20 Veterans receive specialized golf and wellness training, event culminates with golf outing at Congressional Country Club
BETHESDA, Md. – Twenty military Veterans from across the nation completed five days of intensive golf, wellness and advocacy training at the annual PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, presented by ConocoPhillips and T-Mobile.
Held at the historic Congressional Country Club, the week-long series of events prepares Veterans to serve as National Ambassadors for PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation. Each Ambassador returns to their home PGA Section equipped to mentor fellow Veterans, foster community engagement and expand access to golf as a form of physical and mental rehabilitation.
BETHESDA, MD – OCTOBER 18: PGA HOPE National Trainer J.P. Lunn, PGA, with PGA HOPE Ambassador of the Tri State David ‘Dave’ Kraft on the putting green during the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week Golf Training Session at Congressional Country Club on Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)
Throughout the week, participants received advanced instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals, in partnership with the Cohen Veterans Network, on specialized mental wellness stress management and public speaking training.
“PGA HOPE is more than an introduction to golf, the program provides a life-changing support system for the men and women who have sacrificed for our country,” said Scott Kmiec, Executive Director of the PGA of America REACH Foundation. “These 20 Veterans represent the strength, resilience and camaraderie at the heart of our military community. As Ambassadors, they will lead the charge in introducing thousands of their peers to the physical and emotional benefits of the game.”
PGA HOPE operates at more than 700 locations nationwide, led by over 5,500 PGA of America Golf Professionals trained in adaptive golf techniques and military cultural competency. To date, the program has served more than 70,000 Veterans at zero cost to participants.
A highlight of this year’s National Golf & Wellness Week included a Sunday evening keynote address by former Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut, Chris Cassidy. Cassidy, now the CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum, shared stories about his 10 years with the Navy SEALs, as well as his time in space on Endeavor, Expedition 35 and Expedition 62.
On Monday, Veterans were joined by Bernie Smoot, a 100-year-old Army Veteran who still plays golf five days a week. After three years of service, including tours in France, Japan and Korea, Smoot was discharged in 1947. Smoot spent Monday on the 10th tee on Congressional, hitting ceremonial tee shots as the groups played through.
PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week culminated on Monday, Oct. 19, with a golf event at Congressional Country Club, where Veterans played alongside corporate sponsors, PGA of America Golf Professionals and dignitaries. The historic venue, a frequent host of Major Championships throughout its storied past, is set to host five upcoming PGA of America championships through 2037, including the 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, 2029 PGA Professional Championship, 2030 PGA Championship, 2033 Senior PGA Championship and the 2037 Ryder Cup.
Through a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, clinical providers nationwide directly refer Veterans to PGA HOPE as a complementary form of therapy. Every $330 raised enables another Veteran to complete the full six program. To support Veterans through PGA HOPE, click here.
BETHESDA, MD – OCTOBER 18: PGA HOPE Ambassador of the Mid-Atlantic Gretchen Lezcano reacts to making her putt with her fellow PGA HOPE Ambassadors during the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week Golf at Congressional Country Club on Sunday, October 18, 2026 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America)
Participating PGA HOPE Veterans
- Alex Badgley; Marine Corps; PGA HOPE Michigan; Portage, Mich.
- David Curry; Army; PGA HOPE Midwest; Overland Park, Kans.
- Jordon Daniel; Army; PGA HOPE Colorado; Thornton, Colo.
- Kelly Dempsey; Coast Guard; PGA HOPE Northeastern New York; Queensbury, N.Y.
- Matt Foster; Army; PGA HOPE Northern Texas; Allen, Texas
- Liam Gale; Air Force; PGA HOPE New England; Wells, Maine
- Matt Gniotczynski; Air Force; PGA HOPE Gateway; Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
- Dave Kraft; Air Force; PGA HOPE Tri-State; Moon Township, Penn.
- Jeff Keenan; Army; PGA HOPE Georgia; Evans, Ga.
- Jimmy Lewis; Navy; PGA HOPE Carolinas; Littleton, N.C.
- Gretchen Lezcano; Air Force; PGA HOPE Middle Atlantic; Boyce, Va.
- Mark Mathis; Navy; PGA HOPE Nebraska; Omaha, Neb.
- Jim Meade; Army; PGA HOPE Southern Texas; San Antonio, Texas
- Bobby Olds; Navy; PGA HOPE Northern California; Mount Shasta, Calif.
- Anthony Pedro; Army; Central New York PGA Section; Binghamton, N.Y.
- Bolivar “Bogie” Perez; Navy; PGA HOPE South Florida; Pembroke Pines, Fla.
- David Rugg; Air Force; PGA HOPE Philadelphia; Clayton, Del.
- Jeremiah Runser; Army; PGA HOPE Indiana; Westfield, Ind.
- Jose Sagal; Army; PGA HOPE New Jersey; Piscataway, N.J.
- Truman Small, Jr.; Army; PGA HOPE Connecticut; Bridgeport, Conn.
Squad Leaders
- Dusty Hull; Army/National Guard; PGA HOPE Michigan; Lansing, Mich.
- Jason Strejcek; Navy; PGA HOPE Northern Ohio; Strongsville, Ohio
About PGA HOPE
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAHOPE on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.
About PGA of America REACH Foundation
The PGA of America REACH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of the Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information on the PGA of America REACH Foundation, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Instagram, X and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Nicole Mayberry, PGA of America – nmayberry@pgahq.com
Ari Edelman, Mastro Communications – aedelman@mastrocomm.com
