The 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, presented by American Airlines, honored Military Veterans from across the country on May 11 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania, ahead of the 108th PGA Championship.
The Secretary’s Cup was contested by 12 teams of four PGA HOPE graduates and a PGA of America Golf Professional. The Secretary’s Cup celebrates Veterans and the PGA of America Golf Professionals who positively impact their lives.
PGA HOPE – the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation – has served more than 65,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military for over a decade.
The Veterans were welcomed at Chester Valley with an opening ceremony featuring PGA of America Secretary Eric Eshleman, PGA; The Honorable Samuel B. Brown, Under Secretary of the Memorial Affairs; the presentation of the colors; the National Anthem; and a parachute demonstration.
“The Secretary’s Cup serves to celebrate our Veterans, Active Duty Military and PGA HOPE programs across the country,” said Eshleman during the opening ceremony. “We are thrilled to be with so many Veterans today who are proudly representing their PGA Sections from across the country.”
This annual event, held in conjunction with the PGA Championship, began in 2016 and is named after the Secretary of Veteran Affairs in recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding between the PGA of America REACH Foundation and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Additionally, the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro provided a special proclamation naming May 11, 2026, “PGA HOPE Day” in the state.
Led by PGA of America Golf Professional Scott Vice, Team PGA HOPE Michigan (pictured) won the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at 4-under. Military Veterans Ryan Young (Army), Chris MacIntosh (Marine Corps), Joel Collins (Army) and Roy Thomas (Marine Corps) made up the victorious team.
“The whole trip has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. And then to win, for them, for my team more than anything, made it that much better,” said Vice. “My dad was in the military, as well as my uncles, but I didn’t serve. PGA HOPE is how I give back.”
PGA HOPE New England was awarded the Journey Award, presented by Hidden Links, a salute to the individuals involved at the PGA Section level who continuously support PGA HOPE.
PGA HOPE and the Secretary’s Cup are made possible by a generous donation from the Kim Family. Additional support of the Secretary’s Cup came from Mizuno, Frisco EDC and Flag & Anthem, who provided apparel for the Veteran teams, volunteers and staff.
In addition to Team PGA HOPE Michigan, the other participating PGA HOPE teams represented the Carolinas, Connecticut, Indiana, New England, New Jersey, Northern California, Northern Ohio, Northern Texas, Pacific Northwest, Philadelphia and Tennessee PGA Sections.
See the August issue of PGA Magazine for an exclusive “First 100 Days on the Job” Q&A with PGA of America CEO Terry Clark. He will address what he has learned since taking over on March 1, and his highest priorities for the remainder of 2026 and beyond.
