Ohio Golf Journal May 2020

M any 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, and 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 H elping O ur P atriots E verywhere. 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 By Rich O’Brien; PGA HOPE Charleston PGA HOPE Improves the Quality of Life for Veterans Ohio Golf Journal