PGA HOPE Spotlight: Greg Hiller
Ximena Davila
"Above All Else, Have Fun"
PGA Director of Instruction Greg Hiller wants to help veterans with their golf game in a way that brings joy to their lives.
Greg Hiller, a PGA of America Member since 2014, has been hooked on golf since he was 10 years old and hasn't looked back since. Hiller was first introduced to the game by his godfather when he visited him in Minnesota each summer.
“My godfather took me golfing a few times and introduced the game to me,” said Hiller who teaches at TPC San Antonio. “I was hooked right away. After we would finish playing, I would continue to hit balls in their backyard into the evening.”
Greg used his passion for the game to propel him into beginning a career as a golfer. He went on to play collegiate golf for North Dakota State University and Texas Lutheran University, before turning professional in 1997. Hiller won seven times on various mini-tours and played in some Nationwide Tour events, as well as the 2003 U.S. Open. at Olympia Fields Country Club. Greg eventually found his passion for teaching, leading him to his current role as PGA Director of Instruction at TPC San Antonio.
Now in his time at TPC San Antonio, Greg has found a new passion for the game through PGA HOPE. Through PGA HOPE, Greg has been able to have a direct impact on saving lives.
“PGA HOPE is a way for me to give back to the veterans that have given so much to all of us and served our country,” stated Hiller. “One of the other great things about the program is how grateful they are for what we do for them and how we get our participants to enjoy the game of golf and have fun.”
A great way Greg and the team at TPC San Antonio further give back to the veteran community is through their annual PGA HOPE Clinic in conjunction with the Valero Texas Open. This year they hosted 50 PGA HOPE graduates for a free instructional clinic featuring PGA TOUR Professionals Chandler Phillips and Tom Whitney.
This clinic included a question-and-answer session, shots hit by the TOUR players, and insight from Greg Hiller. Emceed by Greg, this clinic created a special opportunity for these participants to have inside-the-ropes access to TOUR players as well as involve them in tournament week. This experience is more than just a golf clinic; it's a chance for the veterans to connect with the broader golf community and feel appreciated for their service.
“So many of the veterans love the environment that golf helps create. We want to expand that for them, and PGA HOPE helps do that,” said Hiller.
By expanding opportunities for veterans to engage with the game, Greg is helping to improve the quality of life for those who have served their country. His efforts not only benefit the veterans themselves but also contribute to building a stronger and more inclusive golf community.
To learn more about PGA HOPE Southern Texas, Click Here.
To connect with Greg Hiller, feel free to contact TPC San Antonio.
October was a month of preparing for the future and celebrating the impact of golf across Southern Texas. From gearing up for the launch of our annual Online Auction and welcoming a new class of PGA HOPE Trained Professionals to supporting Veterans through the HOPE 4 Heroes campaign and gathering feedback to strengthen our Junior Golf programs, there are plenty of exciting things happening across PGA REACH Southern Texas. Take a look at this month’s edition to see what’s ahead, meet the partners helping us grow the game, and discover how your support continues to create meaningful opportunities through golf.
September was a busy month for PGA REACH Southern Texas, with a strong mix of events, fundraising milestones, and opportunities to support our four pillars. From celebrating the success of our inaugural Birdie Bash and funding another year of Charlie Epps Scholarships to providing new equipment for six PGA HOPE Veterans, it was a month filled with meaningful impact across Southern Texas. Take a look at what’s happening across PGA REACH Southern Texas and see how your support continues to help us impact lives through golf.
Austin, Texas (September 25, 2026) — PGA REACH Southern Texas celebrated the success of its inaugural Birdie Bash on Thursday, September 24, raising more than $80,000 for PGA REACH Southern Texas and Dell Children’s Medical Center through an exciting day of golf, fundraising, and community impact. Held at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa’s Crenshaw Cliffside Golf Course, the event brought together 21 two-person teams of PGA Professionals and Associates for a 72-hole birdie challenge. Collectively, participants recorded an impressive 864 birdies, turning every birdie into an opportunity to support two important causes. Inspired by Play Yellow, Birdie Bash was designed to bring the golf community together to support pediatric cancer care while furthering the mission of PGA REACH Southern Texas. Teams and donors pledged support based on the number of birdies made throughout the event, creating a unique fundraising experience that connected on-course performance with meaningful impact. The inaugural event also celebrated standout performances both on the course and through fundraising efforts. Congratulations to Team Jamie Smith and Tyler Boer for conquering the leaderboard with an impressive 62 birdies! Special recognition also goes to Top Fundraisers Team Camille Close and Alex Rhyne, who raised $13,054 in donations to support the event’s beneficiaries. Their efforts exemplify the enthusiasm, generosity, and competitive spirit that made the first Birdie Bash such a success. “We are incredibly proud of the success of our first Birdie Bash and grateful to everyone who helped make this event possible,” said Sarah Lummus, Foundation Manager of PGA REACH Southern Texas. “To see 21 teams come together, make 864 birdies, and raise more than $80,000 for PGA REACH and Dell Children’s is an incredible accomplishment. This event is a testament to the generosity of our donors, the support of our partners, and the power of the golf community to make a difference. We are so excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead.” The event would not have been possible without the support of Play Yellow and Dell Children’s Medical Center, whose commitment to improving the lives of children and families helped inspire Birdie Bash. PGA REACH Southern Texas is proud to partner with Dell Children’s in supporting the important work of pediatric healthcare and giving back to the Central Texas community. PGA REACH Southern Texas extends its sincere appreciation to the Omni Barton Creek team for their hospitality, partnership, and support in hosting the inaugural event. A special thank-you also goes to the participating PGA Professionals and Associates, whose time, enthusiasm, and fundraising efforts made the event such a success. Their commitment to the challenge and the causes behind it helped turn 864 birdies into meaningful support for the community. Finally, PGA REACH Southern Texas is deeply grateful to its generous donors, sponsors, and supporters. Every contribution, pledge, and show of encouragement helped make this milestone possible. The success of Birdie Bash reflects what can happen when the golf community comes together around a shared purpose. As the inaugural Birdie Bash comes to a close, PGA REACH Southern Texas looks forward to continuing to grow the event and create even greater impact through the game of golf. To view photos from the event and our final leaderboards, check out the links below.
HOUSTON, TX (August 31, 2026) - PGA HOPE Southern Texas proudly welcomed 12 teams from across the Section to Hyatt Lost Pines Golf Club on Monday, August 31, for the 3rd Annual Southern Texas PGA HOPE Cup, an annual celebration of the Veterans and PGA Professionals who make the PGA HOPE Southern Texas program so impactful.
August has been another exciting month for PGA REACH Southern Texas, filled with impactful moments, major milestones, and plenty to look forward to this fall. From looking forward to celebrating our PGA HOPE Veterans at the upcoming 3rd Annual HOPE Cup to crowning 15 Junior Golf champions and building momentum for the inaugural Play Yellow Birdie Bash, there is a lot happening across our programs. Take a look at what’s happening across Southern Texas and see how your support continues to help us impact lives through golf.
July was a month of exciting milestones and unforgettable moments for PGA REACH Southern Texas! From welcoming our newest PGA HOPE Ambassador and cheering on one of our Miles Fore the Future runners as they crossed the Half-Marathon finish line, to building momentum for Birdie Bash and celebrating our Junior Golfers who competed on one of junior golf's biggest stages at the PGA Junior Championship, there's been no shortage of inspiring stories this month. Take a look at our July recap and see the impact your support continues to make across Southern Texas.
PGA HOPE Southern Texas is proud to welcome James “Jim” Meade as our newest PGA HOPE Ambassador. A retired United States Army Brigade Sergeant Major, devoted husband and father, and passionate advocate for his fellow Veterans, Jim embodies the spirit of service that lies at the heart of PGA HOPE.
At PGA HOPE Southern Texas, our instructors are the heart of our program, creating welcoming spaces where veterans can find connection, camaraderie, and community. One of those instructors is Christopher Martinez, Director of Operations at Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco, Texas. Christopher Martinez believes that golf is about more than the game itself—it's about creating connection, building community, and helping people find where they belong. As the Director of Operations at Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco, Texas, Christopher oversees golf operations, instruction, player development, tournaments, and community programming. Before joining Tierra Santa, he spent 13 years working in the San Antonio golf industry at several premier facilities and founded the Golf Club of Texas Golf Academy. He played collegiate golf at the University of the Incarnate Word and recently earned his MBA from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. While Christopher's professional accomplishments are impressive, it's his passion for serving others that led him to PGA HOPE. A PGA HOPE instructor since 2022, Christopher was immediately drawn to the program's mission of serving veterans through the game of golf. With several family members who have served or are currently serving in the military, becoming involved with PGA HOPE was a meaningful way to give back. For Christopher, the program's greatest impact extends far beyond the golf course. "Golf is simply the vehicle," Christopher shared. "The real outcome is creating a community where veterans feel welcomed, supported, and connected." That sense of connection is at the center of everything he does. His goal is for every PGA HOPE graduate to feel that Tierra Santa is their home course—a place where they are welcomed long after the six-week program ends. One of Christopher's favorite examples of PGA HOPE's impact is veteran Joey Moore, a participant from his very first session. Through the program, Joey found friendship, purpose, and confidence, eventually returning to volunteer alongside Christopher and help welcome new veterans into the PGA HOPE community. When asked what growing the game means to him, Christopher's answer is simple: creating opportunities and making golf more welcoming for everyone. Whether he's introducing a veteran to the game, mentoring future PGA Professionals, or helping a junior golfer fall in love with golf, his mission remains the same—to make sure every person who steps onto the golf course feels like they belong. We are proud to have Christopher as part of the PGA HOPE Southern Texas family and grateful for the lasting impact he continues to make on veterans across the Rio Grande Valley.
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.