Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Section PGA has announced Charlie Henninger, PGA of Ashland Golf Club as the Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball recipient for the month of September.

The mission statement of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is to ignite the true potential in every athlete, and no one does it better than PGA Professionals when it comes to growing the game of golf. Speaking on the lines of igniting potential, Charlie Henninger of Ashland Golf Club is doing just that for our nation’s heroes and PGA HOPE Nebraska’s veteran graduates.

PGA REACH Nebraska, the charitable arm of the Nebraska Section PGA, runs a free golf program for active military members and veterans. PGA HOPE is introducing the game of golf to a community of more than 500 current and former U.S. military members. Once the veterans graduate from the six-week instructional program, they are welcomed into PGA HOPE Nebraska’s growing family and benefit from additional opportunities.

One of the new opportunities PGA HOPE Nebraska graduates were presented this year was an Operation 36 program. Operation 36 teaches golf in reverse, starting everyone at level 1, just 25 yards from the center of the green. The goal is to shoot 36 (par) or better over 9 holes to move to level 2, which is 50 yards from the green. This process continues through 6 levels until you can shoot 36 from the full tee box.

The first PGA HOPE Nebraska Operation 36 program began this year at Ashland Golf Club and was hosted and led by PGA Professional Charlie Henninger. Henninger shut down his club one night a week to host 17 veterans from PGA HOPE Nebraska for the inaugural league. For Henninger, though it was another golf league on his list, it was much more than that to him.

“This program is a way my staff and I could give back and show our appreciation to our local veterans. The physical activity, camaraderie and joy our veterans got from this program is beneficial for their mental health and that is why Ashland Golf Club believed it was important to host this league”, said Henninger.

“It means the world to me seeing the game of golf influence the more than 500 veterans involved with PGA HOPE Nebraska. It just goes to show that the game can bring people together, no matter the person’s ability or background”, said Henninger.

Ashland Golf Club has truly become a “home” for the PGA HOPE Nebraska Operation 36 league. Internally, at the Nebraska PGA, we knew this program would have a slow start to registration, being new, but we know the potential it has to grow into something very special. We had 17 veterans sign up for our spring session. Any course could have easily made us cancel or change the format to a tee-timed structure with a lower number of participants, but they knew this program was more than just “another golf league” and that it would take time.

Many Veterans struggle to get out and participate in something new, and Charlie and his team understand the importance of creating a safe, fun, and inviting environment. Though this league will not grow the game by hundreds or thousands, Charlie is positively impacting these veterans’ lives by making them feel welcomed and appreciated. The word is out, and we anticipate our number of participants doubling for our second session, which will start in late June.

“I am honored to accept this award from the Nebraska PGA and Wilson Sporting Goods though I wasn’t expecting anything in return from this. My main focus is to provide a location where veterans can compete, get to know each other and have a fun time learning the game of golf”, said Henninger.

Nominations for the next Wilson Sporting Goods Monthly Game Ball will open on October 1st and will close at 11:59 PM on October 15th.

About the Nebraska Section PGA

The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 300 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.

Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf.  They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.