Therapy comes in many forms. For some Veterans, it’s professional counseling, while others prefer a different outlet like art or sports. I go to therapy twice a week…on the golf course. I’ve been an avid golfer for more than 25 years, so I was ecstatic to talk with Chris Nowak, Veteran and Military Liaison for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA), PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere). In this episode, Nowak explains how their program focuses on developing what he calls “a moment in time” mindset with the aim of helping our Military community through their individual traumas.
What is PGA HOPE?
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable action arm of the PGA of America. This completely free program introduces golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military Servicemembers in the hope of enhancing their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
They begin by providing the equipment and pairing the participants with trained instructors. Participants are then led through a six to eight-week training program that introduces them to the fundamentals of the sport. The program culminates in rounds of golf and a chance to meet and develop connections with other Veteran golfers. While golf is the game at hand, the program also aims to teach a mindset that Nowak refers to as “a moment in time”. He explains this as singular focus, or the ability to clear your mind of distractions and concentrate on the present moment. Trust me, distractions will ruin your swing. It took me years to figure out how to block things out and be in the present. I can personally attest, there is something very therapeutic about being able to release your fears, tensions, and problems, and focus on one single thing in front of you.
Nowak, a disabled Veteran himself, is also no stranger to the benefits of clearing your mind from physical and emotional events. He was active in high school in adrenaline sports like hockey and powerlifting. But after losing his leg from a gunshot wound while he was in the Marine Corps, he re-centered his sporting interests around his healing process. “I found golf real late in my rehab journey . . . golf is mind focused. You can bench press 450 pounds (but) a 12-year-old who can swing a golf club could out drive you.” It’s this same therapeutic emotional intervention, teaching singular focus, that helps Military Servicemembers and Veterans overcome their traumas.
Find Out More
If you are a Veteran or Active-duty Military Servicemember and interested in being a part of PGA Hope, please contact them at their website. You’ll hear back from someone within 48 hours to help you get started.
Last year, PGA HOPE assisted more than 7,500 participants rebuild and recover through physical and emotional pain. Their goals is to serve more than 20,000 by 2026
For More Information
Watch the full video on this week’s Your Next Mission® video podcast episode on our website or on our YouTube channel.
Your Next Mission® is a program initiative of the American Freedom Foundation, a non-profit
dedicated to serving our Veterans and Families. Your Next Mission® video podcast with host
12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley features insightful conversation with subject matter experts from the
military and civilian communities. It’s a place where we can have frank and honest
conversation, tackle the tough questions, share stories, and have some fun along the way.
My Son was a PGA Apprentice at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club in San Antonio back in the Mid-Two Thousand time frame and I recall him calling me to come out and play with some Wounded Warriors. It was a very humbling experience but the joy on those faces is what I remember the most!! On a side note, I also had the pleasure of driving for the 42nd Field Hospital Commander (then LTC Jim Hopkins where I met and chatted with then Brigade SM Jack Tilley a time or too, Soldier for Life!!