PENFIELD, N.Y. – As the Ryder Cup showcases the world’s greatest golfers, a program called PGA HOPE is using golf to help veterans struggling with mental health issues.
“Golf helps veterans with PTSD, anxiety, depression,” said James Stampfer of Warrior Veteran Services. “They can disconnect from that for a little bit.”
Stampfer served in the Army for more than 20 years and when he retired as an M-P in 2021, he felt a void that golf helped fill.
“It helped me reminding me that I’m part of that veteran community,” Stampfer said. “I retired in 2021 and was missing it. And PGA Hope brought me back.”
PGA HOPE is a free 6-week program for veterans, offering personal lessons and the opportunity to play rounds of 9 to 18 holes. Its website states that “Suicide is a major issue among military veterans, PGA HOPE is working to change this.”
Julie Haile, who helps run the program in Western New York, explained the benefits of golf for veterans.
“What I find the most and what the veterans tell me the most is it’s the ability to be outside,” Haile said. “Golf is not an easy game so you really have to think. And if you’re concentrating on golf hopefully you cannot concentrate on anything else.”
Berkeley Brean, News10NBC: “Now as a golfer myself I can think of a ton of other sports that are less stressful than golf. So how is it that this game helps people in their mental state?”James Stampfer: “It’s while you’re out there you’re focusing on what your feet should be doing, what your hands should be doing, what your eyes need to be doing, what the course looks like. And while you’re doing all that you’re not really thinking of anything else at that time.”
PGA HOPE in Western New York has helped close to a thousand veterans and you don’t have to be a golfer to participate. Look for commercials about the program during the Ryder Cup on Sunday.
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