The Valero Texas Open is the 6th oldest professional tournament in golf world-wide, the 3rd oldest on the PGA TOUR and the longest held in the same city. We are proud of our roots deeply invested in Texas. What better way to show our pride than to celebrate and showcase PGA TOUR Texans on our website year round?

Launching this week, a dedicated webpage will feature the pros that are Texas natives and residents who are competing each week in a PGA TOUR tournament. You can follow their FedExCup rankings and help us cheer on our fellow Texans on a weekly basis. While the top five will be featured on our main page, we invite you to check out the Texas Tracker complete list at www.ValeroTexasOpen.com/texas-tracker

Join the conversation on social media: #VTOTexasTracker

The Valero Texas Open, together with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), hosted the Valero Junior Texas Open July 11-13 at TPC San Antonio.

The premier junior golf circuit in the world, the AJGA, through its tournaments, has developed many of the games current touring professionals, including: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, and the Valero Texas Open’s reigning Champion, Kevin Chappell.

The 78 player field (54 boys & 23 girls) had a broad reach, representing eight states and four countries including Thailand, France, United Kingdom, and Mexico. The home of the PGA TOUR’s annual Valero Texas Open provided the perfect setting for competitors and their families to enjoy a “PGA TOUR-like” experience.

Following a fun Junior-Am competition on Monday, the talented boys and girls tested their skills over three rounds (Tuesday – Thursday).

Beyond providing a memorable competition experience for these young golfers, the community support helped raise valuable dollars for The First Tee of Greater San Antonio, the AJGA’s ACE Grant Scholarship Program and various other Valero Texas Open supported charities.

In the end, Girls Division champion, Ana Gonzalez of Monterrey, Mexico, won by one stroke (78-70-71—219). Gonzalez will be playing golf this fall for the University of Texas at San Antonio. Grant Lincecum of Houston, Texas, won the Boys Division by two strokes (72-72-70—214). As the Boys Division champion, Linecum received an exemption into the Jimmy Walker Challenge in November 2017 which will be played at Cordillera Ranch Golf Club. Linecum has committed to play golf this fall for Texas State University.

On Saturday, June 10 the Valero Texas Open showed its appreciation for the volunteer Tournament Leadership Council (TLC) at its annual Appreciation Banquet. An important part of the ceremony included the presentation to this year’s “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award” recipient, Lisa Leong.

Leong embodies the essence and true passion of volunteerism and has worked as a part of the Hospitality committee for several years. She is caring and considerate with everyone she interacts with, making each and every individual feel special and welcomed. Her polite demeanor and inviting disposition comes with a smile and good spirit as she is willing to help anyone she encounters. She even takes a week’s worth of vacation from work to volunteer her time and talent each year during tournament week.

“It is a distinct pleasure to win this award in Tom Mabe’s honor. I can’t thank you enough,” said Leong upon being presented the award.

Tom Mabe, the award’s namesake, was a longtime Valero Texas Open volunteer who worked with players, fans, caddies and tournament officials for decades as a proud member of the TLC. An American hero, retired from the US Army after being stationed in Germany and fighting in Korea and Vietnam, Mabe sadly lost his battle with cancer during tournament week of 2014.

To celebrate Mabe’s memory and his vast contributions to the Valero Texas Open over the span of 30 years, the Tournament Staff, along with the TLC, established in 2015 the “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award.”

Mary and Stephanie Mabe, Tom’s wife and daughter, were in attendance and assisted with the announcement and presentation of the award to Leong.

As Volunteer of the Year, Leong was awarded with a Valero Texas Open gift package and a two night stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. A charitable donation of $1,000 will be made in Leong’s honor to a charity close to her heart, 100 Club of San Antonio.

In addition, Leong received a replica of the Valero Texas Open tournament trophy; a symbol of appreciation for her significant impact on the Tournament. The Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award perpetual trophy now includes Leong’s name and will be proudly displayed year-round in the Valero Texas Open offices as a reminder of the importance of Volunteers to the success of the tournament. In addition, the perpetual trophy will be exhibited in the Volunteer Headquarters at the annual Valero Texas Open.

During this year’s tournament week, all volunteers and TLC members had the opportunity to nominate a volunteer(s) worthy of this special recognition and who embody the same character, passion, dedication and spirit as Mabe. After much review and deliberation of the nominees, Leong was announced as the third recipient of the “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award.” Greg Brueland was the inaugural “Tom Mabe Volunteer of the Year Award” recipient in 2015 followed by Gerry Hagar in 2016.

Please visit ValeroTexasOpen.com to learn more about the Valero Texas Open and volunteering at the next edition of the Tournament.

Dr. Seuss said it best in a favorite childhood book, Oh the Places You’ll Go!, “You’re off to great places, today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” As we near school starting later this month, we want to wish all of the administrators, parents, teachers and students the best of luck. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” said Eleanor Roosevelt. May the new school year kick-start fun educational adventures and inspire young minds to new heights.