PGA HOPE Spotlight: Christopher Martinez

June turned out to be an incredible month of milestones and major moments for our PGA REACH Southern Texas community. Over the last few weeks, PGA REACH Southern Texas celebrated twenty remarkable new scholarship recipients, watched our own STPGA Junior Golf alumni take on the field at the 2026 U.S. Open, and rallied behind one of our Miles Fore the Future runners gearing up for a summer race. Dive into this month's recap to see how your support is driving the momentum forward!

For Ximena, PGA REACH is more than an organization—it is where her journey in the golf industry began. As the first PGA WORKS Fellow in the Southern Texas PGA Section, Ximena discovered a passion for using golf as a vehicle to make a meaningful impact. During her Fellowship, and later as the Foundation Coordinator for the Southern Texas PGA, she played an integral role in advancing the mission of PGA REACH Southern Texas through programs that positively impact Junior Golfers, Veterans, Scholarship Recipients, and STPGA Interns and Fellows across Southern Texas. Throughout her time with the Foundation, Ximena helped lead PGA HOPE programming for military Veterans, supported scholarship initiatives, assisted with fundraising efforts, and worked alongside PGA Professionals dedicated to growing the game. She also had the opportunity to mentor future PGA WORKS Fellows, helping open doors for others pursuing careers in the golf industry. Today, Ximena has transitioned to the golf operations side of the industry, but her commitment to PGA REACH remains as strong as ever. She continues to mentor PGA WORKS Fellows, supports PGA REACH initiatives through charitable giving, and shares her experiences with individuals looking to build careers in golf. This fall, Ximena is taking that commitment one step further by Running for REACH at the 2026 New York City Marathon. Through her fundraising efforts, every mile she runs will help support PGA REACH programs that impact lives through the game of golf. "Giving back to PGA REACH means giving back to the organization that gave so much to me," Ximena shared. "The opportunities I received through the PGA WORKS Fellowship shaped my career and introduced me to a purpose that continues to inspire me today." The Southern Texas PGA is proud to celebrate Ximena's continued dedication to our mission. Her journey reflects the lasting impact of PGA REACH and demonstrates how our alumni continue to serve the game long after their time with the Foundation. As Ximena prepares to take on the streets of New York City this November, we invite our PGA REACH family to cheer her on and support her fundraising campaign. Every donation helps create opportunities for Veterans, junior golfers, and individuals pursuing careers in the golf industry through PGA REACH programming. To support Ximena's Running for REACH fundraising campaign, please visit the donation link below. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our PGA REACH Southern Texas 2025 Impact Report

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.

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