PGA HOPE national instructor and trainer JP Lunn, PGA, led a one-day training session at Turning Stone Resort Casino with 15 new instructors, including 13 Central New York PGA of America Golf Members and Associates, earning PGA HOPE certification Oct. 17.
It was the second time Lunn, a PGA of America Golf Professional (Middle Atlantic Section), had conducted a PGA HOPE training session for the Central New York PGA Section. Last February, Lunn helped 23 PGA Members and Associates become certified PGA HOPE instructors.
(Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH. PGA HOPE introduces golf to active military and veterans (including veterans with disabilities) to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
The training is broken into two parts. Topics covered include: understanding the military culture, disabilities specific to the Veteran experience including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, upper and lower limb loss, vision and hearing impairment.
The second part of the training includes hands-on exercises that includes hitting with shorter clubs from a seated position; swinging a club with one arm; from seated position swinging while both legs are off the ground and instructing someone who is visually impaired.
The different aspects of the training had an impact on Robert Larsen, PGA (Onondaga Golf & Country Club), who is among the Fall 2024 certified instructors.
“There was so much more to it than I thought,” he said. “I assumed it was teaching a golf swing from a wheelchair or with one arm. Golf was only a small portion of it. We learned that these vets are more than a physical disability. Being able to help another person, especially one who fought for our country, is truly an honor. I will do the best I can do be supportive in any shape or style. I will also be doing a Hope program this coming spring.”
In 2024, PGA HOPE will impact over 17,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military nationwide, taught by over 3,000 PGA Professionals from around the country. There are more than 500 PGA HOPE programs across the country.
Earning PGA HOPE Training Certificates were: Ryan Clark (Soaring Eagles Golf Club), Tyler Cowen (Seven Oaks Golf Club), Dustin Jones (Crystal Springs Golf), David Kramer (Skaneateles Country Club), Robert Larsen (Onondaga Golf & Country Club), Vincent Manginelli, Daniel Murphy (Skenandoa Club), Michelle Murphy (Accelerate Sports), Brittany Wowelko (CNY PGA Section), Ryan Sisco (McConnellsville Golf Club), Justin Stankewicz, Matthew Stoughton (Walden Oaks Country Club), Matthew Trendell (Butternut Creek Golf Course), Zachary Vinal (Teugega Country Club) and Jason Wall (Tuscarora Golf Club).
PGA of America Golf Professionals and Associates as well as LPGA Members and Veterans are eligible to attend a PGA HOPE training session to earn certification.