PGA Reach serves as the charitable foundation of the PGA of America and will seek to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse communities through golf at the PGA Championship
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – (July 29, 2014) PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America, has partnered with best-in-class charities to support three key pillars at the 96th PGA Championship: Youth, Military and Diversity/Inclusion.
To kick off the festivities, a golf clinic taught by PGA Professionals will be conducted for underserved youth in the community as a means to introduce youth to the game of golf. Since 2010, over 2,000 youth throughout the U.S. have been introduced to the game of golf and its life enhancing values through a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.
PGA REACH is also positively impacting youth in the Louisville area through a partnership with Blessings in a Backpack, a program that ensures underserved elementary school children are provided a backpack full of nutritious food to take home on the weekends. In an effort to make golf more accessible and teach life lessons through the game, PGA REACH will implement golf programs taught by local PGA Professionals in all schools supported by PGA REACH Kentucky.
“This is an exciting time for the PGA of America,” said Scott Kmiec, Senior Director of PGA REACH. “Through PGA REACH programming at the PGA Championship, the PGA of America will be in a position to make a more meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”
Reaching out to the military community, PGA REACH utilizes golf as a means to support veterans across the U.S. An Armed Forces golf clinic will be held at Shawnee Golf Course in Louisville to provide those in the military an opportunity to receive a golf lesson from certified PGA Professionals. Since 2007, PGA REACH has partnered with the Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (HOPE) program and has facilitated both the physical and social rehabilitation of over 2,000 veterans nationwide.
Additionally, PGA REACH seeks to create a culture of inclusiveness by communicating and demonstrating that golf is an affordable and accessible game for all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. Since 1993, PGA REACH has provided nearly 400 diversity-based scholarships.
PGA REACH has recently been unveiled as the charitable foundation of the PGA of America and will align with the 41 PGA Section offices and charitable partners throughout the United States to positively impact lives through golf. Through the creation and promotion of key programs and initiatives, PGA REACH will utilize existing programming while fostering new partnerships and initiatives. To accomplish this goal, the PGA Foundation has been rebranded as PGA REACH.
About PGA REACH
PGA REACH serves as the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. Through the game of golf, PGA REACH fosters inclusion and positively impacts youth, military veterans and diverse communities. Aligned with the PGA of America’s 41 Section offices and charitable partners, PGA REACH leverages the game of golf to make a difference in the communities we serve. For more information please visit www.pgareach.com
Contact:
Glenn Mastro
Mastro Communications
gmastro@mastrocomm.com
732-469-5700
Emily Hesselbrock
PGA of America
ehesselbrock@pgahq.com
561-260-2110