Slayton Awarded Inaugural Patrick Reed Scholarship
May 7, 2019 • Blake Davis
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS --- The Southern Texas PGA Foundation, in partnership with the Team Reed Foundation is excited to announce that Zachary Slayton is the recipient of the first ever Patrick Reed Scholarship Award, funded by the Team Reed Foundation.
Slayton, age 18, and a member of the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Program since 2015, will receive a scholarship in the amount of $10,000, to support his collegiate golf career at Colorado Christian University starting this fall.
In addition to pursuing his own career goals in golf, Zachary is an active and dedicated member of his community. He has a great work ethic, high academic and athletic standards and has built great character through hard work.
“I am excited and honored to be the first recipient of the Patrick Reed Scholarship,” said Slayton. “This scholarship is going to have a big impact on my life. I wasn’t expecting to hear Patrick on the other end of the line when the STPGA called me. My heart started racing.”
Established by the 2018 Masters Champion, Patrick Reed, the scholarship is dedicated to the support of junior golfers who also reflect the highest standards in the pursuit of excellence on and off the course, whether it be in academics, community service or working to help others in a variety of ways.
There were many wonderful applications, including numerous letters of recommendation from coaches and teachers alike. After carefully reviewing all of the candidates and their applications, Patrick Reed said, “I just want to thank everyone who applied. You are all very deserving of this scholarship and we wish you all the very best. It was very hard to choose one winner, we had so many great applicants, but when I read Zach’s personal statement, it really struck a chord with me and along with his academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements, he is so well deserving and we are so happy to award Zach Slayton with the first Patrick Reed Scholarship. We wish Zach the best with all of his future endeavors and are proud to have Zach be our first scholarship recipient in partnership with the STPGA.”
The Southern Texas PGA Foundation would like to thank all of the applicants that applied for scholarships through the Foundation and to especially to thank the Team Reed Foundation for this new scholarship. It will have a tremendous positive impact on many young lives for years to come.
Patrick and Justine Reed are residents of The Woodlands, Texas and have been enthusiastic supporters of junior golf, and many local Houston charities as well as many charitable causes across the United States through the Team Reed Foundation.
Patrick, Justine, and the Team Reed Foundation salute Zachary Slayton. They are proud to establish this scholarship and to have Zachary as the first recipient. They would also like to express their sincere appreciation to the Southern Texas PGA Foundation for their dedication and hard work in helping this scholarship become a reality.
For more information on the Team Reed Foundation, please go to http://patrickreedfoundation.com/
For more information on the Southern Texas PGA Foundation, please click here.
Lake Charles, LA (November 8-9, 2025) – The STPGA Srixon Prestige Tour returned to Mallard Golf Club for the Visit Lake Charles Fall Classic. This modern links-style course is known for wide fairways, bold bunkers, and winds that challenge every shot. Players and families enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere and great facilities throughout the weekend. Firm fairways and fast greens created plenty of excitement and scoring opportunities. Mallard once again delivered a memorable stage for two days of competition, sportsmanship, and standout moments on the course.
Good Afternoon Players, Parents, & Family Friends, They say cooler weather means it’s time to bundle up but on the Srixon Prestige Tour, the competition is just heating up. Srixon Prestige Tour Champions - October The Srixon Prestige Tour teed off it's October schedule at Bay Forest Golf Course for the Bay Forest Junior Championship, where Ryan Joseph Lopez of Houston, TX claimed his first Srixon Prestige Tour victory with back to back under par rounds. In the girls division, Krysta Loftin of Pearland, TX managed to cap off her tournament weekend with the only under-par round within the girls division to claim her 2nd Srixon Prestige Tour victory of 2025. Next, the Prestige Tour traveled south to Victoria for the VCVB South Texas Showcase at Victoria Country Club. Kai Tamez of Edinburg, TX, captured his first career Prestige Tour title after finishing even par with a Round 2 score of 71 ( -1 ), while Sohia Liu of Sugar Land, TX, started her tournament weekend strong with a Round 1 score of 68 ( -4 ) giving her a 4 stroke lead heading into Sunday’s Round 2 where she would be crowned with her first Srixon Prestige Tour victory. The month wrapped up in one of Texas’ best Tourist towns at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course for the Antigua Fredericksburg Open, where Caleb Thomas of Spring Branch, TX, secured his first career Prestige Tour win with a 134 ( -8 ). Quinn Timmerman of Boerne, TX, also broke through for her first career title, with a 69-68-137 ( -5 ) . 2025 Bayou Cup - Team STPGA! In just over a month, 12 junior golfers from the Srixon Prestige Tour will tee it up against 12 junior golfers from the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour in the highly anticipated Bayou Cup Matches at Big Easy Ranch in Columbus, TX on December 5-7! Below is a list of players that have earned the opportunity to represent YOUR Section in the 2025 Bayou cup Matches. Boys 13-18 Hugo Dittrich - Spring, TX Ryan Lee - College Station, TX Ryan Joseph Lopez - Houston, TX Daniel Rice - Magnolia, TX Boys 13-14 Cody Borden - The Woodlands, TX Levi Hullinger - Missouri City, TX Jordan Thomas - Spring Branch, TX Bennett Underwood - Austin, TX Girls 13-18 Katelyn Allen - Montgomery, TX Muci Guo - Bellaire, TX Lora Kim - Katy, TX Payson Pistono - The Woodlands, TX New Registration Process for the Srixon Prestige Tour & 2026 Important Dates A few changes are coming to the Srixon Prestige Tour regarding registration processes for our Championships starting in 2026. 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 As you can see, we’ll be following a new consistent schedule Prestige Tour tournament registrations will open on the first Tuesday of each month, for events taking place two months later. 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 City of Victoria and the VCVB team for their continued support of STPGA Junior Golf and for welcoming many families to town for the VCVB South Texas Showcase! Huge thanks to Antigua Apparel for sponsoring the Antigua Fredericksburg Open and for providing each junior golfer with a new vest to rep on the golf course as the temperatures start to drop!
Round Rock, TX (November 1–2, 2025) – The STPGA Srixon Prestige Tour returned to the scenic fairways of Forest Creek Golf Club for The Round Rock Cup. A beloved stop on the Prestige Tour schedule, this event continues to draw enthusiastic players and families thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and championship-style setup. With towering trees, rolling terrain, and a course design that demands smart shot-making, Forest Creek provided the perfect stage for two exciting days of competition, sportsmanship, and memorable moments.
SPRING, TX (October 27, 2025) – The Southern Texas PGA is proud to announce our 2025 STPGA Junior Golfers of the Year, Jules Mahan and Daniel Rice. This distinguished honor recognizes these junior golfers' exceptional accomplishments on the course, leadership in their communities, and their unwavering commitment to representing the values and spirit of the Southern Texas PGA. Jules Mahan, a standout competitor within our STPGA Junior Golf programs, has built an impressive junior golf resume that reflects her drive, consistency, and sportsmanship. She is a two-time Texas Junior Cup team member (2018, 2020), helping lead Southern Texas to victory in both years. Her success also includes two STPGA Prestige Tour wins, two STPGA Little Linksters Summer Championship wins, and a title at the 2025 STPGA Parent-Child Championship. Mahan, who is committed to playing Division I golf at Murray State University, embodies the true meaning of a student-athlete. A member of the National Honor Society, she balances a demanding tournament schedule with academic excellence, earning the NEISD Writing Award, multiple A/B Honor Roll honors, and strong results in a rigorous AP course load. Beyond her achievements on the course and in the classroom, Mahan is deeply dedicated to service. She volunteers over 200 hours each year with First Tee Greater San Antonio, mentoring younger golfers as an Ace Level participant, and has helped raise $35,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Children’s Medical Center through Kids Play Fore Kids. Her journey has not been without challenges. Diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age, Mahan overcame pain and fear with determination and perseverance—qualities that now define her both on and off the golf course. “Some of my favorite memories are playing until the sun set with my dad and brother,” she shared. “Golf means family to me—it’s where I find peace, joy, and gratitude.” From her earliest days competing in STPGA events after moving to San Antonio, to representing Southern Texas on victorious team stages, Mahan has grown into a shining example of what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and heart. Since picking up a club at age nine, Daniel Rice has become one of the Section’s most decorated junior players. A two-time STPGA Prestige Tour Champion and three-time runner-up during the 2024–2025 season, Rice’s consistency and competitive spirit have made him a fixture at the top of leaderboards. He is set to compete in the first-ever STPGA Prestige Tour Bayou Cup this December, marking an impressive achievement. Rice is also a two-time high school state qualifier, Magnolia High School MVP, and First Team All-Region and All-District selection. Rice has committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Houston Christian University, competing in Division I college golf. Demonstrating excellence both academically and athletically, he has earned Lifetime A/B Honor Roll status, completed six AP courses, and received three Academic All-District honors, maintaining a 3.6 unweighted GPA (4.6 weighted) and placing in the top 16% of his class. Rice also volunteers each spring with his high school coach to mentor junior high golfers—teaching fundamentals, course management, and sportsmanship while encouraging young players to compete in STPGA tournaments. Rice’s journey in golf has also been one of resilience. Overcoming personal hardship with strength and maturity, Rice has found in golf a lifelong source of discipline, friendship, and purpose — qualities that define him as one of Southern Texas’s most inspiring young golfers. That mindset was on full display during one of Rice’s most memorable moments: shooting a career-low 64 (-8) at Houston National to win his first STPGA Prestige Tour event—a round shared with friends who also achieved personal bests. “That day reminded me why I love the game,” he said. “It’s about competition, friendship, and constantly striving to improve.” For Rice, golf has been a teacher of life’s most meaningful lessons—discipline, patience, sportsmanship, and respect. Whether he’s competing, mentoring others, or volunteering in his community, he carries those lessons with him. His commitment to excellence, perseverance through hardship, and unwavering love for the game make him a shining example of what it means to be the STPGA Junior Golfer of the Year. These exceptional Junior Golfers of the Year will be formally recognized alongside the other Section Award recipients at the STPGA’s 58th Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, February 9, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Chapter Award recipients will be honored at their respective Chapter Meetings later this fall.
