Greensboro, NC — The Carolinas PGA Section is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Carolinas PGA REACH Growth of the Game Grant, a vital initiative supporting local PGA Professionals and Associates dedicated to growing the game of golf across North and South Carolina. This year’s grant recipients exemplify innovation, passion, and commitment to community engagement, aligning their programs with the PGA REACH Foundation’s three core pillars: Youth Player Development, Military Initiatives, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Through this inaugural grant program, the Carolinas PGA REACH Foundation provides funding to projects that expand access to golf, especially among underrepresented groups, youth, and military families. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 have been awarded to 14 recipients who will use the support to create measurable impact in their local communities.
2025 Grant Recipients and Programs:
Youth
- Craig Wood, PGA – Guilford County Schools Club Golf
- Daniel Seawell, PGA – Let’s Play Golf
- David La Pour, PGA – Mission Golf Academy Community Outreach
- Doug Hodges, PGA – SwingPals Phase 3
- Jimmy Bayne, PGA – High Point Junior Golfers
- Kenneth Ormand, PGA – Charleston’s Lil Golfers
- Leslie Cloots, PGA – LPGA USGA Girls Golf – Triangle
Military
- Angel Diaz, PGA – PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach Golf League
- Brock White, PGA – PGA HOPE Fayetteville
- Christopher Sitko, PGA – PGA HOPE Greenville
- Eric Jordan, PGA – PGA HOPE Buies Creek
- Rick Hengstenberg, PGA – PGA HOPE Raleigh
- Steve Beecroft, PGA – PGA HOPE Wilmington
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Michael Pius, PGA – Increasing Golf Participation Among Those Underrepresented in the Sport
The grant selection committee, composed of members from the Carolinas PGA REACH Committee, evaluated each submission based on alignment with REACH pillars, potential community impact, program feasibility, and innovation. The initiatives awarded this year reflect a powerful blend of grassroots efforts, inclusive programming, and sustainable vision.
“These professionals are doing extraordinary work in their communities, and we’re proud to support their mission of making golf more inclusive, accessible, and impactful,” said Jeff Abbot, CEO/Executive Director of the Carolinas PGA. “These programs embody the spirit of PGA REACH and highlight the power of golf to bring people together.”
Empowering PGA Professionals to Grow the Game
Golf has the power to change lives. The PGA REACH Carolinas Growth of the Game Grant is designed to empower PGA Professionals and Associates in their efforts to grow the game of golf while fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion across North and South Carolina. This grant program supports initiatives that align with the three pillars of the PGA REACH Foundation: Youth Player Development, Military Initiatives, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This grant supports initiatives that align with the three PGA REACH pillars:
- Youth Player Development – Clinics, leagues, camps, & mentorship
- Military Initiatives – PGA HOPE, veteran engagement, military family programs
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Programs for underrepresented groups, scholarships,
APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED
Grant Amounts: $500 – $2,000
- PGA Professionals & Associates in good standing with the Carolinas Section
- Programs that focus on growing the game & community outreach
- Initiatives that align with one or more PGA REACH pillars
Eligible Programs Include:
- Junior golf clinics, leagues & camps
- Adaptive golf & outreach for underrepresented communities
- PGA HOPE & veteran golf therapy programs
- School partnerships & community center golf initiatives
Funding Can Be Used For:
- Equipment & supplies
- Facility fees & transportation
- Instructor stipends
- Marketing & outreach efforts
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Complete the online application with details on your program’s goals, budget, and impact metrics.
Step 2: Application Review
Applications are evaluated by the PGA REACH Carolinas Committee, composed of a chairperson, two at-large members, and ten chapter representatives.
Step 3: Selection Process
Each application is scored based on:
- Alignment with PGA REACH pillars
- Community impact & inclusivity
- Program feasibility & financial need
- Innovation & sustainability
Application Questions
- Full Name
- PGA Member ID
- Phone Number
- Facility/Organization Name
- Facility/Organization Address
- Program Title
- Program Focus Area
- Program Description
- Community Impact
- Participant Numbers
- Program Budget
- Grant Usage
- Has your program been recognized Nationally, Regionally, or Locally
- Proposed Schedule of Programming for following year
- Supporting Documents to be Considered
- Provide a list of private donations in the last year
- Provide a list of other funding sources and amounts in the last year
- Current year budget
- Proposed annual budget for following year
- Proposed schedule of programming for following year
- Sample lesson plans
- Promotional documents
- Testimonial from a current or former participant
Applications are now closed for 2025. Stay tuned for 2026!
Grants will be awarded to programs falling under the following categories:
Youth Player Development
Support for initiatives that:
- Introduce the game to young golfers through clinics, leagues, and camps.
- Provide equipment, instruction, or access to facilities for underserved youth populations.
- Promote ongoing skill development, mentorship, and engagement in the sport.
Military Initiatives
Support for initiatives that:
- Offer golf as a form of recreation, rehabilitation, or therapy for veterans and active military members.
- Include family engagement opportunities for military families.
- Partner with local VA hospitals, military bases, or veteran organizations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Support for initiatives that:
- Engage underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
- Create golf programs designed for schools, community centers, or organizations serving diverse communities.
- Provide scholarships or resources to reduce financial barriers to participation in the sport.
- Staff positions/salaries/internships (stipends will be considered if necessary to grow a program)
- Purchasing, construction of or renovation of buildings and capital projects, vehicle purchase
- Computer and video equipment, swing analysis equipment
- Third party registration fees or dues
- Research projects
- Athletic teams or events
- Publications, audio visual or video projects
- Endowment funds, annual fund drives or fundraising
- Religious organizations, although programs with religious affiliation are eligible if the program benefits a larger community, not just members of the religious group or adherents
- Organizations that discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief
- Other foundations or organizations which distribute money to recipients of their own selection without input from or the approval of the PGA
This is a reimbursement-based grant – recipients must submit a Post-Grant Report at the end of their program, including:
- Impact metrics (participant numbers, testimonials, outcomes)
- Budget report with receipts for reimbursement
- Future Plans outlining any plans to sustain or expand the initiative.
- Photos & program highlights for potential PGA REACH Carolinas promotion
Q: How much funding can I receive?
A: Grants range from $500 to $2,000, depending on program scope and impact.
Q: When will I receive the funds?
A: This is a reimbursement-based grant. Funds will be provided after program completion once your Post-Grant Report & receipts are submitted.
Q: Can I apply for multiple grants?
A: You may receive funding no more than two consecutive years to ensure fairness and program diversity.
Q: Can I apply again if I don’t receive funding?
A: Absolutely! We encourage re-applying and can provide feedback to strengthen your next submission.
Still have questions? Contact PGA REACH Carolinas Program Manager, Mia Hayasaki via email at mhayasaki@pgahq.com