NOPGA Section Foundation honors military personnel with inaugural PGA HOPE CUP at Portage
On a day of celebration, 40 former and active military members were honored and played some competitive golf on Wednesday when the Northern Ohio PGA Section Foundation conducted the first PGA HOPE CUP event at Portage Country Club.
The participants, accompanied by NOPGA members and associates, were all part of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, the national endeavor that introduces golf to our veterans – as well as active personnel — to help enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Ten fivesomes from the clubs and facilities in Northern Ohio, which included one NOPGA professional, played a 9-hole scramble and attended a luncheon in which they were thanked for their service to our country.
NOPGA Executive Director David Griffith estimated that the NOPGA Section Foundation and the 11 PGA HOPE programs will impact more than 250 veterans and active military personnel in Northern Ohio in 2023.
NOPGA Hall-of-Famer Renee Powell founded the first PGA HOPE program in Ohio at her family’s Clearview Golf Club in East Canton 12 years ago. Since then, 10 more programs have been founded throughout Northern Ohio.
Powell, the second Black woman to compete on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour in 1967, addressed the group.
“Thank you all for your service to our nation,” said Powell, who visited Vietnam in 1971 to support U.S. troops through the USO. “If it weren’t for you, we couldn’t live the way we do. We would not be able to live in safety and we couldn’t live in freedom. My heart goes out to all of you and I can’t thank you enough.”
The PGA HOPE program includes a six-to-eight-week curriculum led by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. The program is funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, meaning it is free to all Veterans.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2023 PGA HOPE CUP >
FINAL RESULTS: Northern Ohio PGA
2023 PGA HOPE CUP
Portage Country Club, Akron
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Blue Golf Hole-by-Hole Results >
1. PGA HOPE: Shawnee Hills: Ben Ladaika, Steve Canfil, Mark Luciano, Marvin DeScott, Herman Friedman, *27 -8 – $500
2. PGA HOPE: Mill Creek: Brian Tolnar, Fred Lariccia, Fred DiPasqua, Larry Maravola, Bill Koppel, *29 -6 – $375
3. PGA HOPE: Elyria: Barry Friedman, Jared Bendetta, Gary Boyd, Bob Dickson, Corby Starkey, *31 -4 – $125
3. PGA HOPE: Washington Park: Steve Morgan, Terry Tomasch, Brian Tomasch, Reggie Weems, Jason Strejcek, *31 -4 – $125
5. PGA HOPE: Chagrin Falls: Ross Keen, Ken Sislak, John Treetop, Lashunda Lee, Zachariah Cooper, *32 -3
5. PGA HOPE: Macedonia: Dan Dauk, Mark Pancake, Sean Driscoll, Michael Novotny, Lenny Cavelli, *32 -3
5. PGA HOPE: Ravenna: Ann Ciavarella, Hank Haynam, Charles Ellis, Rick Fernandez, Thomas Adams, *32 -3
8. PGA HOPE: Clearview-Men: Ted Thomas, Scott Jones, Jake Anders, Chad Ryan, Trevor Hazen, *35 E
8. PGA HOPE: Clearview-Women: Renee Powell, Hollis Burkes, Mindy Cooper, Barb Hickman, April Buff, *35 E
8. PGA HOPE: The Turn: Erin Craig, Tamara Altmire, Larry Bostic, Sasha Davidson, Don Stark, *35 E
