities we serve,” said T.J. Tijerina, President/CEO of First Community. “We’ve seen immense benefits through our partnership with the STPGA and are excited to continue to make an impact.” The 2026 First Community Team will feature the following PGA Members. Full player biographies and team details will be released later this spring: Jesse Droemer, PGA Teaching Professional at Riverbend Country Club Jamie Fraser, PGA Head Professional at Darmor Club Bobby Gates, PGA Director of Instruction at Summit Golf School Greg Hiller, PGA Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio Alan Hodde, PGA Director of Instruction at Axis Golf Academy Steve Jurgensen, PGA Teaching Professional at Westwood Golf Club Gilbert Mendez, PGA General Manager at Performance Golf Klub Casey Russell, PGA Director of Golf at Big Easy Ranch Robert Scott, PGA Teaching Professional at Royal Oaks Country Club J.T. Taylor, PGA Assistant Professional at Woodforest Golf Club The Southern Texas PGA is extremely grateful for the support of partners like First Community in how they support our members, and we look forward to another great year as partners! About PGA REACH Southern Texas In 1994, the Southern Texas PGA Foundation was created with the focus on getting more juniors to play golf. After a rebrand in 2019 to PGA REACH Southern Texas, the foundation’s mission has grown. We strive to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations. This is accomplished by enabling access to PGA Professionals and the multitude of programs offered by PGA REACH Southern Texas. PGA REACH Southern Texas has 4 distinct pillars with multiple programs to demonstrate the impact of golf on individuals: Junior Golf – College Scholarships – Military Involvement – Employment Opportunities. About First Community: Founded in 1954 by Spring Branch ISD, First Community serves the diverse needs of over 179,000 members with a full array of financial services, 14 full services branches and on the strength of $2.9 billion in assets. First Community is federally insured by the NCUA and an equal housing opportunity lender. Their mission is to empower members so they can achieve their financial goals. First Community is open to anyone that lives, works, attends school or worships or is a part of a Select Employee Group (SEG) in the 41 Texas counties they serve ranging from Houston, DFW, Austin, and San Antonio, or is a relative or family member of an FCCU member or employee. To learn more about First Community, visit FCCU.org. Contact Information Thomas Hutton, PGA Executive Director Southern Texas PGA thutton@pgahq.com Amber Magee Senior Vice President/Marketing Director First Community Credit Union amber.magee@fccu.org
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