Inaugural PGA REACH Carolinas Scramble Brings Together a Diverse Group of Golfers for a Wonderful Evening
From left to right: Andrew Hertel, Duke, UNC, and NC State ROTC, Bob Byrnes, PGA, Hope Valley, Yedith, Swing Pals, and Elaine Curry, Durham Ladies Golf
(Clayton, NC) — On Monday, the inaugural PGA REACH Carolinas scramble brought together a wide variety of golfers for a nine-hole team scramble at Pine Hollow Golf Club in Clayton, NC.
Seven official teams lined up for the nine-hole event on a beautiful summer evening, with the first group teeing off at 5:30 pm. Each foursome featured an eclectic mix of golfers that included one Carolinas Professional, one lady, one junior, and one Veteran.
The event was the creation of Rob Pilewski, PGA, Head Professional at Duke University Golf Club, who wanted to create an event that brought the three pillars of PGA REACH Carolinas– youth, military, and inclusion — together. With a diverse group of golfers, Pilewski wanted teams to work together and use their individual strengths to collectively solve the challenges of nine unique golf holes.
In order to turn his idea into reality, Pilewski reached out to his community, needing a host to get the idea off of the ground. Johnny Scott, PGA, the Director of Golf at Pine Hollow Golf Club immediately took up the call, graciously offering up the pristine Pine Hollow Golf Club front nine for the event. In addition, Pilewski received support from the rest of the Triangle Chapter leadership, including Robb Wade, PGA, Frank Zappulla, PGA, and Adam McLaughlin, PGA.
Pilewski also needed to find participants for the event, making sure that each foursome was outfitted with the necessary cast to compete. Again, Pilewski’s community was there to help him out, with Doug Hodges, PGA bringing in a strong crop of juniors from Swingpals and Brad Clayton, PGA bringing a fantastic group of Veterans from the Brotherhood of Warriors to the event.
The community continued to be a powerful theme during the event, with each new foursome immediately building strong connections on the first tee box. While each golfer brought their own set of experiences and knowledge to the group, the golfers were able to bond over their common love for the game that brought them all together.
In the end, the team of PGA Professional Gabriella Sinkovic, PGA, Veteran Julio Bocanegra, junior Ian McGee, and Bill Palladino (all pictured below from left to right) shot an impressive 7-under-par 28 over the nine holes to win the event by one stroke over their closest competitors.
While the event may have only produced one winning group on the course, everyone was all smiles after their round. By the end of the evening, groups had formed genuine friendships in just a few short hours.
Everyone at the event was excited about the new connections they had made, and many participants eagerly asked about the possibility of holding a similar event in the future. Pilewski envisions the event expanding to all chapters of the Carolinas PGA Section, and he wants to foster the relationships between these different groups of people at every golf club across the region.
Diverse teams of people make each individual stronger, and the inaugural PGA REACH Carolinas Scramble helped engage, enhance, and empower every single participant.
About PGA REACH Carolinas
The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the 41 sections in the United States of America. Our 2,000 members across North and South Carolina are committed to serving our communities and growing the game of golf through our three pillars- Youth, Military, and Diversity & Inclusion. For more information, please visit carolinas.pga.com/foundation/. You can also find PGA REACH Carolinas on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @REACHCarolinas.
About Pine Hollow Golf Club
At 6,900 yards and a Par 71, with the renovations over the past two decades, and the continual daily upkeep, Pine Hollow Golf Club has become one of the most desirable places to play in Eastern North Carolina and continues to be an important asset to the town of Clayton. For more information, click here.
For more photos from the event click here