NATIONAL PGA PROGRAMS TO IMPACT LIVES OF MICHIGAN PGA SECTION YOUTH, MILITARY & DIVERSE POPULATIONS LAUNCHED AT 79th KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 25, 2018 by PGA REACH

Benton Harbor, Mich., (May 21, 2018) — The Michigan PGA Foundation and PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, announced today at the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship the launch of three national foundation programs that will impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations locally and across the region.

PGA Jr. League (youth), PGA HOPE (military) and PGA WORKS Fellowship (diversity and inclusion) are impactful national programs offered within the Michigan PGA Section, designed to reach individuals and improve lives by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf.

“At our spectator Championships, it is always our goal to highlight the year-round charitable efforts of the host PGA Section,” PGA REACH Senior Director Ryan Cannon said. “As it relates to this week’s KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, PGA REACH is working closely with the Michigan PGA Foundation to grow national foundation programming in the area, and it’s exciting to see our national programs establish local roots.”

Each of these key pillars will have a day in the spotlight at this week’s Championship.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship program for the military pillar, introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Led by PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE has helped thousands of Veterans assimilate back into their communities through the social interaction the game of golf provides. PGA HOPE will be the focus on Tuesday.

May 22 — 2 p.m. — Photo opp at the Jeff Fettig Clock at Harbor Shores Paul Levy, President, PGA of America Chris Nowak, PGA HOPE Military and Veteran Liaison, former U.S. Marine corporal Jeff Fettig, Chairman, Whirlpool Corporation & PGA REACH Trustee Kyle Holmes, Harbor Shores General Manager Tyler Jablonski, First Assistant Professional Donations to develop programs will be accepted all week at the Championship Shops The Michigan PGA Section has one longstanding PGA HOPE program run by Bob Bales, PGA in Battle Creek, Michigan In 2018, Harbor Shores will conduct its first PGA HOPE program, run by Head Golf Professional Kyle Holmes, PGA and First Assistant Professional Tyler Jablonski, PGA The PGA WORKS Fellowship is the flagship program of the PGA’s diversity and inclusion pillar, aspiring to be the most valuable entry-level employment opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to garner experience in all facets of the golf industry. The PGA WORKS Fellowship will be the focus on Wednesday.

May 23 — All Day – Michigan Section PGA WORKS fellow Hanna Marcusse social media takeover In conjunction with the championship, Marcusse will do an Instagram takeover of @PGAWORKS on Wednesday, sharing her perspective of this unique opportunity for diverse populations The Michigan PGA Section recently introduced Marcusse as its first PGA WORKS fellow; she is a graduate of Central Michigan University and a resident of Lake City Launched in 2017, the PGA WORKS Fellowship will host 10 fellows across the country this year in the Michigan, Connecticut, Gateway, Middle Atlantic, Metropolitan, New Jersey, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio and South Florida PGA Sections; the long-term goal of the program is to have fellows in all 41 PGA Sections nationwide every year PGA Jr. League, which is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 13 and under to learn and enjoy the game of golf from PGA and LPGA Professionals, is the flagship program for the youth pillar. Saturday is PGA Jr. League Day.

May 26 — Kids Day Activities (open to all Juniors in attendance) 10-11:15 a.m. — KitchenAid Junior Cooking Event at KitchenAid Fairway Club 11:15-11:30 a.m. — PGA Jr. League team photo at the KitchenAid Fairway Club 12-1 p.m. — Inside the ropes at the first tee for PGA Jr. League members in uniform 1:30-2 p.m. — Snack at the YMCA Kids Zone 2-2:30 p.m. — John Dudley Magic Show at the YMCA Kids Zone 2:30-3 p.m. — Golf Ball decorating competition at the YMCA Kids Zone 3-4 p.m. — “Feed the Gator” competition at the YMCA Kids Zone In 2017, the Michigan PGA Section had over 1,200 PGA Jr. League participants In 2018, Harbor Shores will have its first PGA Jr. League team in coordination with First Tee of Benton Harbor, with all juniors receiving scholarships to participate For more information on PGA REACH, visit PGAREACH.org. To learn more about each pillar and the respective events planned this week, see the contacts below.

About PGA REACH

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

About the PGA of America

The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of PGA Professionals who daily work to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGA on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.

For More Information:

John Dever, PGA of America jdever@pgahq.com 561-360-9138

Nadine General, Dixon Schwabl Nadine_General@dixonschwabl.com 585-545-8227