When the Foundation Board of Trustees met in the spring of 2018, it was the beginning of a new Chapter for the PGA Member driven Foundation – PGA REACH WNY. Independent Directors were added to the strong core of PGA Members already serving on this Board. One of the first goals of this newly formed group was to create awareness for the work that the Foundation has and continues to do.
Through these conversations spurned the concept of “100 Hole For HOPE.” The awareness campaign would bring together both PGA Members and Amateurs – all playing 100 Holes of golf in one day.
At the Kahkwa Club, led by Michael O’Connor and Sean Coleman, a foursome started the day at sunrise and played alternate shot raising close $4,500 for PGA HOPE. A week later at Glen Oak GC, led by Tim Fries and Jeff Mietus, PGA Members and Veterans completed the same initiative raising close to $1,500 for HOPE.
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. Due to the support of fundraising such as this, PGA HOPE is offered to our Veterans at NOT COST.
We hope to get many more facilities, PGA Members and Amateur golfers alike on board in 2019!