Driving Change: How the NEPA Invitational is Powering Hope Across Northeast Pennsylvania
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | September 3, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
The NEPA Invitational: Where Golf Meets Community Impact
The NEPA Invitational was born from a desire to make a meaningful impact, on the game of golf, and on the lives of children and families in need. For tournament founder and PGA Tour professional Brandon Matthews, it’s a chance to bring the very best of his sport back to the community that shaped him.
Brandon Matthews: A Local Star with Global Reach
Matthews, a Dupont native and graduate of Pittston Area High School, first captured the attention of the golf world when he won the 2010 PIAA State Championship. His career flourished at Temple University, where he tied the school record with eight collegiate victories before turning professional in 2016.
Since then, Matthews has competed on tours across the globe, earning recognition not only for his monstrous driving power but also for his character. His act of kindness in 2019, comforting a fan with Down syndrome after a playoff disruption, earned him worldwide praise and cemented his reputation as one of golf’s true gentlemen.
Yet, despite his international career, Matthews has always kept his heart in Northeast Pennsylvania. The NEPA Invitational is his way of giving back, ensuring that the game he loves becomes a platform for hope and opportunity.
More Than a Tournament
Since its founding, the Invitational has grown into more than just a competition. It’s a celebration of community, philanthropy, and NEPA pride. Held at the Country Club of Scranton, the event brings together professional golfers, amateurs, sponsors, and supporters for a weekend that blends world-class golf with meaningful impact.
The schedule includes a free Junior Clinic to introduce young players to the game which was held this evening, the Harmony for Hope Gala, and two days of pro-am play. Beyond the fairways, the real victories come in the form of lives changed and futures supported.
Honoring a Legacy: The Lawler Scholarship
In 2021, the NEPA golf community lost Mr. William Lawler, a beloved figure and tireless supporter of junior golf. To honor his memory, the Lawler Scholarship Fund was created, providing opportunities for deserving young golfers across the region. The scholarship has already helped aspiring athletes pursue their dreams at the collegiate level, continuing Mr. Lawler’s legacy of mentorship and generosity.
A Record-Breaking Field in 2025
Community Partners and Beneficiaries
Through a partnership with the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the Invitational has expanded its reach each year, supporting a diverse range of charitable organizations across Northeastern Pennsylvania. The 2025 beneficiaries include:
Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA: Providing forensic interviews, medical exams, and specialized treatment for victims of child abuse, while delivering prevention education to the community.
Boys & Girls Club of NEPA: Offering safe, constructive environments for kids and teens, building leadership, and promoting sportsmanship and education.
Ronald McDonald House of Scranton: Giving families of hospitalized children a “home away from home,” easing financial burdens and creating a community of support.
MyCIL (Center for Independent Living): Helping individuals with disabilities live independently across NEPA, with core services, advocacy, and innovative programs.
Alongside these, the Invitational has continued support for the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, strengthening pediatric healthcare services for families across the region.
A Growing Legacy
Since its inception, the NEPA Invitational has raised over $650,000 to support local causes. Each year, the tournament grows—not only in scope and prestige but in its ability to transform lives. Matthews’ vision has turned what began as a community pro-am into one of the region’s premier charitable sporting events, uniting people around the shared values of generosity, resilience, and pride.
“The Invitational isn’t just about golf,” Matthews has often said. “It’s about coming together to make a difference.”
And that’s exactly what it has become, a tradition where drives off the tee echo far beyond the course, touching families and communities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
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