PGA of America Member, Gary Schaal was told that the Carolinas PGA Section was going to send in a nomination to have a team compete in the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup presented by American Airlines this year outside Philadelphia. Schaal, past president of the PGA of America and a member of the Hall of Fame, nodded, figuring it’d be a longshot. He knows that many worthy teams apply each year to be one of only twelve squads playing.
The Carolinas PGA team made it through the first set of cuts and, ultimately, was selected to play in the event May 11 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania.
“I was surprised,” Schaal said. “I thought nothing of it and then, next thing I know we get a call and we’re in, which now I realize was because of the unusual nature of our team.”
Unusual, yes. Historic and inspirational, however, are words that are far more appropriate.
For the first time at the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, a team composed entirely of Vietnam Veterans will compete. It is a milestone that carries far more weight than just the competition. As the tenth edition of the event unfolds, the team captained by Schaal with Thomas Boyd, Russell Combs, Ed Courtney and Bobby Pappas represents a generation that once returned home to silence and misunderstanding but now is moving forward together in camaraderie and purpose.
For our Veterans and Active Duty Service Members who have graduated from their hometown PGA HOPE program, the Secretary’s Cup is a unique experience for the participating graduates and their lead PGA of America Golf Professional. Established in 2016, the event is a salute to PGA HOPE and all that it stands for. The event also recognizes the PGA of America REACH Foundation’s long-standing partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
At the center of this team is Schaal, a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force Veteran, who is more than an instructor, he is a bridge toward healing. His career accolades are impressive and he’s a titan in the game, but it is his shared military experience that matters most.
“We did some interviews the other night with a local TV station,” Schaal said, “and it was interesting that guys immediately, when interviewed, went back to when they returned from Vietnam and said, ‘you know, we weren’t welcomed back very well, and this really feels good. We’re kind of getting our welcome home session now.’”
“I didn’t realize how important this was to me,” Schaal said. “I watch it every week, I get to see these guys demonstrate what right looks like. They make good choices, they’re oriented, they’re focused, they care about people, and that’s what right looks like to me.”
Boyd, a Marine Veteran, was wounded in action three times in Vietnam and awarded three Purple Hearts. He lived with PTSD and survivor’s guilt that kept him isolated for years upon his return. Before discovering PGA HOPE, he rarely left his house. On the course, Boyd found understanding without judgment. As his confidence grew, so did his sense of purpose. Today, he is one of the most active advocates in the program and personally has referred more than 30 Veterans. He calls newcomers before their first session, sits with those who feel anxious, and follows up when someone does not return to a class when they said they would. He has mentored multiple participants through the entire program and rarely misses a session himself.
“It takes me out of myself to help somebody else,” Boyd said. “Just to see the expression on a Veteran’s face, playing golf for the first time, watching them hit a good shot. It makes me happy.”
Combs, a former U.S. Army infantry platoon leader, brings a quiet presence to the team. PGA HOPE provided for him a routine, community, and a renewed sense of belonging. For five consecutive years, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Combs has shown up consistently and has become a quiet anchor for others navigating anxiety and depression. His presence has been something Veterans have learned to count on, which has made a profound difference.
Courtney, a U.S. Marine Corps communications officer, represents a different stage of the journey. He is a recent graduate of PGA HOPE, and before discovering the program, managed his PTSD by staying busy and keeping others at arm’s length. Golf has offered a new kind of therapy for him. Meaningful conversations happened between shots and he discovered that thoughts and emotions he had long kept hidden were shared by others. Now, the weekly golf group he joined has become his primary social circle. The connections extend beyond the course, forming a network of trust and support.
Courtney’s calm demeanor and ability to relate to others’ struggles have made him a sought-after mentor, particularly for veterans experiencing acute PTSD symptoms. His impact reaches even further. Through youth clinics, he works with children of military families, modeling patience, resilience, and leadership. In one notable case, he helped a Veteran who had not left his home in six months re-engage with the world—starting with just a single round of golf.
“We’ve got some terrific people involved that promote the program,” Courtney said. “Anytime I’m playing golf away from PGA HOPE, I’m telling Veterans, ‘you need to go through this program. Not only will it help with golf, but it’ll just help you with your contact with other Veterans.’ It’s just a great program.”
Pappas, a U.S. Army communications sergeant, is one of the Veterans documented in the war comedy drama film “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.” His story includes not only military service but also battles with addiction. For years, Pappas concealed those struggles, but PGA HOPE offered a space where those walls could come down without judgment. Today, Pappas pays that support forward by driving Veterans to appointments, helping those facing financial hardship, and mentoring those in recovery. His humor brings levity to heavy moments, reminding others, and himself, to just keep going.
“I’m the type of guy when I go for a lesson, I’m nervous,” Pappas said. “But they made I was comfortable and took away my inhibitions. Now I’m just trying to give back what’s been given to me.”
Schaal. Boyd. Combs. Courtney. Pappas. American heroes who served time in Vietnam and now come together as a team for the Secretary’s Cup. Their participation is not just about the competition. It’s about making sure that a generation that was often overlooked realizes how much they are appreciated.
But Schaal knows that he can’t present that sort of a message to his team.
“This is about enjoying each other’s company,” Schaal said. “It’s not about winning or losing. But if I tell them that at dinner, they’ll look at me and say, ‘Oh no, we’re going there to win.’ I’ll lose my audience quickly with a statement like that.”
No matter the message and no matter the goal, when they step onto the first tee May 11 at Chester Valley for the Secretary’s Cup they’ll make history. Yes, the Carolinas PGA squad is bonded by decades of history, resilience and brotherhood. It is a moment long overdue, and one that ensures their stories will be remembered and honored in the way they always deserved.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is on a mission unlike any other – to change and save Veteran’s lives through the power of golf. The program introduces and teaches golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, the program is inclusive of a developmental 6-8 week curriculum. All programs are provided at no cost to all participating Veterans. To learn more or donate, visit www.pgahope.com.