CINCINNATI, Ohio (June 19, 2021) – PGA REACH Southern Ohio is thrilled to get the 2021 PGA HOPE sessions underway, beginning with the well established Cincinnati Chapter at Meadow Links & Golf Academy.
Throughout the last six years Matt Starr, PGA has coordinated the PGA HOPE program at Meadow Links & Golf Academy, a Great Parks of Hamilton County facility. He and sixteen of his fellow PGA Professionals have provided basic golf instruction to more than 100 veterans and military personnel in that timespan.
This year was no different as nine PGA Professionals gathered with 86 participants for the 2021 PGA HOPE session. For five weeks, participants practiced putting, chipping and hitting drills with the watchful eye of an instructor ready to help. At the final session, players put their new skills to the test on Meadow Links’ 9-hole course in a team scramble format. Teams even had the opportunity to win tickets to each Cincinnati Bengals home game this upcoming season, which were generously donated to the PGA HOPE Cincinnati Chapter. Not only did their golf games improve this year, but participants also developed friendships to last off the course.
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program funded by PGA REACH. It is an adaptive golf program designed to improve our veteran’s overall quality of life through enhancing their mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being.The program introduces the game of golf to our military participants through developmental curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, completely free of charge.
PGA REACH Southern Ohio is proud to support four PGA HOPE Chapters this year. The Zanesville Chapter is currently in session at Eaglesticks Golf Club under the leadership of Kelly Morrow, PGA. Jeff Olson, PGA will lead the Dublin Chapter beginning on Saturday, July 10 at the Golf Club of Dublin. The Cincinnati – East Chapter will launch on Saturday, August 7 with the guidance of Dennis Wells, PGA.
Click here to visit the PGA REACH Southern Ohio webpage and learn more about PGA HOPE around the Section.