PGA HOPE (Helping Our Veterans Everywhere)

Kentucky’s PGA HOPE programs provide all Veterans with FREE golf instruction taught by local PGA Professionals.  The HOPE program is designed to provide golf as a therapeutic rehabilitation tool for all military Veterans. The lifetime sport of golf has proven to be an excellent outlet for activity and competition, but also allows Veterans to assimilate back into their community through the social interaction the game provides. Sessions include instruction, camaraderie and playing opportunities.

PGA HOPE FACTS

It is a fact that suicide is a major issue among military Veterans, with recent statistical studies showing that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. PGA HOPE is working to change this statistic.

Participants of PGA HOPE programs include military Veterans living with physical or cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among other challenges.

The Department of Veterans Affairs research and clinical experience verify that physical activity is important to maintaining good health, speeding recovery and improving overall quality of life. For many injured Veterans, adaptive sports provide their first exposure to physical activity after injury.

PGA HOPE programming is fully funded by PGA REACH and offered at NO COST for Military Veterans.

PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.

PGA HOPE TESTIMONIALS

"Some people, they like coming to PGA HOPE because we just get to talk about our experiences. And it helps them to talk about these issues or some of their problems with other guys who understand what it's like to have been in those same positions. It's good therapy. It's good therapy for all of us." ~Matt O'Keefe, PGA

"I can see a golf ball, but I can't track it or see where it goes after I hit it. I'm able to play with a pro or another veteran in PGA HOPE though and they're able to point out to me where it went. It changed me from a person who would hit a golf ball to a person who could be good at golf. We work with one another and it feels similar to the camaraderie developed in the service. It feels so good helping others who went through the same things you did." ~Ted Palmer

"PGA HOPE is probably the biggest motivation I've found. I wouldn't say I was in a state of depression before I was in PGA HOPE, but I went to a session trying to get some of my mobility back and regain some of my physical attributes. Right away, I got challenged by my PGA Professional to try these different skills. The next day, I was swinging a golf club hundreds of times because I wanted to get better as a golfer and an athlete. I got hooked on golf, learned so many things about myself, and made some tremendous friends that I wouldn't have met without PGA HOPE." ~Gregory Mack, Jr.

PGA HOPE UPCOMING SCHEDULES

2022 schedules coming soon!