Honoring Veterans Through Golf: Dryvebox at the 2024 PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup in Louisville

Some events are bigger than golf. The 9th PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup at the University of Louisville Golf Club was one of them — and Dryvebox was proud to be part of it.

Held during 2024 PGA Championship week at Valhalla, the Secretary’s Cup brought together 48 military veterans from across the country, all graduates of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, for a day of competition, camaraderie, and recognition for their service.

A motorcade fit for heroes

The day began with a motorcade escort from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and an opening ceremony that featured a helicopter flyover from the Louisville Metro Police Department Air Patrol Unit. Twelve teams — each consisting of one PGA of America Golf Professional and four military veterans — competed in a 9-hole match as part of 2024 PGA Championship activities for PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America.

“You had the courage to serve our country, you also had the courage to get off the couch and go to PGA HOPE training and be out here today. You’re representing your respective PGA of America Sections today, but you also represent the country.”

— John Lindert, PGA of America President

A veteran-run Dryvebox

Before and after their on-course rounds, veterans visited our mobile golf simulator — which made the day even more meaningful for us, because the Dryvebox on site was run by a veteran himself: Ryan Kortze of Dryvebox Tampa.

Ryan served 20 years in the Army, including 15 years as a Special Forces Green Beret. Having him host the Secretary’s Cup activation was the kind of full-circle moment that captures why Dryvebox exists in the first place: making golf accessible to people who might not otherwise have a chance to play, and meeting them where they are.

About PGA HOPE

PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH. It introduces golf to veterans and active-duty military through a developmental 6–8 week curriculum led by PGA of America Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programming is free for participants, funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section foundations.

In 2024, PGA HOPE was on pace to positively impact more than 17,000 veterans and active-duty military across all 50 states, through more than 535 program locations. The program holds a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs that allows direct referrals as part of veterans’ healing process.

A tradition we’ll keep showing up for

Dryvebox has long been aligned with PGA HOPE — earlier in 2024, we partnered with PGA HOPE at the 71st PGA Show in Orlando to unveil our latest trailer model with the support of EP Golf Ventures, the investment partnership between the PGA of America and Elysian Park Ventures.

Showing up for veterans through golf isn’t a one-time activation. It’s a tradition we plan to keep building, alongside the PGA of America, PGA HOPE, and the franchisees and partners across our network who share the mission.

To everyone who served — and to everyone who served alongside you in Louisville — thank you.