Military Veterans Chris Nowak, Christopher Garner and Harold Hill were back on “active duty” Thursday during PGA HOPE Day at the 2025 PGA Show. The trio spent the day extolling the virtues of the flagship military program of the PGA REACH Foundation at the PGA HOPE complex in the PGA of America Hub while signing up PGA of America Professionals to teach HOPE classes.
Occasionally, PGA Show attendees would stop by to salute the three gentlemen and learn more about PGA HOPE (Helping Our Veterans Everywhere) programs, which introduce golf to veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
In the Orange County Convention Center central lobby Thursday, the flags of five U.S. military arms flew pridefully, and inside the busy PGA Show Floor thousands stopped by to celebrate the 10th anniversary of PGA HOPE.
“Interest in PGA HOPE has never been higher, and today truly demonstrated that the PGA of America and PGA Professionals hold our Veterans in high esteem,” said Nowak, a U.S. Marines Veteran who lost his lower left leg in a training accident in 1987. “PGA HOPE is making a big difference in the lives of many Veterans – we had 17,000 vets in programs last year. But we have a waiting list of about 13,000 Veterans waiting to get into programs, so we need more PGA Professionals to get certified as trainers.”
“The outpouring of support for PGA HOPE has been amazing today,” said Garner, who has used PGA HOPE golf courses to overcome PTSD he had after leaving the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security. “A lot of PGA Professionals are signing up to serve as instructors, and a ton of facilities have stopped by to say they would like to host HOPE events. I ran into a group of 10 guys on the PGA Show Floor today who were all veterans. One was wearing a Navy hat, and I asked them if they heard about PGA HOPE. Turns out they had not, but they all signed up right there and then.”
The PGA HOPE Veterans ambassadors engaged with people throughout the day Thursday, and PGA HOPE “active duty” PGA of America Professionals and ambassadors were introduced and honored at the PGA Show Winter Jam concert Thursday evening in THE | RETREAT (Hall E) featuring rock band THIRD EYE BLIND. A PGA Show Sweepstakes for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind USA Ryder Cup Captain’s Golf Cart from Club Car was also held Thursday, with the Ryder Cup golf car on display in the PGA HOPE pavilion.
Chris Sheffield, PGA Head Golf Professional at Yocha Dehe Golf Club in Brooks, California, is one of the PGA Professionals recruited by Nowak and Garner.
“I read that it was PGA HOPE Day at the Show today, so I made it a point to stop by and find out everything I could hosting some PGA Hope programs,” said Sheffield. “The PGA of America has sponsored a lot of programs over the years, but this might be the best. You’re not only helping Veterans, but you’re drawing more players to your facility for a great cause.”
The second day of the 2024 PGA Show was busy once again Thursday, with a full schedule of PGA Education Conference seminars, presentations and panel discussions on six PGA Show Floor stages, 10 specialty pavilions housing special events and special exhibitors, and a handful of celebrities again on the PGA Show floor as more than 1,000 companies showed off their latest products and innovations.
“We had a feeling heading into the PGA Show that this year’s event was going to be special, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response from attending golf industry professionals and exhibiting brands,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “The largest PGA Show in 15 years, combined with really strong attendance over the first two days, is a tremendous start to the new year for the golf industry. Our global golf community relishes the opportunity to connect in person and we will leave the PGA Show with renewed friendships, new business opportunities and a recharged outlook moving into 2025.”
“The energy and enthusiasm on the Show Floor today seemed to be just as high as it was on opening after a bit of a slow start early in the morning because of the rain outside,” said Jeff Newton of Callaway Golf. “Overall, the PGA Show has been very successful for Callaway Golf and Toptracer (Callaway Topgolf brands). There has been tremendous interest in the new Callaway Elyte irons, fairways, hybrids and drivers, named after Callaway Founder Ely Callaway.”