20 veterans will receive specialized golf and wellness training to become national PGA HOPE ambassadors
Twenty military veterans received specialized golf and wellness training Oct. 9-13 during the 6th annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, presented by ConnocoPhillips and T-Mobile. Held at Congressional Country Club near our nation’s capital, these veterans will now serve as ambassadors for PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, and return to their home PGA sections to work with other veterans and help advance the game of golf.
The immersive five-day event, organized by the 501(c)(3) Foundation of the PGA of America, included advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network, focusing on topics such as stress management and mental health, as well as public speaking and social media best practices.
“PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week provides our veterans with the opportunity to excel in their rehabilitation journey, and in turn, allows them to thrive through the health and social benefits that golf provides,” said Don Rea Jr., president of PGA of America, PGA. “We are honored that these veterans are willing to represent PGA HOPE as ambassadors in their communities, charged with growing PGA HOPE for their fellow veterans. Most importantly, we are grateful for the service they have provided to our country.”
Participating PGA HOPE Veterans
Roland Abare; Navy; PGA HOPE Northeast New York; Cohoes, NY
Troy Abel; Air Force / National Air Guard; PGA HOPE Midwest; Topeka, Kan.
Chris Aranda; Army; PGA HOPE Carolinas; Myrtle Beach, SC
Daniel Ferrere Sr.; Army; PGA HOPE Tennessee; Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
Pat Forrestal; Marine Corps; PGA HOPE Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia.
Todd Frey; Navy; PGA HOPE South Florida; Punta Gorda, Florida.
Paul Garcia; Air Force (active duty); PGA HOPE Colorado; Commercial City, Colo.
Manny Gonzales III; Marine Corps; PGA HOPE Zonland; Albuquerque, NM
Tim Hubbard; Army; PGA HOPE Indiana; Zionsville, Ind.
Dusty hull; Army/National Guard; PGA HOPE Michigan; Lansing, Mich.
John Hupp; Army; PGA HOPE Pacific Northwest; Corvallis, Or.
Matt Jackson; Army; PGA HOPE Southwest; Surprise, Ariz.
Brandon Johnson; Air Force; PGA HOPE Southern Ohio; Xenia, Ohio
Anthony Laske; Army; PGA HOPE Wisconsin; Shorewood, Wis.
Don Moore; Army; PGA HOPE North Florida; Jacksonville, FL.
DJ Naigan; Navy; PGA HOPE Southern California; San Diego, California.
Adam Napier; Army; PGA HOPE Gulf States; Louisville, Mrs.
Bob O’Neill; Army; PGA HOPE Kentucky; Corbin, Ky.
Jason Strejcek; Navy; PGA HOPE Northern Ohio; Strongsville, OH
George Vasiloff; Air Force; PGA HOPE Philadelphia; Enola, Penn.
Team leaders:
Franko Poynter; Navy; PGA HOPE Indiana; New Palestine, Ind.
Christopher Garner; Coast Guard; PGA HOPE Tennessee; Memphis, Tenn.
Participating veterans are graduates of their local PGA HOPE programs, which introduce and teach golf to veterans and active military personnel to improve their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The six- to eight-week curriculum is led by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency and is currently hosted in more than 650 locations across the United States. With more than 4,400 trained PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE will serve 17,000 veterans by 2025.
Special guests during the week included Captain Charlie Plumb, who gave a keynote address detailing his experiences as a six-year prisoner in the Vietnam War after his plane was shot down during his 75th mission, five days before the end of his tour. There was also a fireside chat with 2019 World Series Champion “Mr. National” Ryan Zimmerman, who spent his entire 17-year career with the Washington Nationals, which was moderated by award-winning reporter and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee Bret Baier.
PGA HOPE is celebrating 10 years of impact, including a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs that allows direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. The program is transforming and saving the lives of America’s heroes, helping more than 50,000 veterans since its inception.
PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week culminated with golf at Congressional Country Club on Monday, October 13, with veterans playing alongside corporate sponsors, PGA of America Golf Professionals and dignitaries. The Congressional has regularly hosted major championships over the years and will host five PGA of America Championships through 2037, including the 2037 Ryder Cup, the 2030 PGA Championship, the 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the 2033 Senior PGA Championship and the 2029 PGA Professional Championship.
PGA HOPE is open to public support and fundraising. Every $330 raised allows a veteran or active duty military member to participate in PGA HOPE at no personal cost.
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