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Wounded Warriors Find a New Chapter in Life Through Launch of PGA/Disabled
Sports USA Military Golf Program
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WASHINGTON, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- For 91 years, The PGA of America has
made it a mission to promote the game of golf and elevate the role of the
professional. On Thursday afternoon, and just 20 minutes from the steps of
the U.S. Capitol, the Association took a new step forward to enrich the
lives of the nation's Wounded Warriors.
The PGA of America/Disabled Sports USA Military Golf Program laid the
foundation for what officials believe is a new chapter in connecting golf
with those who have served this country and paid a major sacrifice. As part
of the Association's initiative, it has joined the America Supports You
team, a Department of Defense program that highlights and recognizes
citizens' support for members of the U.S. Armed Services and their
families.
"This is a moment where we can pause and see how Americans come
together to recognize those of us who serve," said Rear Admiral Frank Thorp
IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense during a news conference at the
Army Navy Country Club. "The PGA of America does so many other things in
golf, but today they are here recognizing the members of the Armed
Services.
"These are not just words, but tangible efforts. It makes us proud you
are willing to take that commitment. We are so appreciative of what you are
doing. It is truly eye-watering."
The program is a nationwide initiative that partners with Disabled
Sports USA, which offers rehabilitation programs in 19 sports; the Wounded
Warrior Disabled Sports Project, which provides sports programs for
severely wounded service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict and
the Global War on Terrorism.
"Today we gather as a team, and what we are doing with this program
goes beyond golf," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "This is
about giving back, helping enrich the lives of others who have served this
country so well. The PGA of America is extremely proud to partner with
Disabled Sports USA, the Wounded Warriors and joining the America Supports
You team.
"We team together to help these brave men and women. And, I can't
imagine the teamwork of what goes on among the members of the Armed
Services who are involved in conflict. We are honored to be with you."
Joining in the announcement were Disabled Sports USA Executive Director
Kirk Bauer, a disabled Vietnam War veteran; PGA/LPGA Professional Judy
Alvarez of Palm City, Fla., the program's national trainer; and PGA
Professional Jim Estes of Olney, Md., the PGA director of instruction at
Olney Golf Park.
"Our work is about changing lives," said Bauer, who lost the lower part
of his right leg in a grenade accident 39 years ago in Vietnam.
"Thirty-nine years ago, I went through this. The Wounded Warriors of then
and today need something to hold on to. Golf is one of those tools. You can
only be excited for how quickly PGA Professionals such as those represented
here today can make it happen for these brave men and women."
"The shorter benefit is enjoyment, but golf gives them a sport for the
rest of their lives. I can't tell you how grateful we are to have The PGA
of America as a partner. We can take the game to a newer level. And, we can
help so many families as they go through the healing process and therapy
with their loved ones."
Of those Wounded Warriors, four were guests at the new conference.
Three veterans had suffered the loss of limbs in Iraq -- Army Staff Sgt.
Joe Bowser of Washington, D.C.; Army Sgt. (Ret.) Orlando Gill, of Suitland,
Md., Army Sgt. Sean Lewis of Dale City, Va., and Army Sgt. First Class
David Cook of Havre de Grace, Md., who two months ago lost his right leg
below the knee in a training accident in the Republic of Georgia.
"Golf is a sport that you can play with your family all your life,"
said 23-year-old Army Sgt. Sean Lewis of Dale City, Va., who lost his right
leg above the knee in a mortar attack in January 2004 in Iraq. "This
program is huge. It's a great part of rehab as it gets you out of the
hospital and kind of restarts your life all over again.
"I first tried to hit a golf ball in October 2004, and it wasn't
pretty. I was wearing a prosthetic, but I couldn't hit the ball at all.
Now, I'm tossing the prosthetic aside and things are much better for me.
Golf can help all veterans mentally and physically. My leg is a lot
stronger, and my torso, for having played golf. Mentally, if you can get
out on the course, then everything leaves your mind except that you are
only thinking about playing golf."
Cook, the father of three, said that he is a few weeks away from
receiving a prosthetic leg. Once affixed, he plans to renew his golf
routine that allowed him to have a 10 handicap prior to his accident.
"I want to go out and help recruit more veterans for this program,"
said Cook. "After all what you (The PGA of America) are doing for us, I
feel that I owe it. Golf is great, because when you get on a course you can
forget about everything else."
Alvarez, who became a PGA Professional in 1993, began teaching the
disabled at Southwinds Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla. She has taken the
lead in the program by training PGA Professionals as well as members of the
Armed Services. Alvarez has traveled to the facilities hosting this program
for the nation's three primary military hospitals -- Walter Reed Army
Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; Brooke Army Medical Center in San
Antonio, Texas; and Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, Calif.
"When I first began teaching those with disabilities," said Alvarez. "I
soon realized that they were teaching me. They shared what they could do
and it helped me become a better teacher. We should not look at what their
disabilities are, but what abilities they do have. The game of golf can
help so many physically, emotionally and mentally."
Alvarez told a story about how she encountered a Wounded Warrior in San
Diego who wore a helmet as a preparation for cranial surgery, had lost both
his legs, one of his ring fingers and was destined to lose another finger
soon after her visit due to his injuries.
"He was really apprehensive to be outside, with people watching him hit
a golf ball," said Alvarez. "But, we got him positioned in a single-rider
golf cart, and after about 20 minutes he was hitting the ball into the air.
He looked up, reared back his shoulders, extended his chest and had a
glimmer of a smile. That is something I will never forget."
The Middle Atlantic PGA Section was represented by seven PGA
Professionals, including Estes, who has given all Wounded Warriors free
admission to Olney Golf Park.
"I was touched by the ability and the courage of a guy to take on the
sport with one leg," said Estes, who has coached Lewis in becoming a golf-
lover, who spends 60 hours a week playing the game. "When you are an able-
bodied person and you come across the situation where you don't hit the
ball well, you have the tendency to give up. These guys don't have that
word in their vocabulary. They have conviction, perseverance, fortitude,
and courage, whatever you want to call it. Sean wasn't willing to say 'no.'
He started off just awful, but he decided that he was taking 40 hours of
his time and use golf as therapy. His emotions didn't rise and fall as
failure, because there was no failure in his mind."
The PGA of America/Disabled Sports USA Military Golf Program utilizes
PGA Professionals to guide disabled veterans through a curriculum that
features golf's basic skills; the basic Rules of Golf; employ teaching
techniques that would utilize adaptive equipment where necessary;
demonstrate how golf may be used as part of rehabilitation and teach safety
concerns in swinging a golf club and the importance of stretching.
"We have a great start today, but this is just the beginning," said
Whitcomb. "We want to expand to all facilities, to help all our member
professionals become as excited about the individuals they meet just as we
have today with these proud and brave Americans."
For more information on The PGA of America/Disabled Sports USA Military
Golf Program, please visit http://www.pgafoundation.org. To find a PGA
Professional who teaches those with disabilities, please visit
http://www.PlayGolfAmerica.com.
"America Supports You is an ongoing, nationwide program organized by
the Department of Defense to showcase Americans' support for the men and
women of the Armed Forces and their families. Since its launch in November
of 2004, the America Supports You program has welcomed over 250 homefront
organizations and more than 35 corporations to the team. Many America
Supports You supporters encourage the troops through letter writing, care
packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military
families, sending an e-mail or kind gesture-to learn more about how you can
support military personnel visit http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil."
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization
comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized
experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving
millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its
founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position
in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its
premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs,
significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf
promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game,
serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout
the country.
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