A house RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND PGA HOPE, A PGA OF AMERICA PROGRAM, ON ITS OUTSTANDING WORK IN INTRODUCING GOLF TO VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY TO ENHANCE THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELl-BEING; TO ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO SUPPORT PGA HOPE IN ACCOMPLISHING ITS VITAL MISSION; AND TO DECLARE MAY 9, 2024, "PGA HOPE DAY" IN THE PALMETTO STATE.

Whereas, PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the national flagship military program of PGA REACH, which serves as the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE's mission is to introduce golf to veterans and active duty members of the military to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being; and

Whereas, led by PGA professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, the program introduces the game of golf through a developmental curriculum of six to eight weeks. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA section foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all veterans; and

Whereas, the program is greatly needed. Veteran suicide is a major issue in the veteran community, and statistics show that 22 veterans commit suicide each day. In addition, a tremendous housing problem exists within the veteran community. Some reports indicate the number could be as high as 50,000 unhoused veterans nationwide, with 200 in Horry County alone. PGA HOPE is working to impact these statistics positively by utilizing golf as a form of therapy; and

Whereas, to assist in reaching veterans who could benefit from the program, PGA HOPE has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables direct referrals to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy; and

Whereas, of 314 PGA HOPE programs nationally, 25 are in the Carolinas Section of the PGA of America, and 11 of these are in South Carolina. Supported by 117 PGA professionals, the programs in South Carolina graduated 581 veterans and active duty members of the military in 2023, and these programs continue to grow each year. Currently, there are 140 veterans/active duty military on the wait list to participate in a PGA HOPE program in South Carolina; and

Whereas, nationally, in 2022 the PGA HOPE program impacted over 7,000 veterans and active duty members of the military, and at the end of 2023 over 14,000 veterans were on the wait list to participate in a PGA HOPE program; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to applaud the fine work of the PGA Hope program, and the members extend best wishes for much continued success in achieving its noble purpose. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend PGA Hope, a PGA of America program, on its outstanding work in introducing golf to veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being; encourage all South Carolinians to support PGA Hope in accomplishing its vital mission; and declare May 9, 2024, "PGA Hope Day" in the Palmetto State.

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