Eagle Pointe and Jeff Strong continue tradition of supporting the STPGA Foundation

Four years ago, Jeff Strong decided to act. The result was the Southern Texas PGA Foundation Pro-Am at Eagle Pointe Golf Club, and its goal is to provide financial support for the Southern Texas PGA Foundation, through which the STPGA funds its wide range of junior golf activities.

The 2009 edition of the tournament was held on Apr. 27 . . . 28 teams and Southern Texas PGA Professionals played in the tournament.

“We raised $11,000 this year and we’ve raised $34,500 since the tournament began,” said Strong, the head PGA golf professional and general manager at Eagle Pointe.

“Supporting the STPGA Foundation was the sole purpose for beginning the tournament,” said Strong. “Supporting junior golf is a great cause for many reasons, but two of them rise above the rest"

“It’s good for the future of the game, for starters, and it helps us introduce many, many youngsters to golf,” Strong said. “Many of the kids we introduce to the game will play it for the rest of their lives, and that gives us all great satisfaction."

This year’s winning team consisted of PGA Professional Brian Smith and amateurs Kevin Law, Ken Miller, Ted Metcalf and Greg Rogers. They took home $300 each (the amateurs played for merchandise certificates) for their best ball (one gross, two net) score of 190.

PGA Professional Troy Schleicher won the Professionals competition with a score of 2—under-par 70, edging out fellow professionals Brian Smith and Chip Craig by one shot. Schleicher earned $575 for the victory; Smith and Craig took home $425 each.

“Our entire staff puts in many hours of hard work to make sure the tournament is successful,” he says. “Everyone knows it’s a great cause."

One of the biggest challenges can be attracting sponsors, but Strong’s team has established a significant roster of companies and individuals that contribute to the Pro-Ams financial well-being. A complete list of the tournament’s sponsors can be found below— the deserve and have the gratitude of the Southern Texas PGA and the juniors who participate in the Section’s programs.

“All our sponsors are local companies, businesspeople and members who know what the opportunity to play golf can mean to youngsters,” says Strong. “All we really have to do is ask for their help, and they respond. That says a lot about the kind of golfers who work in our area."

Strong is already planning the 2010 tournament.

“We all played golf when we were youngsters and it’s been a part of our lives ever since. I think it’s a good thing to create the opportunity to share it with the juniors who are just starting to climb the ladder,” says Strong. “The tournament just helps us give something back."