The PGA of America has announced the roster of 10 PGA of America Golf Professionals who will compete on the United States Team against Great Britain & Ireland in the 31st PGA Cup. The biennial competition will take place Sept. 10-15, at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.
The U.S. Team was determined through a two-year point system, which included the 2023-24 PGA Professional Championships and 2023-24 PGA Championships.
“I could not be more proud of these 10 men who, through their stellar play and commitment to the game, earned their spots on the 2024 U.S. PGA Cup Team,” says U.S. Team Captain Jim Richerson.
The U.S. Team will be led by Ben Polland (pictured) of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the 2024 PGA Professional Champion, and Michael Block (Mission Viejo, California), the 2022 and 2023 PGA Professional Player of the Year.
Hosting charitable outings and events is a regular part of the job for many PGA of America Golf Professionals. The power of golf to raise funds is now being harnessed to help PGA of America Members through a charitable event in the New Jersey PGA Section.
Golf Gives is hosting its third annual golf event this month at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. The event and charity was started by David Reasoner, Ridgewood’s PGA of America Head Professional and the national 2019 Bill Strausbaugh Award winner, after another PGA of America Member lost his wife to cancer three years ago.
“Members helping members is what it’s all about,” says Reasoner (pictured), a member of the PGA of America Board of Directors representing District 2. “We’re a big family, and we take care of each other. We run so many charity events each year, why not have one to help families of PGA of America Members in need?”
Golf Gives has distributed more than $200,000 in gifts and donations in its first two years, and this year’s effort has been expanded with other New Jersey clubs hosting fundraising qualifiers leading up to the Aug. 12 event at Ridgewood. Reasoner has had inquiries from PGA of America Members in other Sections about working together or starting their own similar charity events for peers in need.
“Stuff comes up in life, and a lot of us are too proud to ask for help,” Reasoner says. “I’ve talked with EDs from other Sections, and the end goal is to get this large enough to create scholarships to help the children of PGA of America Golf Professionals go to college. We do so much for others in our communities, and this is a starting point to help our PGA of America family members when they’re facing an uphill battle.
“It’s been great to see the New Jersey PGA Section membership rallying around it, and it’s really rewarding to help our peers when they need it.