Kiawah Island, SC (November 2022) – On Monday, November 8, 2022, 60 United States Military Veterans and 15 PGA Professionals gathered at Kiawah Island Golf Resort at Cougar Point Golf Course for the 5th Annual PGA REACH Carolinas HOPE Cup presented by TD Bank. The participating Veterans were graduates from the flagship military program of PGA REACH: PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) which offers free adaptive golf training for disabled Veterans. These Veterans came from all skill levels, branches of service, disabilities, and walks of life. 

During the opening ceremony, Colton Hensley, 2022 PGA HOPE Carolinas Ambassador, spoke of his experiences with PGA HOPE and gave words of encouragement to the Veterans. Paul Suggs, Chaplain for PGA HOPE Charleston, honored the memory of their lost service member, Gunny Burge, through a moment of silence. 

This year, 15 of the 16 PGA HOPE Carolinas programs brought a team composed of four Veterans and one PGA Professional in this 9 hole scramble event. The round was played on the front nine of the beautiful Cougar Point Golf Course at the famed Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  After their round, participants enjoyed a luncheon on the back lawn of the clubhouse compliments of TD Bank. Each team shared laughs and stories throughout the day, and were genuinely thrilled to be a part of this event together. Linda McGuigan, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, spoke on behalf of TD Bank by providing information, support, and praise to our nation’s heroes. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, John Brooker, spoke on behalf of the UNC Military and Veterans Law Clinic and shared essential legal resources and guidance for our veterans.

PGA Lead Professional Michael Smith from PGA HOPE Daniel Island captained the team of Curt Thomas (Air Force), Derek Dryden (Navy), Luke Howard (Air Force), and Tim Pope (Air Force) with an impressive 9-under score to capture the HOPE Cup. Their team will also receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the PGA of America Secretary’s Cup during the week of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, NY in May 2023.  The Carolinas PGA would like to thank TD Bank and the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for making this an incredible experience for our nation’s heroes!

More photos from the event can be found here.