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The Carolinas PGA (CPGA) is honored to announce that a historic team of five Vietnam-era veterans from the PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach program has been selected as a national “Wildcard” to represent the Carolinas Section at the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup.
The prestigious event will take place May 9–11 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, Pennsylvania, held in conjunction with the 108th PGA Championship. This year’s team is particularly significant: it is an all-Vietnam veteran squad led by a Vietnam-era PGA Professional, representing a generation that returned to a divided nation and is now finding a “full circle” of healing through the game of golf.
A Cornerstone of the “Golf Capital of the World”
PGA HOPE Myrtle Beach has become a vital pillar of veteran support in the Grand Strand. Since its inception, the program has graduated over 600 veterans, with 100 remaining active as ambassadors and mentors.
“I remember driving home from my first solo-run program and I was so overwhelmed I called my wife and told her ‘I found my place and I feel like I hit the lottery.’ Because of that impact in those short 2 hours that I experienced, I will never forget that feeling,” says Angel Diaz, PGA, Director of Project Golf, 2024 CPGA Patriot Award winner, and Program Lead.
“It really shows the impact of this program when you have veterans that come back week after week, back from 2019, to help serve and mentor other veterans. It says a lot about this program and the Myrtle Beach community.”
Meet the Team: The “Heroes Twice Over”
Gary Schaal, PGA (U.S. Air Force)
A U.S. Air Force veteran (1966–1970), Schaal is a titan in the golf world as a Past President of the PGA of America and a Hall of Fame member. His commitment to PGA HOPE is deeply personal, teaching with a heart that understands the unique challenges Vietnam veterans faced upon their return.
Thomas O. Boyd (U.S. Marine Corps)
A triple Purple Heart recipient, Thomas served with the 1st Marine Division in 1966. Once isolated by PTSD, he is now the program’s most active recruiter, having personally referred over 30 veterans. “Helping others helps me,” says Boyd. “PGA HOPE has given me a life worth living.”
Russell Combs (U.S. Army)
A former 1st Lieutenant and Infantry Platoon Leader, Russell joined the program during the height of COVID-19 isolation. For five years, he has been the “steady presence” at every session, quietly mentoring struggling golfers and ensuring no veteran ever feels alone on the course.
Edward P. Courtney (U.S. Marine Corps)
A former Captain and Communications Officer with Top-Secret clearance at “The Rockpile” near the DMZ, Ed graduated in 2024 and immediately became a lead ambassador. His calm, commanding presence makes him the “go-to” mentor for veterans dealing with acute anxiety and PTSD.
Robert “Bobby” Pappas (U.S. Army)
A Communications Sergeant in Long Binh, Bobby’s story was famously documented in the book and film The Greatest Beer Run Ever. After decades of hiding his service, Bobby found his voice through PGA HOPE. A 12-step sponsor and legendary jokester, he uses humor and honesty to help fellow veterans overcome addiction and shame.
A Journey of Validation
For these men, the Secretary’s Cup is more than a tournament; it is the national recognition many were denied in the late 1960s and ’70s. Competing on a national stage during PGA Championship week validates their sacrifices and celebrates their ongoing service to the veteran community.
“The Vietnam War was very controversial, and when we came home, a lot of us weren’t accepted. We just went back to our jobs and didn’t mention our service. But now, you can wear a hat that says you’re a Vietnam Veteran and people recognize and appreciate what you did,” says Russell Combs.
Talking about the growth and mentorship of this team, Angel Diaz adds that “this team is so deserving of this spotlight and opportunity to compete for the simple fact of how much they have given back to the program and the community. These men are heroes twice over—once for their service in Vietnam, and again for their service to their fellow veterans today.”
River Landing has seen its share of memorable finishes. The Wallace, North Carolina layout, home to two of the state's most respected courses, has hosted the Yamaha CPGA Team Championship, formerly the Yamaha Pro-Assistant, long enough to know that the best stories don't always end at 18. This year's tournament proved it.
After 36 holes of fourball-stableford competition, Kent Shelton, PGA, and Brandon Einstein of Tanglewood Golf Course - Championship, stood in a deadlock with Charles Chapman, PGA of Green River Country Club, and Nick Jacobi, PGA of Stonebridge Golf Club. After a four-hole playoff that tested both teams' composure, in the end, it was Shelton and Einstein who walked away with the trophy.
The win wasn't just a Team Championship title. The Tanglewood duo swept all three contests, the Team Championship, the Pro-Assistant, and the Senior-Junior, a clean sweep that shows just how complete their performance was.
Throughout the final round, Shelton, PGA and Einstein rose to the occasion when it mattered most, stringing together birdies on holes 10, 13, 14, and 15 to put serious pressure on the field and set the stage for the playoff that would ultimately decide it all.
The result was particularly meaningful given the duo's history at this event. Shelton and Einstein returned to River Landing having finished T2 at the Pro-Assistant a year prior, close enough to know what winning here looks like, and hungry enough to finish the job this time around.
The Yamaha Team Championship has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the Carolinas PGA calendar, and Yamaha's continued support has been central to its success. Congratulations to Kent Shelton, PGA, and Brandon Einstein, and to every competitor who made the 2026 Yamaha CPGA Team Championship one to remember!
