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Eight of the Carolinas' top assistant professionals competed at the Assistant PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, FL, with seven making the 36-hole cut to compete through all four rounds.
Adam Fisher, PGA of North Ridge Country Club led the Carolinas contingent with a stellar T5 finish at 2-over 286 (67-72-75-72). Fisher's opening-round 67 set the tone for a strong week competing against the nation's best assistant professionals.
Other notable Carolinas finishes included:
Preston Cole, PGA (Quail Hollow Club) – T29, 9-over 297
Zack Taylor, PGA (Hackler Course at Coastal Carolina University) – T32, 10-over 298
Adam Stephenson, PGA (Forsyth Country Club) – T48
Josh Rackley, PGA (Castle Bay Country Club) – T54
Cooper Hrabak, PGA (Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club) – T62
Tyler Lucas, PGA (Myers Park Country Club) – 65th
Congratulations to all Carolinas representatives on their outstanding performances on the national stage!
PGA REACH Carolinas hosted its 8th Annual PGA HOPE Carolinas Cup presented by TD Bank on November 10th at Cougar Point Golf Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The signature Veterans Day week event brought together 20 teams from across the Carolinas—featuring 60 Veterans and Active Duty service members alongside 20 PGA Professionals and Associates—for a day of competition and camaraderie.
The weekend began with practice rounds and an Armed Forces Mixer sponsored by the TPC Freedom Foundation, highlighted by a performance from World Long Drive Champion Jeff Crittenden, PGA. Competition day featured a 9-hole scramble with impressive scores across both nines.
After posting matching low scores, PGA HOPE Sanford and PGA HOPE Fayetteville faced off in a championship playoff on Cougar Point's iconic 18th hole. In a dramatic chip-off over the bunker, PGA HOPE Fayetteville—led by Brock White, PGA, and Veterans Michael Schwind, James Buchanan, and Johnny Sears (all U.S. Army)—secured the victory with a clutch chip to four feet.
The PGA HOPE Cup Reception featured remarks from Ret. Lt. Col. John Brooker, Director of the Military and Veterans Law Clinic at UNC Chapel Hill, and Sheldon Hilaire, Regional Vice President of TD Bank, who thanked all Veterans and Active Duty personnel for their service.
Special thanks to presenting partner TD Bank, Kiawah Island Golf Resort President Roger Warren, PGA, Director of Golf Brian Gerard, PGA, Head PGA Professional and Carolinas PGA President Josh Wagaman, PGA, and the entire Kiawah Island Golf Resort staff for their continued support of this meaningful celebration of service and community.
PGA REACH Carolinas' second annual Birdie Blitz fundraiser took place November 3rd at Pinewild Country Club of Pinehurst, raising $72,691 to support PGA HOPE Carolinas programming for military Veterans.
The unique tournament format featured two-player teams competing on a specially designed par-3 course utilizing Pinewild's Azalea and Magnolia courses. Participants invited their networks to pledge donations per birdie or contribute flat donations, resulting in an impressive 594 total birdies throughout the five-hour event.
Team Mooney and Kuppers—PGA Professional Tim Mooney and PGA Associate Cory Kuppers from River Run Country Club in Davidson, NC—led all fundraising efforts with $5,745 raised. The Northern Guilford High School Golf Team captured the "Most Birdies" title with 25, while PGA Professional Michael Smith of Daniel Island Club and PGA HOPE Veteran Luke Howard earned "Most Patriotic" honors. The tournament also witnessed three holes-in-one by Ben Bridgers, PGA (CPGA Secretary), Dan Harrington, and Matt Hausser, PGA.
Event sponsors included City Barbecue, Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Vortex Golf, and L2 Brands. Donations continued through Veterans Day in pursuit of a $100,000 goal, with all proceeds directly supporting PGA HOPE Carolinas' mission to improve Veterans' physical and mental well-being through adaptive golf instruction.
Special thanks to Pinewild Country Club of Pinehurst, Director of Golf Kyle Kirk, PGA, General Manager Chris Little, PGA, and all participants, donors, and sponsors who made this event possible.