6th Annual PGA REACH Carolinas HOPE Cup presented by TD Bank Comes to Completion on Kiawah Island
PGA HOPE Parris Island Has a One-Way Ticket to 2024 Secretary’s Cup
Kiawah Island, S.C. – Kiawah Island Resort – Cougar Point hosted yet another wonderful PGA REACH Carolinas HOPE Cup yesterday where seventeen teams competed in a 9-hole scramble competition. The event began and ended in excitement, beginning with an Armed Forces Mixer on Sunday evening and ending with a walk-off chip-in by PGA HOPE Parris Island to secure their spot in the 2024 Secretary’s Cup in Louisville, KY.
The PGA REACH Carolinas HOPE Cup allows participating Veterans & Active Duty Military who have graduated from the flagship military program of PGA REACH Carolinas, PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), to have an all-expenses paid trip to a luxury golf course where food and helpful resources are provided. PGA HOPE offers free adaptive golf training for disabled Veterans who come from all skill levels, branches of service, disabilities, and walks of life.
Seventeen teams composed of one PGA Professional and four Veterans/Active Duty Military showed up to Cougar Point Golf Course for the Armed Forces mixer where players ate, laughed, shared stories, had a time of fellowship, and were provided with legal and financial resources thanks to TD Bank and the UNC Chapel Hill Military and Veterans Law Clinic.
Monday morning, players were eager to take on Gary Player’s design at Kiawah Island Resort’s Cougar Point course. All 85 players competed their hearts out but it was the team from PGA HOPE Parris Island who took home the hardware. With an invitation sent out to 21 different programs, competition was broken down into two divisions. Nine teams competed on the front nine and 8 teams competed on the back. PGA HOPE Parris Island led by Jeff Harris, PGA & PGA HOPE Charlotte lead by Roger Mack, PGA were the front & back division winners shooting ten & eight under respectively. Both teams competed in a playoff on the 18th hole where PGA HOPE Parris Island veteran, Joseph Reese (Marine Corps) chipped in from 50 yards (see video here!). The crowd erupted in cheers and anyone within a hundred yards could feel the joy and excitement that ensued!
The team was made up of PGA Professional Jeff Harris, United States Marine Corps Veterans Joseph Reese (a), Kevin Strickroth (a), Earl White (a) and United States Air Force Veteran Tom Sams (a). Jeff and his team will receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the PGA of America Secretary’s Cup during the week of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, KY in May 2024. Although the trip to Kentucky is certainly a highlight, that moment shared on the 18th green is a moment that Joseph Reese and his team will never forget.
“The PGA HOPE program is invaluable. These guys have learned to develop new friendships and new skills in golf. It gives them a reason to come out and enjoy life again, for many of them. As a PGA professional, no question, it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done… It’s just so exciting. [Going to the 2024 Secretary’s Cup] My guys are on top of the world. We are looking forward to doing that and representing the Carolinas well.”
– Jeff Harris, PGA (PGA HOPE Parris Island Lead)
The Carolinas PGA would like to thank TD Bank, UNC Chapel Hill Military and Veterans Law Clinic, and the entire staff at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Cougar Point for making this an incredible experience for our nation’s heroes!