Success Stories

Was able to tell PGA HOPE story to the entire GE Aerospace Veterans Network, which will benefit the majority of Ambassadors and myself. - Roth Coleman, Kentucky

At the February 24-26th Chicago Golf Show we were able to raise awareness for the program by proactively engaging attendees. The Section had a booth near the entrance and we looked for any sign the individual entering the expo was a Veteran (hat/ shirt). We then engaged these individuals about the HOPE program. Through the joint effort we landed roughly 100+ contacts. - Mike Jaborek & Jim Nelson, Illinois

A growing problem with PGA HOPE is many of our veterans are landing on wait lists for clinics. Those lists continue to grow each year. One of the problems is the limited number of PGA Professionals available to teach at various clinics. One effort that has been put forward to attack this problem is some clinic locations in Charleston, SC are adding additional clinics that only those on wait lists can register for. This method is proving to be helpful in reducing the number of veterans having to wait several months for the next available clinic. This effort, along with giving priority to wait listed veterans who can register ahead of new registrants, is helping to decrease the numbers on our wait lists. Actual numbers aren't available at this time. - Harold Hill, Carolinas

On November 11, 2024, at a Veteran Breakfast event at Duquesne University, I introduced myself as the new PGA HOPE Ambassador for the Tri State PGA HOPE Program. I engaged with approximately 18 tables of veterans, handing out business cards with the pgareach.org website and delivering a brief overview of our program's benefits and successes as a PGA HOPE graduate and VA Volunteer. This engagement sparked a meeting with the Director of Military and Veteran Students, leading to a request to provide information and a presentation for the university's veteran students. Additionally, the Director of Veterans Affairs invited us to present at the next Veteran Leadership Veterans Day Breakfast in 2025—a significant media event in Pittsburgh graced by City, County, State, local Congressional leaders, and numerous Veteran Help Leadership members. - Ron Gionta, Tri-State

On December 2, 2024, we delivered an online presentation with the Veterans Breakfast Club, focusing on the PGA HOPE Program's mission and benefits for veterans. Approximately 65 veterans, primarily from our Tri-State Region, attended. We showcased images of classes, including veterans in wheelchairs, to highlight our commitment to inclusivity. The program was well-received, encouraging attendees and their military families to explore our program websites and consider participation. Following the presentation, the Chairman of the Veterans Breakfast Club invited us to present in person at a local gathering. Veterans from World War II to the current Gulf War shared their stories. We participated in two events in December in the North and South suburbs of Pittsburgh, with a combined audience of 350 veterans. Our Tri State Section PGA HOPE business cards with pgareach.org were distributed to interested veterans. A poignant moment occurred when a veteran shared that our stories resonated with him, helping him feel less alone. In December 2024, we reached over 400 veterans in the Tri State Section in Pittsburgh. Frank Murgia, our Communications Director, also attended and played a pivotal role in discussing PGA HOPE and PGA Reach. - Ron Gionta, Tri-State

From February 21-23, 2025, the Tri State Section PGA co-sponsored the Pittsburgh Golf Show with The North Coast Golf & Travel Show at the Monroeville Convention Center, just 12 miles east of Pittsburgh. The event was a resounding success for both the vendors and the Tri State Section PGA (TSPGA) and Tri-State PGA HOPE, attracting hundreds of golfers and families. As part of my Ambassador duties, I delivered two presentations and managed the Tri State Section PGA HOPE Tent. We engaged with over 100 veterans and many others connected to veterans, who took flyers detailing the 2025 lesson locations in the Greater Pittsburgh Area and web links for more information about our program. The free 10-minute golf lessons with PGA Professionals, sponsored by TSPGA, were a major highlight, with all time slots filled throughout the event. This provided attendees, eager to test new clubs they purchased, a fantastic experience alongside the wide array of golf vendors. - Ron Gionta, Tri-State

On March 29, 2025, the Tri State Section of the PGA and PGA HOPE proudly participated in the annual Vietnam Veterans Day Recognition Event, hosted by the Veterans Breakfast Club at the Heinz History Center and Museum, located in downtown Pittsburgh's historic commercial Strip District. We were honored to have Frank Murgia, Director of Communications, Ron Gionta, PGA HOPE Ambassador, and Dave Kraft, Tri State Section Volunteer, representing us at this meaningful event. With over 400 attendees, including veterans, spouses, caregivers, family members, health providers, and representatives from veteran agencies like the VA, the event was truly memorable. We are especially grateful to Mr. Todd DePastino, Executive Director of the Veterans Breakfast Club, for generously providing us with a complimentary space to set up our PGA HOPE table, waiving the usual $500 fee. Our unique partnerships with the Veterans Breakfast Club, the VA, and other local veteran organizations continue to strengthen and grow. We encourage everyone to watch the event's highlights on YouTube and see the impact of this wonderful day: Vietnam Veterans Day Pittsburgh - it's worth watching! - Ron Gionta, Tri-State

On Saturday, May 24th, 2025, I had the tremendous honor of representing PGA HOPE as both a Veteran and an Ambassador by throwing out the first pitch at the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. With an audience of 24,651 people in attendance, not to mention the game being televised, it offered significant market exposure for PGA HOPE and the sport of golf, especially with the U.S. Open approaching at Oakmont Country Club. The buzz in Pittsburgh is palpable, and with viewers tuning in from Milwaukee, we effectively reached audiences in two major city markets. Standing on the pitcher's mound, I was introduced, and the ballpark announcer eloquently shared PGA HOPE's mission with those present. Many of my neighbors saw and heard the introduction, watching my pitch on TV, further extending our reach. I shared this milestone on LinkedIn, garnering 315 impressions in just one week. Moreover, the Tri-State Section posted photos and a recap on Instagram and Facebook, thanks to Frank Murgia, our Communications Lead. I was also accompanied on the field by my Band of Golfing Brothers, Ron S. and Rich C., making the event even more memorable. - Ron Gionta, Tri-State

Our success story with the Charleston, SC chapter involves keeping our veterans engaged with golf after they obtain a graduation card. The clinics have been successful with having graduated over 1,200 veterans; however, retaining them on the golf course has presented challenges. A method of meeting the challenge of keeping our veterans engaged is by creating "play groups." These groups are simply veterans taking the lead in organizing tee times at a golf course of their choice. This has a two-fold benefit: One, it gives our veterans an avenue to continue their golf experience and camaraderie that began with their clinic exposure, two, it allows golf courses that don't have PGA HOPE clinics to help our veterans with discounted golf. The result is a win-win for veterans and golf courses. Additionally, this helps with exposure to our PGA HOPE program, not to mention giving PGA HOPE graduates an opportunity to improve their golfing skills. - Harold Hill, Carolinas

Congratulations to the Charleston, SC Chapter marking having graduated over 2,000 veterans/active-duty members since 2015. The Chapter held an appreciation for the many peer mentors, which was held at TopGolf in North Charleston. Good food, good camaraderie and fun golf. Who could wish for a better day spent with super patriots. Bravo Zulu to the ongoing efforts in the Carolinas and looking forward to seeing many at the Secretary's Cup being held in Charlotte, NC, May 12, 2025. - Harold Hill, Carolinas

While at a post-program event I met a PGA HOPE graduate, John Reissenweber, who shared with me how this particular event and the PGA HOPE community helped save his life. Like many other Vietnam veterans, he suppressed a lot of internal wounds from the war and had been carrying them for years. For 50 years he intentionally avoided talking to any veterans, buried himself in work, and isolated himself from everyone close to him. Completing the PGA HOPE program and joining the community, John was still apprehensive about coming out, talking to others about his time and experiences during the Army, and especially while in Vietnam on combat missions. This post-program event was a defining moment for his rehabilitation and assimilation back into society. As he put it, “it was like putting the key into the hole, slowly turning the tumblers inside, realizing it fits, and eventually opening the door…now realizing this was what I was looking for.” Since then, John’s eagerness and engagement in PGA HOPE has increased to where he now presides as one of the Ambassadors, is a Captain at Play Days, and is a Board Member on the PGA HOPE NorCal Associate Club. John is often found at the golf course either working on his own golf game, helping others in their golf journey or sharing his story as inspiration for others. - Will Stockholm, Northern California

One of the biggest areas of improvement needed in our section is a post-program event to maintain engagement by golfers introduced to the sport and PGA HOPE. This improvement opportunity was communicated with the section lead. The section lead and I developed the idea of a Colorado PGA HOPE Cup, which has never been conducted in the Colorado Section. Through local networking, we conducted a meeting with the Director of Golf at The Broadmoor Golf Club to pitch the idea of hosting the inaugural Colorado PGA HOPE Cup at the prestigious and historic golf course. The Director of Golf agreed to host this event in September. The benefits of conducting the event at this golf course will draw attention from other prestigious courses in Colorado and potentially open up other courses to host the event in the future. Furthermore, with local media coverage of the event at The Broadmoor, we can attract future sponsors to host smaller events for post-program opportunities for PGA HOPE attendees. - Chris Cordova, Colorado