Eight veterans, including one active-duty Army captain, gathered at Soldier Hill Golf Course in Emerson, N.J. on Oct. 27 as part of a free PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) golf clinic. The free program was offered to all Bergen County veterans. They received personal instructional sessions with a PGA professional and then could play nine holes. PGA HOPE reached more than 2,500 veterans nationwide who were taught by over 350 PGA professionals around the country in 2019.
What do a 36-year-old on his lunch break and an 81-year-old recovering from heart surgery have in common?
They both served their country, and they like golf.
Eight veterans, including one active-duty Army captain, gathered at Soldier Hill Golf Course in Emerson, N.J. on Oct. 27 as part of a free PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) golf clinic, NorthJersey.com reported.
The free program was offered to all Bergen County veterans. They received personal instructional sessions with a PGA professional and then could play nine holes.
The veteran golf clinic first came to Bergen County this past summer, after U.S. Navy veteran Dale Sipos participated in the program last year in Bedminster, N.J., NorthJersey.com reported. Sipos said he would take several trains and an Uber to participate in the PGA HOPE clinic last year when its only New Jersey location was in Bedminster. After doing the commute for eight weeks, he wanted to help expand the program to Bergen.
Sipos said he contacted the director of Bergen County veteran affairs, who contacted the PGA, and they came up with a plan, NorthJersey.com reported.
“It reminds me of when I was a caddie in Hackensack in the late ‘60s,” Sipos said. “Being on the golf course frees my mind like having a runner’s high. I really enjoy it, and being with a bunch of other people in the same situation as me is cool.”
PGA HOPE reached more than 2,500 veterans nationwide who were taught by over 350 PGA professionals around the country in 2019.
Even though Oct. 27 was the final week for the fall session, two newcomers still joined, one saying it was her first time playing golf, NorthJersey.com reported.
Larry Tucker, 81, said he was excited to join for the first time and wished he had known about it sooner, NorthJersey.com reported. It was also a challenge for the veteran, who served in a civil affairs unit in 1970, to see if he could still hit a ball and even play, especially since he recently had a heart valve replaced.
Active-duty Army Capt. Christopher Delgado has been in the Army for the last 13 years and is currently on federal active duty working as the Newark Recruiting Company commander.
The 36-year-old was dressed in his Army uniform and boots while hitting the course Oct. 27, a departure from typical golf attire, NorthJersey.com reported.
For the last two weeks, he came to brush up on his golf skills during his lunch break out of his recruitment office in Lodi, so he didn’t have time to change out of uniform.
Delgado worked on his eye alignment while putting, NorthJersey.com reported. PGA professional Paul Meseck suggested that Delgado keep his nose over the black line on his putter and remember that “the cup is 5 inches farther than it actually is,” so don’t be afraid to hit the ball.
Sipos said working with the professionals has helped him accept not being the best at the game, NorthJersey.com reported. “I would lose a lot of balls when playing, but the professionals helped me feel more comfortable going out there,” he said. “It’s not an easy game; sometimes you’re on, and then you’re not. The score really means nothing at the end of the day. It’s more about the camaraderie.”
While on the golf course, Sipos said, they share stories, and other times it’s just golf — which also turns into some rivalries on the green between Navy and Army to add a little fun, NorthJersey.com reported.
Michael Folignani, Clubhouse Manager at Soldier Hill Golf Course, told NorthJersey.com that he’s seen the program grow every week. He said it is also designed to help veterans who have had any traumatic experiences or are recovering from PTSD. The PGA professionals not only are sharing their golf expertise but have trained on how to work with veterans.
“I’ve seen veterans meet here and grow a friendship. I want every veteran in the county to know that this is here for them, and if you have any questions or reservations to call us,” Folignani said. “We are here to help, even if this program is just to put a smile on your face or to create a new hobby. I know it will get bigger and better.”
Folignani said he would love to see the program expand to the other five county golf courses, to help as many veterans as they can, NorthJersey.com reported.
“We are grateful to provide our veterans with this opportunity to experience all of the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of golf,” he said.
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