A New Jersey team of military veterans led by Eagle Ridge Golf Club head PGA professional Rylee Plitz finished second at the 2026 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup, held May 18 at Chester Valley Golf Club in Pennsylvania ahead of the 108th PGA Championship.
The nine-hole event brought together 12 teams from PGA HOPE programs across the country. Each team included four PGA HOPE graduates and a PGA of America golf professional. PGA HOPE, which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere, is the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation.
The New Jersey team included Justin Key of Hoboken, who served nine years in the U.S. Army; Ernie Trent of Plainsboro, who served three years in the U.S. Army; Michael Tozer of Brick, who served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps; and Jose Sagal of Piscataway, who served three years in the U.S. Army.
PGA HOPE is a rehabilitative golf program that introduces veterans to the sport through a six- to eight-week curriculum designed to support physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program is taught by PGA golf professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency.
The PGA of America said the program has served more than 65,000 veterans and active-duty military members over the past decade and now operates at more than 650 locations nationwide.
“The Secretary’s Cup serves to celebrate our Veterans, Active Duty Military and PGA HOPE programs across the country,” Eric Eshleman, secretary of the PGA of America, said during the opening ceremony. “We are thrilled to be with so many Veterans today who are proudly representing their PGA Sections from across the country.”
The event, presented by American Airlines, is held annually in conjunction with the PGA Championship. It began in 2016 and is named for the secretary of Veterans Affairs, recognizing a memorandum of understanding between the PGA of America REACH Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The agreement allows direct referrals to PGA HOPE as a form of therapy.
Team PGA HOPE Michigan won this year’s Secretary’s Cup at 4-under. The team was led by PGA of America golf professional Scott Vice and included veterans Ryan Young, Chris MacIntosh, Joel Collins and Roy Thomas.
PGA HOPE New England received the Journey Award, presented by Hidden Links, which recognizes PGA Section-level support for PGA HOPE and its impact on veterans and active-duty service members.
Participating veterans and PGA professionals also attended a welcome celebration and Taste of Philadelphia dinner Sunday at the National Constitution Center as part of the Secretary’s Cup experience.