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GUTIERREZ RISES ABOVE THE FIELD TO WIN GSPGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP AS NEWLY RENOVATED THE REFUGE GOLF CLUB SHINES
FLOODWOOD, MS: The 2025 Gulf States PGA Section Championship took place at The Refuge Golf Club in Flowood, Mississippi. Sean Racki, PGA Director of Golf at The Refuge welcomed 45 other Class A PGA Professionals to his newly renovated facility for two days of competition and camaraderie among industry leaders. In a star studded area for golf in Jackson, MS The Refuge offers a tremendous golfing experience and did a great job challenging the GSPGA Professionals the past two days.
Christian Gutierrez, PGA Head Professional at Reunion Golf & CC also located in the Jackson area took home the Section Championship with a 139 total, good for (-5). A -3 round 1 got things going for Gutierrez. He was tied with GSPGA President Jake Narro, PGA for the lead and landed himself in the final group for our final round. A slew of birdies early and often got Gutierrez 4 clear of the field heading to the back nine. Cory Cooper, PGA and Jon Howell, PGA were hot on his tail as the back nine went on. Both players had 3 birdies coming in to shrink Gutierrez’s lead to 1 after two unfortunate bogeys on #16 & #17. Stepping up on #18 tee Gutierrez needed a par to avoid a playoff, and he did just that with a comfy tap in par to secure the win.
Gutierrez spoke after saying “I didn't want to check the leaderboard coming down the stretch, I figured it was close but didn't want to put any unnecessary pressure on myself, especially after the slip ups on #16 & #17.”
Jake Narro, PGA took home the Senior Division honors as he continued to add to the great golf he has played in 2025.
The Refuge Golf Course showcased tremendously as a Championship venue. The course's narrowish feel off the tee, combined with smaller greens lead to a huge emphasis on accuracy. A huge thanks to GSPGA member Sean Racki, PGA for going out of his way to ensure a great championship for our Members.
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank everyone who made the event a success, title sponsor and long time GSPGA supporter Benji Nelson with Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor was gracious enough to support this event while also hosting our general meeting following play on day 1. Also want to mention, Mark Danton of the Winston Collection, Joe Graves of Antigua, Cam Smith, PGA of Shade Headwear, Taylor Erkman of StrackaLine, and Alvin Newell of Maui Jim. Your support makes our events possible.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next tournament, the GSPGA Stroke Play Series at Hattiesburg CC.
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ABITA SPRINGS, LA: The 2025 Gulf States Assistant PGA Professional Championship was held at Money Hill Golf & Country Club on August 11-12. The field included 44 PGA Assistant Professionals and Associates; a new record total for the event.
Scott Milam, of Mississippi University for Women claimed the Assistant PGA Professional Championship honors with a score of 67-66–133. During the final round, a 5-under front nine propelled Milam into the solo lead heading to the back. Grayson Glorioso of Bayou Oaks Golf Course gave Milam all he had on the back nine, making birdie on holes 10,11,12, and 17 on his way to tying Milam at -11 heading to the 18th. An unfortunate bogey on the 18th knocked Gloroso out of contention, crowning Milam our Champion. Jeff Berry of Southern Trace Country Club was the first-place qualifier with a score of 73-68–139. This makes it two years in a row that Berry will represent Gulf States at the national level. He will be moving on to the 49th PGA Assistant Championship to be held on November 13-16, 2025 at PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Money Hill Golf & Country Club showcased tremendously as a Championship venue. The course played firm and fast giving players the challenge of controlling distance and being precise off the tee. A huge thanks to GSPGA member Gavin Vegas, PGA, who continues to graciously host high-level events at his facility every year.
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank the entire staff at Money Hill Golf & Country Club including General Manager; Craig Klemp, Head Professional, Gavin Vegas, PGA and Golf Course Superintendent, Jason Ward. Special thanks to our sponsors for this event: Flyway Hats, Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO/ASICS, Alvin Newell of Maui Jim, and the PGA Tour.
Also, many thanks to everyone who donated money to the 2025 Assistant’s raffle. Over $12,000 was raised for the event. Their contribution helped form the largest Gulf States Assistants’ Championship purse ever.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next tournament, the Gulf States Open at Tamahka Trails Golf Course, on August 22-24th.
Former LSU Tiger Alex Price Wins 2025 Gulf States Open in Dominant Fashion.
Marksville, LA: The 2025 Gulf States Open was held at Tamahka Trails GC on August 22-24th. The course played tough with thick rough and tricky green complexes, a true test of championship level golf.. The tournament field consisted of 80 players with the Section’s top PGA Professionals and Amateurs. After round two, there was a cut and the top 54 players advanced to round three.
Alex Price (p) of Baton Rouge, LA fired rounds of 68-63-68 for a three-day total of fourteen-under par, 199, to claim the Low Professional and the 2025 Gulf States Open title. Price’s second round included a whopping eight birdies while also being bogey free. Michael Arnaud (p) from New Orleans Country Club (67-68-69–204), came in solo second place and won low PGA Professional. Matthew Lotz (a) of University of New Orleans (72-67-68–207) was our low Amateur and finished solo 4th overall.
Price, who is still beginning his professional career, lead the field in almost every major scoring category. His 17 total birdies, 52 total pars, and only 2 bogeys for the whole tournament ranked first among the field, propelling him to a dominating victory. The majority of Price’s scoring came from the par 4s where he was a total of -9 under for the tournament on.
Special thanks to Ben Nelson, PGA of Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor, as well as everyone at E-Z-GO for their support and partnership with this tournament. The Gulf States Section also extends gratitude to General Manager Kevin Michael, PGA; Head Professional, Greg Gilder and the entire Tamahka Trails and Paragon Casino staff for their hard work in making this a fantastic event.
Join us at our next event, the Gulf States PGA E-Z-GO Section Championship at The Refuge Golf Course in Flowood, MS.
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