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Fayetteville, NC — For two days in May, the campus of Methodist University became something more than a university. It became a place where veterans swapped stories, worked on their swings, and left with something harder to measure than a scorecard.
The Carolinas PGA Section's 2026 PGA HOPE Health & Wellness Retreat brought together veterans and PGA Professionals for an immersive two-day, one-night experience built around golf instruction, mental health resilience, and physical well-being. Participants stayed on campus in the Village Houses and had full access to the university's athletic and academic facilities throughout the retreat.
Day one at the Golf Practice Facility covered the full swing and short game, but the curriculum went well beyond ball-striking. Physical and occupational therapy teams led sessions on mobility and mental performance, while a live demonstration of adaptive golf techniques showed how the game can be modified to meet the needs of every veteran on the course.
A standout moment of the retreat was an Ambassador Panel featuring four Carolinas veterans who have each moved from program participant to National Ambassador. Harold Hill, a Coast Guard veteran and lead peer mentor from PGA HOPE Charleston; Colton Hensley, an Army veteran who has since found his way into the golf industry as an Assistant Golf Professional; Alex Venker, an Army veteran who channels his background in relationship-building to grow PGA HOPE Charlotte; and Chris Aranda, a retired Army Sergeant First Class and founder of the PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach League, each shared their journeys and the role golf has played in them.
Garvis Leak, U.S. Air Force, PGA HOPE Lexington, summed up the spirit of the week: "It was truly a blessing to get with the comrades, to come out here and enjoy the game of golf. You talk about your past experience, you can unwind, have therapy, and you just have fun."
Day two moved to Kings Grant Golf & Country Club for a 9-hole tournament, giving participants the chance to put their new skills to use in a relaxed, competitive environment alongside fellow graduates.
Through golf, the Carolinas PGA HOPE Health & Wellness Retreat continues to build a network of veterans who return to their communities equipped to mentor others, lead local chapters, and carry the PGA HOPE mission forward.
Greensboro, NC — June is one of the busiest and most exciting months on the Carolinas PGA championship calendar, and 2026 is no exception. From the Grand Strand to the Great Smoky Mountains to the heart of the South Carolina Midlands, three marquee events are set to deliver the kind of competitive golf and memorable venues that define the season.
75th South Carolina Open | June 2–4 | Grande Dunes Members Club, Myrtle Beach, SC
The South Carolina Open returns to the Myrtle Beach area for its 75th edition, and it does so at one of the premier venues in the state. Grande Dunes Members Club, a Nick Price-designed layout set along the Intracoastal Waterway, will host a field of some of the Carolinas' best players competing for one of the section's most storied titles. Defending champion Josh Rackley, PGA, (pictured to the right) will look to make history by returning to the top of the leaderboard. We would like to extend our gratitude to our presenting partners, Nightengale’s Nursing and FairwayIQ, for their support of this event.
Harrah's Cherokee CPGA Pro-Am | June 8–9 | Sequoyah National Golf Club & The Waynesville Inn
Few events on the CPGA schedule generate the kind of excitement that the Harrah's Cherokee CPGA Pro-Am does, and the numbers back that up. This year's field was once again determined by lottery, with 62 teams of four competing in the two-day event. Back in 2019, demand was so strong that the event was moved to two courses to double participation from 120 to 240 players. The growth has not slowed since, with 126 teams entering the 2026 lottery alone.
The format pairs one PGA Professional with three amateurs, each playing their own ball, across two spectacular mountain venues. The Carolinas PGA thanks title partner Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and presenting partner Club Car for their continued support of this championship.
CPGA Assistant PGA Professional Championship | June 22–23 | Solina Golf Club, Chapin, SC
The CPGA's rising stars take center stage later in the month at Solina Golf Club, one of the most unique and talked-about venues in the Carolinas. Formerly the Indian River layout, Solina was reimagined and reopened in 2024 by PGA Tour veteran Wesley Bryan - the 2017 RBC Heritage champion - and his brother George Bryan IV, the duo widely known across the golf world as the Bryan Bros. With a YouTube channel boasting millions of views, the Bryans have built Solina into more than a golf course. It is a content hub, a community gathering place, and a championship-caliber layout designed by Lyndale Young that stretches over 6,800 yards through rolling terrain and tall Carolina pines.
The 36-hole individual stroke play championship will award six qualifying spots and five alternate positions for the 50th Assistant PGA Professional Championship, giving competitors a direct path to the national stage. The event is also a designated CPGA Assistants' Association Player of the Year points event.
