09/08/2026
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
(Citrus County Article by Nancy Kennedy)
https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/more-than-a-game-pga-hope-free-golf-program-gives-veterans-a-chance-for-fun/article_0d998e0b-dc9e-5209-9f16-7204cd314fff.html
Itโs so much more than golf lessons.
PGA HOPE offers veterans and active-duty military personnel an opportunity to learn the game while building camaraderie with others who may be facing similar challenges.
The free program provides support for social, emotional and physical well-being while getting participants out of the house and into the fresh air.
โA lot of them have PTSD, and when they first come here theyโre all very quiet,โ PGA golf instructor Charlie Meade told the Chronicle in 2023. โBut by the end of the week theyโve developed relationships and they start to play golf together and open up. Itโs really heartwarming to see them all come together.โ
PGA HOPE โ Helping Our Patriots Everywhere โ was created in 2016 as a national program using PGA and LPGA professionals to introduce those who have served their country to the game of golf.
In 2022, Meade, then a PGA golf instructor at Plantation on Crystal River, brought the program to Citrus County.
Since then, 12 PGA HOPE Citrus County programs have been completed, with more than 100 veterans graduating from the program.
โRecognizing the service of the veterans is what the program is all about,โ Meade said. โIt is always heartwarming to see the new relationships that are developed and to hear their military experiences.โ
The 2026 PGA HOPE Fall program will be held from Oct. 8 through Nov. 12 at Skyview Golf Course, 2100 N. Terra Vista Blvd., Hernando. Sessions are 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.
Veterans of any skill level โ including those who have never played golf โ can participate at no cost.
A VA disability rating is not required, nor is combat or deployment experience. The introductory program welcomes participants of all ages, branches and eras of service, genders and abilities.
Participants learn the basics, from grip through playing nine holes, from PGA and LPGA professionals trained in adaptive golf and familiarized with military culture.
The groups are large enough for participants to make friends but small enough to allow plenty of one-on-one time with the instructor.
No golf equipment is required. Those who have clubs or specialty equipment are encouraged to bring them.
The program is funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations.
Registration for the fall session closes at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Register online at the PGA HOPE registration page.
For questions, email program manager Alivia Mattiace at [email protected].
Learn more about PGA HOPE at www.pgareach.org/pgahope.
