Southern Ohio PGA HOPE
PGA H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program for the PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation designed to introduce golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. As many Veterans struggle with the transition back into civilian life, the game of golf delivers a new level of enjoyment and opportunity to be active in their local community.
The program introduces the game of golf to our military participants through a 4-8 week developmental curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, free of charge to all veterans. Veterans are considered “graduates” and receive a PGA HOPE Card and additional benefits such as league play, discounts on green fees, and equipment. PGA HOPE aspires to create a physically and emotionally healthier Veteran community by shaping lives, changing lives, and possibly saving lives through the game of golf. We proudly support over 250 veterans through our four PGA HOPE Chapters!
Centerville Chapter
Yankee Trace Golf Course
2023 Session Dates Coming Soon! 10000 Yankee St, Centerville, OH 45458
Cincinnati Chapter
Meadow links Golf Academy
2023 Session Dates Coming Soon! 10999 Mill Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
Zanesville Chapter
Eaglesticks Golf Club
2023 Session Dates Coming Soon! 2655 Maysville Pike, Zanesville, OH 43701
Columbus Chapter
Golf Club of Dublin
2023 Session Dates Coming Soon! 5805 Eiterman Rd, Dublin, OH 43016
Cincinnati - East Chapter
Little Miami Golf Center
2023 Session Dates Coming Soon! 3811 Newtown Rd, Newtown, OH 45244
General Questions
PGA HOPE is geared towards Veterans with disabilities however is offered to all servicemen, servicewomen, and Veterans.
Participants include
- Military Veterans living with physical or cognitive challenges such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or the loss of limbs, among other challenges.
- All servicemen, servicewomen, and Veterans.
PGA HOPE programming is closely aligned with local VA hospitals, as both strive to best meet the needs of all military Veterans.
Southern Ohio PGA Professionals provide expert golf instruction during our Southern Ohio PGA Hope Programs and are sometimes assisted by volunteers. Our PGA Professionals teaching PGA HOPE sessions are trained in adaptive golf methods to ensure they are comfortable instructing military Veterans with disabilities.
Southern Ohio PGA Hope Program Leads
- Centerville Chapter Lead Professional: Brian Fennen, PGA
- Cincinnati Chapter Lead Professional: Matt Starr, PGA
- Zanesville Chapter Lead Professional: Kelly Morrow, PGA
- Columbus Chapter Lead Professional: Jeff Olson, PGA
- Cincinnati (East) Lead Professional: Jennifer Ridle, PGA
- We offer a fun and safe environment in which our veterans can experience the instantaneous feeling of being welcomed and have the opportunity to meet other veterans from various generations and backgrounds.
- Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has positively impacted thousands of wounded Veterans nationwide. PGA HOPE is a program that is truly making a difference, as golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
- PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.
- Our Southern Ohio PGA Hope Program provides our veterans with the essential skills and tools taught through our trained PGA Professionals, believing that our graduates will feel confident enough to apply them on the golf course.
- The PGA HOPE program is an opportunity fully funded by PGA REACH and offered at NO COST for Military Veterans.
No prior experience is required to participate in any of our Southern Ohio PGA HOPE programs. Any Veteran or Active Duty Personnel is welcome to join our programs. Our primary goal is to introduce the game of golf while creating a fun and safe environment for all our participants.
PGA HOPE Graduate Testimonies
Drew Stas
Marine Corps
"I enjoyed meeting new people and talking to them about the services they were in. One of the best things about the Hope program was the Golf Professionals that helped us during Dublin clinics. They were informative and helpful, and I really appreciate everything that they did for all of us".
PGA HOPE: Vietnam Veteran Turned PGA HOPE Columbus Golfer
Kristy Walker
Marine Corps
"What I enjoyed the most about participating in PGA HOPE was meeting new people and learning new skills".
PGA HOPE: Iraq War Veteran Turned PGA HOPE Columbus Golfer
Bill Palmatary
U.S Navy
"It was really nice to play the other New Era Golf Courses that I don’t normally play and, of course, being paired up with different Veterans each week, enabling all Veterans to meet new people and simply enjoy each other’s company, all while trying to win for that individual outing".
PGA HOPE Southern Ohio Helps Palmatary Destress and Improve Game in ColumbusMeet our Southern Ohio PGA Hope Staff
Burton Jones
United States Air Force Retired
PGA HOPE Southern Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Ambassador Class of 2019
Kevin Farrell
United States Army Retired
PGA HOPE Southern Ohio
Columbus Chapter
Ambassador Class of 2021
Bretten Hill
Foundation & Communications Manager
Southern Ohio PGA Section
PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation
Cristina Hidalgo
PGA Works Fellow
Southern Ohio PGA Section
PGA REACH Southern Ohio Foundation
If you are a PGA Professional Member or Associate looking for more information on how you can support PGA HOPE Southern Ohio, email SOPGA Foundation & Communications Manager Bretten Hill at bhill@pgahq.com.