Lincoln, NE – Since 2016, the week leading up to the PGA Championship has been dedicated to our nation’s heroes with the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup. Teams made up of four PGA HOPE graduates and one PGA/LPGA Professional compete while celebrating what the program continues to accomplish across the United States. The annual event is set for May 13th in Louisville, Kentucky and a team of local Veterans will represent PGA HOPE Nebraska, led by Nebraska PGA Professional Mike Antonio.
For the second time in the history of the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, PGA HOPE Nebraska will be represented. Joining Mike Antonio, PGA HOPE Nebraska Graduates Amber Bogle, Kevin Pritchard, Randy Norwood and Andy Tafoya have been selected to participate. After graduating from the PGA HOPE program, the four Veterans were all selected for the inaugural PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron. Now, they’ll have the opportunity to make memories of a lifetime on one of golf’s biggest stages.
The PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup celebrates the PGA HOPE Program by providing a unique and memorable experience for our military Veterans and the PGA Professionals who work tirelessly to positively impact Veterans’ lives.
Team Nebraska will arrive in Louisville on May 11th before heading to the opening celebration dinner at Churchill Downs that night. The team will then will play in a practice round the following day at the University of Louisville Golf Club. The championship day will take place on May 13th with opening ceremonies kicking off at 9:45am ET with the competition following.
Following the play of the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, Team Nebraska will spend the rest of the evening and the following day at Valhalla Golf Club during the PGA Championship practice rounds.
Meet Team Nebraska:
Mike Antonio, PGA
Nebraska PGA Professional - Director of Golf at Happy Hollow Club
Mike Antonio is a longtime PGA Member and currently serves as the Director of Golf at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha, NE. He's a past president of the Nebraska Section and a current PGA REACH Nebraska Board Member. His father was an Air Force Veteran and the PGA HOPE program holds a special place in his heart. "This opportunity is a chance to give back and spend time with some of our heroes that gave themselves to help keep our country safe. I’m very proud and honored to be a PGA member for what we are doing to give back to our veterans. I love the fact that we are helping improve veterans lives through the game of golf", said Antonio.
Amber Bogle
2023 PGA HOPE Graduate | U.S. Army & Air Force National Guard Veteran
Amber Bogle is a graduate of PGA HOPE Nebraska's 2023 program in Lincoln, NE. Bogle served 12 total years between the U.S. Air Force & U.S. Army National Guard. Since graduating from the program, she was elected as a member of the PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron and named PGA REACH Nebraska's first PGA Works Fellow. Bogle's path to PGA Membership is underway has enrolled into the PGA Associate's program thanks to being motivated by impact PGA HOPE had on her. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to play on Team Nebraska in the 2024 Secretary’s Cup. Being able to represent our state and our PGA HOPE program, it leaves me speechless. The HOPE program has had an unforgettable impact on so many individuals (veterans, PGA professionals and Section staff) and I am honored to be a representative of our community in Nebraska", said Bogle.
Andy Tafoya
2019 PGA HOPE Graduate | U.S. Army Veteran
Andy Tafoya is a graduate of PGA HOPE Nebraska's 2019 program in Lincoln, NE. Tafoya served 10 total years for the U.S. Army. Since graduating from the program, he was elected as a member of the PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron and has played a vital role in growing the program across the Section. "PGA HOPE has had a significant impact on my life. Playing with fellow veterans provides us with the opportunity to connect and experience the camaraderie we had while in the service. I feel honored and grateful to be part of this family, opportunities like the Secretary’s Cup mean a lot to me since graduating", said Tafoya.
Kevin Pritchard
2022 PGA HOPE Graduate | U.S. Air Force Veteran
Kevin Pritchard is a graduate of PGA HOPE Nebraska's 2022 program in Papillion, NE. Pritchard served 24 total years for the U.S. Air Force. Since graduating from the program, he was elected as a member of the PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron and has remain engaged while helping grow PGA HOPE all across the Section. "I’m humbled and honored to be selected as 1 of the 4 graduates along with one of our local PGA professionals to represent the state of Nebraska! I was even more excited when I found out who else was going. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will be forever thankful to PGA HOPE", said Pritchard.
Randy Norwood
2021 PGA HOPE Graduate | U.S. Air Force Veteran
Randy Norwood is a graduate of PGA HOPE Nebraska's 2021 program in Papillion, NE. Norwood served 24 total years for the U.S. Air Force. Since graduating from the program, he was elected as a member of the PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron and has remain engaged while helping grow PGA HOPE all across the Section. "PGA HOPE has created friendships, improved golfing skills and more importantly, a sense of camaraderie I haven’t felt since I retired from the Air Force. I am sincerely so thankful for the program and to have this opportunity to represent Nebraska at the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup", said Norwood.
THE JOURNEY TO THE CUP
All four Veterans on Team Nebraska are members of the inaugural PGA HOPE Squadron which is made up of 13 total graduates of the PGA HOPE program. The mission of the squadron is to promote the growth of PGA HOPE across the Nebraska Section while assisting with the execution of future programming, fundraising, story-telling, and more. Along with the four Veterans who are headed to the 2024 Secretary’s Cup, the video above featured members of the first Nebraska team that competed in the 2022 Secretary’s Cup.
In addition to competing as a team and enjoying the moment, Team Nebraska is looking forward to this opportunity being an integral part of their own PGA HOPE journeys.
“This opportunity to experience the 2024 Secretary’s Cup will allow our team of veterans to build a stronger bond with each other while allowing us to meet other veterans from across the country. I think it will also present us the opportunity to learn about the other PGA HOPE programs across the U.S. and it might give us ideas on how we can improve back in Nebraska,” said Norwood.
We asked the group who they would be excited to see during the PGA Championship practice rounds and their answers included many stars like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler. Their was also one name that was on everyone’s wishlist.
“Who am I hoping to see? Two words that need no explanation: Tiger Woods”, said Bogle.
The weekend will truly be a lifetime memory for Team Nebraska and everyone involved. To get a better grasp on what their journey will look like, look back on Team Nebraska’s experience at the 2022 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup with the recap video below!
PGA HOPE is truly shaping, changing and saving lives all across the country and it’s no different in Nebraska. Once a veteran graduates from PGA HOPE, their journey is just beginning. Opportunities like the Secretary’s Cup keep our veterans engaged and motivated to make a difference of their own.
Be sure to follow PGA REACH Nebraska on social media (@pgareachneb) for more updates as the event gets closer. In addition, our team will be on-site and posting photos & videos from the event as well!
ABOUT PGA REACH NEBRASKA
PGA REACH Nebraska is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA. PGA REACH Nebraska is program-based and supported by the Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professionals. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact lives through the game of golf. The Foundation has 3 core pillars of focus: Military, Youth and Inclusion. Each pillar is supported by programs that are executed to carry out our mission.
ABOUT PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE is a 6-week program that provides military veterans with free golf experiences taught by PGA Professionals. Upon completing the program, Veterans are considered “graduates” and will remain engaged every year through other PGA HOPE activities and events provided by PGA REACH Nebraska. Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has positively impacted thousands of veterans nationwide. PGA HOPE is a program that is truly making a difference, as golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many veterans with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 300 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton. The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike. Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.