PGA Professional and Benicia resident Robert Epperly (right) helps a disabled military Veteran during a PGA HOPE workshop.

BENICIA — PGA REACH, the Charitable Foundation for the PGA of America recently announced that Robert Epperly of Benicia, PGA Professional at Antelope Green Golf Course (Antelope, CA) will serve as a National Trainer for PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the Foundation’s signature military program. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

Epperly, a military Veteran himself, joins the PGA HOPE National Training Team alongside lead instructor Judy Alvarez (South Florida PGA Section); Brian Oliver (Carolinas PGA Section) and Joe Grohman (Southern CA PGA Section).  The National Training Team, all experts in teaching golf programs for individuals dealing with physical/cognitive disabilities, will be responsible for delivering PGA HOPE golf training seminars to PGA Members across the nation. The simulated training sessions are designed to ensure all PGA Professionals teaching PGA HOPE sessions provide a safe environment and are comfortable using adaptive equipment while instructing Military Veterans with living with physical or cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among others.

Golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation process for many Veterans living with disabilities, and the PGA HOPE program – featuring a 6-8 week instructional golf clinic, followed by a graduation, and on-course golfing opportunities has been inspiring. All PGA HOPE programming is fully funded by PGA REACH and offered at NO COST for Military Veterans. Led by PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE has helped thousands of Veterans assimilate back into their communities through the social interaction the game of golf provides. Today, PGA HOPE programs are currently being offered at over 90 locations in the U.S. today, positively impacting more than 2,000 Veterans annually. The Northern California PGA Section is home to one of the most prolific PGA HOPE programs with 9 locations positively impacting more than 600 Veterans.

Epperly was recognized as the recipient of the 2018 Northern California PGA Section Patriot Award, an honor that bestows special recognition on a PGA Professional who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the USA. Bob has been involved in PGA HOPE programming since its inception, and has been instrumental in launching and growing PGA HOPE programming in the Northern California Section. 

For more information on PGA HOPE please visit www.pgareach.org/services/.

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