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 Jeff Giedd December 4, 2025
The STPGA is excited to introduce our new Junior Golf Coordinator, Claire Calabro. We are thrilled to have her on board the team and are eager to see her grow the game for our junior golfers! Here's a little more about her:
By Southern Texas PGA December 2, 2025
Good Afternoon, Players, Parents, & Family Friends, 11 incredible months have passed - it’s time to finish this year on a high note! Srixon Prestige Tour Champions - November November kicked off at Forest Creek Golf Club for The Round Rock Cup, where Cole Gailys of Austin, TX shined with back-to-back under-par rounds to capture his first Prestige Tour victory. In the Girls Division, Rachel Turk of Austin, TX delivered the weekend’s lone even-par round, sealing her first Srixon Prestige Tour title of 2025 in impressive fashion. From there, the Srixon Prestige Tour headed east just across state lines for the Visit Lake Charles Fall Classic at Mallard Golf Club in Lake Charles, LA. Joshua Szynski of New Braunfels, TX battled steady winds to notch his first career Srixon Prestige Tour win, finishing +1 after carding a birdie on the 36th hole of the tournament. Meanwhile, Caileigh Royer of Mont Belvieu, TX took her Round 1 lead into Round 2 where she would then claim her second Srixon Prestige Tour win of 2025. The month wrapped up with not one, not two, but THREE Championships taking place just before Thanksgiving! Beginning just north of Houston, Joanna Kim of Langley, British Columbia and Jackson Tennant of Austin, TX walked away as The Gobbler Cup Champions at Elkins Lake Country Club. Next, we look at the history made in San Antonio for the 2nd Abraham Ancer Classic at Oak Hills Country Club where Gavin Swearengin of San Antonio, TX takes home his first title and Aly Esparza of Laredo, TX claims her second Championship of 2025. Last but not least, Blane Arnim of Katy, TX & Sophia Liu of Sugar Land, TX found a way to enter the holiday season on a high note from their excellent play at Bay Oaks Country Club. New Cancellation Process for the Srixon Prestige Tour Beginning in 2026, a few changes will be implemented to the cancellation process for Srixon Prestige Tour Championships. These updates are designed to provide greater clarity and help players and families plan ahead with confidence. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the upcoming changes — along with an example of what to expect — so you can be better prepared for the 2026 year. First cancellation wave deadline is 12 days prior to Round 1 Players are charged a $15 cancellation fee with the remaining credits being applied to the junior golfer’s account Ex: Round 1 is January 17, the first cancellation wave deadline is January 5th at 11:59 PM Second cancellation wave deadline is 5 days prior to Round 1 Players are charged a $50 cancellation fee with the remaining credits being applied to the junior golfer’s account Ex. Round 1 is January 17, second wave deadline is January 12th at 11:59 PM 2026 Registration Dates for the Srixon Prestige Tour & 2026 Important Dates Below is a list of dates we wanted to share with you to ensure a smooth transition into the new year. December 2nd - Srixon Prestige Tour (January - May) Schedule will be Viewable December 16th - January & February Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration January 6th - March Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration February 3rd - April Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration March 3rd - May Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration April 7th - June Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration May 5th - July Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration June 2nd - August Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration July 7th - September Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration August 4th - October Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration September 1st - November Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration October 6th - December Prestige Tour tournaments Open for Registration Click here to view our STPGA Junior Golf Important Dates webpage to see other program’s important dates. Thank You to our Sponsors! For the seventh consecutive year, Srixon is returning as the sole Prestige Tour Title Partner for the 2025 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. Another thank you to the Visit Lake Charles team for their continued support of STPGA Junior Golf and for welcoming many families to town for the Visit Lake Charles Fall Classic!
By Southern Texas PGA November 20, 2025
The STPGA is excited to introduce our new Digital Content Coordinator, Hannah D'Olimpio. We are thrilled to have her on board the team and are eager to see her grow the game for our junior golfers! Here's a little more about her:
By Southern Texas PGA November 20, 2025
The STPGA is excited to introduce our new Digital Content Coordinator, Grace Hand. We are thrilled to have her on board the team and are eager to see her grow the game for our junior golfers! Here's a little more about her:
Show More