PGA HOPE Carolinas (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is an adaptive golf program under the Carolinas PGA REACH Foundation. The programs are instructed by 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. There are twenty-eight locations in North and South Carolina with an emphasis on helping those with physical and emotional disabilities that would most benefit from our initiatives.
The PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup is an annual tournament held the Monday before the PGA Championship. It celebrates PGA HOPE graduates from around the country and highlights the shared values of service, community, and camaraderie. Since the inaugural event in 2016, the Carolinas Section has claimed victory three times. This year, PGA HOPE Wescott will proudly represent the section after they won the 2024 PGA HOPE Cup!
Established in 2015 by PGA HOPE Lead and 2020 Carolinas Patriot Award recipient Perry Green, PGA.
PGA HOPE Wescott Team will consist of four veterans and one PGA Professional:
- Caleb Vanderhorst – U.S. Navy
- Ryan White – U.S. Air Force
- Greg Miller – U.S. Army
- H.P. Bordeuax – U.S. Air Force
- Richard Sierzega, PGA – PGA Professional and PGA HOPE Instructor (Team Captain)
The team will be competing for the trophy on Monday, May 12 at Carmel Country Club in a five-person scramble.
MEET THE TEAM!
Caleb Vanderhorst
Military Branch: United States Navy
Years of Service: 2017 – Present
Rank: E-6
Caleb is an active duty Navy sailor (E-6) who found focus and balance through PGA HOPE. He’s been serving since 2017 and got stationed in Charleston in 2022, and that’s when his love for golf began. A deep passion for the game was sparked during a family trip to Ireland and a round at St. Andrew’s. Caleb joined PGA HOPE in 2023 and graduated in the fall. These days, he plays with the Navy team and is excited to keep learning and sharing the game he loves.
Ryan White
Military Branch: United States Air Force
Years of Service: 2016 – 2024
Rank at End of Service: E-5
Ryan White is an Air Force veteran who retired in 2024 as an E-5. He began playing golf in 2019 , but was a hockey player beforehand. He moved to the Charleston area 4 years ago and graduated from PGA HOPE Wescott in 2023. He continues to use PGA HOPE as an outlet and volunteers for the program.
Greg Miller
Military Branch: United States Army
Years of Service: 1984 – 2007
Rank at End of Service: E-9 Sergeant Major
Greg is originally from Illinois and found his way to Charleston in 2015. He served in the Army for 23 years and his rank at the end of his service was E-9 Sergeant Major. He was recruited to PGA HOPE and graduated from the program in Spring 2021, and he continues to be involved and volunteer today. He is an exemplary example of someone who uses golf as a tool for well-being.
H.P. Bordeaux
Military Branch: United States Air Force
Years of Service: 1992 – 2016
Rank at End of Service: 1992 – 2016
H.P. Bordeaux is an Air Force Veteran and he served for 24 years from 1992 until he retired as an E-7 Master Sergeant in 2016. Before graduating from PGA HOPE, he knew PGA HOPE Wescott Lead, Perry Green, PGA for years as Perry taught both of his daughters the game of golf. He stays very involved in the world of golf as a veteran, and plays in Veteran’s Golf Association tournaments.
Richard Sierzega, PGA
Operation 36 Instructor at The Links At Stono Ferry Golf Club
PGA HOPE Involvement: Since 2022
Richard has been a PGA member since 1979 and became PGA HOPE Certified in 2022. Richard has a special tie to the military, as his wife of 45 years was in the Air Force. He moved to Charleston in 2016 and has been involved with the PGA HOPE program at the Golf Club at Wescott Plantation. He will be the Team Captain for PGA HOPE Wescott!
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.
