PGA of America returned to Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD on October 11 to host PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). This event aimed to bring together veterans to enjoy a day of golf and camaraderie. Maroon PR understood the significance of this event and played a pivotal role in securing extensive media coverage.
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE is a rehabilitative golf program for Veterans and Active-duty Military, that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans, as the PGA HOPE program features a 6-8 week instructional golf clinic, followed by a graduation, and on-course golfing opportunities. Participants of PGA HOPE programs include military Veterans living with physical or cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among other challenges.
“We use golf as a modality to help veterans recover from whatever they’re dealing with,” said PGA of America military and veteran liaison Chris Nowak. “If we can get a veteran to have that experience while playing golf, goes out and shoots 118. That’s 118 moments in time that that veteran wasn’t reliving, or thinking about the trauma that he deals with and struggles with every day.”
PGA HOPE is currently being offered at more than 350 program locations in the U.S. today, across 46 States and 40 PGA Sections. In 2022 the program positively impacted 7,500 Veterans, and the 2023 goal is 11,000 Veterans served.
The partnership between the PGA HOPE and Maroon PR ensured that the National Golf and Wellness Week was not just an event but a significant milestone in promoting the game of golf as a therapeutic form of rehabilitation, highlighting the stories of veterans whose lives had been positively impacted by the PGA HOPE program.
With an impressive media turnout, interviews with veterans, and live social media coverage, the event gained extensive exposure. The heartwarming stories and images of veterans enjoying the day’s activities struck a chord with both the public and the media.
Maroon PR’s efforts paid off as the National Day of Hope received wide coverage in both local and national media outlets.
Select Media Coverage
National Fox News: Special Report with Bret Baier
WJLA ABC7: Veterans find healing at Md. course during National Golf and Wellness Week
Montgomery Community Media: Veterans Golf, Practice Wellness in Bethesda
WTOP: Golfers in Bethesda explore how playing can help veterans heal from PTSD
As well as Pool stories distributed around the country