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PGA Head Professional Jim Lusk and team inspire membership through creative fundraising effort
When Jim Lusk, PGA Head Professional at Verdict Ridge Golf & CC, set out to support PGA HOPE, he knew traditional volunteer opportunities wouldn't fit his schedule as a busy head professional, father of four, and husband to a college basketball coach. So he created his own path – a 108-hole golf marathon that rallied his membership and raised nearly $10,000 for veterans.
"I don't have the type of schedule where I can always get away for PGA HOPE training and consecutive weeks of programming," Lusk explained. "So I said, rather than do that, why don't I help raise money for it?"
On a December Monday when the semi-private Charlotte-area club was closed for maintenance, Lusk and three staff members played six rounds of alternate shot golf. Members had two donation options: a flat $100 pledge or "Let it Ride" – tying their contribution to the team's performance at $1 per bogey, $2 per par, and $4 per birdie.
The response was overwhelming. Eighty-three members contributed before the team teed off, with $6,900 already pledged in flat donations. The "Let it Ride" group – 13 members strong – ended up at $158 per person based on the day's play.
Members followed along remotely and in person, with some driving out in personal carts to watch and deliver refreshments. When Lusk shared the preliminary total, several members added to their donations to push the campaign over $10,000.
The day held special meaning given that three of Verdict Ridge's golf staff are military veterans: Mike Crum, Jeff Hill, and Jerry Keathley. Crum donated $100 of his own money, telling Lusk, "This is for my brothers."
Lusk's connection to military service runs deep. Both of his grandfathers fought in World War II, and his nephew currently serves in the Air Force. "This is my way of trying to do something for all those that put it on the line for you and I," he said.
Members are already asking to participate next year, with some suggesting multiple foursomes to raise even more. "This did not take a ton of work," Lusk said. "It was just one day of playing golf. If we can do this, so many other clubs can too. What's stopping you from doing it?"
Verdict Ridge plans to make the event annual, targeting the first Monday in December. The entire donation will be sent to the PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation, with participating members receiving tax-deductible receipts for their 501(c)(3) contributions.
The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, committed to serving communities and growing the game of golf through Youth, Military, and Inclusion programming.
The Carolinas PGA Section has unveiled its 2026 tournament schedule, featuring 15 championships that will showcase the region's finest golf professionals across North and South Carolina. The schedule includes several marquee events that will test competitors on some of the Carolinas' most prestigious courses.
Players Championship Opens Season with PGA TOUR Pathway
The season kicks off March 23-24 with the Players Championship at Dataw Island Club (Cotton Dike), serving as a qualifier for the newly established PGA TOUR Biltmore Championship. This event provides Carolinas PGA professionals with a direct pathway to compete on the PGA TOUR, making it one of the most competitive and coveted tournaments on the schedule.
One qualifying position will be awarded to the winner of the Players Championship, provided they are a Carolinas PGA Class A member in good standing. Should an associate or non-eligible player win the tournament, the qualifying position will advance to the best finishing CPGA Class A member.
Inaugural Yamaha Team Championship Debuts at River Landing
The Carolinas PGA is excited to introduce the inaugural Yamaha Team Championship, April 20-21 at River Landing. This new two-day event will be contested in a four-ball format using Stableford scoring, bringing a fresh competitive experience to the tournament calendar.
Teams may be composed of any two PGA Professionals or Associates, with Pro-Assistant and Senior-Junior sub-contests also offered. The team format encourages partnerships across all membership categories while maintaining the competitive spirit that defines Section championships.
Historic 102nd Carolinas Open Highlights Summer Schedule
Another peek into the Carolinas PGA tournament calendar, featuring the 102nd Carolinas Open, will be contested July 14-16 at The Cliffs at Mountain Park. As one of the oldest and most prestigious Section championships in the PGA of America, the Carolinas Open annually attracts the region's top talent competing for one of the Section's most coveted titles.
Qualifying for the championship will take place at multiple sites throughout June:
June 15 – Rolling Hills Country Club
June 15 – Grande Dunes Resort Course
June 16 – Florence Country Club
June 17 – Starmount Forest Country Club
June 25 – The Links at Stono Ferry
June 29 – Statesville Country Club
June 29 – The Hasentree Club
Complete 2026 Schedule
In addition to the marquee events, the 2026 schedule features championships across all membership categories:
75th South Carolina Open (June 2-4) – Grande Dunes Members Club
Harrah's Cherokee Casino CPGA Pro-Am (June 8-9) – Sequoyah National & Waynesville Inn GC & CC
Assistant Professional Championship (June 22-23) – Solina Golf Club
North Carolina Senior Open (June 30-July 1) – Carolina Trace Country Club
62nd North Carolina Open (August 11-13) – Forest Oaks Country Club
CPGA Senior/Women's Championship (August 17-18) – Bulls Bay Golf Club
Section Professional Championship (September 29-October 1) – Porters Neck Country Club
Match Play Championship (October 27-28) – Old Town Club
“The CPGA tournament schedule for the 2026 season is one we are extremely proud of,” says Patrick O’Reilly, Tournament Director. “We’re fortunate to partner with such prestigious facilities to host our events and we look forward to seeing our members compete alongside one another throughout the season.”
For complete tournament details, eligibility requirements, and registration information, visit www.carolinaspga.com.