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PGA REACH Foundation

Website

https://www.pgareach.org

The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. Their mission is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections, and the game of golf. 

The first pillar, Youth, houses initiatives like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt. PGA Jr. League brings golf instruction, opportunities, and accessibility to young girls and boys all over the country. Scholarship opportunities through the PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund are also available to bring new joy to kids through the game of golf. PGA Jr. League serves children ages 17 and younger in two different divisions: 13U and 17U and there are year-round playing opportunities throughout facilities nationwide. Stephen Curry, Rickie Fowler, Alex Morgan, Rory McIlroy, and Lexi Thompson are just a few athletes who impact and support the PGA Jr. League by being ambassadors. Drive, Chip & Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. The National Finals will take place this Sunday before the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

The second pillar is the Military. PGA REACH’s life-changing program called PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. This program introduces golf through a 6-8 week program led by PGA of America Golf Professionals who are trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. Programming is free to all Veterans to participate. PGA HOPE also has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs which creates direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. In 2024, PGA HOPE will impact over 17,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military nationwide and all 50 states host HOPE Programs. The Carolinas PGA section hosts 25 programs across North and South Carolina and has impacted the lives of over 3,000 veterans since 2015. 

The third pillar of PGA REACH is Diversity & Inclusion. Through this pillar, the flagship program, PGA WORKS, is designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce by leveraging fellowships, scholarships, and career exploration events. PGA WORKS Fellowship Alumni have had an 85% placement rate for full-time employment after fellowship. PGA REACH also hosts the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry. At a national level since 2018, individuals impacted by PGA WORKS have been awarded 47 scholarships, worked in numerous PGA Sections, and hosted over 100 student-athletes. Currently, all PGA WORKS Fellows from the Carolinas Section have found full time employment into the golf industry. 

To check out more about PGA REACH, its different pillars, and how you can support, please use the following link: https://www.pgareach.org/. For more information, please visit carolinas.pga.com/foundation/. You can also find PGA REACH Carolinas on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram @REACHCarolinas.