COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Southern Ohio PGA is proud to announce the members of the first ever team to represent the Section at the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup. The all-women Veteran team is led by PGA of America Member Matt Starr.

  • Dr. Aisha Johnson – Air Force
  • Alyson Goolsby – Air Force
  • Jessica Blair – Air Force
  • Melissa Dickens – Navy

All four of these women were exceptionally impressive during their participation in basic training of PGA HOPE Southern Ohio programs as well as graduate-level programming. They also were active participants in the 2024 Southern Ohio PGA HOPE Cup.

They have a combined 35 years of service to our country.

The 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup will take place May 12 at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. 12 teams representing PGA of America Sections across the nation will compete in the ninth edition of the tournament.

The Secretary’s Cup was established in 2016 as an opportunity to celebrate our nation’s veterans and the therapeutic benefits golf can bring to our country’s heroes. The event is not just about the competition, it’s an opportunity to showcase each Veteran’s journey in navigating civilian life after their service time is complete. It’s a chance for the PGA HOPE Community, consisting of PGA of America Professionals/HOPE instructors and the Veterans themselves, to see the positive effects of their camaraderie.

 

PGA Sections across the country have collaborated with their PGA of America Professionals to assemble and prepare these teams for this event as a way of continuing their dedication to Veterans beyond their HOPE graduation. Team members were selected based on their own opportunities to be impacted by this experience and then communicate the benefits of it to their own Veteran communities. It’s a full-circle chance to be both fulfilled with support from others and be inspired by the motivation to pass that along to any Veteran who might need that assistance.

To learn more about Team Southern Ohio and the other teams participating in the 2025 Secretary’s Cup, please click here.