FAIRBORN, OH – Meet Southern Ohio PGA HOPE Columbus Member Kristy Walker:
Kristy Walker
PGA HOPE Chapter: Columbus Chapter
Service Branch: Marine Corps
Years Active: 2003-2011
Marine Kristy Walker served as an administrative clerk in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2003 to 2011. During her service, Walker volunteered for active duty from 2005 to 2006 and served in Iraq in two areas, Forward Operating Base Kalsu in Iskandariya and Fallujah. Walker was a member of the first female group to help operate five detention centers in Iraq. “I am very proud of this because we were the first females to ever work in these detention centers.” -Kristy Walker.
Today, Walker is an active PGA HOPE Columbus member at the Golf Club of Dublin. She loves being outside and enjoys learning new skills every time she plays. Walker is always searching for new and different ways to improve for the next round that she will play. PGA Hope has allowed Kristy and other Veterans like her to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Q: What do you enjoy most about participating in PGA HOPE?
KW: Meeting new people and learning new skills.
Q: What was your favorite moment or favorite thing about our PGA HOPE Play Days?
KW: Driving the ball 250 yards with Kevin Farrell’s Ping Driver! I was then about 20 yards from the hole on a par 4.
Q: Is there any memory or experience from your service days that you would like to share with us?
KW: I learned so many valuable skills that I use every day.
Q: Outside of golf, are there any other activities that you enjoy?
KW: Running, weight lifting, and investing.
Q: What is your favorite thing about golf?
KW: Every round is completely different and I love being outside.
Q: What is your favorite golf course, golf club, or golf shot?
KW: I love the short game, especially chipping.
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program funded by PGA REACH. It is an adaptive golf program designed to improve veteran’s overall quality of life through enhancing their mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being.The program introduces the game of golf to military participants through developmental curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, completely free of charge to each participant.
PGA REACH Southern Ohio is proud to support more than 250 PGA HOPE Members through four local Chapters currently. Trained PGA Professionals throughout the Southern Ohio Section provide annual instruction through annual Clinic Sessions and encourage growth on the course for each participant. Click here to learn more about PGA HOPE Southern Ohio.
Interested in supporting PGA HOPE Southern Ohio? Click here to give with a purpose this year and make a donation to the 2022 PGA HOPE Southern Ohio National Day of HOPE campaign by Veteran’s Day, November 11.
