NTPGA Foundation Conducts 3rd Annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup
Last week, the Northern Texas PGA Foundation conducted the 3rd annual Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup presented by the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation on Wednesday, November 29 at The Oaks Country Club in Greenville.
Nine teams competed in a 5-person scramble. One PGA of America Golf Professional and four Veterans comprised each team. The team of Thomas Valdez, director of instruction at Oakmont Country Club, and Veterans Anthony Applegate, Tyler Arnold, Jey Kim and Mark Stokes won the competition with a score of 6-under-par.
Several features make this tournament unique, but the most special detail is that this event serves as a qualifier for the Secretary's Cup.
The Secretary’s Cup is a tournament that is hosted by the PGA of America and is conducted in conjunction with the PGA Championship each May. It is a spirited nine-hole golf competition that kicks off PGA Championship week and features military Veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE program hosted by
their local PGA Section. Twelve teams from across the country will compete on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the University of Louisville Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
The champion team of Valdez, Applegate, Arnold, Kim and Stokes will represent the Northern Texas Section at the Secretary’s Cup.
“Playing in the HOPE Cup today was by far the most fun I have ever had on the golf course,” said Valdez. “I told the team on our first tee box ‘Let’s have fun more than anything else,’ and boy did they deliver. Winning was icing on the cake. It was my honor and privilege to get the opportunity to hang out and play with my team, and we can not wait to represent Northern Texas in the Secretary’s Cup.”
A closest-to-the-hole contest was also held for all Veterans who competed in the Northern Texas PGA HOPE Cup giving them a chance to win a $1,000 gift card. From 50 yards, Mark Stiverson hit his shot to 2 feet, 5 inches to win the prize.
Thank you to Jerry J. Ransom, the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation and The Oaks Country Club for their support of this incredible tournament. And, a special thank you to the PGA of America Golf Professionals across our Section who hosted a PGA HOPE program in 2023. The NTPGA Foundation served nearly 300 Veterans this year!
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, and introduces golf to active members of the military and Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
