The marathon is arguably one of the most coveted accomplishments in all of sports. It takes a certain determination, grit, accountability, and resilience that is unmatched in other competitions. There is an art to the marathon – a dance that intertwines both the strength of the body and the toughness of one’s spirit. It demands months of devoted training with countless miles, day after day and week after week, all building toward race day.
This feat of completing a marathon is accomplished by only about 0.1% of the world’s population every year. It’s not for the faint of heart (or legs) and is designed to push your body to its breaking point.
For fifteen PGA of America Members and one PGA HOPE Veteran Ambassador, they will take this challenge head-on come November 2 when they run the race of a lifetime in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. As they train and prepare for this race, the group is also raising support and awareness for the PGA of America REACH Foundation and its mission to impact lives and communities everywhere through the game of golf. Representing twelve PGA Sections, these individuals carry a whole lot of heart for the game of golf and what it can do for people’s lives – it’s why they’re running for REACH.
For two of the runners, Nick Madden from San Antonio and Scott Yurgalevicz from Philadelphia, their journeys have been ongoing – now for many weeks – as they get ready to take on all five boroughs and five bridges of New York City. We caught up with the two PGA of America Members to hear about what this whole experience has meant to them.
Why was signing up for this marathon and running for the PGA of America REACH Foundation so important to you?
SY: About six months prior to applying for the team, I had completed PGA HOPE training which was very interesting to me. I was realizing that there was this massive group of people in our Veteran communities who were using the game of golf for a greater purpose in their lives. I guess in a similar way, this is what I’m using the game of golf to do as well. Since I was young, I’ve been using the game to help shape why I do what I do now, and that has always been really important to me. With all sixteen of us running for PGA REACH, I hoped that there would be others out there who could be inspired by all that we’re doing as we train for the marathon.
NM: Growing up in the game, I never had programs like PGA Jr. League. I see how big and successful programs like that are today and it just goes to show how powerful the game of golf can be. The PGA of America REACH Foundation is creating those opportunities for people everywhere to come and enjoy the game as they are. Seeing these kids develop life skills and solid relationships with their parents and families is really gratifying for me, and having that first-hand experience now with PGA Jr. League inspired me to run for the larger mission of REACH.
Have you always been a runner? Or did it come later in your wellness/fitness journey?
SY: It’s a love-hate relationship for me. Growing up, I was not built to be a runner and I hated it. I didn’t gain an affinity towards running until a couple years ago when I decided to sign up for my first marathon – my father has this autoimmune disease that makes it harder for him to do the things he used to be able to do. So at the time, I asked myself, ‘What if this is the one and only marathon I get to run?’ So that mantra has, in a way, guided this journey as a runner to today as I gear up for my second marathon in New York City – something I still find hilarious to this day.
NM: Golf definitely came first for me – for me running was not ever something I got into seriously until later down the line. A lot of the inspiration I have for running came from my dad. When I was younger, he was really trying to challenge himself and get a little healthier. He and my sister signed up for a 5K and he ended up coming in last place in the race. After that moment, he said “Never again am I going to finish in last place in a 5K.” Since then he’s lost a lot of weight and has been on this really transformational journey running all kinds of races. Seeing him put himself on that track has motivated me to do the same.
Can you talk about how your training has gone in the past few weeks?
SY: I’m very much a details-guy, but the first marathon I ran in – there was not much of a plan that I stuck to. I’ve learned my lesson from that, so this time around, I’m trying to focus more on how I can be purposeful in my training. When I teach golf, I love all the details – I like knowing the stats, the numbers, strokes gained, you name it. I’ve gone as far to literally video tape myself running to see how I can improve my form… just like a golf swing. So I feel like that has been really nice for me to find where I’m comfortable in my training runs while still being able to hit my goals.
NM: I’ve been able to use the Runna app, which has allowed me to visualize my training plan a lot easier. As a golf professional at a busy club, our schedules are not always consistent so it’s been nice to be able to use this app to adjust my workouts throughout the week. It’s allowed me to stay consistent, but still remain flexible to ensure I’m getting the proper miles in. If I can’t get a run in, I’ve been using a Peloton bike at home to ensure I’m still getting my heart rate up and working on my VO2 max levels. Yoga has also been super nice for me to maintain my flexibility and strength, especially for when I do my longer training runs.
Scott, you’ve already referenced a little your experience with your first marathon you ran in Philadelphia. Can you talk a little more about what you learned about yourself from that race?
SY: It was an amazing experience, the Philly Marathon really is special. I was able to start the race off really well – like I PR’d probably every mile marker through a half-marathon. I was definitely coming out of the gates hot and heavy. Around mile 19 or 20, I had hit a wall – all of a sudden it felt like someone was jamming an icepick into my knee with every step, and it was excruciating. But I knew I had to keep going and I was not about to throw all of that training away. It became less about how much time I’m going to do this race in and more about asking myself if I can drag my rear end six more miles across the finish line. I think I learned a lot about what the human body is actually capable of and that it can go way past what we think we are capable of, and that is why I was inspired to do it again.
Nick, you mentioned how your dad is a big source of motivation and inspiration behind you running your first marathon in New York. Can you talk about that relationship and what it means to have him by your side along this journey?
NM: It’s funny, he’s 61 years old now, and when my sister and I say we’re going to go run with dad – it’s not running with him, we’re just chasing him. Not only in this journey of training for the marathon, but life in general, he’s been an incredible mentor to me and sets a really great example that I’m always going to want to live up to. Not only does he do this for himself, but those same values translate over into how he’s led our family and that’s always something I’ve looked up to. He’s been a big resource for me and an ear to bend because of all his experiences so far in running other races. It’s been really special to have him by my side, not only throughout my training but in my life too.
Can you share a little bit about what it means to be representing the rest of the PGA of America Membership and those in your Section, or members at the facilities you both work at?
SY: I’m very much a proud PGA of America Member and how I’ve navigated my career within this game and industry that I love. I’m probably never going to get to play in a PGA Championship as a Member, but getting to run in this race is sort of that for me. It’s about setting out with a goal and working towards it. I wear a lot of different logos between where I work and who I work for, and my goal is to just represent those people the best that I can. While I have a time goal in mind for this race, I know it doesn’t mean I represent these groups in a bad light if I don’t meet that goal.
NM: This will be my first-ever marathon, so I figured why not go big and run New York City? I think it’s that we’re a group representing all of the PGA of America Membership and show that we’re not just golfers, but we’re capable of so much more – and that we can still give back to the golfing community in an out-of-the-box way aside from hosting a fundraiser at our facility. It feels really cool to be one of those individuals representing the Membership both in my Section, at my club and across the country. It makes it more meaningful to know that I’m not just doing this for myself.
What would you say to other PGA of America Members who are considering running for the PGA of America REACH Foundation in the TCS New York City Marathon?
SY: I would say go for it – even if you are not necessarily a runner or have a background in running. It’s definitely scary, and overwhelming and requires a lot of time, effort and planning. It’s amazing to see how you can apply yourself to something and really see some transformation on the other side, and that’s what it’s all about. Getting to run for PGA REACH is such a great cause, especially as a PGA of America Members, but the personal growth you experience is amazing.
NM: Absolutely do it, answer the call to support. If it even remotely interests you, it’s worth going for. I never in my life thought that I would run a full marathon, but just thinking about it after I’ve done some other races there is something inside that is saying ‘Go bigger and push yourself.’ See what your body is capable of and go for it.
What are you most looking forward to for race weekend and/or race day in New York City?
SY: I’m really excited to meet all of the other members of Team REACH. We’re all sort of in this little community that spans across the country and all of our different Sections, but we’ve never all been together. So I think it will be a really cool experience to actually be in the same place because we’ve all been going on this journey together, and it will be time to actually run the race that we’ve been preparing so hard and so long for.
NM: I’m excited to get to experience this whole thing as a team, and getting to relish in this collective goal we all have together. It will be really cool to make it to that moment and reflect thinking ‘We made it, we’re here!’ and just getting to enjoy that moment together.
You can support Team REACH as they prepare for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon on November 2 by visiting the Team’s Official Fundraising Page. For more information, visit www.pgareach.org/running-for-reach.