PGA WORKS FELLOWSHIP

HAROLD HILL DANIEL AROS MACKENZIE CROSSMAN BRIAN OLIVER

community. After three whole years, these highschoolers have raised over $60,000 for our Carolinas PGA HOPE programs. With this fundraiser, they have had the opportunity to meet and play golf with veterans and bring awareness to their needs. This year has a bittersweet ending, as three of the five golfers will head off to college next fall and begin a new chapter. Rhodes Baker, Robert Gefaell, Kyle Haas, Preston Howe and Fisher Kennedy, raised the most funds this year! Second place goes to Jason Franklin and Connor Walters for raising over $2,000 at Bald Head Island. Third place goes to John Schoenmaker for raising almost $1,000. Thank you to all who participated and donated towards our 100 Holes for HOPE Fundraiser! Your support is making a positive impact on the lives of our veterans in the Carolinas.

CPGA STAFF

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

IN THE CAROLINAS

Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellows

2022: MIA HAYASAKI

he PGA WORKS Fellowship is one of the flagship programs of PGA REACH. The PGA WORKS Fellowship aspires to be the most valuable entrylevel employment opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to garner experience in all facets of the golf industry. The Sunny Harris Hutchinson PGA WORKS Fellowship will go on in perpetuity in the Carolinas PGA Section and will continue to help evolve the changing demographic composition of the golf industry workforce, so that it reflects the demographic composition of modern-day America. A devoted mother, wife, sister and daughter, as well as a graduate of Charlotte Latin and Davidson College, Sara went by her popular nickname of “Sunny. ” She was a project interior designer and commercial broker at Lincoln Harris, the firm started by her father, Charlotte real estate developer and Quail Hollow Club President Johnny Harris. Sunny had a true passion for the game of golf and was largely involved in the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, as well as the Wells Fargo Championship. She passed away suddenly in February, at the age of 43. The Fellowship serves as a lasting tribute to her loving memory, as well as her admiration for the game of golf. “PGA REACH Carolinas will proudly pay tribute to the legacy of Sunny Harris Hutchinson and her incredible passion for the game, by naming one of the most significant and inspirational programs of PGA REACH in the Carolinas in her memory, ” said PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua. “Designed with a focus on foundation programming, the Fellowship will also positively impact lives through golf for years to come. ” The PGA WORKS Fellowship is intended to engage a diverse group of participants. Collectively, they represent a wide array of demographics—including various genders, ages, races/colors, national origin/ancestries, sexual orientation, disabilities and Veterans status—although all are welcome to apply.

T2021-2022: HANNAH GOSTONCZIK 2019- 2020: GABRIELLA RIVERA-GARCIA 2018-2019: TELVIN WALKER 2017-2018: JESSICA ASBURY GABRIELLA RIVERA-GARCIA, JESSICA ASBURY, & TELVIN WALKER

My role is to identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward current and prospective donors in expanding their financial support of the work of the Folds of Honor through the game of golf. Folds of Honor’s mission is to provide life-changing scholarships to families of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. I have shared that a lot of my success is all thanks to the PGA WORKS Fellowship and my time as the PGA REACH Carolinas Program Director. The PGA WORKS Fellowship has allowed me to garner connections and experiences I never thought I could have received.

JESSICA EVERETT REGIONAL IMPACT OFFICER, GOLF FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION

HANNAH GOSTONCZIK PROGRAM COORDINATOR CONGAREE FOUNDATION

My role is to oversee Congaree's philanthropic efforts in the local community and organize the Congaree Global Golf Initiative (CGGI). CGGI's mission is to provide underserved and welldeserving high school students, who aspire to play collegiate golf, access to the highest level of athletic and academic coaching to enhance their opportunities for success. I deeply appreciate the training, support, and professional development I have received as a PGA WORKS Fellow with the Carolinas PGA Section. The PGA WORKS Fellowship helped me gain experience and professional connections before transitioning to my new role with the Congaree Foundation.

TELVIN WALKER

1ST ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL

CEDAR CREST GOLF COURSE

The SHH WORKS Fellowship has helped prepare me for my current position. Through the fellowship, I have gained knowledge and skills such as tournament planning/execution, marketing, and community outreach activation. All of those skills help me in my current position of assisting with the management of the daily operations of a golf facility.

GABRIELLA RIVERA ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL THE CLUB AT QUAIL RIDGE

My PGA WORKS Fellowship with the CarolinasPGA gave me experience in multiple facets of the Golf Industry and opened the door to a career in Golf. I will treasure my experience and friendships forever.

MIA HAYASAKI PGA REACH COORDINATOR CAROLINAS PGA

This fellowship has provided me with hands-on experience and the opportunity to further my leadership skills for my new role as the PGA REACH Carolinas Coordinator. I have been able to gain confidence and expertise in all aspects of the REACH Foundation.

5QUESTIONS With Mia Hayasaki, 2022 S.S.H.H. PGA WORKS Fellow

In May of 2022, the PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation & the Carolinas PGA welcomed their 6th PGA WORKS Fellow, Mia Hayasaki. Mia was born and raised in Champaign, IL. At the age of 5 she began playing golf with her father and played competitively as she grew older. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Psychology with a minor in Business. After demonstrating stellar leadership over the next six months, Mia was hired on full time as the PGA REACH Coordinator! WHAT LED YOU TO THIS CAREER?

1Growing up, golf played competiti was vely a huge in junio part r gol of f a my life nd was . I later a member of my High School golf team. While attending the University of Illinois, I unfortunately lost track of its importance. I instead took time to get my foot in the door into the sports industry. I worked as a Program Assistant for Campus Recreation and a Marketing Assistant for the Athletics department. I am proud to have made it full circle and now have a career in golf! WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE AS THE S.S.H.H. FELLOW?

2This fellows experience hip has in num allow erous ed me profes to sio gai nal n aspects and be well rounded in my skills. I am able to assist in event operations, administration, marketing & social media, fundraising, and more. The PGA WORKS program is helpful in professional development as we are given the opportunity to network with inspiring leaders within the industry. This program has led me down the best path for my career in athletics. WHAT ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR TIME AS THE S.S.H.H. FELLOW?

3My Fe exp llow erience as has been the S full of .H.H. PGA WORKS exciting weeks and events. A few of my favorite include the Drive, Chip & Putt Regional Qualifier at Quail Hollow, my week of working the Presidents Cup, the Harvick4Heroes Charity Pro-Am, the PGA HOPE Cup at Cougar Point Golf Course - Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and having the opportunity to play some amazing courses like Pine Needles Golf Club, Quail Hollow Club & The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island! WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LOOKING TO TAKE THE SAME PATH YOU DID?

4My ad eager vic to e to lear y n oung profession and experience als is new to thi be ngs. You will build off of your skills and abilities and be well rounded for the future. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST AS YOU CONTINUE WORKING FOR THE SECTION?

5I r am elat looking ionships forw and ard wo to building rking more stronger with our PGA Members. I would also like to form deeper connections with those we are serving like our Military veterans and junior golfers.