PGA HOPE | Southern California PGA

PGA HOPE PROGRAM

Please click below for upcoming programming for Fall 2022. Ready to take your game to the next level? Check-out the Hero Golf Tour for tournament opportunities at no cost that run year-round.

About PGA HOPE | PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. This program is open to all Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veterans. This program is provided at no cost to the Veteran. Veterans can range from World War II era to post- 9/11 era Veterans to those newly separated from the military. PGA HOPE also introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans and Active Duty.

Upcoming Sessions

Coronado Golf Course

Coronado, CA

This session will be starting the first week of October. Please contact Chris Lempa, PGA to register or to learn more: chrislempa@hotmail.com | (619) 522-6590

Desert Willow Golf Resort

Palm Desert, CA

Winter Session, led by Cody Franke, PGA, will begin in December. More information to come!

Old Ranch Country Club

Seal Beal, CA

Old Ranch Country Club is starting their second session in September. For more information on this program, please contact: Roman Gonzales, PGA | roman.gonzales1@invitedclubs.com | (562) 596-4425

Stadium Golf Center

San Diego, CA

This session will begin November 10th and is led by PGA Professional Scott Mahlberg. Please click the link below to register!

Zaca Creek Golf Course

Buellton, CA

This session will begin the first week of October. Please contact Bob Kotowski, PGA to register or to learn more information: bob@oldeschoolgolfschool.com | (805) 698-6224

Olde School Golf School

Program Facts

PGA HOPE PROGRAM FACTS:

There are currently 162 PGA HOPE programs across the country, hosted in 38 participating PGA Sections.
The Southern California PGA has five (5) HOPE sites for 2022: Zaca Creek Golf Course, Old Ranch Country Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Stadium Golf Center, and Coronado Golf Course.
Veteran suicide is a major issue in the Veteran community, and statistics show 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. PGA HOPE is working to change this statistic by utilizing the game of golf as a form of therapy.
PGA Professional Training | Local PGA Professionals are trained to teach golf to Veterans with physical and emotional disabilities as well as important aspects of Veteran rehabilitative culture
Program Site Selection | PGA REACH works with PGA Sections, PGA Professionals, and VA hospitals to identify golf courses and communities that are willing to host and would benefit from the program

VISIT PGA HOPE ON PGA.ORG

Program Goals

Our mission is to use golf as a rehabilitative tool to help Veterans overcome life’s adversities and improve their physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

Our goals are to:
● Create a safe environment for Veterans and establish relationships of trust with PGA Professionals
● Have fun and encourage a culture of comradery
● Teach Veterans the basics of golf including etiquette and course management
● Empower Veterans to feel confident playing golf on their own after the program
● Create a community of Veteran golfers

The Hero Golf Tour

The Southern California PGA is excited to continue to impact veterans with our partnership with HERO GOLF TOUR. We believe that once a veteran finishes a PGA HOPE session, they may enjoy the continued support and camaraderie of other Veterans at free weekly tournaments. "We mentor our Heroes who are suffering by showing them a greater purpose in helping others which saves their lives. We also host hundreds of golf tournaments over a season called the Hero Golf Tour which creates a fun and therapeutic atmosphere for our Heroes. Both Heroes and Civilians have a chance to support this cause and golf free with us on the Tour. Everyone has a chance to compete or play for fun. Get added to the leaderboards, maintain a scorecard history, and receive a Hero Golf Tour Handicap. Every player has a chance to qualify for the annual playoffs & championship. Come out to a tournament and join the family!"