Twenty veterans received specialized golf and wellness training at the 6th annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week.
Held Oct. 9-13 at Congressional Country Club outside Washington, D.C., the veterans will now serve as Ambassadors of 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 foster the game of golf.
“PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week provides our veterans the opportunity to excel in their rehabilitation journey, and, in turn, empowers them to thrive from the health and social benefits golf provides,” said PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., in a statement. “We are honored that these veterans are willing to represent PGA HOPE as Ambassadors in their communities, charged with growing PGA HOPE to their fellow veterans. Most importantly, we are grateful for the service they have provided to our country.”
The immersive five-day event, hosted by the nonprofit foundation of the PGA of America, featured advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network, which focused on topics such as stress management and mental health, as well as public speaking and social media best practices.
Participating veterans are graduates of their local PGA HOPE programs, which introduce and teach golf to veterans and active-duty service members to enhance 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. It is currently hosted at more than 650 locations throughout the United States. With more than 4,400 trained PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE will serve 17,000 veterans in 2025.
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 expense. To support veterans through PGA HOPE, click here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.