PGA REACH Southern Texas February Recap

Sarah Lummus

PGA of America REACH Foundation Southern Texas is a 501(c)3 organization focused on impacting lives and communities through the transformative power of golf. Best known as PGA REACH Southern Texas, the Foundation was formed in 1994 and annually impacts thousands of individuals.


Our Foundation stands on four pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, PGA HOPE, & employment opportunities. By focusing on these pillars, PGA REACH Southern Texas strives to uplift, inspire, and empower individuals to reach their full potential.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

2025 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

The STPGA is thrilled to announce that 2025 Scholarship Applications are now open! This opportunity is available to 2025 high school graduates and current college students.


With 20 different scholarships in 2025, you will be automatically sorted depending on which scholarships you qualify for, without having to individually apply for a specific scholarship. Please keep in mind that you do not have to be a junior golfer to apply.


Applications are due by Friday, March 21, 2025, and must include all required documents to be considered. You don’t have to be a junior golfer to apply!


Click below to learn more about the scholarships and to apply today!

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

INTRODUCING NEW PRESTIGE TOUR COORDINATOR: CASEY KLASSEN

The STPGA would like to welcome our new Prestige Tour Coordinator, Casey Klassen. He is originally from Michigan and has previous experience as an intern for the American Junior Golf Association. He started with us on February 24th and we are excited to have him on our team!


To learn more about Casey, click below!


STAFF SPOTLIGHT: CASEY KLASSEN

PGA HOPE

2025 DATES AND REGISTRATION


PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to all Veterans in order to enhance their mental, social, physical and emotional well-being. 


Sessions are taught by local PGA Professionals with assistance from trained volunteers and include clubs and equipment if needed, training aids, range balls and weekly golf course access.


PGA HOPE SOUTHERN TEXAS

2024 PATRIOT AWARD



Doug Carlton, PGA's journey in the golf industry began in 1990 when he was hired by the U.S. Air Force as the Director of Golf at Muroc Lake Golf Course at Edwards Air Force Base. Over the next three decades, he served at numerous military installations, including Moffett Field, Kirtland AFB, Little Rock AFB, and Fort Sam Houston. His dedication and leadership earned him prestigious recognition, including two Civilian of the Year awards from the U.S. Air Force.

To read more about Doug as well as the 2024 Section Awards, Click Below!



2024 SECTION AWARDS

JUNIOR GOLF

JUNIOR GOLFERS OF THE YEAR


At this year's STPGA Annual Awards Banquet, Lindsay Lee and Asher Vargas were both honored as Junior Golfer of the Year.


Since joining the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf program in 2015, both golfers have consistently demonstrated outstanding skill and dedication, earning well-deserved recognition through their impressive string of STPGA victories. Their passion for the game, coupled with their commitment to its core values, has made them stand out as exceptional young athletes. It is with great pride that the STPGA celebrates Lindsay Lee and Asher Vargas as the 2024 Junior Golfers of the Year!



To read more about Lindsay and Asher as well as the 2024 Section Awards,  Click Below!


2024 SECTION AWARDS

GENERAL UPDATES

CHECK OUT OUR 2025 FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS!


PGA REACH Southern Texas is proud to announce our incredible sponsors for 2025! The support and partnership of these organizations play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission of impacting lives through the game of golf.


Each of their commitment allows us to expand our pillars and we simply couldn’t do what we do without their generous support.

To see all our amazing supporters, click the link below!


2025 FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS

If you are interested in becoming involved in our Foundation and helping grow our mission of impacting lives through golf, please contact Sarah Lummus our Foundation Coordinator - slummus@pgahq.com

By Sarah Lummus May 29, 2026
A lot can happen in one month—and May proved that. Across PGA REACH Southern Texas, we celebrated the announcement of our 2026 Scholarship Recipients, expanded opportunities for PGA HOPE graduates through meaningful community partnerships, and welcomed a new group of STPGA interns ready to make an impact. Take a look at this month’s recap to see the moments, milestones, and momentum driving us forward.
By Sarah Lummus May 11, 2026
SPRING, TEXAS – PGA REACH Southern Texas, in partnership with our Scholarship Trustees, is proud to announce the 2026 scholarship recipients. For the 2026–2027 academic year, PGA REACH Southern Texas will award $386,000 across 71 scholarships to 62 outstanding student-athletes. A major highlight of this year’s program is the continued support of the Hannon-Fields Champions Society, which contributed $137,500 toward 26 scholarships in 2026. These awards are made possible through the generosity of multiple dedicated trustees, including The Legends Clubs, Texas Mutual, Jon Morgan, Buckman/Pigg, the Tim Wilson Memorial Fund, the Jeff Brown Scholarship, the Orange & White Cup, and the Hansen family. Their collective commitment reflects the strong connection between golf and education, as well as the ongoing leadership of PGA of America Member Steve Termeer. Since its inception in 1999, the program has awarded more than 739 scholarships totaling over $3,069,500, providing meaningful academic support to high-achieving students throughout the region. “We could not be prouder of these 62 deserving winners,” said Thomas Hutton, Executive Director of the Southern Texas PGA. “We are more than just golf, and this program allows us to help young adults achieve their academic goals.” The Insperity Invitational Scholarship also continues its impact, contributing $20,000 once again this year. The 2026 recipients, Benjamin Conwell and Jordyn Herridge, were recognized last week at the Players’ Dinner on May 7 alongside the Greats of Golf. The Charlie Epps Scholarship program remains another cornerstone of support, awarding eight scholarships totaling $40,000. Charlie Epps, Texas Golf Hall of Fame member and Past President of the Southern Texas PGA, continues to drive impact through his annual fundraising event each September. We also honor the legacy of PGA Professional J.L. Lewis, with seven scholarships totaling $35,000 awarded this year. These awards are funded through proceeds from the annual Cimarron Hills Pro-Am held each spring. Additional support comes from First Community, which provided two $5,000 scholarships. The 2026 recipients are Isabelle Thompson and Philip Alvarez. “I would like to personally thank all of our donors and trustees for their continued support and generosity. Without them, we would not be able to see this program grow year after year,” said Hutton. Each scholarship represents more than financial assistance—it is an investment in the future of these students and the communities they will go on to impact. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, and each recipient reflects a story of perseverance, leadership, and dedication.
By Sarah Lummus April 29, 2026
April is all about getting involved. With registration now open for a full lineup of upcoming events—from pro-ams to new community initiatives—there are plenty of ways to support each pillar of PGA REACH Southern Texas while enjoying the game you love.  Take a look below to find the events that speak to you and join us in making an impact this season.
By Sarah Lummus March 30, 2026
March was busy—in the best way. From wrapping up our 2026 scholarship applications, to preparing 50 PGA HOPE Veterans for an unforgettable Valero Texas Open experience, to gearing up for a summer packed with junior golf… there’s a lot happening across Southern Texas. Read the full recap below to see how we’re making an impact—and where we’re headed next.
By Sarah Lummus December 19, 2025
Our PGA REACH Southern Texas 2025 Impact Report
By Sarah Lummus December 2, 2025
Our HOPE facilities continue to make a tremendous impact on Veterans across Southern Texas, and we’re grateful for the dedication they show every day. One great example is Golfinity—an exceptional HOPE site in the Austin Metro area—where impressive, high-quality programming thrives inside this state-of-the-art indoor space.
By Sarah Lummus November 11, 2025
We are so incredibly proud of all our HOPE facilities for the meaningful impact they make in the lives of Veterans across Southern Texas. Take a look at Cypresswood Golf Course—one of our leading HOPE sites in the Houston Metro area—to see the outstanding work happening on the course
By Sarah Lummus November 7, 2025
Annual Gary Patterson Memorial Palooza Fuels Another Year of Gary Patterson Scholarships
By Sarah Lummus November 6, 2025
We are so incredibly proud of all our HOPE facilities for the meaningful impact they make in the lives of Veterans across Southern Texas. Take a look at Hermann Park Golf Course—one of our leading HOPE sites in the Houston Metro area—to see the outstanding work happening on the course 
By Sarah Lummus October 26, 2025
The Cordillera Ranch Head Professional represents the Southern Texas Section while inspiring others through the game of golf
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