Carolinas PGA

What Carolinas PGA does

The Carolinas PGA Section is the largest of 41 regional sections of the PGA of America, serving more than 2,500 professional members and associates employed at over 700 golf facilities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Virginia. Founded in 1923 and officially recognized by the PGA in 1940, the section operates as a nonprofit professional association from its headquarters at 6271 Bryan Park Rd., Browns Summit, North Carolina, under CEO & Executive Director Jeff Abbot. Its operations are organized around three functions: member services for PGA professionals (career consulting, retirement planning, the CPGA mobile directory app, continuing education), tournament operations (the 102nd Carolinas Open, Senior Events, Pro-Ams, Assistants' Championships, PGA TOUR qualifying, managed via the BlueGolf platform), and charitable programming through the PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organized around Youth, Military, and Inclusion pillars.

The foundation's programs include PGA HOPE adaptive golf for veterans (28 active chapters), youth development (Drive, Chip & Putt with the USGA and Masters, PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf), and inclusion initiatives (the PGA WORKS Fellowship and Harvick4HighSchoolGolf). Revenue is generated primarily through member-related services, tournament entry fees (typically $100-$250 per player for Pro-Ams, with selected team-based events such as the 12 Oaks Pro-Am priced at $2,500 per team), and a sponsor and partner ecosystem anchored by premier corporate partners including Yamaha, E-Z-GO, Club Car, Airshare, JaniKing, TITE Eyewear, and Unknown Golf. Charitable fundraising flows through recurring events such as the Harvick4Heroes Pro-Am (with the Kevin Harvick Foundation) and the Henderson Charity Classic. The section is not venture-backed or publicly traded, and financial details are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Carolinas PGA

Legal name

Carolinas PGA Section

Website

https://carolinas.pga.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the PGA of America's 41 regional sections, serves 2,500+ professional golf members at 700+ facilities across North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Virginia through member services, tournaments, and PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Golf Association Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (7112), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Tours & Professional Circuits (MPAKAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport-Specific Amateur Leagues & Circuits (Non-Professional) (MPAKACAJ)

Keywords

• Professional golf association
• Golf tournament operations
• Golf education programs
• Adaptive golf veterans
• Junior golf development

Headquarters

HQ city

Browns Summit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Services: Provides services to PGA professionals including education, tournament operations, career development, and member directory access through the CPGA app.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Carolinas PGA Section is a nonprofit professional membership association that serves PGA golf professionals and associates across North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Virginia. It organizes competitive tournaments (including the 102nd Carolinas Open, Pro-Ams, senior and junior events), delivers professional education and PGA certification pathways, and runs member services such as career consulting and retirement planning. Through its PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation (501(c)(3)), it operates youth development programs (Drive, Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf), military adaptive-golf programs (PGA HOPE), and inclusion initiatives (PGA WORKS Fellowship, Harvick4HighSchoolGolf).

Product overview

The Carolinas PGA Section is a professional membership organization for golf professionals, not a single unified technology product. It operates as a platform of programs and services organized under the PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation (501c3 nonprofit), with major offerings including PGA HOPE (military veteran adaptive golf), youth development programs (Drive, Chip & Putt, PGA Jr. League, PGA Family Golf), tournament operations (Carolinas Open, Senior Events, Pro-Ams), professional education and certification pathways, and member services. The section serves over 2,500 professional members and associates across North and South Carolina through a network of more than 700 golf facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tournament Operations Organizes and manages major championships including the Carolinas Open (102nd edition), Senior Events, Assistants' Association events, Junior Tournaments, Pro-Am events, and PGA TOUR Qualifying across North and South Carolina. Open to PGA members and qualifying amateur golfers.
• PGA Golf Management Programs Educational pathway for individuals seeking to become PGA Professionals, including coursework, mentored experience, and certification through the PGA of America. Available to aspiring golf professionals.
• Member Services Support services for PGA members including career consulting, retirement planning resources, CPGA Directory access, and professional development opportunities. Available to PGA members and associates.
• Carolinas PGA App FREE mobile application providing Carolinas PGA members unlimited access to member and facility directory, tournament listings, sales reps, and partner listings. Available to PGA members.
• PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation The 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, focused on positively impacting lives of youth, military veterans, and diverse populations through golf. Operates through three pillars: Youth, Military, and Inclusion.
• PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Adaptive golf program offered by PGA Professionals as a rehabilitation tool to improve veterans' quality of life through enhanced mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being. Provided at no cost to veterans at twenty-eight locations across North and South Carolina.
• Drive, Chip & Putt A national junior golf development program in partnership with the USGA and Masters Tournament, focusing on teaching and testing fundamental golf skills through local, regional, and national competitions for juniors ages 7-15.
• PGA Jr. League Team-based junior golf league for players ages 17 and under, featuring leagues, section championships, regional championships, and national championships with PGA Professional coaching.
• PGA Family Golf Program designed to encourage families to play golf together through relaxed, team-based formats suitable for all ages and skill levels.
• PGA WORKS Fellowship A 15-month paid immersion fellowship program providing young professionals exposure to all aspects of the Carolinas PGA Section's operations, with the goal of developing future leaders in the golf industry.
• Harvick4HighSchoolGolf Program Program aimed at growing golf among high school students, part of the Harvick4Heroes initiative supported by NASCAR's Kevin Harvick Foundation.
• Growth of the Game Grant Financial grant program providing funding to support local PGA Professionals and associates dedicated to growing the game of golf in the Carolinas region. Expanded to provide $17,500 in funding for 2026 recipients.
• Super Show Annual merchandise show bringing together PGA professionals and industry partners for education, networking, and innovation showcases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4,700 veterans served through PGA HOPE since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered premier partner, core and minor.

• JaniKingpremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerNational cleaning services provider listed as Premier Partner of Carolinas PGA
• Airsharepremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate aviation services partner, also sponsors specific events like Harrah's Cherokee Pro-Am and created logo for 102nd Carolinas Open
• Unknown Golfpremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf apparel brand listed as Premier Partner and presenter of Super Show
• TITE Eyewearpremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear brand sponsor of 102nd Carolinas Open
• Yamahapremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf car manufacturer listed as Premier Partner
• E-Z-GOpremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf car manufacturer listed as Premier Partner
• Club Carpremier partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf car manufacturer sponsor of Harrah's Cherokee Pro-Am
• Kevin Harvick FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASCAR champion Kevin Harvick and wife DeLana founded the foundation. Since 2018, the annual Harvick4Heroes Pro-Am has raised over $1.1 million for veterans and youth through PGA REACH Carolinas
• SoundGearcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of 7th Annual Harvick4Heroes PGA REACH Charity Pro-Am
• TD BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of 8th Annual PGA HOPE Cup at Kiawah Island
• Total Packaging Company Freedom FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Kent Schneider, supports programs for armed forces, underprivileged youth, and those affected by cancer. Raised $37,000 for PGA HOPE at third annual charity Pro-Am
• Carmel Country ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup during PGA Championship week
• Charlotte Checkers (AHL Hockey)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed up with Carolinas PGA to raise $25,000 for PGA REACH, blending golf and hockey communities
• Project Golf (Angel Diaz, PGA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) charity providing adaptive golf instruction for disabled veterans. Director Angel Diaz leads Myrtle Beach PGA HOPE programs, served 453+ disabled veterans and 100 underserved youth. Instrumental in establishing SC PGA HOPE Day
• Pinehurst ResortcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIconic venue hosting Drive, Chip & Putt Regional qualifying and PGA Jr. League events
• First Tee - Central CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development partner providing junior golf programs including Drive, Chip & Putt qualifiers and PGA Jr. League
• The Club at 12 OaksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for 12 Oaks Pro-Am Presented by Stitch Golf with $2,500 team entry fee
• NASCAR Hall of FameminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent venue partner for Secretary's Cup welcome evening during PGA Championship week

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PGA Tour: Top men's professional golf tour that runs tournaments nationwide; Carolinas PGA operates qualifying stages and section events that funnel into PGA Tour pathways.
• First Tee: National 501(c)(3) youth-development organization delivering golf programming in the same Carolinas geography; directly competes for junior golfers, foundation grants, and corporate sponsors.
• PGA of America: National umbrella organization for PGA Professionals; Carolinas PGA is one of its 41 sections, making this the natural broad incumbent for membership, certification, and tournament standards.
• United States Golf Association (USGA): National governing body for amateur golf; manages rules, handicaps, and umbrella championships that Carolinas PGA members and tournaments interface with directly.

Direct peers

• Carolinas Golf Association: Amateur golf association covering the same NC/SC territory; directly competes on amateur championships, Pro-Ams, and youth-program funding within the Carolinas footprint.

Regional players

• Sun Country PGA Section: Operates the same professional-association model for PGA Members in a different Sun Belt territory; offers the closest direct analog on programs, tournaments, and foundation.
• Florida PGA Section: Another large PGA section delivering identical membership, tournament, and foundation services in Florida; comparable scale and operational complexity to Carolinas PGA.
• Northern California PGA Section: West Coast PGA section running the same mission, member programming, and tournament operations; useful benchmark for non-Sun-Belt section performance.
• Southern Texas PGA Section: Operates the same PGA-member support, tournament, and foundation model across Texas; directly comparable on revenue mix, programs, and tournament calendar.

Others

• National Golf Foundation: Industry research and trade association for golf; serves a different (B2B/research) function but is highly comparable as a sector intelligence body and ecosystem partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/carolinaspga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carolinaspga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carolinas PGA