FRONTENAC, MINN. - The fifth annual 100 Holes for HOPE charity event was held Thursday, June 16 at Mount Frontenac Golf Course in Frontenac, Minn. There were 233 birdies made by 15 participating PGA Professionals and veterans. With the support of partners and donors, the event generated $57,000. The golfers consisted of twelve PGA Professionals and three Minnesota military veterans. Two youth clinics were held throughout the day for the Prairie Island Indian Community and families from the United Heroes League. Our event partners, Scheels, donated a set of golf clubs to each child from the United Heroes League. Watching the kids lightup when they learned the golf clubs were theirs to keep was priceless.
The goal of 100 Holes for HOPE is to raise funds for PGA REACH Minnesota and its flagship military program, PGA HOPE, which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. 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.
The amount raised from this year’s event will cover the cost for an estimated 200 veterans to participate in the 6-8 week PGA HOPE program. These funds allow veterans to participate free of charge. The Minnesota Section is proud to have ten established chapters throughout Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and parts of Western Wisconsin. We are looking to grow that number in the coming years as well. “It's our duty to help those who have given so much to us and our country. By providing an outlet through golf, and to give back to these heroes, we are excited to continue raising awareness and financial support with 100 Holes for HOPE,” said Jeff Drimel, CEO of the Minnesota PGA/PGA REACH Minnesota.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran who may be interested in participating in a PGA HOPE Chapter, please reach out. You do not need to have any golf experience to join.