HOUSTON, TX – Jason Kokrak was crowned the winner of the 2021 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open today, producing his best round of the weekend to jump from seventh to first on the leaderboard in the final day of competition at iconic Memorial Park Golf Course.  2021 represents the third year the Astros Golf Foundation has hosted this premier PGA TOUR event and second at its permanent home, Memorial Park Golf Course in the heart of Houston.

 

Born in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, Kokrak, shot a 65 final-round to end the tournament at 10-under 270 (68-71-66-65) to secure his third win on the PGA TOUR and first of 2022. Entering the final round, Kokrak was tied for seventh at 5-under, but made his push with his best round of the weekend on Sunday, shooting a 65 to separate himself from a crowded field with eight golfers within two shots or better of the leader entering the final round. On Sunday, Kokrak hit 9 of 13 fairways and 15 of 18 greens in regulation, collecting birdies on holes 13-16 to secure his first victory since the 2021 Charles Schwab Challenge. His first career victory came last fall at the C.J. Cup Summit.

 

Kokrak, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, was presented with the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open trophy on the 18th green by Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane, his wife, Whitney, and Antonio Neri, CEO of the 2021 title spon­sor, Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

 

“First, I’d like to congratulate Jason for his victory today,” Crane said. It was a great competition coming down to the last few holes, but he separated himself with his best round of the weekend, finishing at 10-under on this Major-caliber course. Secondly, I want to thank all of the golfers who came this week to compete this week.  We will continue to make this a premier tournament for all golfers to enjoy and compete in.”

 

“Finally, I want to thank the great fans and our Houston community who came out to support the golfers and this tournament.  We are grateful for our fans, our sponsors, and our community partners for their support.   Our ability to continue to give back to this community is truly thanks to their consistent and continued support.”

 

“Congratulations to Jason Kokrak, our 2021 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open Champion.” Kibbe said. “Thank you to the PGA Tour, Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, our volunteers and our Astros staff, for the role that they all played in making this year’s tournament such a big success. Additionally, I want to thank Hewlett Packard Enterprise for their partnership, generosity and commitment to being the title sponsor for this wonderful event. This tournament is a long standing and import­ant tradition in Houston. We are proud to continue to give back to our community through the game of golf and we are committed to making this bigger and better next year.”

 

COMMUNITY IMPACT

One of the most significant benefits of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open is its positive civic and economic impact on the Houston community. Overall, thanks to the generous contributions of corporate partners, community leaders and fans, this year’s tournament anticipates delivering over $4 million in total charitable proceeds to various local initiatives via the Astros Foundation.

 

RETURN TO MEMORIAL PARK

This year marked the 74th year of the Houston Open, which began in 1946. One of the many highlights of this year’s tournament was the return of fans to historic Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston for the second year since the Astros Golf Foundation took on the tournament. Prior to this last year’s event, Memorial Park played host to the Houston Open in 1947 and from 1951-63. This year’s tournament was the second consecutive played at Memorial Park since a $34-million renovation, which transformed the course into a spectacular, PGA-caliber track. Renowned golf course architect Tom Doak oversaw the renovation project, with consultation from Brooks Koepka.

 

2022 HOUSTON OPEN

The 2022 Houston Open is scheduled for November 10 -13, 2022 at Memorial Park Golf Course, which is now its permanent home.

 

ASTROS GOLF FOUNDATION

The 2021 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open was the third hosted and operated by the Astros Golf Foundation, which was formed in 2018 after Jim Crane agreed to take control of the long-standing tournament. The Astros Golf Foundation was estab­lished with three key objectives: to ensure that the PGA TOUR event remains in Houston; to bring the tournament back to its glory and into the heart of the city; to provide much-needed resources and funds to the citizens and community of Houston through park improvements, charitable fundraising and investing in youth programs.

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