Championship Sunday at Hazeltine National Golf Club is as much about bringing people together as it is about the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship leaderboard.
Women Veterans were honored today at Hazeltine National’s Golf Performance Center with a PGA HOPE (Helping Our Veterans Everywhere) Women’s Clinic, led by local PGA of America Golf Professionals. The Minnesota PGA Section, which includes Hazeltine National Golf Club, has 12 program locations serving 220 Veterans and Active Duty Military.
PGA HOPE, the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, introduces golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE is a free program, providing participants with access to golf experiences without financial barriers.
Veterans who participated in the clinic represented the Navy, Army, National Guard and Air Force. The PGA HOPE graduates come from more than 15 PGA HOPE program locations across Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin, including sites in Edina, Omaha, Madison, Milwaukee and beyond.
Donna Glister, a Navy Veteran from Minnesota, has played golf since she was five years old. After suffering from two strokes and major surgeries, she thought her golf days were over until she was introduced to PGA HOPE.
“I never thought I’d ever be able to golf again because after my stroke I had balance issues,” said Glister.
She is now working to bring PGA HOPE to southern Minnesota, hoping her journey can inspire others along the way. “I just want any other Veteran to know that they have a chance. The hope that you can do something that you never believed that you would do again.”
John Kellin, PGA Head Professional at Chaska Town Course in Chaska, Minn., has been PGA HOPE certified for over seven years. As a son to a Veteran, he understands firsthand the importance of supporting those who served in the military.
“We immediately saw the rewards it brought for the Veterans,” Kellin said. “A lot of people have things going on that you don’t see on the outside, and that’s especially true for many of these Veterans. It’s amazing what the game of golf can do for them.”
At the conclusion of the clinic, the Hazeltine Golf Foundation presented a special donation of $25,000 to PGA of America Acting President Nathan Charnes, PGA, and CEO Terry Clark on behalf of the PGA of America REACH Foundation. The donation will help ensure additional Veterans and Active Duty Military nationwide can have access to and participate in the program.
PGA HOPE participants experience a 6- to 8-week curriculum in local programming. Upon completion, Veterans are recognized as “graduates” and continue to stay connected through year-round PGA HOPE activities and events organized by the PGA of America REACH Foundation.
Nationally, PGA HOPE continues to expand, with more than 650 locations expected to serve 17,000 Veterans in 2026 and over 65,000 Veterans impacted since its launch in 2015. The program’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs enables direct referrals, providing golf as a form of therapy and rehabilitation. Across all 50 states, more than 4,900 PGA Professionals have completed specialized training, and 117 PGA HOPE Veteran Ambassadors help extend the program’s reach.
For the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship as well as other PGA of America Championships, Active Duty, Retirees, Veterans, Reserve and National Guard receive free grounds access for themselves plus one guest on each day of the Championship.
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is on a mission unlike any other – to change and save Veteran’s lives through the power of golf. The program introduces and teaches golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, the program is inclusive of a developmental 6-8 week curriculum. All programs are provided at no cost to all participating Veterans. To learn more or donate, visit www.pgahope.com.
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