Military veterans are thriving in life and on course, thanks to PGA HOPE program

LINCOLN, R.I. — Nancy O’Reilly had no idea how she would live the rest of her life.

After serving 25 years as a hospital corpsmen in the U.S. Navy, she felt lost, depressed and anxious at her home in Wrentham. He husband noticed it, too. O’Reilly witnessed horrific injuries to sailors during several deployments.

Then she was introduced to the game of golf.

Sporting a brand new white and green Titleist hat, along with a big smile, O’Reilly sat in the sun last Wednesday at Kirkbrae Country Club. She was preparing to play a round of golf on a beautiful autumn afternoon with 47 other military veterans with similar challenges.

PGA HOPE is the acronym for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. It is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission statement for HOPE is to introduce golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

It’s a 6-8 week instructional course, and veterans from all over New England participate at 10 clubs and is looking to expand in 2023.

Currently, Maine (Bangor Municipal GC, Riverside GC), New Hampshire (Atkinson Resort, Windham CC), Rhode Island (Kirkbrae CC), Massachusetts (Winchester CC, Patriot GC, Green Hill Municipal GC, Allendale CC, Hyannis GC) participate in the program.

Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the challenge to live a somewhat normal life can be difficult. There are too many unknowns for many veterans who transition from the military back to civilian life.

'This works for me'

Many of the veterans Wednesday at Kirkbrae did not have an outlet until golf became an escape.

“Nothing else worked,” O’Reilly said. “This works for me. Golf works.”

The goal of HOPE is to be the bridge the gap and help veterans heal. It’s working.

“This program is amazing,” O’Reilly added. “This is my first year playing, and this is the first time that I’ve actually felt happy. I’ve been so depressed from deployments and taking care of wounded sailors.”

After dedicating her career in the Navy, she now has the “bug” when it comes to golf. She’s actually trying to convince her husband to build a putting green in the couple’s backyard.

While O’Reilly was on one of her deployments, her son passed away at home. When she returned home, she was having difficulty coping.

“I didn’t know what happy was,” she said. “So having this program, I’m actually happy for the first time in seven years. I’m looking forward to something, and that’s what the program has brought to me. I’m just thankful.”

Jeremy and Nicole Lyon, of Hudson, New Hampshire, met during their service time in the U.S. Army Reserve 368th Engineer Battalion. They both served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In September 2011, a suicide bomber drove a 5,000-gallon fuel truck through the gates of the U.S. base in Afghanistan and detonated a bomb.

Jeremy and Nicole were nearby when the explosion occurred and suffered what was first diagnosed as concussions, but later determined as traumatic brain injuries. They remained in Afghanistan and returned home in January 2012. The couple married and returned to civilian life in August 2016.

Both have dealt with depression and anger, but thanks to programs like Wounded Warriors Project, Vet Life and PGA Hope, Jeremy and Nicole can enjoy activities such as fishing and golfing with military peers.

Jeremy made the trek from New Hampshire to Rhode Island for the final PGA HOPE outing of the season to be with all his veteran friends, including O’Reilly.

“This is therapy,” he said. “Nancy was somewhat of an introvert when I first met her, and over the last six months, with programs like these that we're all involved in, she’s totally sprouted socially. She’s been the life of the party.”

O’Reilly said she feels spoiled to be around her peers in what feels like a team environment. It helps keep them focused and healthy.

Participation continues to increase

PGA HOPE describes these rounds of golf as Operation: PlayDay, or OPDs. The program completed 177 rounds with 99 veterans this season. Michael Packard, director of the PGA REACH New England Foundation, is thrilled by the program’s success.

Each event the last two years has increased in size of participants, and the 2022 finale did not disappoint. A total of 48 veterans played last Wednesday at Kirkbrae on a perfect fall day for golf. Each branch of the military was represented, with a total of 527 years of service.

“Golf allows them to be outside and with people who understand what they’re going through,” Packard said.

Even though the program is only two hours per week, its impact applies well beyond that time frame. Many of the veterans explained they begin to get excited about their upcoming round days in advance. Some drive six hours round trip to enjoy the experience, and they think about it during their entire trek to and from the courses.

In fact, many arrive several hours before their scheduled tee times in order to socialize, eat and maybe grab a pre-round libation.

“That’s the goal,” Packard said.

Veterans also are supplied with clubs if needed through the Sets for Vets program, along with lessons, swag and tee times.

Events like this wouldn’t be possible without the help of other organizations. Representatives of the Worcester-based Side by Side Charitable Organization were on hand Wednesday at Kirkbrae to lend support.

Tom Foley, who is involved in several veteran organizations in Central Mass., including Side by Side, grabbed the mic Wednesday afternoon and had a simple message for the golfing veterans: “Hit 'm straight. Hit 'em long, and have a good time.”

Foley then pulled his phone from his pocket and said: “I want to take 12 seconds of your life and show you something.”

It was a video of a veteran who no legs and only one hand playing golf at recent event.

“He was the happiest guy on the golf course,” Foley explained.

Side by Side partnered with PGA Hope because of the reach it has throughout New England. Foley understands there are similar organizations around the country with the same goal.

“We feel the federal government isn’t doing enough for the vets, so we decided to get together and try to do something,” Foley said. “It’s important to us that we take care of the people who mean something to our community. They’re heroes in our eyes.”

Repaying veterans through offering opportunity to play

Mike Bradshaw, president of the New England Section of the PGA, remembers the HOPE program in its infancy and what how it has blossomed into what it is today, serving hundreds of veterans in New England.

Bradshaw explained the entire golfing industry has seen a major boost coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the fact that clubs around New England donate time and resources for HOPE is appreciated.

“Fortunately, everybody realizes what these veterans have done and the sacrifices that have been made,” Bradshaw said. “The least we can do is show them how to play the game, and hopefully it changes their lives.”

It does feel a bit strange for the entire PGA New England staff to hear “thank you” from the veterans before, during and after each event. In fact, O’Reilly was vocal with her gratitude and described in detail how the program has helped.

“If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, then nothing will,” Bradshaw said of O’Reilly’s comments. “You want to be able to help those who protect our country and put their lives on the line to do so. As golf professionals, it’s the least we can do. If they can get some enjoyment from the game and think about something else for a few hours that’s exactly our goal.”

Jason Howard is the head pro at Kirkbrae, and he appreciates the HOPE program because his father is a Vietnam veteran. So being able to host this event at Howard’s home course is important.

“It means everything to us,” Howard said. “For us to be able to give thanks with golf, instructions and getting everyone together is an unbelievable feeling, especially when you see (the veterans) all together sharing stories, or just getting away from what they’ve been through. This program is near to my heart, and if we can give back a little bit, then it makes this job worth it.”

Since the golf season is coming to an end, the HOPE program is planning winter events at some of the clubs that have indoor simulators. Packard and his staff also bring inflatable hitting nets into several veteran hospitals in New England.

“That’s the goal, so that therapy doesn’t stop just because there’s snow outside,” said Packard, who wants to continue to grow the program. “It’s been a great season. It’s been an honor.”

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Military veterans are thriving in life, thanks to PGA program