b'Giving HopeNavy Veteran Jeanie Butler lends her hand to the PGA HOPE programU nited States Navy Veteran Jeanie Butler of Forest Grove, Ore. participated in PGA HOPE (Helping Our U.S. Navy veteran Jeanie Butler participated in the PGA HOPE program last fall, with the Patriots Everywhere) National Golf &surprise special guest being Jack Nicklaus (in light grey sweater).Wellness Week at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, last fall. It islearned of PGA HOPE through a localmillion commitment has been made in a rehabilitative golf program for militaryPGA Professional and completed theNicklaus honor from real estate investor Veterans living with physical or cognitiveprogram in the spring of 2024. Butler wasand PGA of America REACH Foundation challenges, and the program is changingincredibly impressed with PGA HOPE andTrustee, David P. OConnor.and saving the lives of more than 17,000feels it is the perfect opportunity for herPGA HOPE, the flagship military Veterans nationwide annually.to share her love of golf, demonstrateprogram of the PGA of America REACH A highlight of the week for Butler andthe healing abilities through this healthyFoundation, is a six- to eight-week the 19 Veterans from across the U.S. wasoutlet, and further the mission of thedevelopmental curriculum taught by PGA the opportunity to meet all-time greatprogram of America Golf Professionals trained Jack Nicklaus, who was in Washington,Last fall, the participating Veterans,in adaptive golf and military cultural DC to recognize the group of Veterans forall graduates of their local PGA HOPEcompetency. The program introduces their heroism. programs, participated in an immersivegolf to Veterans and Active Duty Military Butler enlisted in the Navy infive-day event that included advancedto enhance their physical, mental, social September 1989, two months after highgolf instruction from PGA of Americaand emotional well-being. school graduation, at the age of 17. SheGolf Professionals and wellness trainingPGA HOPE is currently offered at attended A school in Millington Tenn.,from the Cohen Veterans Network,more than 550 locations in the U.S., in all after which she served as an Aviationcovering topics including social media,50 states. Since its inception in 2015, over Hydraulic Mechanic at NAS North Island/ public speaking, stress management50,000 Veterans have been served. Coronado in San Diego, Calif. Butlerand mental health. PGA HOPE is the only adaptive-served during the first Desert StormNicklaus, a PGA of America REACHgolf program that has a Memorandum and received a ribbon of service duringFoundation Trustee, made a surpriseof Understanding (MOU) with the war time. She has served in Oregonvisit, joining the Veterans for a puttingDepartment of Veterans Affairs, which Government leadership for the last 24contest on Sunday and a fireside chatenables medical staff to refer Veterans years, building programs and expandingwith award-winning reporter and PGA ofto PGA HOPE as a form of therapy. All services to support older adults, peopleAmerica REACH Foundation Trustee, Bretprograms are funded by the PGA experiencing disabilities and Veterans.Baier. Nicklaus was joined by his wifeof America REACH Foundation and Butler first immersed herself in golfBarbara, the 2019 winner of the PGA ofsupplemented by PGA of America Section in the summer of 2019 as an outlet forAmericas Distinguished Service Award. foundations, with no cost to Veterans.and a way to manage increasing stressIn support of PGA HOPE and theFor more information, visit in her personal and professional life. ShePGA of America REACH Foundation, a $2PGAREACH.org.32 PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER|MAR 2025'