Did you know the Minnesota Section PGA has a charitable foundation, known as PGA REACH Minnesota? Started in 1996, the Foundation was rebranded in the fall of 2017 as PGA REACH Minnesota, with REACH standing for Recreation, Education, Awareness, Community and Health. REACH has three main pillars focusing on military, youth, and inclusion. All the programs conducted under the REACH umbrella have a main focus in these areas.

This is the second year PGA REACH Minnesota is wholly or partly involved with three charity outings benefitting organizations in the community as well as REACH initiatives. The tournaments fulfill two of the pillars of PGA REACH Minnesota, military and inclusion.

The newest tournament to the Minnesota PGA’s schedule is the Minnesota Tapemark Charity Pro-Am which takes place June 7-9, 2019 at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul, Minnesota. While this is technically the 48^th year of the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am, this is the first year that the Minnesota PGA is behind the scenes of the event. Bob Klas Senior, a father of two children with special needs, started the event to benefit different non-profit agencies around the Twin Cities in their assistance of special needs children. With his friend and co-worker Pat Cody Senior, the two organizers have kept the event in their family and expanded the beneficiaries to three different agencies in the metro: Pro Act, The Arc Minnesota, and Living Well. PGA REACH Minnesota was an additional beneficiary in 2018, and the event will continue to benefit these four organizations. This event has always been a Major Tournament for the Minnesota Section PGA as well. For more information, to partner with the event, or to register yourself or a team, please visit tapemarkgolf.org.

Coming off a strong inaugural year in 2018, this year’s 100 Holes for HOPE is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year. This event is held at Mount Frontenac Golf Course in Mount Frontenac, Minnesota on June 13, 2019 and is played on one of the longest days of the year. PGA Professionals and Minnesota’s military veterans complete a marathon 100-hole challenge to raise funds for PGA HOPE Chapters located throughout the state. HOPE stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere, and is available as a therapeutic option for veterans to enhance their mental, social, physical and emotional wellbeing; all while enhancing their assimilation back into society. Because of events like 100 Holes for HOPE, these PGA HOPE Chapters and instruction are offered to our veterans at no cost. To find how you can get involved with 100 Holes for HOPE, please visit 100holesforHOPE.com.

PGA REACH Minnesota’s longest-standing event is the Ian Leonard Bad Pants Open. This is the event’s 13^th year and second being held at Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove, Minnesota on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. The motto of the day is “Bad Pants for a Good Cause”, and everyone is encouraged to wear their best “bad” pants, shorts, skirt, or kilt. PGA REACH Minnesota hosts this tournament with the help of Special Olympics Minnesota, and funds raised from this tournament benefit both organizations. The format of this event is a Pro-Am in the morning with PGA Professionals and Special Olympic athletes, followed by a lunch and an 18-hole scramble in the afternoon. For information about registering a team, donating auction items, or partnering with the event, please contact the Minnesota PGA at 763-754-0820.

For more information about all of PGA REACH Minnesota’s initiatives, please visit pgareach.org/Minnesota.