Southern Ohio PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE (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!
Click here to be added to the PGA HOPE Southern Ohio email list to receive updates about each Chapter.
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Meadow Links & Golf Academy
10999 Mill Rd, Cincinnati OH 45240 |
| Session Dates: | Saturdays, May 10th- 21st June |
| Time: | 3:00pm-5:00pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Matt Starr, PGA |
| Class Size: | 40 |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | The Golf Club of Dublin
5805 Eiterman Rd Dublin OH 43016 |
| Session Dates: | Saturdays, July 12th-August 16th |
| Time: | 2:30pm-4:30pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Jared Wong, PGA |
| Class Size: | 40 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Little Miami Golf Center
3811 Newtown Rd, Cincinnati OH 45244 |
| Session Dates: | Saturdays, September 13th – October 18th |
| Time: | 2:00pm – 3:30pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Jennifer Ridle, PGA |
| Class Size: | 30 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Eaglesticks Golf Club
2655 Maysville Pike, Zanesville OH 43701 |
| Session Dates: | Thursdays, July 10th – August 21st |
| Time: | 3:00pm-4:30pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Kelly Morrow, PGA |
| Class Size: | 10 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | The Golf Club at Yankee Trace
10000 Yankee St, Centerville OH 45458 |
| Session Dates: | Wednesdays, April 16th- May 21st |
| Time: | 3:30pm – 5:00pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Brian Fennen, PGA |
| Class Size: | 30 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | The Golf Club at Yankee Trace
10000 Yankee St, Centerville OH 45458 |
| Session Dates: | Wednesdays, September 17th – October 22nd |
| Time: | 3:30pm – 5:00pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Brian Fennen, PGA |
| Class Size: | 30 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | GOLFTEC Dublin
4353 Tuller Rd E, Dublin OH 43017 |
| Session Dates: | Tuesdays, October 21st-December 16th |
| Time: | 1:30pm – 3:30pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Joe Stago, PGA |
| Class Size: | 12 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Twin Base Golf Club
3565 Communications Blvd, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 |
| Session Dates: | Tuesdays, April 15th-May 20th |
| Time: | TBA |
| Lead Instructor: | Tom Bach, PGA |
| Class Size: | 15 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | ALL iN GOLF
8182 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255 |
| Session Dates: | October 8th- November 12th |
| Time: | 10:00am-11:30am |
| Lead Instructor: | Jim Simminger, PGA |
| Class Size: | 10 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Mentel Memorial Golf Course
6005 Alkire Rd, Galloway, OH 43119 |
| Session Dates: | Saturdays, April 19-May 24 |
| Time: | 2:00pm-3:30pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Scott Pealer, PGA |
| Class Size: | 20 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Reeves Golf Course
4757 Playfield Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45226 |
| Session Dates: | Saturdays, August 2-September 6 |
| Time: | 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Ben Chandler, PGA |
| Class Size: | 20 Veterans |
| 2025 | Program Information |
| Location: | Champions Golf Course
3900 Westerville Rd, Columbus, OH 43224 |
| Session Dates: | Thursdays, September 11th -October 16th |
| Time: | 5:30pm – 7:00pm |
| Lead Instructor: | Ryne Kitchen, PGA |
| Class Size: | 20 Veterans |
Click here to be added to the PGA HOPE Southern Ohio email list to receive updates about each Chapter and receive notifications about registration.
General Questions
- Who can participate in a Southern Ohio PGA Hope Program?
- Who teaches at the Southern Ohio PGA Programs?
- Why join a Southern Ohio PGA Hope Program?
- Do I need to have golf experience to become a Southern Ohio PGA HOPE participant?
- How do I register for a PGA HOPE Session?
- I'm a Graduate; what comes next?
PGA HOPE is geared towards Veterans with disabilities however is offered to all Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard & Reservists.
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
- Cincinnati Chapter Lead Professional: Matt Starr, PGA
- Columbus Chapter Lead Professional: Jared Wong, PGA
- Cincinnati East Chapter Lead Professional: Jennifer Ridle, PGA
- Zanesville Chapter Lead Professional: Kelly Morrow, PGA
- Centerville Chapter Lead Professional: Brian Fennen, PGA
- Wright Patterson Air Force Base Chapter Lead Professinal: Tom Bach, PGA
- Dublin North Chapter Lead Professional: Joe Stago, PGA
- Anderson Chapter Lead Professional: Jim Simminger, PGA
- Cincinnati South Lead Professional: Ben Chandler, PGA
- Southwest Columbus Chapter Lead Professional: Scott Pealer, PGA
- Northeast Columbus Chapter Lead Professional: Scott Pealer, PGA
- Veteran Community Building
- Golf can serve as a rehabilitative process for 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.
- PGA HOPE provides foundational golf knowledge and skills that can serve 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.
- Graduates of the program have the opportunity to attend Graduate programs intended to continue instruction, further community, and play golf all at discounted rates.
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.
Registration for each Chapter takes place on PGA.com. To receive email updates about PGA HOPE Southern Ohio Chapter registration opening, please click here and select your preferred Chapter.
Stay up to date with Graduate opportunities by email and on our PGA HOPE Southern Ohio Graduates website.
Meet 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
Please stay tuned for our 2025 Stars & Stripes Pro Am benefitting PGA HOPE.
Donations are welcomed by check throughout the year and can be mailed to our address: PO Box 340040
Dayton, OH 45434. Thank you for your support!
If you are a PGA Professional Member or Associate looking for more information on how you can support PGA HOPE Southern Ohio, email SOPGA Director of Operations, Ryne Kitchen, PGA at rkitchen@pgahq.com.