Woodlands HS Golfer Payson Pistono Wins Insperity Tour 2025 Championship

Pistono wins wire-to-wire, securing championship title and top-tier junior status

Thursday, July 24, 2025 — 10:00 a.m.

The Woodlands, Texas – Payson Pistono, a 16-year-old rising junior at The Woodlands High School, capped off a breakout summer with a wire-to-wire victory at the prestigious Insperity Invitational Tour Championship, held July 21–22 at Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course in Houston.

Pistono, who plays for The Woodlands High School during the academic year and competes individually across Texas during the summer, posted a 2-round score of 138 (–4) to claim the Girls 13–18 Division title. Her lead was never in doubt, opening the tournament with an eagle on her third hole of the opening round—a short par-4 guarded by water and a bunker—where she holed out from 103 yards. It was a bold start that set the tone for the entire event.

“I honestly didn’t think I had the right club,” Pistono said. “But I hit it as perfect as you could, and it just barely rolled in.”

She followed up with a bogey-free back nine on Day 2 and strung together 11 straight pars to close out the win.

Throughout the tournament, Pistono wore a wristband with the phrase “One Shot at a Time”, a mantra that helped her stay calm under pressure.

The event, which concluded Tuesday, featured the top qualifiers from the Srixon Prestige Tour, a highly competitive circuit for advanced junior golfers ages 13–18. The Tour Championship is its most selective stop, awarding double points and fully exempt status on the Legends Junior Tour—a key credential for entry into elite national tournaments run by the AJGA and PGA.

Round 1

Pistono trains at The Woodlands Country Club under the guidance of Allan Riley, a respected PGA professional known throughout the community for his work with top-tier junior and college golfers. Riley’s approach blends fundamentals with advanced technology and on-course strategy, helping Pistono sharpen both her mechanics and mental game. The club has become a proven training ground for champions—it’s also home to back-to-back UIL Boys 6A state champions: Cooper Paull of The Woodlands High School (2024) and Asher Vargas of Grand Oaks High School (2025).

That same attention to detail carries over to her high school season, where Pistono competes for The Woodlands under longtime head coach Chad Handley.

“Her iron play are the strength of her game,” Handley said. “She hits them with confidence and consistency—it’s something you just don’t see often at the high school level.”

Her introduction to golf came from her father, Paul, who would take her to the first hole near their home and let her swing alongside him. That early bond sparked a passion that grew into a competitive drive.

She now holds four career eagles on par-4s and two hole-in-ones.

“About 2 years ago, I just got really competitive with it and haven’t looked back,” Pistono said.

The celebration on the 18th green was shared with her parents, Lana and Paul, who have supported her journey from backyard swings to championship podiums. One of her closest friends, a fellow junior golfer from Montgomery, also joined the celebration—proof of the strong support system that surrounds her.

Academically, Pistono maintains a high-achieving schedule with AP and dual-credit courses while strategically balancing her academics with athletic goals. “School has always come first in our house,” she said. “But I make sure I put my time where it needs to be.”

Before the school year begins, she’ll compete at one more major event: the Texas Junior Amateur at Horseshoe Bay’s Apple Rock Course next week. The momentum from this win positions her well heading into that tournament.

Looking ahead, Pistono remains uncommitted to a college program, but her trajectory and new exempt status mean she’ll be on the radar for top collegiate recruiters.

By The Woodlands Student Center Staff