Myrtle Beach, SC — July 8, 2025 — The Carolinas PGA and PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation are proud to announce that Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Chris Aranda has been selected to represent the Carolinas Section at the 6th Annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week (NGWW), taking place October 8–14, 2025, at the prestigious Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

Chris was chosen from a group of remarkable PGA HOPE graduates nominated throughout the country. His unmatched dedication, grassroots leadership, and tireless advocacy for Veterans made him a standout selection to serve as a PGA HOPE Carolinas Ambassador.

Chris Aranda: A Veteran Leader on a Mission to Serve

A retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class with three decades of service (1984–2014), Chris Aranda has become a transformative figure in the PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach community. Since graduating from the inaugural PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach session in 2020, Chris has dedicated himself to helping fellow Veterans reconnect through golf, what he calls both his “therapy” and “medication.”

“Golf has allowed me to have a safe place in my life,” says Aranda. “It continues to connect me with those who have served in uniform. Golf is therapy!”

Aranda first got involved in PGA HOPE after being introduced by Gary Schaal, PGA, Executive Director of Project Golf  & former president of the PGA of America. At the time, Gary was working to establish PGA HOPE in the Myrtle Beach area and Aranda quickly took action.

“I helped recruit our first 30 Veterans for that session,” he recalls. “That’s how my journey began.”

Currently working full-time as a VA Outreach Specialist, Chris has since:

  • Volunteered at 29 consecutive PGA HOPE sessions 
  • Mentored over 560 PGA HOPE graduates 
  • Raised over $6,000 for PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach in 2024 
  • Founded the PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach League to foster alumni engagement 
  • Helped establish May 9th as ‘PGA HOPE Day’ in South Carolina through state-level advocacy

His impact is not only wide-reaching, it’s deeply personal.

“Working for the Dept of Veterans Affairs has afforded me the opportunity to connect our community of veterans and identify their mental health needs. Having the opportunity to witness a mentally broken combat veteran prior to enrollment and 6 weeks later, having a sense of purpose upon completion of PGA HOPE never gets old.”

Known by many as “a Veteran’s Veteran,” Chris also serves as the warm, welcoming presence that opens every weekly PGA HOPE session, checking in on participants, listening to their needs, and making sure no Veteran feels unseen.

Creating Lifelong Connections Through Golf

Recognizing the importance of ongoing support, Aranda founded the PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach League to keep alumni engaged after graduation.

“We wanted to eliminate any barriers to staying involved,” says Chris. “So we created the league to ensure our graduates had a way to stay connected through the game of golf. Our PGA HOPE Graduates truly enjoy these outings.”

His efforts were recently honored when May 9th was officially designated as ‘PGA HOPE Day’ in South Carolina.

“It served as a true recognition from community and state legislators that PGA HOPE is saving the lives of America’s Heroes,” he says. “It will continue to serve as a special day for our PGA HOPE program.”

Looking Ahead to PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week

This October, Chris will join 19 other PGA HOPE Ambassadors from across the country for a transformative week of elite golf instruction, wellness experiences, and leadership development at Congressional Country Club.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with other PGA HOPE programs, identifying positive learning lessons from others, and in return improving my own chapter,” he says. “Locally I hope to continue to share our mission statement with the community, and at the national level the sky is the limit.  I look forward to contributing to its success.”

Celebrating All Carolinas Nominees: Veterans of Purpose, Leadership, and Heart

While Aranda will serve as an official Carolinas Section Ambassador, the Carolinas PGA HOPE team is proud to recognize the exceptional Veterans nominated from programs throughout the Section. Each of these individuals embodies the mission of PGA HOPE and represents the profound power of the program.

Jeffrey Taylor – PGA HOPE Southern Pines

A former U.S. Army and Army Reserve servicemember, Jeffrey joined PGA HOPE in 2024 and has since become a vibrant local ambassador in action. Known for his laughter, mentorship, and compassion, Jeffrey speaks at graduations, fundraises tirelessly (raising over $5,000 for various causes), and even brings joy to his community as Santa Claus each December. His idea to create a local version of the PGA HOPE Cup reflects his commitment to unity, service, and growth.

Jim Lewis – PGA HOPE Raleigh

After serving on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and earning engineering degrees at Virginia Tech, Jim faced a life-changing spinal injury in 2021. Undeterred, he drives over an hour to attend PGA HOPE classes in Raleigh and inspires everyone with his resilience. As a participant in the National Disabled Veterans’ Golf Clinic and an active VFW member, Jim proves that the love of the game, and of life, can overcome even the greatest challenges.

Mike Washington – PGA HOPE Aiken

A U.S. Army veteran of 36 years and retired Colonel, Mike is a recent graduate of the Spring 2025 PGA HOPE Aiken program. Now serving as Director of Veteran Affairs for Edgefield County, Mike emerged as a steady, quiet leader in his cohort, offering encouragement, building community, and ensuring every participant felt welcomed and seen. He has been instrumental in growing local program awareness and represents the spirit of service in and beyond uniform.

Ronald Listenberger – PGA HOPE Greensboro

A 20-year Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ron has been involved in PGA HOPE Greensboro since 2017. His outreach has helped grow the program locally, inspiring Veterans to start community-focused fundraising events. Ron fundraises enthusiastically, and volunteers weekly at Gillespie Golf Course. He’s a loyal advocate who lives the values of PGA HOPE on and off the course.

Skipper J. Smith – PGA HOPE Buies Creek

A 31-year Army veteran, Skipper Smith joined the inaugural PGA HOPE Keith Hills program in 2023 and returned as an Alumni Assistant in 2024. His fundraising initiative, “Squares for Scotty,” raised over $1,200 for PGA HOPE. Known for his warm, passionate support of fellow Veterans, Skipper regularly shares the program’s benefits with others while working at Keith Hills Golf Course, earning him the title of “Unofficial Ambassador” for PGA HOPE Buies Creek.

Looking Ahead

As PGA HOPE continues to grow, the Carolinas Section remains grateful for all our nominees, Veterans who remind us daily why this program changes lives.

For more information on PGA HOPE or to support our Veteran programming, visit:
https://carolinas.pga.com/foundation/pga-hope/

About PGA REACH Carolinas
 PGA REACH Carolinas is the charitable foundation of the Carolinas PGA Section. Through its Youth, Military, and Inclusion pillars, it aims to positively impact lives through the game of golf.

About PGA HOPE
 PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to Veterans and active-duty military to support their physical, mental, and social well-being. PGA HOPE is offered at no cost and led by PGA Professionals trained to meet the needs of the military community.

Follow PGA HOPE Carolinas on Social Media
Facebook: PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach & PGA REACH Carolinas
Instagram: @REACHCarolinas