The Wisconsin Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (WPGA) will help mark a new beginning for Patriot Golf Day. In partnership with Folds of Honor, the PGA of America hosts the 15th annual nationwide Patriot Golf Day as part of PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) for the first time on Memorial Day Weekend – the holiday that commemorates those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. PGA Professionals utilize the game of golf as a dedicated means of therapy and rehabilitation for Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
This summer local PGA golf professionals throughout Wisconsin will host complimentary golf instruction sessions for veterans and military professionals as part of the flagship military program hosted by PGA HOPE certified instructors. Training for PGA HOPE Clinics was hosted in May 2021 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler led by Bob Epperly, PGA – Lead PGA HOPE Instructor of San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.
FEATURED EVENT: PGA HOPE Introductory Clinic – June 1 at The Legend at Merrill Hills in Waukesha. Hosted by PGA Professionals: Rob Elliott, Marcus Suelflow, Bryan Brotchie, Mike Bode and Joe Stadler.
Tuesday, June 1 from 11am-12:30pm
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES: Free instructional sessions offered for veterans at the following participating Wisconsin locations throughout the summer
Rivermoor Golf Course (Waterford) hosted by Bryan Brotchie, PGA
Session 1 – Wednesdays, May 26-June 30
Session 2 – Wednesdays, August 18-September 22
The Practice Station (New Berlin) hosted by Bryan Brotchie, PGA
Wednesdays, July 7-August 11
Storm’s Golf Range (Brookfield) hosted by Rob Elliott, PGA
Wednesdays, July 9-30, August 6 and 13
SentryWorld (Stevens Point) hosted by Joe Wood, PGA
Session 1 – Fridays, August 13-27
Session 2 – Fridays, September 3-24
Oakwood Park Golf Course (Franklin) hosted by Chet Hendrickson, PGA
Wednesdays, September 8-29
Additional participating locations with event details to be announced:
- Brown Deer Park Golf Course (Milwaukee) hosted by Scott Walecki, PGA
- Whistling Straits (Kohler) hosted by Mike O’Reilly, PGA
- Tomah VA Course (Tomah) hosted by Joe Wood, PGA
- Green Bay Country Club (Green Bay) hosted by Cory Bromann
For the full schedule visit: https://wisconsin.pga.com/pga-
ABOUT WISCONSIN SECTION PGA
The Wisconsin Section is one of the 41 sections that comprise the regional entities of the PGA of America. Over 500 members and associates belong to the Wisconsin Section, stretching from areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to almost the entire state of Wisconsin. Annually, the Wisconsin Section conducts over 40 professional events, operates its Junior Golf Foundation and participates in several growth-of-the-game activities (PGA Junior League, Drive, Chip and Putt and instructional clinics/days). Wisconsin PGA Office is located at 11350 W. Theo Trecker Way in West Allis, Wis.
ABOUT PGA HOPE:
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans.
PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. Through a robust program strategy, PGA HOPE aspires to create a physically and emotionally healthier Veteran community by shaping lives, changing lives, and possibly saving lives through the game of golf.