Page 10 - Bullseye 5-22-15

10 May 22, 2015
Disabled veterans discover ‘Hope’ through golf program
By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.—
Losing a part of yourself, literally or
figuratively, can be hard to imagine. Be-
ing confined to a wheelchair, not being
able to get around without the use of a
walker, or struggling with post-traumatic
stress disorder are harsh realities many
disabled veterans face every day.
Through the Professional Golfers’ As-
sociation of America Hope Program, dis-
abled veterans are able to regain a part of
what they had lost.
This program helps disabled veterans,
such as retired U.S. Army battery clerk
Duane Poser, reclaim something missing
from their lives.
“I’ve been golfing for approximately 60
to 65 years,” said Poser. “I used to play
five days a week. I would get off work at 1
p.m., and was on the golf course by 1:30.”
The PGA of America Hope Program
is designed to help introduce or reintro-
duce disabled veterans to golf and help
them work around any physical limita-
tions they might have.
“It was a relief to get back out on the
golf course,” said Poser. “This is the first for years.
time I’ve really been out golfing in about
Roni Kerfien
General Manager
.PO'SJtBNQN and Seniors
4BUVSEBZTtBNQN
Office: 702-642-1040 | Fax: 702-312-1171
4040 W. Craig Road #113 | North Las Vegas NV 89032
Roni@rmktax.com | www.rmktax.com
Takeout can eat up your savings.
Sports BULLSEYE
three years. It gives me a feeling that U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
maybe I can make it back.”
Participants in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America Hope Program
Experiences like Poser’s are examples practice their swing at the driving range on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 14. The
of how the program benefits its partici- PGA Hope Program is designed to help introduce or reintroduce disabled veterans
pants. to golf and help them work around any physical limitations they might have.
“Disabled veterans benefit the most “We have the ability to use solo-rider in a standing position to make a swing.
from this program because they are be- golf carts, which are handicapped-aided As long as a participant has mobility in
ing shown or taught that even with limi- carts,” said Griffith. “If an individual is their arms, they are able to come out and
tations they have, they’re able to come using a walker or confined to a wheel- swing the golf club.”
out and play a game of golf,” said Steve chair we can strap them to a golf cart
Griffith, 99th Force Support Squadron and it will motorize them and put them The solo-rider golf cart has proved to
Sunrise Vista Golf Course manager. “It
may not be a full 18-hole round, it could See GOLF, on page 11
just be four holes on a par three or hitting
on the driving range.”
Griffith went on to add it further ben-
efits disabled veterans by getting them
some exercise that may be required for
physical therapy, while also providing
a little camaraderie by meeting people
within the program.
“We want to get anybody out here we
can, even if it’s just hitting balls on the
range,” said Griffith. “Get them to come
out and enjoy some fresh air, exercise,
and have fun with their peers. Most of
these guys just want to tell a story.”
The PGA of America Hope Program is
designed to help all levels of golfers, from
beginners to those who’ve been playing
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