Alex Venker Selected to Represent Carolinas Section at PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness Week
Greensboro, NC – PGA HOPE Carolinas is pleased to announce that Alex Venker has been selected to represent the Carolinas Section at the fifth annual PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness Week and will be recognized going forward as a PGA HOPE Carolinas Ambassador! The event will be held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on October 15-19, 2024.
Venker is a Charlotte, North Carolina native, or as some would describe him, “A Deeply Rooted Charlottean”. He attended Stratford University in Alexandria, Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management. Venker nobly served in the United States Army from May 2009 until November 2014, where he was selected as Top 5% of US Army Infantrymen, upon many other experiences and honors. He is currently the Strategic Account Director on the Majors Select team for ThoughtSpot in Charlotte. His extensive professional background includes valuable experience in outreach, sales, and event planning. He has also been a volunteer and ambassador for Veterans Bridge Home the past six years. Venker is a PGA HOPE Charlotte Graduate from the Spring class of 2022. He began playing the game at a young age at East Lake Golf Club; it has continued to be a source of joy and community for him. His love for the game resonates with the mission of PGA HOPE and has translated to his participation with the program. Since his graduation, he has raised awareness of PGA HOPE through direct referrals with fellow service members, and has participated in events such as the PGA HOPE Cup and 2nd Annual TPC Freedom Foundation Pro-Am.
His dedication will play a vital role in the planning and execution of the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup in association to the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. While Venker’s professional background and golf experiences are essential for the growth of PGA HOPE and beyond, he has been nominated to represent the Carolinas section for many reasons beyond that. He has been described by many as determined, passionate, well spoken, affable, honest, and trustworthy. He has shown characteristics of a natural born leader who fosters positive environments, and makes every team member feel valued and respected. He is committed to giving back, possessing a servant’s spirit and the ability to connect with others.
It is clear Venker is an ideal representative for the Carolinas Section at the PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness Week. He has many qualities that the section, his colleagues, and friends feel reflect the mission of PGA HOPE and can inspire the future of the program and its participants. The Section is confident Alex Venker will represent the Carolinas well and absorb this distinguished opportunity.
About PGA HOPE Carolinas – PGA HOPE Carolinas (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is an adaptive golf program offered by our PGA Professionals as a rehabilitation tool to improve our Veterans’ quality of life by enhancing their mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being. There is NO COST to our Veterans. We serve our Veterans at twenty-six locations in North and South Carolina with an emphasis on helping those with physical and emotional disabilities that would most benefit from our initiatives.
About PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness Week – Over the course of five days in Washington DC, select PGA HOPE Veterans will receive a tool kit of new skills focused on advanced golf instruction and impactful wellness training. This curriculum will be an extension to what Veterans have been learning throughout the year at their home PGA HOPE program. Golf instruction will be provided by the most respected PGA Members from around the country, and wellness instruction will be provided by leaders in Veteran healthcare from the Cohen Veteran Network (CVN). The curriculum will cover topics like nutrition, stress management, mental health and life skills. At night, group dinners will provide the opportunity to engage with golf’s most iconic figures and will encourage Veterans to share stories of how golf has impacted their lives both on and off the course. The final day of the event will culminate with a golf outing at Congressional Country Club, where Veterans will have the opportunity to utilize the public speaking and networking skills they learned throughout the week as Ambassadors of PGA HOPE.