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South Florida Section - PGA

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Programs

  

     

Click on the image above to hear more about our efforts and learn more about the South Florida PGA Section was recognized for their player development efforts with the national Herb Graffis award in 2019. Many of the Foundation programs contributed to the accomplishment of this award.
 
Our Mission
PGA Professionals dedicated to serving the south Florida community and changing lives through the game of golf.

Our Story
The South Florida PGA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community, with a focus on junior golf, education and scholarships, and charitable gifting. The South Florida PGA Foundation falls under the direction of the South Florida PGA, a not-for-profit organization comprised of over 1,850 men and women PGA Professionals serving as the experts in business and the game of golf.
 
In 2004 the South Florida PGA Foundation began operations as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to support the South Florida community.  Since its inception, the Foundation has experienced extreme growth through the support of countless PGA Professionals, facilities, and numerous corporations.  Over the past sixteen years the Foundation has touched the lives of more than 14,000 individuals residing in South Florida, through various programming included but not limited to junior golf, charitable gifting, and scholarships.
             
Administering numerous programs including but not limited to the South Florida PGA Junior Tours, PGA HOPE, Smiling Fore Life and many more, the SFPGA Foundation strives each year to make a greater impact on the community. You can stay up to date on our involvement throughout south Florida and read about what we do, in our 2019 SFPGA Foundation Annual Report, click below now! 
All of our programming is paused at this time. However, our Commitment to Our Community remains steadfast. Follow our stories of change through the links below. Read them now!

Please read about our past efforts in our 2018 SFPGA Foundtion Annual Report, please click below! 
2019          2018

Check out our YouTube Channel to hear more stories about our PGA Professionals, and the impact they have made on the communities near them. 
 
 

Charitable Gifting


Founded in 2004, the South Florida PGA Foundation is dedicated to impacting lives throughout the south Florida community through the game of golf. Since its inception, the Foundation has grown 450%, granting more than $650,000 to local charities, local students and individuals conducting outreach programs. Each year the reach of the Foundation continues to grow, as programs develop and junior golf activities expand.

In 2019, the SFPGA Foundation granted nine local charitable organizations over $14,000 towards their efforts of providing golf throughout their community, seeking to bring positive change. You can see the charities donated to below and click each one to learn more about their organization.

The Chiera Family Foundation
Dade County Junior Golf Association/ 1st Tee of Miami
The First Tee Naples/Collier
Junior Golf Foundation of America
GIG - Gifts in Golf
Indian River Golf Foundation
LPGA - USGA Girls Golf
Palm Beach Junior Golf Association
Stoneybrook Junior Golf
 

We are not accepting applications at this time. However, the application can be reviewed below. 

Read Now

Habitat for Humanity



In 2011, the South Florida PGA Foundation Board of Directors made a decision to support Habitat for Humanity as a national organization providing affordable housing to local families.  With the mission to support Habitat for Humanity, the board developed a goal to build a home through Habitat for Humanity in every county of the South Florida PGA Section.  This encompasses 14 counties plus Puerto Rico.  With the commitment comes a financial gift of $50,000 per home, along with volunteers to help build the home.  Once all 15 homes have been built the Foundation will have granted $800,000 to Habitat for Humanity throughout south Florida and more than 15,000 volunteer hours.

Click on the button below to watch media coverage of our most recent restoration.

WATCH NOW



 
2019 - Peurto Rico  2018 - Indian River County - Arduini Family 2017 - Miami-Dade County - Kyrece Massie
      
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2016 – Martin County - Tandra Islam and Family 2015 – Collier County - The Arcas Family 2014  – Broward County
2013  – Palm Beach County 2011 – Lee County  
 

 

Click below to view an additional news story about how golf pros are impacting the local community through outreach programs including Habitat for Humanity.
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Click here now to catch up with the Arcas family who built and bought a home in 2015.
Watch Now! 

 

PGA Hope

           

Click on the PGA HOPE logo above to watch our HOPE Video.

New in 2015, the South Florida PGA Foundation’s military pillar, PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. In collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Golf sessions are offered at NO cost to Veterans by South Florida PGA Professionals. Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has helped thousands of military Veterans assimilate back into their community through the social interaction the game of golf provides.


Recent News

Jack Nicklaus Hosts Military Veterans at The Bears Club in Celebration of Veterans Day and the 4th Annual PGA National Day of HOPE

Read More

Click on the logo to learn more about #HOPEfromHOME.
To watch our inagural virtual session with Cohen Veteran's Network, click on the logo.
To view the slides presented during our session click HERE now. 

If you are interested in participating in PGA HOPE please click on the right image below: 

   

Click on the images below for more information about our life-changing program.


                                             

 

Noteworthy PGA HOPE Instructors
 

Judy Alvarez, PGA - 2019 PGA National Patriot Award Recipient

Read Here         Watch Now        Local News

 
   
David McNulty, PGA - 2019 South Florida PGA Section Patriot Award Recipient

Read Here
   
Allen Manguson - 2020 South Florida PGA Section Patriot Award Recipient

Read Here

 

South Florida PGA HOPE Ambassador
Mary Anderson-Kokell

READ MORE         SEE MORE          WATCH MORE

Army Specialist, Mary Anderson-Kokell was selected to represent south Florida as a PGA HOPE Ambassador for the life-changing program Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. Mary participated in one of the first PGA HOPE programs in 2015. Since then, Mary has proven the life-changing power of PGA HOPE. Mary was selected based on the impact this program had on her life and the impact she had on her fellow veterans. Mary participated in the inaugural National Health & Wellness Week in presented by PGA REACH in Washington DC. Each participating Veteran received a specially designed golf and wellness tool kit that included golf training tips, exercises and other recommendations for healthy living. Each new PGA HOPE Ambassador will now represent their respective PGA of America Section and support their fellow Veterans in communities across the country during PGA HOPE clinics and training programs.
 

Testimonials

Click HERE now to hear the personal testimonies of two PGA HOPE graduates. 
 
 
“The PGA HOPE Program has been beneficial to so many veterans in so many ways. Being a recreation therapist for 32 years, I know the benefits of sports and recreation. It is when a veteran sees the benefit of participating that changes their lives. This program allows veterans an opportunity to work with one another with the built-in comradery they share in a community environment. Getting out of the house, interacting with others and learning or re-learning a leisure skill can change a veteran’s whole outlook on things and break a cycle of isolation, boredom, low self-esteem and inactivity. The natural environment of a golf course and the caring and compassionate PGA instructors who interact with the veterans each week provide therapy to these veterans on many levels. I’m fortunate to partner with such an organization in fulfilling the needs of our disabled veterans.”

- Eileen Jones, Former Chief of Recreation Therapy at West Palm Beach VA 
 
“The [PGA HOPE] Golf Program was inspiring to meet fellow vets and PGA Professionals. The Veterans are fortunate to have such an opportunity, outside of the box of a typical PTSD therapy session. It gave us a chance to get out of the house and enjoy not only the sport but the beautiful greenery, blue skies and awesome surroundings. Mentally and physically the program was rewarding and gave us other venues to relieve depression and socialize with others. The sponsors from the VA and PGA HOPE program were sensitive, caring understanding and very supportive to each of the Veteran’s physical and mental health challenges. It was beyond the general support group, but rather a feeling of normalcy on networking and healing at the same time. Thank you!”

- PGA HOPE 2016 Participant
 
“The PGA HOPE program has been spectacular for me and everyone I know that’s gone through it. I used to play golf and I hadn’t played for some years. And I didn’t think I’d ever play again because I had lost my leg. I found out about this program and John Moscoso (one of the PGA Professionals) was the first one to work with me. I got the call asking if I would volunteer, and I had the time to do it… and that’s what I have been doing ever since. It’s been very rewarding working with other veterans. It’s allowed me to get back into the sport I started when I was 10 or 11 years-old. And it feels good to be out playing… and it’s very satisfying watching these [new participants] grow in the sport. Eventually we hope to have our tournaments together.”

- Julian Newbauer, PGA HOPE 2015 Participant
 
 

Extra Golfing Opportutnities 

One of the purposes of PGA HOPE is to inspire a lifelong interest in golf for our participating veterans. To foster growth in their new skills and love for the game, we coordinate with local PGA Professionals to provide extra golfing opportunties to our participating and graduated veterans. We plan to list some of these opportunites here below once we organize all of the information provided.                                          

National Golfing Opportunities for PGA HOPE Graduates

- Click HERE now for the list of offers

Media Coverage

Click on the images below to view more media covering our PGA HOPE programming in south Florida
    

Watch media coverage of our most recent annual fundraising event, PGA HOPE Classic, which raised over $55,000 for PGA HOPE.

Watch Now! 

Check out our YouTube Channel to hear how our veterans have been positively affected by PGA HOPE

Watch Now!

Read the story of how our very own Judy Alvarez, PGA has changed the lives of veterans on a local and national level: 

Read Now!

 

 

Smiling Fore Life


​In 2010, The South Florida PGA Foundation created Smiling Fore Life, a program whereby SFPGA Professionals visit local children’s hospitals weekly. The PGA Professionals bring golf into children’s lives who may be experiencing hardship, and afford them with an opportunity to forget about the struggles they are experiencing, get out of their hospital room and enjoy a fun and new activity. In addition to the great benefits this program provides to the children it also affords SFPGA Professionals the opportunity to get more involved in the local community. Currently four hospitals and one children’s healthcare facility are participating in this program, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, the Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Golisano Children’s Hospital of SW Florida in Fort Myers, the Quantum House in West Palm Beach, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.
Because of the Coronavirus, many of our Foundation programs have been paused. One of them is Smiling Fore Life, which provides free golf instruction to pediatric patients taught by PGA Professionals once a week. While our PGA Pros can’t visit these hospitals, Child Life Specialist that help coordinate this program are still diligently working through this pandemic.
 
We are asking you to help us show our appreciation for their continuous hard work! Take time today to send a note to a team of Child Life Specialists near you. Here are the names & addresses of those who continue to change the lives of children throughout south Florida.

Please click on the button below to find the names & addresses of your local Child Life Specialists to send a "Thank You"! 

​Say Thank You!
Due to the international public help crisis, our PGA Professionals will not be able to visit our Smiling Fore Life host facilities for the rest of the year. Until we are able to join them in person again, we have provided a way for their Child Life Specialists to continue carrying the purpose of Smiling Fore Life. 

One of our PGA Professionals  recommended we share "The Game of Golf" with those who normally participate in Smiling Fore Life. This game was taught to pediatric patients by PGA Professionals to help the kiddos learn golf lingo and understand scoring. 

By rolling die and keeping your individual score on a custom scorecard, patients can learn the game of golf indirectly. If you would like to use this game for teaching young golfers, feel free to download it via the button below.
 
The Game of Golf

After nine years this program has experienced much growth and success, and impacts more than 1,100 young patients annually.  In addition to not just providing golf to the patients, in September of 2012 a permanent mark was left at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital with the installation of an astroturf putting green on the facility’s fourth floor.  This installation was a “hole in one” with the patients and physicians, said Nick Masi, Director of Family Centered Care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Here is a snapshot of Smiling Fore Life in 2019:

   Our Smiling Fore Life locations: 















 

For more stories on Smiling Fore Life & the positive impact it's made on the PGA Professionals that teach and the children participating click below!

Watch Now!

 
We are thankful for the financial support from our partnership with the Florida Junior Golf Council grant that supports our endeavor to support our local youth community through the game of golf. You can learn more about their organization's mission HERE.
 
                                   

Scholarships

 

 


 

Developed in 2018 the South Florida PGA Foundation annually provides one local student with a four year, $20,000 scholarship to assist with their college education.  The student selected to receive the scholarship will receive it in $5,000 increments over the course of four years.  In order to receive funding each year, additional paperwork including a copy of the student’s transcript must be submitted to the SFPGA Foundation to ensure the student is performing at an acceptable level. 

 


For further information, please click HERE now.
 Questions? Please contact Michelle Goda at mgoda@pgahq.com or 561-537-5809. 

Click here to learn more about our 2020 South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship recipient - Natalia Jimenez
  Click here to hear more from our 2019 South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship recipient - Claire Sattler
Click here to read more about our 2018 South Florida PGA Foundation Scholarship recipient - Tyler Nagy
 
Other Scholarship

South Florida PGA Scholarship History
*Please note the scholarships listed below are no longer available for application*