LINCOLN, NE – PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH Nebraska, the charitable foundation of the Nebraska PGA. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. The program has exploded both across the country and here at home in Nebraska.
In 2024, PGA REACH Nebraska will welcome nearly 250 Veterans to 11 PGA HOPE programs across Nebraska. 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.
With the extreme growth of the program both locally and nationally, equipment has become an issue. Many of the Veterans joining the program haven’t touched, let alone owned a golf club. Thanks to a new nationwide partnership between PGA HOPE and Mizuno Golf, that problem will be resolved.
In 2024, Mizuno partnered with 6 PGA Sections to pilot this new program. The goal is to provide the highest-quality equipment at an affordable cost to PGA HOPE facilities and their program leaders for use in PGA HOPE programs. Each program location that opts into the program will receive five sets of clubs, each set including a Mizuno ST Driver, ST 5 Wood, JPX 923 Series Irons, M-Craft Putter, and a new BRD4C bag.
The five sets will stay with each PGA HOPE program for the Veterans to use week-to-week at no cost. Once the program is over, the Veterans will be able to purchase the set at a discounted rate. One of the biggest barriers to learning the game of golf is the equipment, and we’re excited to have Mizuno Golf alongside us in our mission to positively impact veteran’s lives through the game of golf.
PGA REACH Nebraska and their PGA HOPE programs were selected as one of the six pilot Sections for the new program. At the PGA HOPE Offutt program, Mizuno Golf’s local rep Tyler Schaaf, PGA Associate, attended the first week of the program at Willow Lakes Golf Course in Bellevue, NE.
Not only did Schaaf surprise the Veterans within the program with the new clubs that they could use, but Tyler stayed and helped as an instructor. Tyler attended the PGA HOPE adaptive training in the spring to be able to help instruct at PGA HOPE programs for the years to come.
“It’s truly exciting to see a company like Mizuno Golf step up to partner with PGA HOPE in this way. This partnership will make a big impact across the country. Together, we have identified a barrier, and they are helping us break that barrier down”, said Nebraska PGA Assistant Executive Director Seth Scollard.
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.
