Local Military Veteran Becomes PGA HOPE Ambassador

In October, the PGA of America REACH Foundation—the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America hosted 19 Veterans and two Veteran squad leaders at PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, presented by ConocoPhillips and T-Mobile, October 10-14 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

Included in the group of Veterans was Aaron Ojard, of Egg Harbor Township. Ojard enlisted in the US Navy in April 1995. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class (E6) and was selected to the Seaman to Admiral 21 program. In May 2007 he was commissioned as a Navy Nurse Corps Officer and worked at Bethesda Naval Hospital as a critical care RN. In April 2009, he was selected to deploy as a trauma RN and served 7 months at the Role 3 MMU Hospital in Kandahar AFG. His lightened set of golf clubs followed him on the deployment where he set up a driving range thanks to friends and family sending supplies and extra balls. Upon completion of his deployment, struggles with PTSD nearly caused Aaron to take his own life. Golfing with fellow veterans was the catalyst that brought him out of the downward spiral. Aaron retired from the Navy with 20 years 2 months and 2 days of active service.

The participating Veterans, all graduates of their local PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programs, participated in an immersive five-day event that included advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network - covering topics including social media, public speaking, stress management and mental health.

A special highlight of the week, PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee and record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, made a surprise visit, joining the Veterans for a putting contest on Sunday and a fireside chat with award-winning reporter and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee, Bret Baier. Nicklaus, who was joined by his wife Barbara—the 2019 winner of the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award—is a renowned global ambassador, course designer, businessman and philanthropist, who continues to use his success as a platform to help others.

“Our Veterans have given so much for this country, and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and safety, so it's an honor, alongside Barbara, to continue to support them through PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week,” said Nicklaus. “Their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment are the true embodiment of our nation. Supporting our Veterans isn't just our duty, it's a privilege we should all cherish.”

In support of PGA HOPE and the PGA of America REACH Foundation a $2 million commitment has been made in Nicklaus’ honor from real estate investor and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee, David P. O’Connor.

PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, is a six- to eight-week developmental curriculum taught by PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. The program introduces golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Ojard got involved with PGA HOPE clinics in the spring of 2022 at Union League National in Cape May Court House. He has attended clinics as a student and mentor, and in Spring of this year, he was selected as a Squad Leader.

PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week culminated with golf at Congressional Country Club Monday, Oct. 14, featuring Veterans playing alongside PGA of America Golf Professionals and dignitaries. A frequent host of major championships through the years, Congressional is scheduled to host six PGA of America championships through 2037, including the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship and PGA Professional Championship.

PGA HOPE is currently offered at more than 550 locations in the U.S., in all 50 states. In 2024, more than 17,000 Veterans will be served through the program through the more than 4,000 PGA of America Golf Professionals who have received specialized training in using adaptive equipment and instructing Veterans. Since the inception of PGA HOPE in 2015, over 50,000 Veterans will be served by the end of 2024.

PGA HOPE is the only adaptive-golf program that has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables medical staff to refer Veterans to PGA HOPE as a form of therapy. All programs are funded by the PGA of America REACH Foundation and supplemented by PGA of America Section foundations, with no cost to all Veterans.

The annual event is a unique opportunity for participating Veterans to excel in their rehabilitation journey as they represent their local PGA HOPE community on a national level.

At the conclusion of the event, the 19 participating Veterans were named as national PGA HOPE Ambassadors, while receiving a specially designed golf and wellness tool kit designed to promote and sustain a healthy and active lifestyle as they return to their home programs to work with other Veterans and help foster the game of golf.

You can support PGA HOPE through the HOPE 4 Heroes campaign, which runs through December 31st, and celebrates Veterans and Active-Duty Military while raising awareness and support for the program. Today there are over 13,000 Veterans on a waiting list to participate in PGA HOPE. Every $330 raised places a Veteran in a local program at no cost to the Veteran.