“I was an ‘act now, think later’ type of person. As I participated more in the program, it opened my eyes and broadened my horizons. I realized there’s a better future and I’m a much better person than I was back then,” she expressed to Danielle Brown of The St. Louis American in 2021.

 

“Wednesdays are for golf at Ranken Jordan,” Corn said to Beth Ann Nichols of Golf Week in December, 2020. “For nearly 10 years now Corn, head pro at Innsbrook Resort, has been finding creative ways with the staff to make golf therapy part of the recovery process for any kid who shows an interest at the St. Louis hospital,” the article went on to say.

The impact that Corn has had on patients is second to none. Just as impressive is the impact he has had with patient’s families, showing them what their kids CAN do. He recalled the time one mom in particular asked where she could buy the clubs her son was using at therapy. Corn suggested Golf Galaxy or the U.S. Kids Golf website. “No,” she said, “the ones my son is using. They are special clubs, right?” No ma’am, Corn told her. “My son,” the woman replied through tears, “has never used anything normal in his life.”

In 2018, when the 100th PGA Championship was in St. Louis at Bellerive Country Club, the Gateway Section proudly had a team compete in the second-ever Secretary’s Cup at Whitmoor Country Club. A testament to the success of the HOPE Programs and the involvement of PGA Professionals and Veterans in the program, the Gateway Section has sent two more teams to the Secretary’s Cup. In 2019, a team went to Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York and most recently, four Veterans and PGA Professional Jon DePriest went to Penfield Country Club in Rochester, New York this past May. 

When the event came to St. Louis in 2018, DePriest had great things to say about host Brian Maine, PGA and Whitmoor Country Club, “Brian created this environment that was amazing. There were a lot of Vietnam veterans that participated and they never truly felt welcome back from their service. Brian had his Junior League program stand with flags and sharpies on the 18th green where they asked veterans for their autograph. It was a very moving experience.”