Lincoln, NE – Nebraska PGA Professionals, PGA REACH Nebraska representatives and PGA HOPE graduates gathered at the Nebraska State Capitol for a monumental day. Governor Jim Pillen declared today, December 4th, 2023 as the official ‘PGA HOPE Day’ in Nebraska.
“I, Jim Pillen, Governor of the State of Nebraska, do hereby proclaim the 4th day of December, 2023, as PGA HOPE Day in Nebraska, and I do hereby urge all citizens to take due note of the observance”, Pillen announced.
Veteran Amber Bogle, a PGA HOPE Nebraska graduate, submitted a proposal for the proclamation of the date to recognize a program that she describes as “life saving”. Bogle served 12 years for both the U.S. Army and Air National Guard. Since graduating from the 2023 PGA HOPE program this Spring, Bogle was chosen to represent the newly formed ‘PGA HOPE Nebraska Squadron’ with a mission and vision of growing the program to impact as many local veterans as possible.
In just the short time of becoming a leader for the program, Bogle has made a positive difference to many and that continued with today’s news out of The Capitol. Click the link below to watch a snippet from the proclamation!
Since the inception of PGA HOPE in Nebraska, the program has graduated more than 350 local veterans including a record number in 2023. More than 175 veterans graduated from the seven sessions of PGA HOPE across the Nebraska Section PGA this year. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces golf to veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
“I was struggling more and more each year after getting out of the military. When you’re serving, you feel a sense of community with a shared mission and that’s what I was missing. After starting and graduating the program (PGA HOPE), I saw how impactful it can be and it gave me a purpose. A purpose to find more veterans like myself and to help them belong to something again”, said Bogle.
“When I heard the Governor say “PGA HOPE”, I was filled with pride. I was excited for the opportunity to celebrate PGA HOPE and all of the hard work the PGA Professionals and staff have put in for our veteran community”, said Bogle.
It was a surreal moment for everyone involved to watch and listen to Nebraska’s Governor reflect on the good that PGA HOPE is doing in our communities. PGA HOPE has been the vehicle for PGA Professionals across the country to give back to our Nation’s heroes and all that they’ve done for our freedom and liberty.
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.
If you’re a veteran or active duty military and you want to learn more about PGA HOPE and how you can become involved in Nebraska, click HERE.
