By Rich O’Brien; PGA HOPE Charleston
Many Veterans struggle to reintegrate back into society following military service as they battle conditions such as, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, or paralysis.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are over 4 million disabled Veterans nationwide, PTSD is one of the most common challenges faced by them, when they return home following military service.
They feel alone and isolated in their struggles, as their family and friends cannot understand what they experience. As a result, twenty-two veterans lose their battle with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) every day.
To help combat this problem, the PGA of America (PGA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs created a partnership known as PGA HOPE which stands for Helping Our 
Patriots Everywhere. The mission of the program is to introduce golf to Veterans with disabilities, as therapy, to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Veterans are introduced to golf through a developmental curriculum conducted by trained PGA Professionals. The program is funded through PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA and is free to all Veterans. PGA HOPE aspires to create physically and emotionally healthier Veterans, by shaping, changing, and saving our military heroes lives.
The program has currently grown to 132 host sites in 37 PGA chapters that serve approximately 3,000 Veterans nationwide. In the state of Ohio, there are four PGA HOPE sites with one in Northern Ohio at Clearview in East Canton, Ohio. For more information on this program, contact Renee Powell. Programs are also available in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. For more information, contact Amanda Fisher at the Southern Ohio PGA Office.
As the son and grandson of disabled Veterans, it has been my honor to be the Operations Manager the PGA HOPE program in Charleston, South Carolina. The program has grown from a handful of Veterans five years ago into the nation’s largest chapter with over 300 Veterans participating in year-round clinics at six host sites. The Charleston program has become the model program and featured on CBS Sports.
Camaraderie has been the key as Veterans no longer feel alone and, many have been able to trade nightmares and flashbacks for golf dreams and new friendships. These Veterans understand the program has saved lives and helped overcome addictions.
PGA HOPE can help Veterans readjust to everyday life. We certainly owe it to them. I encourage every community to create a program for our military heroes.
