We are excited to announce…PGA HOPE Connecticut has been invited to compete in the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup!
PGA HOPE Connecticut is thrilled to have been invited for the FIRST time to the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup on May 11th, 2026 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Malvern, PA!
For these PGA HOPE Graduates, the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup represents a “Major Championship” experience. This annual competition, which coincides with the week of the PGA Championship, is designed to be a deeply memorable and unique tribute to our nation’s heroes and the dedicated PGA Professionals who work to improve their lives through golf.
Established in 2016, the event is named after the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, signifying the Memorandum of Understanding between the PGA of America REACH Foundation and the Department of Veteran Affairs. 12 groups compete, each comprised of four PGA HOPE Graduates and one PGA or LPGA Professional.
Hiramis Perez, who went through the PGA HOPE Connecticut program in 2025, reflected on her experience by sharing, “PGA HOPE helped me gain so much confidence and helped me get out here to play the game of golf and enjoy everyday that I’m out on the field.”
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a six-week adaptive golf program offered to Veterans and Active-Duty Military free of charge with instruction from PGA Professionals. The program is designed to introduce Veterans to the game of golf in an effort to enhance their overall quality of life.
Stay tuned for more as we follow their journey to the PGA HOPE Secretary’s cup!
2026 TEAM Connecticut
PGA HOPE Coach: Bob Bigonette, PGA
PGA HOPE Graduate: Chris Roeder – Army, 19 yrs
PGA HOPE Graduate: Hiramis Perez – Navy, 2 yrs
PGA HOPE Graduate: Doug Lash – Air Force, 4 yrs
PGA HOPE Graduate: Dennis Withers – Marine Corps, 6 yrs
Learn more about PGA HOPE Connecticut
Learn more about the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup
The Connecticut Section PGA Golf Foundation’s purpose is to grow the game and positively impact the lives of youth, special needs golfers, military veterans, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals and the game of golf.
The Foundation utilizes golf to strengthen communities by creating meaningful opportunities for military veterans, youth golfers, disabled individuals, and diverse populations.
Golf is the vehicle; people are the mission.
The Foundation focuses on removing financial and social barriers to create environments where communities can gather and build relationships and skills through the game of golf.