16th Texas Girls’ Invitational heads to Sulphur Springs Country Club
ADDISON – The 16th edition of the Texas Girls’ Invitational is set to take place at Sulphur Springs Country Club, marking the first girls’ major of the Legends Junior Tour (LJT) season. The prestigious event will be held Feb. 15-17, with a cut made after the second round.
In 2025, the Texas Girls’ Invitational moves to a new venue, welcoming 78 of the top junior girls from Texas and surrounding states to Sulphur Springs Country Club. These elite competitors will look to start the season strong with a victory and add their name to Nez Muhleman Trophy.
“This is always such a great event,” said Legends Junior Tour Tournament Director and PGA Professional Scott Davidson. “So many outstanding junior golfers have gone on to win this tournament, and the level of competition always makes it thrilling. It’s a great way to kick off 2025 with a major this early and these players getting a chance to claim the Nez Muhleman Trophy.”
Inez Muhleman, who was known as ‘Nez to her close friends, was born in Donalsonville, Ga. ‘Nez settled down in Atlanta and joined Atlanta Country Club, which is where ‘Nez started getting involved in junior golf. Though she had been playing since she was 19, ‘Nez enjoyed giving back to the game that she enjoyed so much. When herhusband’s job moved them both from Atlanta to Texas, ‘Nez continued to stay involved.
‘Nez began serving on the U.S. Girls’ Junior Committee, overseeing the U.S. Girls’ Junior sectional qualifiers, and served six years on the Women’s Texas Golf Association board, serving as President in 1982. In 1986 Muhleman created the Girls’ Junior Travel Fund for Texas-based qualifiers. The fund began as a $250 donation of her own money and quickly grew into a fund that provided reimbursement for airfare and caddie fees to every Texas qualifier, which has helped more than 350 girls.
In 2011 she received the Joe Dey Award, which is an award presented by the United States Golf Association for meritorious service to the game as a volunteer. Muhleman accepted the award not just for herself, but for all the many, many volunteers throughout the country. ‘Nez estimated that she had put in 1,500 days of volunteer service when she received the award.
Muhleman attended every U.S. Girls’ Junior from 1980-2010. In her 31-year volunteer career she watched and helped numerous golfers go on to success in her favorite sport. Golfers like Kellie Kuehne, 1994 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion, Brittany Lang, Stacy Lewis, Angela Stanford and Wendy Ward were all helped by Muhleman on their way to the LPGA Tour.
The tournament boasts an impressive list of past champions, adding to its legacy. Texas Women’s Golf player Farrah O’Keefe of Austin, currently ranked No. 12 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), captured the title in 2022. Hailey Jones, a professional golfer and Augusta National Women’s Amateur participant, claimed victory twice, winning in 2016 and 2019. Tillie Claggett, ranked No. 122 in WAGR, earned the championship in 2021. The list of successful alumni continues, solidifying the event’s reputation as a proving ground for future stars.
Established in 1928, Sulphur Springs Country Club had humble beginnings, once described as “four holes in a cow pasture.” Today, it features pristine fairways, an elegant clubhouse, and top-tier amenities. The club’s transformation began with the construction of a 20-acre lake, where oxen and mules worked through the cool evening hours to escape the sweltering Texas heat. Over the years, families—many with business ties—built cabin sites along the lake’s eastern shoreline, fostering a close-knit community.
The clubhouse has evolved through multiple renovations, culminating in its current structure, completed in April 2013. This centerpiece of the club houses the 511 Chophouse, Five Eleven Bar & Grill, Grand Ballroom & Event Center, and a dedicated children’s play and swim complex. The latest addition, completed in November 2023, features a state-of-the-art Pro Shop, a private gym, the Par Tee Bar, and advanced sports simulator bays. It also showcases the John Gillis Collection, a tribute to golf’s rich history with a display of vintage clubs and memorabilia.
Sulphur Springs Country Club remains committed to providing a premier golf experience, outstanding dining, engaging activities, and a welcoming social atmosphere. As the club approaches its centennial celebration in 2028, its legacy continues to grow, honoring the vision of the late John Gillis and his wife, Debbie.
At the 15th Texas Girls’ Invitational, held at Eagle’s Bluff Country Club in Bullard, Veronika Exposito of The Woodlands battled tough late-winter conditions to claim the title. The Louisville University Women’s Golf commit was the only player in the field to post an under-par round in the 54-hole tournament.
The 2025 Texas Girls’ Invitational begins Saturday, Feb. 15, with tee times starting at 8 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10.
To learn more about Nez Muhleman, click here. To learn more about the Texas Girls’ Invitational, click here. To visit Sulphur Springs Country Club homepage, click here.