The inaugural PGA HOPE Clinic at Lake Forest Country Club ended its 6-week activity for area Veterans this past week on Tuesday, May 10th. There were weeks of instruction with the final night being a three-hole scramble competition.   The PGA HOPE Veterans were also celebrated with a special graduation ceremony whereby all of the PGA HOPE Veterans received a certificate and a special PGA HOPE cup.  In addition, a portion of the funds from the Mel and Patricia Volmer Memorial, donated to PGA REACH Gateway Foundation-PGA HOPE was used to provide a great graduation dinner.  Mel and Patricia Volmer were long-time members of Lake Forest Country Club.  The wish of the Volmer Family was to use those dollars given to the memorial to enhance the Veterans’ PGA HOPE experience. Mel Volmer was a proud American Veteran, himself.

 

John Dickey PGA, Sam Gilliland PGA, and Emma Corbett, Golf Professional comprised the instruction team that taught golf skills through these two-hour+ time frames on Tuesday afternoons over the past 6 weeks.  All of these golf professionals were specifically trained by PGA HOPE Instructors from the PGA of America, to teach adaptive golf skills to individuals who may experience physical or mental disabilities.

 

This inaugural PGA HOPE Clinic at Lake Forest was a HUGE success bringing 18 area veterans together (17 men and 1 woman) to not only learn more about the game of golf but to create a community and comradeship among America’s great patriots!

 

Mackenzie Myers and Fernando Molina are staff members of the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation who helped lead PGA Professional John Dickey, Lake Forest staff, and volunteers to make sure the PGA HOPE Clinic was professionally organized.

 

On behalf of the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation Staff and Board of Directors, I would like to thank the members, staff, and volunteers of Lake Forest Country Club for providing this PGA HOPE Clinic, the use of the Club’s practice facilities and course. It is our HOPE that we can provide another clinic in the fall of 2022 and beyond!

 

Sue Rector

Board Chair, PGA REACH Gateway Foundation

Member, Lake Forest Country Club