Driving it forward

At 75, David Hale has a simple goal: make it to 100 so he can keep playing golf with his son, Daniel Hale ’13, for another 25 years. Through a charitable gift annuity that provides steady income now and future support for NMSU’s Professional Golfers’ Association Golf Management program, David Hale and his wife, Loraine Hale, are helping the next generation of Aggies share that same lifelong love of the game.

A Southern California native, David Hale grew up in South Gate and Downey, where his father instilled the joy of golf. During his last semester at Cerritos College in 1971, a Masterpieces of Literature class changed everything. He noticed Loraine Hale in the back row and found a seat beside her. They married in 1976 and 50 years later, remain partners in life and in every plan they make together.

The Hales waited to start their family until David Hale completed his master’s degree in accounting and entrepreneurship and launched his CPA firm. Their daughter, Katie Hale, arrived first; seven years later came Daniel Hale. David Hale tried to spark Katie Hale’s interest in golf, but she preferred tees and divots to fairways and later became a standout softball pitcher. 

Daniel Hale, however, took to the game immediately. At age 3, he received his first custom club when David trimmed down a 7-iron and set him loose with a bucket of balls. A decade later at Pebble Beach, David Hale beat his son for the last time.

When it came time for college, Daniel Hale wanted a program that combined elite golf training with a strong business foundation. NMSU quickly rose to the top for its PGA Golf Management program under Pat Gavin ’87 ’91 and its connection to the College of Business. The fit proved perfect. Daniel Hale thrived on and off the course. 

“In four years, Daniel went from a high school senior to a college graduate who knew how to conduct himself, serve clients and students, and be both a golf professional and a businessperson,” David Hale says.

After graduating, Daniel Hale became a golf professional and scratch golfer, later earning a master’s degree in sports management from Long Beach State University and building a career in marketing.

Seeing their son’s success, the Hales began supporting NMSU’s golf program. 

“The impact on students is powerful,” David Hale says. “I want to keep it strong.”

As both a CPA and certified financial planner, David Hale carefully mapped out retirement after selling his firm. When required minimum distributions from their IRAs began generating taxable income they didn’t need, the Hales looked for a solution that offered stability and purpose.

They combined qualified charitable distributions with charitable gift annuities to benefit the NMSU Foundation. Using traditional IRA funds, they established two charitable gift annuities that provide guaranteed income for life. Current tax law allows individuals 70½ and older to make a one-time, tax-free IRA transfer, up to $55,000 per person in 2026, to fund a charitable gift annuity, and the transfer can count toward required minimum distributions.

The result: tax-efficient giving today, reliable lifetime income, and a future investment in NMSU’s golf program. 

“It checked every box,” David Hale says. “We receive steady income, and when we’re gone, NMSU benefits.”

For him, the gift is also about time. 

“My dad passed away before Daniel was born, so I cherish every afternoon I get to spend with him on the golf course,” David Hale says. “I’d give a year of my life for Daniel and my dad to have just one day of golf together. My dad would be so proud.”

Through their thoughtful planning, the Hales are ensuring steady footing today and helping future Aggies carry the game forward.