PGA HOPE Wisconsin (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH Wisconsin. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans from all backgrounds to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Scroll to the middle of this web page to find a program near you!
PGA HOPE FACTS
It is a fact that suicide is a major issue among military Veterans, with recent statistical studies showing that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. PGA HOPE is working to change this statistic.
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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs research and clinical experience verify that physical activity is important to maintaining good health, speeding recovery and improving overall quality of life. For many injured Veterans, adaptive sports provide their first exposure to physical activity after injury.
PGA HOPE programming is fully funded by PGA REACH and is NO COST for Military Veterans.
PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.
Information for Veterans Thinking About PGA HOPE
Check out the “2024 PGA HOPE Site Locations” to find a site near you! A full list of programs for newcomers can be found by clicking this link. If you have questions about the free online registration, please contact Erika Pirkl at epirkl@Pgahq.com or 414-443-3573.
PGA HOPE Wisconsin serves Veterans all throughout Wisconsin. Specific program locations can be found under “Newcomer Program Registration”. If you do not live in Wisconsin and would like to find a PGA HOPE program near you, please visit pgareach.org/services/military.
All Veterans are eligible to participate depending on the space available at each host site. This will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
Only Wisconsin PGA Members and Associates who have been certified through the PGA HOPE training program are able to teach the PGA HOPE clinics. Specifically, our members and associates are trained in military culture and competency as well as adaptive physical specialties.
PGA HOPE Site Location Information
The following locations are “PGA HOPE Programs.” This means that at each location, PGA HOPE certified professionals host weekly sessions at a driving range or practice area. Typically the final session involves an on-course component. We do offer clinics and special events as well.
Click Here to be redirected to our program location registration page. Please contact Erika Pirkl at epirkl@Pgahq.com if you have any questions!
PGA HOPE Interest Form
Is your program location full? Get on our contact list so we can update you when spots become available. We will keep you up to date on special events and program locations.
Meet our 2024 PGA HOPE Ambassador, Thomas Fischer
Coming soon!
Coming Soon!
Email: tafish2020@gmail.com
Click Here to learn more about National Golf and Wellness Week
John Harvey
John was nominated to go to Congressional Country Club for the 2022 National Golf and Wellness Week to become Wisconsin’s first PGA HOPE Ambassador. As an Ambassador for PGA HOPE Wisconsin, John will be working closely with the Wisconsin PGA Staff to recruit more Veterans to join the program, strategize on how to grow the program in Wisconsin, and ultimately represent the PGA HOPE Wisconsin program at both the local and national levels. We are confident that John will make a great addition to the team and help us impact as many Veterans as we can here in Wisconsin.
John Harvey was an E4 Communications Specialist with the U.S. Air Force. Outside of his time in the military, he coached girls and boys baseball and basketball for almost 20 years at the elementary, jr. high, and highschool levels. Along with being a Veteran, he is also an avid golfer, which is part of what led him to the PGA HOPE Program initially.
“The program is designed to help Veterans become involved in golf. Whether you sat behind a desk stateside, or are an injured combat Veteran, this program is beneficial to all Veterans who participate. Last year our group had so much fun! There were Vietnam Veterans (me), Enduring Freedom Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans all together to have fun, learn the sport of golf, and to get outside and enjoy themselves with people who understand and care about each other. Getting back the feeling of camaraderie while competing in an outdoor activity is soothing to the soul. I recommend this program to all Veterans. Do not hesitate to contact me and I can point you in the right direction on how you can be involved with this program. If you email me, I will give you my cell number and we can speak directly!”
Email: j.harv70@hotmail.com
PGA HOPE Veteran Mentorship Program
The PGA HOPE Veteran Mentorship Program is a program of Veterans leading other Veterans. Our mentors are Veterans who have already gone through the PGA HOPE Program who want to stay involved, and are there for our new PGA HOPE family. They will be a reference, someone to ask questions to, someone who is relatable, and someone who can bring some insight so that we can continue to make our PGA HOPE programs the most impactful that they can be.
This is strictly volunteer — the only requirements are that you have gone through the PGA HOPE Program as a participant and that you go to at least one PGA HOPE Program as a mentor per year.
As a mentor your responsibilities will include:
- Giving testimonials to the Wisconsin PGA about your experience as a participant in PGA HOPE
- Answering questions that Veterans looking to join a PGA HOPE Program may have about how the program works from a fellow Veteran’s perspective
- Being a relatable figure at the PGA HOPE Programs
To become a PGA HOPE Veteran Mentor, you must have already been a participant in a PGA HOPE Program. If you would like to become a mentor, please contact Amelia DeCeanne at adeceanne@pgahq.com.
Current PGA HOPE Veteran Mentors
Kristi has loved airplanes since she was a child. In high school, she joined the Civil Air Patrol and knew she wanted to have a career with the United States Air Force. She joined the Air Force in 1990 and received a medical discharge in 1994.
She was involved in the private construction industry for fourteen years and has been working the past sixteen years for the Department of Veterans Affairs on construction acquisitions in Wisconsin, northern Illinois and northern Michigan.
Although Kristi was disappointed to leave the Air Force, she now believes her life journey is to work with those whose served their country as they transition back into the private sector. In 2023, she learned about, and participated in, the PGA HOPE program. She was invited back to the program and serve as a mentor.
“It is a great honor being invited to serve as a mentor in this program. The PGA HOPE program provides exceptional training and motivation for both brand-new golfers and those who want to improve their skills. I hope to encourage other veterans to participate in PGA Hope.”
Email: Kluck.Kristi@gmail.com.
Honoring service, embracing new missions. A retired veteran navigating life’s next chapter with purpose and gratitude. During her junior year of high school, in 1986, at the age of seventeen, Kim enlisted in the Army Reserve, enrolling in the split-option program. She joined the 84th Division, BT Battalion, located on Logan Avenue in Milwaukee, which was an Infantry, drill sergeant unit. It was at Fort Dix, NJ, where she went through basic training, and at Fort Ben Harrison, Indiana, where she completed her advanced training for personnel administrative clerk. After graduating from high school, she transferred to a satellite company in Madison. During her time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she completed a drill instructor course in order to achieve E-5 status in the Infantry unit.
After graduating from the nursing program, Kim was commissioned as an officer. She was working in the Intermediate ICU at Children’s Hospital, and in the reserves in a combat medical unit in Milwaukee, when she decided to go on active duty. The Officer Basic Course and the 66E, Peri-operative nursing courses were both in San Antonio, TX. Her first duty station was Ft. Gordon, Augusta, GA (1993-1997) and a second in Ft. Stewart, Hinesville, GA (1997-98). Over her military career she was able to graduate from Drill Instructor school, become a certified peri-operative nurse, a certified Total Army Instructor, as well as advancing her civilian nursing career. In 2007, Kim retired as a Major from the Army Reserves. She enjoys staying engaged with other veterans and veterans’ groups … “I can’t think of a better group of people to serve or serve with.”
Having found a set of hand-me-down clubs in the garage, she did not think she would have the time, or drive (pun intended) to pick up a new sport. Kim discovered PGA Hope in April 2023. A session was starting at Storms in May, with “Harv” Harvey, Rob Elliott and crew. She was reluctant, but also motivated that it was a program for only military and veterans. Even though she is new to the sport, she enjoys the challenge of getting out of her comfort zone and advancing a new skill. Kim has been able to meet a wide variety of amazing people, form new friendships, and reunite with other veterans she has served with in the past.
Kim lives in Brookfield and works in Risk Management for Aurora. She has three amazing adult daughters and hopes to one day get on the greens with them. She enjoys staying active in a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, pickleball, kayaking, swing dancing and more. Being a mentor for the program, Kim looks forward to all that PGA HOPE has to offer and to being able to share the program with others.
“I hope to inspire others, especially other female veterans, specifically those with little, to no experience, and to be a “spokeswoman” for other female veterans/ golfers. Kim is truly grateful for all the amazing PGA coaches and volunteers who give their talent and time, and for those who have made PGA HOPE their calling.
Email: Kim.wieland@yahoo.com
Doug was a Logistics Officer in the Army, both Active and Reserves for 29 years. Since becoming an Honor Caddy at age 12, he has enjoyed golf at various levels. However, for about 20 years, his golf game took a back seat to training and running a lot of marathons and half-marathons. He also loves to travel and has visited 49 of the 51 National Parks in the lower 48 states. He says, “Back in 69′ if someone would have told me that I would spend 29 years in the service, I would have said that they were nuts. You make it if you set that goal and keep at it. Find the positives in your current situation and progress from there.” He invites everyone who might be interested in the program to feel free to email him. He will provide his cell number as well to communicate on a more personal level.
“I was led to the PGA HOPE Program after I had a fall and broke my elbow and shoulder. I had just started to swing a club, so instead of playing 18 holes, I joined the clinic on the range. When joining PGA HOPE, I was just looking to get my swing back, but the more I looked into the program, the mentorship part appealed to me. The curling club that I belong to offers adaptive curling. Five to six times a season, 8-10 Veterans from the VA come over and we have some fun throwing rocks on the ice. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with those guys, and so I thought that part of the PGA HOPE Program would be enjoyable as well. My experience with the program was very organized and working with the PGA Professional (Rob Elliott) was informative and at my own pace. I would highly recommend the program to other Veterans for an enjoyable 90 minutes. 6-8 weeks to work on your golf game at whatever level you are at and for whatever reason you are participating.”
Email: dougnelson33@aol.com
Ajay enlisted in the United States Navy in 1999 as a Military Law Enforcement Specialist and transitioned into the Marine & Navy Mobile Security Force Teams after 9/11. In May 2004 he sustained Blast injuries in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which led to the loss of his eyesight, a traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage. Being Visually Impaired has not stopped Ajay and his relentless motivation to live his life to the fullest. His most memorable feats have been being able to fly an airplane, race sports cars on a frozen lake, lead a dog sled team, and whitewater kayak the Yellowstone River. Ajay lives his life showing others that being Visually Impaired does not mean life is merely limited to your disability, but it’s living life Seeing No Limits beyond your Disability. He enjoys playing his guitar with his Service Dog Radar and relaxing to audiobooks during his spare time. Information for PGA Members Wanting to Get Involved
Training is universal for PGA Members and associates. There are trainings happening in every Section. If you cannot make a local training, check out the national calendar linked here and reach out to that Section if you plan on attending.
Check out this booklet from PGA REACH that explains everything you need to know about leading a PGA HOPE Program!
“Going into leading a PGA HOPE program, I did not know what to expect. I was hoping the veterans would enjoy the class and possibly meet a friend or two. The one thing that caught my attention early was that the participants showed up and kept their distance from me and the others when checking in. All were friendly but cautious. The biggest change over the course of the program was the openness to each other and to myself and my fellow instructors. They opened up fairly quickly. At first, there was a lot of hesitation but that soon turned to excitement as each week they looked forward to being at the lessons.
What led me to lead a PGA HOPE program is that I wanted to do what I felt was the right thing and give back to our Veterans. Over the years that I have led these programs, it has given me a greater appreciation of what this Program means to the Veterans. I also learned that while they put their lives on the line, the golf is a HUGE thing in their life. I will continue to do PGA HOPE as long as I can.
For any Veterans who are thinking about joining a PGA HOPE program I would advise you to give this program a shot. Come out with a friend or two and enjoy the fresh air, camaraderie, and fun.”
-Rob Elliott, PGA
Photo Courtesy of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center