SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED! WISCONSIN PGA SECTION ANNOUNCES PGA HOPE AMBASSADOR TRACY ENGLES
Engles is Wisconsin’s First Female PGA HOPE Ambassador, Veterans Day PGA HOPE Fundraiser In Progress
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (November 7, 2024) – The Wisconsin Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (WPGA) announces Tracy Engles of Belgium, Wisconsin, as the 2025 PGA HOPE Wisconsin Ambassador in timing with Veterans Day. Engles was recently onboarded as a 2024-2025 representative at the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week on October 10-14 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Engles is one of twenty new ambassadors nationwide.
Serving those who served! As the PGA HOPE Wisconsin ambassador her main roles include:
– introducing new veterans to the PGA HOPE programs located all over the Wisconsin Section
– working with golf courses to set up playing opportunities for veterans who “graduated” from existing PGA HOPE programs.
“Engles is and will be a huge asset to the Wisconsin PGA and its veteran community,” said Erika Pirkl, PGA, WPGA Director of Player Development.
Engles, a veteran herself, served in the Army (1993-1995) and currently works for Con Forms of Port Washington in quality control and management. She graduated from PGA HOPE Brookfield in 2022 taught by WPGA Professional Rob Elliott, PGA, owner and director of instruction at Rob Elliott Golf Academy.
“Tracy traveled over 100 miles round trip to be a part of PGA HOPE Brookfield,” said Elliott. “She considers herself a people person which makes her ideal for this role. She was always eager to help me set up for class, greet new vets and clean up after class ended. I am excited to watch her take PGA HOPE Wisconsin to the next level.”
Facts about PGA HOPE Wisconsin: To date this year PGA HOPE Wisconsin hosted 21 instructional programs covering 15 locations resulting in over 300 veterans being served through instruction, playing opportunities and other special golf-centric events. For 2025, we plan to add programs and bring PGA HOPE to new facilities with a goal of serving more veterans. Currently, 47 Wisconsin PGA Professionals are trained to serve as PGA HOPE instructors.
Currently PGA of America is actively promoting a new initiative HOPE 4 Heroes Campaign is running from November 1 to December 31 to celebrate the nation’s Veterans and active duty military while raising awareness for PGA HOPE – the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation.
Today there are more than 13,000 Veterans on a waiting list to participate in PGA HOPE. Fundraising fact: Every $330 raised places a Veteran in a local program at no cost to the Veteran.
Please Click Here If You Would Like To Donate
“PGA HOPE has served more than 50,000 Veterans since the program was launched, and while many battle with daily struggles, I’ve heard from so many that using golf as a platform for healing, has saved their life,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing (Michigan). “It’s a privilege to be among the more than 4,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who are PGA HOPE certified; it was a humbling experience to get a glimpse of the hurdles our Veterans face. I encourage anyone with the means to support this program to help build a community where Veterans can thrive through the game of golf.”
PGA of America HOPE 4 Heroes Press Release:
https://apnews.com/press-release/accesswire/golf-veterans-f3abb8a8e1ee6a17ff2daf6c3fd31a7c
PHOTOS | PGA HOPE Photography courtesy of PGA of America:
About the Wisconsin PGA
The Wisconsin Section is one of the 41 sections that comprise the regional entities of the PGA of America. Over 600 members and associates belong to the Wisconsin Section, stretching from areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to almost the entire state of Wisconsin. Annually, the Wisconsin Section conducts over 40 professional events, operates their foundation – PGA Reach Wisconsin, and participates in several growth-of-the-game activities including PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip and Putt and PGA Hope. Wisconsin PGA Office is located at 11350 W. Theo Trecker Way in West Allis, Wis.
About the PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 31,000 male and female golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The organization serves millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions.
About PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAHOPE on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.
About PGA of America REACH Foundation
The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.
WISCONSIN PGA SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @wisconsinpga
Facebook: facebook.com/WisconsinPGA
Twitter: @wisconsinpga
CONTACT: For more information, photos and to schedule interviews, contact:
Beth O’Reilly of O’Reilly Public Relations at bethoreillypr@gmail.com or 920-889-0818
Erika Pirkl, PGA, Director of Player Development for Wisconsin PGA at epirkl@pgahq.com