Sports
PGA HOPE MIC’D UP® WALKABOUT with Veteran Combat Army Medic “Doc Bodo”
The Met PGA HOPE Graduation Day celebration at the Woodside Club was a milestone event honoring 130 military veterans who completed their free, six-week adaptive golf curriculum. Bringing together veterans from regional chapters—including Long Island, the Bronx, Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and the Catskills pilot program—the day centered around a nine-hole scramble tournament where new graduates teed it up alongside PGA of America professionals and program alumni. The event kicked off with opening ceremonies, featured an official graduation recognition where every veteran was gifted a brand-new set of Strata golf clubs courtesy of Callaway Golf, and concluded with a celebratory group dinner. Supported by title sponsor Northwell Health, the entire day served to build community, camaraderie, and lasting connections for veterans utilizing golf as a rehabilitative tool to navigate physical, mental, and cognitive challenges.
https://www.woodsideclub.com/ #WoodsideClub
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a nationwide therapeutic golf program dedicated to changing and saving the lives of Veterans and Active Duty Military by using the game of golf to build community, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through free, adaptive instruction led by PGA Professionals, participants of every branch and generation discover connection and belonging both on and off the course, supported by a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that enables direct referrals. Active in all 50 states, PGA HOPE celebrates each participant with a formal graduation and continues fostering lifelong camaraderie, offering Veterans a powerful pathway to healing, growth, and sustained well‑being.
https://www.pgareach.org/pgahope #PGAHOPE
The Metropolitan PGA HOPE program (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a free, six‑week adaptive golf experience led by PGA Professionals, designed to introduce Veterans—especially those managing service‑related disabilities—to the game of golf as a pathway to improved quality of life and community reintegration. Each session builds core golf skills in a supportive environment, culminating in an on‑course experience where participants apply what they’ve learned in a relaxed, friendly setting. Veterans who attend at least four sessions and demonstrate commitment to using golf as therapy become eligible to receive a set of golf clubs to support their continued recovery, and companions or therapists are welcome to join throughout the program.
https://metpgafoundation.org/military-veterans/ #MetSectionPGA Credit (Metropolitan PGA Section)
Jack “Doc” Bodolosky is a U.S. Army Veteran and Desert Storm Combat Medic whose life’s work continues long after his military service, driven by the same instinct to protect, heal, and stand beside those who serve. Known for his steady presence, quick humor, and unwavering commitment to his fellow warriors, Doc founded Warrior Companion, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Veterans and first responders through storytelling, community engagement, and the powerful bond between warriors and their companion animals. His mission blends compassion with action—creating spaces where Veterans feel seen, heard, and connected—and his leadership has turned Warrior Companion into a national voice for resilience, camaraderie, and the belief that no Veteran should ever walk alone.
https://www.warriorcompanion.com/ #DocBodo