VA Partners with PGA to Support PGA HOPE Program for Veterans with Disabilities

For immediate release

March 8, 2016

9:02 am

HOPE Offers Therapeutic Golf for Disabled Veterans and Injured Service Members

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with PGA REACH, the philanthropic arm of PGA of America, to bring a specialized golf program to disabled Veterans. The program, PGA HOPE – Helping Our Patriots Everywhere – is a therapeutic program to aid in the rehabilitation process for disabled Veterans.

The purpose of PGA HOPE is to help Veterans assimilate back into their communities through the social interaction the game of golf provides. Led by PGA professionals certified in golf instruction for Veterans with disabilities, Veterans will learn the rules of the game, and for those already familiar with it, the professionals will help them refine their skills.

“We are grateful to PGA REACH for their commitment to our nation’s disabled Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “When you think of rehabilitation, golf is not always the first thing you think of, but it can play an integral role in the healing process through social interaction, mental stimulation and exercise. This is a great complement to the care many Veterans receive at VA. I am confident that our Veterans will use this introduction as a platform to reenergize their competitive spirit, as well as to reengage back into their communities.”

PGA HOPE is a two-step program, beginning with an introductory, “Down Range Clinic.” There are currently 50 programs across 20 PGA sections, enhancing the lives of more than 2,000 Veterans nationwide.

“As many Veterans struggle with the transition back into civilian life, the game of golf delivers camaraderie and a new level of enjoyment that provides them with hope,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “We are thrilled to collaborate with VA to offer PGA HOPE programming nationwide, as the PGA of America is committed to making a more meaningful impact on the lives of America’s Veterans.”

For more information about VA’s adaptive sports program, visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports/index.asp. For information about PGA REACH or the PGA HOPE program, visit http://www.pgareach.com/.

Media Contacts: Jose Llamas, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

jose.llamas@va.gov, (202) 632-7130

Ari Edelman, Mastro Communications, Inc.
aedelman@mastrocomm.com, (732) 469-5700

###

Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

Contact us online through Ask VA

Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

Learn about our chatbot and ask a question

Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.

More from the Press Room

HOPE Offers Therapeutic Golf for Disabled Veterans and Injured Service Members

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with PGA REACH, the philanthropic arm of PGA of America, to bring a specialized golf program to disabled Veterans. The program, PGA HOPE – Helping Our Patriots Everywhere – is a therapeutic program to aid in the rehabilitation process for disabled Veterans.

The purpose of PGA HOPE is to help Veterans assimilate back into their communities through the social interaction the game of golf provides. Led by PGA professionals certified in golf instruction for Veterans with disabilities, Veterans will learn the rules of the game, and for those already familiar with it, the professionals will help them refine their skills.

“We are grateful to PGA REACH for their commitment to our nation’s disabled Veterans,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. “When you think of rehabilitation, golf is not always the first thing you think of, but it can play an integral role in the healing process through social interaction, mental stimulation and exercise. This is a great complement to the care many Veterans receive at VA. I am confident that our Veterans will use this introduction as a platform to reenergize their competitive spirit, as well as to reengage back into their communities.”

PGA HOPE is a two-step program, beginning with an introductory, “Down Range Clinic.” There are currently 50 programs across 20 PGA sections, enhancing the lives of more than 2,000 Veterans nationwide.

“As many Veterans struggle with the transition back into civilian life, the game of golf delivers camaraderie and a new level of enjoyment that provides them with hope,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “We are thrilled to collaborate with VA to offer PGA HOPE programming nationwide, as the PGA of America is committed to making a more meaningful impact on the lives of America’s Veterans.”

For more information about VA’s adaptive sports program, visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports/index.asp. For information about PGA REACH or the PGA HOPE program, visit http://www.pgareach.com/.

Media Contacts: Jose Llamas, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

jose.llamas@va.gov, (202) 632-7130

Ari Edelman, Mastro Communications, Inc.
aedelman@mastrocomm.com, (732) 469-5700

###

Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

Contact us online through Ask VA

Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

Learn about our chatbot and ask a question

Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.

More from the Press Room

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