![]() The benefits of Veteran comradery, social interaction and golf instruction has really made a big difference in my life. I have been involved with the PGA HOPE program now for about a year. There is an interactive map that will hopefully give you the information you need. Please understand, I’m not at all mad just in need of some “ME TIME.”įor those having difficulty finding area clinics try using: I would love to enjoy a free golf clinic or anything I can do to relax my mind. I’m emotionally, mentally and physically drained yet I still place everyone’s needs ahead of my own. I’ve held in a-lot, suffered and have gone through so much alone mostly for the sake of our children. I said all of that to say this….I HAVE PTSD TOO My husband and I will be married 35 years in July and 26 of those years are military service. My husband suffers from PTSD and oftentimes I feel like I have to walk on eggshells in my own home in order to protect him. I don’t feel noticed or validated for all that I’ve been through and going through. I’ve been under so much stress, anxiety, depression, abuse and loss. Yes, I understand that our spouses have fought in wars, multiple deployments, various diagnoses, loss of limbs etc., and my heart truly goes out to ALL of our HEROES. Is this opportunity available to Veteran Spouses? I’ve always felt like, we as spouses get overlooked. “I’ve experienced so much good from my own golf journey, and I want to make sure these Veterans experience all the same great things that come with playing golf.” “The joy that our Veterans express during PGA HOPE is something that I think every golfer experiences in their own way,” explained Reinhart. Scott Reinhart, a PGA Teaching Professional, who recently established one of the first PGA HOPE programs in Hawaii, says his passion has always been to engage larger communities in the game. There are currently more than 1,400 PGA professionals in the country who have been trained to lead a PGA HOPE program at their facility. These men and women are the tangible connection to the game and have dedicated their careers to ensuring there are more people playing and enjoying the sport. At the forefront of these programs are local PGA professionals who are experts in teaching the game. The program will serve 11,000 Veterans across the country in 2023, with new locations opening almost every month. “We encourage the Veterans to find that moment in time because this is part of the rehabilitation process, to forget about everything else that is going on outside of the golf to provide a moment of clarity.” ![]() “When you’re on the golf course, you have to be singularly focused on the task at-hand-which in this case is to get a little white ball into a hole in the ground,” Nowak said. Of these 42 million players, thousands of Veterans across the country are turning to golf and using the sport as therapeutic rehabilitation through PGA HOPE.Ĭhris Nowak, PGA of America Military & Veteran liaison, explains how the program is more about the journey a Veteran experiences going through the program than the game of golf. According to recent National Golf Foundation reports on the industry, more than 119 million Americans were exposed to the game and 42 million participated in the game this past year. Golf has seen a massive spike in participation and popularity in the last four years. PGA HOPE programs are available in 47 states at more than 340 locations. The program is free and led exclusively by PGA professionals who are trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. ![]() ![]() Whether they are brand new to the game or returning to it, all Veterans are invited and encouraged to participate. The program uses golf as a way to create a welcoming environment for Veterans who are looking to build community and find wellness. The beauty of PGA HOPE is you can truly come as you are-no clubs and no prior golf experience are required. PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE-Helping Our Patriots Everywhere-is introducing and teaching golf to Veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. ![]()
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