PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup
Presented by American Airlines
After holding off three teams within a one-stroke lead, the team from the Michigan PGA Section claimed victory at the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup presented by American Airlines
A clean scorecard — the team finished with a remarkable four-under par score of 31.
A clean scorecard — the team finished with a remarkable four-under par score of 31.
Team New England Receives The Journey Award
As we crowned our PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup Champions, we also celebrated the recipient of this year’s Journey Award – Team New England. The Journey Award is an annual recognition for the team and Section staff who has gone above and beyond to make the experience memorable for their team as they gear up for and travel to the Secretary’s Cup — all while embracing the experience from start to finish.
Our Heroes’ Major Championship
For PGA HOPE Graduates, the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup is an experience unlike any other. The event celebrates the PGA HOPE Program by providing a unique and memorable experience for our military Veterans and the PGA Professionals who work tirelessly to positively impact Veterans’ lives.
This annual event in conjunction with the week of PGA Championship, began in 2016 and is named after the Secretary of Veteran Affairs in recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding between the PGA of America REACH Foundation and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Each team is made up of four Veterans from a PGA HOPE program and one PGA or LPGA Professional.
In addition to being named as the Official Airline of the PGA of America, the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup – American Airlines is also the Official Airline of PGA HOPE and the Secretary’s Cup. Designed to elevate the travel experience for PGA of America Golf Professionals and thousands of PGA Championship and Ryder Cup spectators nationwide, American brings an unparalleled commitment to accessibility and connection to the game. Learn More →
Stories
For the first time in the event’s ten-year history, a team entirely composed of Vietnam War Veterans competed in the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup presented by American Airlines. It is a milestone that carries far more weight than the competition. The team from the Carolinas PGA Section led by Gary Schaal, PGA represents a generation that once returned home to silence and misunderstanding, but now is moving forward together in community and renewed purpose.
Stories
Every year at the beginning of PGA Championship week, we come together and celebrate a mission unlike any other — and with it a new story unfolds. This year, once again, we will rewrite a new story at the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup presented by American Airlines. In celebratory fashion, the tenth edition of this marquee event deeply embodies the spirit of PGA HOPE and how community, pride, passion and a healthy dose of competition come to a head for one weekend.
Past Champions
2026 - Team Michigan
Chester Valley Golf Club | Malvern, PA
2025 - Team North Florida
Carmel Country Club | Charlotte, NC
2024 - Team Carolinas
University of Louisville Golf Club | Louisville, KY
2023 - Team Northern Texas
Penfield Country Club | Penfield, NY
2022 - Team New Jersey
The Club at Indian Springs | Broken Arrow, OK
2021 - Team Kiawah Island
Osprey Point Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort | Kiawah Island, SC
2020 - Canceled Due to COVID-19
2019 - Team Charleston
Bethpage State Park | Farmingdale, NY
2018 - Team New Jersey
Whitmoor Country Club | Weldon Spring, MO
2017 - Team New Jersey
Charlotte Country Club | Charlotte, NC
2016 - Team Long Island
Fiddlers Elbow Country Club | Bedminster, NJ