From rediscovering military camaraderie to representing Nebraska on the national stage, Mathis found that PGA HOPE offers something far greater than the game of golf.
When Mark Mathis first heard about PGA HOPE in 2023 through his employer’s Veterans Employee Resource Group, the opportunity seemed simple enough.
“They had me at free golf,” Mathis recalled.
What began as an opportunity to improve his golf game quickly developed into something much more meaningful. Three years later, Mathis found himself among just 20 veterans nationwide selected to serve as a 2026 PGA HOPE National Ambassador, an honor that brought him to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, for PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week.
The experience would leave him with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories and a renewed appreciation for the program’s impact on veterans across the country.
Mathis’ journey with PGA HOPE began in 2023, when he enrolled in the program through the PGA REACH Nebraska, the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA.
While PGA Professionals helped him develop confidence in his golf game, it was the relationships he built with fellow veterans that ultimately made the greatest impression.
During his first PGA HOPE Cup, Mathis arrived not knowing any of the more than 100 golfers participating. Despite the unfamiliar faces, he immediately felt a sense of comfort among the other veterans.
“I didn’t play particularly well, but I had a great time,” Mathis said. “At some point I realized that while climbing the ladder in the corporate world, I had forgotten about the camaraderie and sense of purpose in the military/veteran world.”
That realization inspired Mathis to become more involved with PGA HOPE beyond his initial experience as a participant.
He began volunteering to assist with new PGA HOPE sessions and participating in as many graduate programs as possible. Over time, the unfamiliar faces he once encountered became familiar friends.
“Now I recognize most of the veterans that participate in these programs and consider them friends,” he shared.
His continued involvement and dedication to fellow veterans eventually led to an opportunity to represent the Nebraska Section on a national stage.
Selected as one of 20 members of the 2026 PGA HOPE National Ambassador class, Mathis joined veterans from across the United States for National Golf & Wellness Week.
Representing five different branches of the military, the ambassadors brought diverse backgrounds, experiences and personal journeys to the program. Despite those differences, Mathis said the group quickly developed a strong connection.
“From Day 1 we were networking and sharing ideas to bring back to the home PGA Sections,” Mathis said. “We shared a lot of laughs, golf, competitive challenges, personal stories and times of healing.”
Throughout the week, Mathis made a conscious effort to connect with as many ambassadors as possible, often sitting beside different veterans during bus rides to and from the week’s activities.
“The other ambassadors were awesome. They were a great group,” Mathis said. “I made an effort to sit next to different people on the numerous bus trips to and from events, just to get to know people better.”
Among the experiences that stood out was witnessing a fellow ambassador gradually open up to the group.
Mathis recalled that the veteran had endured a difficult childhood and struggled with substance abuse before turning his life around and discovering golf roughly 18 months earlier.
“He kept telling us, ‘I build a wall up in front of everybody. I put on a brave face, and I’ve learned not to trust people,'” Mathis recalled.
By the end of the week, however, Mathis noticed a remarkable change.
The veteran, who had initially struggled to trust others, purchased small divot tools for his fellow ambassadors as a gesture of friendship. He also became one of the most active members of the group’s ongoing text conversation.
“He’s really engaged now and trusts us a whole lot more,” Mathis said. “He definitely changed during that time.”
For Mathis, it was a powerful example of how meaningful relationships and a shared sense of belonging can positively influence someone’s life.
Alongside the emotional moments and meaningful connections, National Golf & Wellness Week also provided Mathis with an unforgettable opportunity to experience one of America’s most historic golf venues.
Congressional Country Club, which has hosted multiple major championships and prestigious professional events, welcomed the ambassadors for a week of golf, activities and recognition.
For Mathis, the experience exceeded expectations.
“Congressional was really, really cool. A beautiful golf course, a fantastic view,” he said. “I kind of felt like a runway model with all the cameras out there.”
One particularly memorable moment came when he entered the clubhouse locker room and discovered a locker prepared specifically for him, complete with a personalized congratulatory letter.
“Walking in and seeing my name tag on the locker and a personalized letter saying, ‘Mark, congratulations on getting here,’ that was something special,” Mathis recalled.
The first-class treatment continued onto the golf course, where ambassadors received assistance from caddies who offered advice on everything from course management to reading greens.
“I’m kind of spoiled now because we had a caddie with us,” Mathis joked. “He was giving us pointers — stay on the left side of the fairway here, this putt breaks right to left — that kind of thing. I didn’t lose a ball all day long!”
While playing a championship venue was an incredible opportunity, Mathis made it clear that the hospitality extended far beyond the golf itself.
“Congressional really rolled out the red carpet for us,” he said. “It was just an awesome experience.”
Looking back on National Golf & Wellness Week, Mathis acknowledged that his greatest takeaway had little to do with his performance on the course.
Before attending, he had often heard PGA HOPE supporters describe the program as something that saves and changes veterans’ lives.
Although he appreciated the program and had personally benefited from its camaraderie, he admitted he had previously questioned the magnitude of those claims.
“I used to hear Amber and other people talk about PGA HOPE saving lives and changing lives,” Mathis said. “I used to be a little skeptical.”
That skepticism disappeared during National Golf & Wellness Week.
After listening to fellow ambassadors share deeply personal stories of hardship, recovery and personal transformation, Mathis gained a new understanding of what PGA HOPE can mean to those who participate.
“I heard enough stories and talked to enough people up there, including stories from their local Sections, that I’m not skeptical anymore,” he said.
The experience strengthened his commitment to supporting fellow veterans through the game of golf and reinforced his appreciation for the PGA Professionals and staff who bring the program to life.
“The mission of PGA HOPE is to positively impact veterans’ lives through golf,” Mathis wrote. “Big shout out to the numerous instructional PGA Professionals and staff in the Nebraska Section PGA who make that happen.”
From a veteran who initially joined for free golf lessons to a National Ambassador determined to help others discover the program’s benefits, Mathis’ journey reflects the lasting impact PGA HOPE can have beyond the fairways.
He returned home with new friendships, unforgettable memories and an even stronger passion for making a difference in the lives of fellow veterans.
But above all, Mathis returned with a renewed belief in the program’s purpose.
“The biggest takeaway I have is that HOPE changes lives and saves lives.”
ABOUT PGA REACH NEBRASKA
PGA REACH Nebraska is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA. PGA REACH Nebraska is program-based and supported by the Nebraska Section PGA Golf Professionals. PGA REACH Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact lives through the game of golf. The Foundation has 3 core pillars of focus: Military, Youth and Inclusion. Each pillar is supported by programs that are executed to carry out our mission.
ABOUT PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE is a 6-week program that provides military veterans with free golf experiences taught by PGA Professionals. Upon completing the program, Veterans are considered “graduates” and will remain engaged every year through other PGA HOPE activities and events provided by PGA REACH Nebraska. Learning and playing the game of golf is a proven activity that has positively impacted thousands of 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.
ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA
The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 340 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf. The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton. The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike. Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.