Victoria Uresti has been around golf for most of her life. She picked up the sport at age 14 and played golf collegiately at Texas Tech University. After completing her master’s degree in Sport Management, she took a job with the TGA.
As the TGA Foundation and Outreach Programs Manager, Victoria’s focus is on continuing the mission of the charitable arm of the TGA to ensure golf in Texas continues to grow and prosper. She oversees the Foundation’s junior golf development programs and initiatives including scholarships, internships, Winners’ Program, Texas Challenge, Youth on Course and much more.
Victoria began working in the golf industry while still in graduate school, where she taught undergraduate students the fundamentals of the game.
Being involved with the game for so long, the thought of making golf a vocation was an attractive idea.
“Growing up, my life revolved around golf, and I wanted to continue to be involved in the sport after college,” Victoria said. “I tried something outside of the industry after I got my bachelor’s degree, and that wasn’t for me. I am passionate about golf; I enjoy working in the golf industry.”
As part of her Outreach role, Victoria runs the wildly popular Fun Golf Series presented by PGA TOUR Superstore. Launched in 2015 to give recreational golfers more opportunities to play new courses for discounted green fees in a laid-back atmosphere, the Fun Golf Series has grown from about 15 annual events in the first few years to more than 30 outings across the state in 2021.
“Fun Golf is for the golfer who isn’t interested in extremely competitive tournaments,” Victoria said. “It’s for people who want to go play 18 holes and have fun with their friends or make new friends within the events.”
Victoria oversees all the Fun Golf outings. Getting to know the frequent participants is one of the best parts of her job.
“I enjoy learning about their golf history and their travels,” she said.
For Victoria, golf is a family affair.
“My mom introduced me to the game,” she said. “What really got me into the game were all my coaches; they became my family over the years. Omar Uresti, my cousin, is my all-time favorite golfer. As a junior golfer, he would provide me with tips to help me succeed. He came to watch our college team win at his home course. I love following him and his journey playing professionally across the nation.”
Victoria knows as well as anyone that golf is more than just a game. The experiences golf offers can teach anyone, regardless of their age or ability, valuable character-building lessons and traits to take with them into everyday life.
“Golf is built around honesty,” Victoria said. “Regardless of your playing ability or role in the industry, honesty always stands out. That’s something you can carry with you in your life outside of golf.”
