Spark the Season of Joy
December 06, 2022 by PGA REACH
Happy Holidays!
We hope this message finds you and your families safe and healthy as we begin this joyful season. For many of us, this time of year can serve as a time to look back and see what we’ve accomplished—at PGA REACH, we have a lot to celebrate. In 2022, we expanded our programs, touched more lives, and continued our record-breaking campaigns. Golf triumphed, once again, as the great equalizer by providing opportunity and community to thousands. Through it all, from significant championships to smaller life-changing moments, the game continues to spark joy.
This holiday season, we’re taking time to reflect on and embrace the joy sparked by the game and its people. We think of the hard-working PGA Professional who is creating access to golf every day to hopefully ignite a new interest in a young girl or boy. We are reminded of the Veteran who, during a difficult time, stumbles upon a PGA HOPE program and decides to try something new—sparking a new-found purpose. Finally, we think about a young man who discovered his place in golf and is now on a career path that will inspire others.
The future is bright. In addition to these stories, the golf boom continues to inspire our team by engaging people through our key program pillars:
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Military Veterans – PGA HOPE: 7,500 new Veterans in 2022 and 10,000 new Veterans in 2023, on our way to a goal of 100,000 Veterans served in total by 2026.
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Diverse Communities & Inclusion – PGA WORKS: 600 young people from underrepresented and underserved communities in 2022 expanding to 700 young men and women in 2023, through 5 unique programs designed to holistically open the doors to golf. Over 140 student-athletes passed their Playing Ability Test during the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC). Additionally, the PWCC will be broadcasted live on Golf Channel in 2023.
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Youth – PGA Jr. League: 3,100 girls and boys through need-based and Military scholarships in 2022, growing to 4,500 kids in 2023, focusing on Title I Schools, Military Families, and All-Abilities Programs.
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PGA Places to Play: Responsible for infusing $750,000 into a matching grants campaign that will net $2M, designed to improve course conditions at the City of Tulsa golf courses. City Swing’s Golf Truck visited several Boys & Girls Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area to create fun golf experiences. Over 180 children were engaged, 92% had their first golf experience, 90% were kids of color, 89% had fun playing and learning golf and 74% of respondents would recommend golf to a friend.
We understand that statistics alone cannot capture how golf is impacting lives in communities across the country. All of this is possible because of your faithful support, passion, and friendship. To our PGA REACH Trustees, supporters, sponsors, program participants, PGA Professionals, and golf friends—thank you! Wishing you and your loved ones a restful and safe holiday season.
Meet Harrison Bruns…
Currently serving as a PGA WORKS Fellow in the South Central PGA Section, Harrison Bruns discovered golf as a way to jump-start his career and hopefully inspire others along the way. Earlier this year, Harrison got to visit PGA Frisco and tell us about how he got to where he is. PGA WORKS is creating opportunity for young professionals like Harrison in PGA Sections across the country. Simply put – PGA WORKS is designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce by exposing them to careers in the golf industry and beyond. Read more about Harrison’s journey here >>
Meet Colton Hensley…
Veteran Colton Hensley is sharing the joy that he found through the game of golf with others. This past fall, Colton had the opportunity to attend the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week in Washington, D.C. Now as a PGA HOPE Ambassador, he is taking a leadership role in the Carolinas by introducing other Veterans to the game and PGA HOPE. Similar to Colton, there are countless Veterans currently living in the United States who may be going through some difficult times. Led by PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE is using golf as an outlet for Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Learn more about Colton’s story here >>
Meet Ashaunta Epps…
Ashaunta Epps is a PGA Jr. League Coach who is bringing new opportunities to young girls and boys. Through the PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund, these opportunities are creating a newfound purpose and joy in the game of golf. The PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund is helping communities by providing children with the opportunity to learn, play and love the game of golf. Ultimately, the Scholarship Fund is removing barriers and opening doors for families to create lifelong memories through experiences that transcend golf. Learn more about Ashaunta’s story here >>
Meet Demarkis Cooper, PGA…
PGA Professional Demarkis Cooper is sparking change in the game of golf by introducing the sport to new people and places. As an Instructor at CitySwing, a Washington, D.C.-based indoor golf facility, he is breaking down barriers to the game for people of all backgrounds and abilities. Demarkis believes it is a group effort to invite others in to the game, and he’s starting at the ground-level to ensure everyone has a part to play in making the game more inviting. Read about Demarkis’s story >>
