As the month of November kicks off, and Veterans Day looms large on Nov. 11, it seems fitting to recognize what’s become one of the most special weeks of the year on the PGA of America calendar: PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week.
This year’s edition took place Oct. 12-16 in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., at Congressional Country Club in nearby Bethesda. Twenty military Veterans around the country, graduates of their local PGA HOPE programs, participated in an immersive five-day event including advanced golf coaching from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training that culminated in a golf outing at the legendary venue.
Jayme Turner’s U.S. Army experience on the front lines taught him the value of preparation. Those pre-combat checks and inspections can apply to getting ready for a round of golf.
Yet in his role as a Utah’s PGA HOPE Ambassador, representing the Utah Section PGA, Turner believes that what happens afterward is now his biggest job.
After veterans complete the eight-session golf experience, Turner said, “It’s my responsibility to work the network and keep the guys together. We’ve got to maintain some kind of connection.”
Turner participated in the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, his biggest takeaway was playing a course “like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” he said. “The fairways were like greens.”
Commissioned as a PGA HOPE Ambassador, he promised to fulfill the duties of “a champion for PGA HOPE” in Utah. Turner is a graduate of Utah PGA Member Rob Kreiger’s PGA Hope sessions at Southgate Golf Club in St. George.
“He is all in on golf and PGA HOPE and is completely hooked on the game,” Krieger said. “We could not have nominated anyone any better that is so excited to be in and around golf. … PGA HOPE has been transformational for Jayme and I could not be happier for his active participation and how he will be helping us grow our programs.”
This Veterans Day, GIVE WITH PURPOSE! Join us in celebrating our nation’s heroes who protect our freedom, while raising awareness and support for Utah PGA HOPE programs. Raising funds for PGA HOPE will allow us to create additional PGA HOPE sessions for veterans, like Jayme Turner, across the state.
Thank you for joining our effort, CLICK HERE
Story written by Ryan Adams, PGA of America and Kurt Kragthorpe, Fairways Media senior writer. Photos by PGA of America and Fairways Media.