San Antonio’s Southside is home to a very special community of creators, hard workers, and people that inspire–many of which own small businesses in and around the Southside. The Southside Makers and Shakers blog series showcases these unique businesses and their owners. Each addition to the series offers new insight into the community and the gente that make the Southside so unique.
This month, we caught up with Ray Garza, a proud Southside native, educator, and business owner who is using the game of golf to give back to the community that raised him.
Tell us about yourself and the work that you do.
I was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio and attended Harlandale High School, where I first discovered my passion for golf. I played multiple sports growing up, but golf stood out as something different. I helped revitalize Harlandale’s golf team after it had been dormant, and after graduation, I earned a scholarship to play at Texas Lutheran University. While there, I was named Athlete of the Year multiple times and went on to play professionally for three years.
After returning home, I taught and coached at Harlandale High School for seven years. In 2015, I became head coach for both the boys and girls golf teams, and that year, we won our first-ever district championships.
In 2018, I launched On Par Golf in a small gym and later secured a vacant space at Mission Del Lago Golf Course, which became our headquarters. Today, we operate out of three locations including Mission Del Lago, Cedar Creek, and Northern Hills.
What inspired you to become a leader and business owner on the Southside and what keeps you going?
Golf isn’t always the most accessible sport, especially on the Southside. I saw costs and access as barrier to the sport and I felt a responsibility to break them down. I wanted to show kids that golf could be for them, too. That motivation hasn’t changed. Every time I see a kid light up because they hit the ball straight or make their first putt, it reminds me why I started.
How does your organization give back to San Antonio or build partnerships?
In 2023, we launched the Flamingo Club, a nonprofit created to provide golf equipment and course access to youth who otherwise wouldn’t have that opportunity. So far, we’ve reached 91 kids and provided more than $40,000 in custom golf equipment and apparel. But it’s about more than gear. It’s about inclusion, mentorship, and opening doors.
“It’s not just me doing this alone. It is my supporters, my community, my partners, and my staff that make On Par Golf and The Flamingo Club the success that it is today.”
Can you speak to the importance of community support in helping you launch your businesses?
Community is everything. I wouldn’t be where I am without the encouragement, support, and trust of the Southside. When I found that vacant space at Mission del Lago, it was the community that helped bring it to life. That spirit of collaboration and neighbors helping each other is what makes the Southside special.
What do you think makes the Southside unique compared to other parts of San Antonio?
The Southside is united. It’s a group of proud, passionate people who want to see each other thrive. The pride here is unmatched. I’ll never forget where I’m from because it’s the foundation of everything I do.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments for you since founding On Par Golf and the Flamingo Club?
Launching the Flamingo Club is one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of. Being able to create a space where kids feel seen, supported, and inspired to try something new is what it’s all about. Seeing them connect with one another, gain confidence, and grow through the sport is incredibly rewarding.
“Believe in your vision and stay committed to it. Even when the doors don’t open right away, keep knocking or build your own. Your circumstances don’t define your future. Keep pushing forward, and find your community along the way.”
What do you hope the long-term impact of the Flamingo Club will be?
I want people to see that golf is for everyone. I hope the Flamingo Club becomes a symbol of inclusion, opportunity, and giving back. I want it to inspire kids—not just to play golf, but to believe they belong in spaces where they might not have seen themselves before. I want to keep pushing the boundaries of what golf can be and who it’s for.
Where can folks find you and your work?
You can find us at Mission del Lago, Cedar Creek, and Northern Hills Golf Courses. We’re also online at OnParGolfApparel.com, where profits help fund the Flamingo Club’s mission.