PGA Professional Steve Hogan, who became a legend for redirecting the lives of city youth through his “Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes” program in Omaha, Neb., lost a lengthy battle with cancer, Nov. 22. He was 55.
Begun in 1990, Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes was credited in making a difference in the lives of countless youth in metropolitan Omaha. In 2002, Hogan founded The First Tee of Omaha chapter to blend with his program, which today provides golf training and life skills lessons to more the 1,250 youth.
Hogan was the 2003 recipient of the PGA Junior Golf Leader award. In a moving acceptance speech in January 2004 at the PGA of America Awards program in Orlando, Fla., Hogan cited his pride in how Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes elevated his personal mission to empower youth:
“I’m just proud of what Hogan’s Heroes is all about, we’re doing great things, ya’ know golf is just a little part of it. It’s the hook, get the kids to pick up a book, to read to make friends, to share ideals, to grow. You know Martin Luther King had a dream that all of God’s children can walk hand in hand, to hold hands and walk together. My dream is the same; it’s just in the game of golf. When I see our kids out playing and it’s a rainbow of kids, I feel real excited because you know, they’re out of the streets, they’re playing in the grass, they’re getting dirty, they’re hitting golf balls, they’re asking questions, they’re picking up books. I feel that I’m doing my part and I feel that all the guys up there (motions upward) that helped me in life, I’m giving back and I know I’m being led and I’m being blessed and this is what I do.”
In addition to his 2003 national PGA Junior Golf Leader Award, Hogan was the recipient of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Citizen of the Year, the 2005 USA Kids Golf’s Top 50 Teachers.
“Steve Hogan was a real-life hero to the many young people he touched through a program that has elevated our profession,” said PGA of America President Jim Remy. “Steve was a surrogate father to so many youth as well as a wonderful parent and husband to his own family.
“Our Association is deeply saddened by his passing and we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Danette, and his children. Steve truly lived the life of a Junior Golf Leader. Recalling some of his stirring words that he left us, Steve mentioned how he was inspired by a man he met in his own youth. That man said, ‘Steve, you be honest to people and you try to give back and you’ll be blessed.’ We are all that much better for having had Steve Hogan with us. His vision and his example will always be with us.”
Hogan was the recipient of the1999 and 2002 Nebraska PGA Junior Golf Leader Award, the 2002 National Conference of Community and Justice (NCCJ) Award, 2001 Red Cross Heartland Heroes Award, 2001 Dr. Martin Luther King’s Living the Dream Award, 2000 Durham Western Heritage Museum’s African – American Award, and the1997 Jefferson Award Winner for Community Contribution.
“Steve was a positive, upbeat guy,” said Nebraska PGA Executive Director Bruce Lubach. “He always wanted his juniors who were connected to his Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes to be good citizens and good students first. Golf then came after that.
“He always said, ‘Golf is the hook,’ when speaking about his program. Our Section was very proud when he was selected as the PGA of America Junior Golf Leader in 2003. But, we were more proud of the man he was, which was so evident in the speech he gave when he accepted the award. Our hope is that the lives he touched in Omaha through his program will continue to carry his legacy of caring about people and giving everyone a chance.”
Hogan also served as a board member of the Butler-Gast YMCA, Charles Drew Health Center and the National Chapter of 100 Black Men. He also was a member of the Shriner Masons and Salem Baptist Church.
Steve is survived by his wife of 24 years, Danette, sons Anthony Edwards, Steve Hogan II, and daughter Sierra.
Funeral services will be held Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Salem Baptist Church , 32131 Lake Street, in Omaha. Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 3920 North 24th Street Omaha, Neb. (402) 453-7111 and (800) 863-7111
Memorial donations should be directed to the Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes Foundation – The First Tee of Omaha, P.O. Box 11202, Omaha, NE 68111.
Contact:
THE PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS’ ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
100 Avenue of the Champions | Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
T: (561) 624-8400 | F: (561) 624-7865 | www.pga.com
