Raleigh, NC — July 8, 2026 — The Carolinas PGA and PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation are proud to announce that United States Navy Veteran Jim Lewis has been selected to represent the Carolinas Section at the 7th Annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week (NGWW). The event will take place October 14–20, 2026, at the prestigious Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

Jim was chosen from an incredibly competitive pool of remarkable PGA HOPE graduates nominated across the country. His infectious positivity, grit, and natural ability to advocate for his peers made him a standout selection to serve as a national PGA HOPE Ambassador.

Jim Lewis: A Voice for Adaptive Golf and Lifelong Service

Jim began his life of service in 1981 by joining the United States Navy, where he served with distinction maintaining critical electrical systems on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Decades later, in 2021, Jim faced a life-altering event that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than letting the injury distance him from his lifelong love for golf—a passion sparked by his father at just six years old—Jim used the challenge to inspire others.

Before even finding his local PGA HOPE chapter, Jim became a regular fixture at the National Disabled Veterans’ Golf Clinic from 2021 to 2024, helping veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and visual impairments reconnect with the game.

When Jim joined the PGA HOPE Raleigh program as a student in September 2024, his impact was immediate. Despite driving over an hour each way to attend classes, he stepped up not just as a participant, but as a peer leader. Jim is a vibrant, smiling light on the range who treats every fellow veteran like an old friend, making everyone feel like they belong.

At the Carolinas Wellness Week event, Jim took center stage to deliver a highly impactful presentation on adaptive golf. By demonstrating how his SoloRider works, he showed fellow veterans, PGA HOPE Leads, and staff exactly how individuals in a sitting position can excel at the game.

“PGA HOPE gave me more than the opportunity to play golf again,” says Lewis. “It gave me confidence, purpose, friendship, and a way to help other veterans discover that life after injury can still be filled with growth, achievement, and hope.” 

Advancing the Mission in a High-Demand Hub

Jim’s selection comes at a critical time for his home chapter. PGA HOPE Raleigh is a massive, high-demand hub for veterans that currently faces a substantial participant waitlist. Under PGA HOPE Lead Professional Rick Hengstenberg, the program has raised over $20,000 in supplemental funding through initiatives like the 100 Holes for HOPE fundraiser.

As a National Ambassador, Jim will be a vital asset in managing this incredible growth. His deep familiarity with adaptive equipment and his natural capacity for peer advocacy make him the perfect regional liaison to help welcome incoming veterans, speak at local community events, and keep program graduates engaged long-term through post-program activities.

Looking Ahead to Congressional Country Club

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

He plans to bring the advanced skills and national network he builds back to North Carolina to keep paying it forward. With his trademark infectious smile, his passion for connecting with others, and his dedication to the veteran community, Jim Lewis is fully prepared to make a lasting impact on a national level.

Celebrating All 2026 Carolinas Nominees: Veterans of Purpose, Leadership, and Heart

While Jim will serve as the official Carolinas Section Ambassador at National Golf & Wellness Week, the Carolinas PGA HOPE team is incredibly proud to recognize the exceptional veterans nominated from programs throughout our Section. Each of these individuals embodies the core mission of PGA HOPE and represents the profound power of this community.

  • David Daughtry – PGA HOPE Bermuda Run
    • A highly decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. David Daughtry served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, earning the Navy Achievement Medal and serving as an elite electronics instructor and Navy golf team captain. Following his service, David channeled his passion for leadership and mentorship into civilian life, earning degrees in physics, biochemistry, and optometry before establishing a successful local practice. A dedicated PGA HOPE member, David uses his rich background in team dynamics and community engagement to foster resilient connections among fellow veterans, serving as an inspiring example of how military service and the game of golf can create a lasting impact. 
  • Ron Listenberger – PGA HOPE Greensboro
    • A retired U.S. Army Combat Medic and Special Operations Recruiter, Ron Listenberger graduated from PGA HOPE in the spring of 2025 and serves as the Greensboro chapter’s local ambassador. Since 2017, Ron has dedicated his time to recreating the deep military brotherhood and sisterhood he cherishes, while also giving back as a First Tee instructor and board member for the JustOne Foundation. A passionate veteran advocate who recently completed the Carolinas PGA Health and Wellness Retreat, he helps the chapter thrive by driving fundraising efforts and ensuring fellow veterans find a supportive, life-changing community on the course. 
  • Skipper (Skip) J. Smith – PGA HOPE Buies Creek
    • A retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with over 31 years of active-duty service, Skipper J. Smith deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia before graduating from PGA HOPE in 2023. Now serving as the Local Ambassador for the Buies Creek program, Skip has helped facilitate eight classes and graduate over 200 fellow veterans at Keith Hills and Methodist University. A passionate advocate and fundraiser who recently attended the inaugural Health and Wellness Retreat, he helps his chapter thrive by raising thousands of dollars and dedicating his leadership to ensuring more veterans find life-changing camaraderie and wellness on the golf course. 

Looking Ahead

As PGA HOPE continues to grow across North and South Carolina, the Carolinas Section remains deeply grateful for all our nominees—veterans who remind us daily why this program changes and saves lives.

For more information on PGA HOPE or to support our veteran programming, visit:

https://carolinas.pga.com/foundation/pga-hope/