SUNBURY, Ohio — The Northern Ohio PGA and Southern Ohio PGA Sections will add a new chapter to their longstanding statewide rivalry on Wednesday, September 30, when 24 Veterans and Active-Duty Military come together at NorthStar Golf Club for the inaugural Ohio HOPE Cup.
The Ryder Cup-style event will feature 12 PGA HOPE graduates representing Northern Ohio and 12 representing Southern Ohio in a day designed to combine competition with the camaraderie, confidence and sense of community at the heart of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).
The Ohio HOPE Cup builds upon a history of competition between the two PGA Sections. In 2026, Northern and Southern Ohio PGA Professionals will compete in the 30th Ohio Cup Matches, while junior golfers from the two Sections will meet for the fourth Junior Ohio Cup Matches. The Ohio HOPE Cup will now provide PGA HOPE graduates with their own opportunity to represent their Section in statewide competition.
“PGA HOPE has made an incredible impact on Veterans throughout Northern Ohio, and we are excited to give our graduates the opportunity to represent their Section and compete alongside others who have shared similar experiences,” said Northern Ohio PGA Executive Director David Griffith. “The Ohio Cup Matches have created a special relationship between our two Sections over the past 30 years, and extending that tradition to PGA HOPE is a natural next step. More than anything, this event is about bringing people together and celebrating everything these Veterans have accomplished through the program.”
Both PGA Sections conduct multiple PGA HOPE programs each year, collectively impacting hundreds of Veterans and Active-Duty Military throughout Ohio. PGA HOPE introduces participants to golf through a six-week program offered at no cost to Veterans. Following graduation, both Sections provide additional opportunities to remain connected to the game and one another through graduate playing opportunities, range days and other programming.
“The inaugural Ohio HOPE Cup represents what makes PGA HOPE so meaningful — connection, camaraderie and the opportunity to continue building relationships long after the six-week program concludes,” said Southern Ohio PGA Executive Director Patrick Salva. “We are proud to have 12 graduates representing the Southern Ohio PGA and look forward to joining Northern Ohio in establishing an event that we hope becomes an important tradition for Veterans across our state.”
Each Section will field six two-person teams in a handicapped scramble format. The competition will be conducted as stroke play, with the best three of four scores used to determine the winning Section and the fourth score serving as the tiebreaker.
Team Northern Ohio will be led by PGA Professional captains Barry Friedman, PGA; Trevor Hazen, PGA; and Dan Dauk, PGA. The 12 PGA HOPE graduates representing Northern Ohio are Jason Strejcek, Jennifer Baun, Trip Heaverly, Paul Heaverly, Francis Rawlings, Jeff Raver, Zackary Bennett, Kevin Halbrook, Nait Elkins, Konrad Kaniowski, Mark Knapp and Paul Robbins.
Team Southern Ohio will be led by PGA Professional captains Brian Jones, PGA; Pam Rothermund, PGA; and Trent Kopala, PGA. Representing Southern Ohio will be PGA HOPE graduates Brandon Johnson, Kevin Farrell, Steve Crosley, Scott Truitt, Tim Keller, Keith North, Ryan Andrew, Bethany Farler, Dr. Aisha Johnson, Chad Welker and David Quicho.
Players will arrive at NorthStar Golf Club beginning at 10:30 a.m., with practice facilities opening at the same time. Following a group photo and lunch, the six matches will begin with tee times from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m. The day will conclude with the presentation of the inaugural Ohio HOPE Cup at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Flag & Anthem will serve as a supporting partner of the inaugural event.
The Ohio HOPE Cup is intended to become an annual competition between the Northern Ohio PGA and Southern Ohio PGA Sections, with hosting responsibilities alternating between the two Sections. Following this year’s inaugural competition in Northern Ohio, the Southern Ohio PGA is scheduled to host the event in 2027.