The sixth annual 100 Holes for HOPE charity event was held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Mount Frontenac Golf Course located in Frontenac, Minn. The event was presented by Treasure Island Resort & Casino, PGA REACH Minnesota, and PGA HOPE Minnesota. With the generosity of partners and donors, the event was able to raise over $58,000, and a special thank you to the Prairie Island Indian Community for giving an extra donation toward the cause. This year’s partners consisted of, The Klick Foundation, Faegre Drinker, Orrick, AGS, IGT, The Jacobson Law Group, and EVERI. The In-Kind Donors this year were Gillette Pepsi and Performance Food Service.

There were 269 birdies by the sixteen PGA Professionals and two Veterans that participated in this year’s event. There was a youth clinic held at the range during the afternoon with the Prairie Island Indian Community youth and Special Olympics athletes from the area. The kids had a fantastic time learning how to golf with the assistance of Benny Menton, PGA.

The ultimate goal of 100 Holes for HOPE is to raise funds for PGA REACH Minnesota and its flagship military program, PGA HOPE, which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. The purpose of this program is to introduce the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week golf curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals that are trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundation, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans. PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which enables Recreational Therapists to refer Veterans to PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. Although, the program is open to all Veterans and Active-Duty Military. Through a robust program strategy, PGA HOPE aspires to create a physically and emotionally healthier Veteran community by shaping lives, changing lives, and possibly saving lives through the game of golf.

The amount raised from this year’s 100 Holes for HOPE event will give 200 Veterans the opportunity to participate in a 6-8 week PGA HOPE program. These funds allow Veterans to participate free of charge. The Minnesota Section is proud to have 12 established chapters throughout Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and parts of Western Wisconsin. “To give Veterans a chance to learn and enjoy the great game of golf, have them interact with others, and allow them to “escape” to a golf facility is special. These Veterans have given so much and we, as PGA Professionals and Section Staff, feel privileged to do our part to support them. We hope others follow our lead and give back to those who have served our great nation.” said Jeff Drimel, CEO of the Minnesota PGA/PGA REACH Minnesota.

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who may be interested in participating in a PGA HOPE Chapter, please reach out. You do not need to have any prior golf experience to join a program.