PGA HOPE Charlotte (Darren Reilly & John Thomas)

The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section. We are committed to serving our communities and the future of golf through our three pillars – Youth, Military, and Inclusion. The primary programs for these pillars include PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip & Putt, PGA HOPE, and the PGA WORKS Fellowship.

The Foundation was created with the following purposes:

• To improve and advance opportunities for youth.

• To provide golf as a therapeutic rehabilitation tool for active and retired military Veterans and their families.

• To encourage diversity and inclusion by promoting golf to all, particularly those who have no exposure to the game.

Youth – PGA Jr. League is bringing friends, families, and communities together through experiences that transcend golf. PGA Jr. League is focused on providing a fun and competitive environment for 70,000 kids nationally each year to learn and connect through golf. PGA REACH provides financial scholarships for girls and boys to join existing teams and is creating Opportunity Leagues to offer more comprehensive support including clubs, shoes, transportation, and more. In 2024, 3,290 girls and boys participated in PGA Jr. League in the Carolinas, with 83% of those being beginner or recreational golfers. The Carolinas Section was able to provide 542 children with scholarships and access to learn, play and love the game of golf. Eight (8) local First Tee Programs are involved with PGA Jr. League, as well as the SwingPals program in Durham, NC.

Military Veterans – PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is creating a path forward for thousands of Veterans across the U.S through the game of golf. Since 2015, 4,700+ Veterans have come to the game of golf through PGA HOPE Carolinas progams. For 2023 participants, In 2024, we served more than 1,275 Veterans through 62 total HOPE sessions. Physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress, and other challenges resulting from service can make it difficult for Veterans to feel like they belong in civilian life. PGA HOPE is offering thousands of our service members a place where they can be and feel like themselves among a community of fellow Veterans. PGA HOPE is the only adaptive golf program with the ability to scale nationally, providing even more opportunity for PGA of America Golf Professionals to bring to their facilities and impact to Veterans’ lives. Through an MOU with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans are able to receive direct referrals to PGA HOPE as a form of therapy and wellness. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive therapy and military cultural competency, PGA HOPE takes Veterans through a 6-8 week curriculum that covers all fundamentals from grip to playing nine holes and everything in between.

Diverse Communities & Inclusion – PGA WORKS is a program that offers access to individuals from diverse backgrounds—whether by gender, age, race or color, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, religion or Veteran status—into the golf industry to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry. In 2017, the Carolinas launched a fifteen (15) month immersive position offered annually. In 2025, we will welcome our 9th PGA WORKS Fellow to the Carolinas PGA Family. So far, 100% of our PGA WORKS Fellows have gained a full-time position in the golf industry after serving the Carolinas PGA through their fellowship.

Please enjoy this featured story on PGA HOPE Carolinas Ambassador, Colton Hensley, PGA, showing the impact that the PGA HOPE program has had on his life and career.