09/02/2026
At the Oregon We Got Your 6 fundraiser, one veteran grabbed the mic and told us something we won't forget: "This program saved my life." As he told his story about how PGA HOPE helped him kick his addictions, reconnect with fellow vets, and gain a new sense of purpose, the audience was captivated. They were there, after all, to support veterans. And here was living proof that the program worked.
PGA HOPE gives U.S. military veterans free golf instruction and, just as important, a community of fellow veterans. The Oregon We Got Your 6 Scramble is how the Pacific Northwest PGA Foundation raises the money that keeps PGA HOPE running here.
We planned for 72 players. 75 showed up. The morning started with a light drizzle, but the sky cleared by the 8:30 a.m. start, and the field finished all 18 holes in 4 hours and 20 minutes — fast for a group that size.
The tournament raised $8,237, well past what we expected. That money will fund 25 Oregon veterans into PGA HOPE classes. If even one vet experiences the breakthrough Saturday's speaker described, this event will have more than done its job.
As the results came in, it looked like a dramatic finish was building, with three teams tied at 12-under 59. But at the last minute, the team from Waverly Country Club — Zach Emery, Kit Morris, Mark Nichols, and Doug Reed — posted a remarkable 15-under 56 to walk away with top honors.
The real winners, though, are the 25 veterans who'll get to experience PGA HOPE thanks to the generosity of the players, sponsors, and donors. None of this happens without support. Thank you to Todd Stretar at Comma Insurance and Mark Ensminger at BrightStar Care, who sponsored carts, lunch, and the contest holes. Thank you to John Hupp and Levy Restaurants for keeping golfers fed and hydrated on the course. Thank you to Trysting Tree Golf Course, and to head professional Sean Arey and Hogan Arey, for hosting and keeping the day running smoothly. Thank you to the many organizations that donated dozens of raffle prizes, especially the golf courses that each gave a foursome: Astoria Country Club, Stone Ridge, Eagle Point, Mt. Shasta, Arrowhead, Camas Meadows, and Mallard Creek. And thank you to the volunteer veteran ambassadors and team captains who made the day possible.
