The 2024 PGA Show in Orlando will salute Veterans and active-duty military personnel throughout the week, but Thursday, Jan. 25 has been designated as “PGA HOPE Day” and will pay tribute to PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) with a schedule of special events.
PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of PGA REACH, will be center stage throughout Thursday, with a leaderboard of programs and events dedicated to enhancing awareness of PGA HOPE programs and increasing participation in the PGA of America’s flagship rehabilitative golf program for Veterans and active-duty military.
PGA HOPE Day at the PGA Show on Thursday will include a special presentation on the PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech at 1:30 p.m. featuring PGA HOPE ambassadors and a special guest panel discussing and demonstrating the positive impact PGA HOPE programs can have for Veterans, active-duty personnel, and for PGA Golf Professionals who serve as teachers and coaches in PGA HOPE programs.
Fundraising for PGA REACH and its program pillars will take place throughout PGA Show Week, culminating with the PGA Show Winter Jam concert, supported by adidas and Corebridge Financial and headlined by country music star Jake Owen, Thursday from 6-9 p.m. in a new concert lounge in Hall E of the Orange County Convention Center. The country rock cover band Back Country Boys will open the PGA Show Winter Jam at 6 p.m., followed by country music sensation Owen, with DJ Spencer Ludwig closing out an exciting concert night.
A PGA HOPE Pre-Concert Happy Hour for PGA HOPE Ambassadors on the PGA Show Floor Putting Green will take place Thursday from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
PGA HOPE is supported by more than 3,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who have attended adaptive golf and military culture training to be certified as PGA HOPE instructors. The program is currently being offered at more than 500 locations in 40 PGA of America Sections. In 2023, the program positively impacted more than 11,000 Veterans. In 2024, PGA HOPE will serve more than 17,000 Veterans and Active Duty Military and officially reach all 50 states.
“I can speak on behalf of our more than 30,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals when I say that we are extremely proud of the impact PGA HOPE has made on the lives of Veterans,” said PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. “PGA HOPE is held very near and dear to my heart as it not only improves lives, but saves them, too. I’m happy to see it front and center at the PGA Show as we want to do everything we can do to make this special program available for more Veterans every year.”
PGA HOPE will occupy booth 700, adjacent to the Show floor Practice Putting Green by the indoor Equipment Test Center during PGA Show Week. PGA of America Golf Professionals who are currently serving the program are encouraged to visit the booth to receive a special thank you gift, and Association Members who are interested in serving PGA HOPE’s mission can visit with PGA HOPE staff and Ambassadors onsite.
Additional PGA Show Week activations surrounding PGA HOPE include multiple touch points across the PGA Show floor, recognition of PGA of America Golf Professionals who currently serve PGA HOPE’s mission, a PGA of America Golf Professional recruiting station, a PGA HOPE certification for Department of Defense-employed PGA of America Members and fundraising throughout Show Week.
PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf.