[0:00] [music] [0:03] This is our first PJ Hope day. Uh my [0:06] assistant Matt and I, we started our our [0:08] our own PJ Hope chapter this summer and [0:10] then we wanted to continue it in the in [0:12] the winter months. [0:17] It allows us to train LPGA and PGA [0:20] certified instructors can train [0:22] veterans, both active and former [0:25] military members. [music] [0:26] uh they can get actual referrals [0:28] directly from the VA to come out as far [0:30] [music] as um mental health as far as [0:33] golf goes, right? I mean, golf's a [0:34] wonderful sport that allows [music] you [0:36] to feel free on a golf course. You kind [0:38] of put everything and kind of learn the [0:40] game of golf, a lifelong game. [music] [0:41] >> We have some some active duty military [0:43] and we have some veterans that have been [0:45] enlisted since [music] 1966. So, uh the [0:48] range of the range of service is uh is [0:51] [music] pretty remarkable. [0:55] My job uh as the ambassador for the [0:57] Minnesota [music] chapter is just to to [0:59] represent the veterans to the PGA [1:01] professionals. Uh to explain that side [1:03] of the house of what the veterans are [1:05] going [music] through mentally and just [1:06] to get back out in the world and enjoy [1:09] life again and then if they enjoy the [1:10] game of golf that's even an added bonus [1:12] to it. Uh but really the job there is to [1:15] to work with the veterans and get them [1:16] back out in the out in the communities [1:18] and enjoying life again. [1:21] >> [music] [1:24] >> This PJ hope has gotten me kind of out [1:27] in the open where my wife [music] was [1:29] fighting cancer for the last 3 years and [1:32] so I had been kind of like a caregiver [1:35] for [music] the last 3 years. So, it [1:36] took me away from golf ball for like [1:38] three or four years now. And all of a [1:41] sudden, now there's a band of us that [1:42] are pretty close together and we kind of [1:45] keep in touch, play with each other. But [1:47] it's just been so much for mentally to [1:50] be able to do something besides worry [1:52] about my wife 24/7. And she's been [1:55] pretty good about letting me go out. [1:57] She's not too sure about Dennis. [2:00] >> Thank you and good night. [2:03] the beauty of our golf and uh the [2:05] partnership with Top Tracer, [music] [2:06] it's you know, it's it's good for all [2:08] skill levels. A lot of our vets is their [2:10] first time here. Um you know, so just [2:12] showing them the different games, uh [2:14] kind [music] of how it can benefit them, [2:16] whether they're new or they play, you [2:18] know, three, four times a week. So, um a [2:21] lot of lot of exposure [music] out of [2:22] today just showing them uh how cool the [2:25] technology really is and how it could [2:26] benefit their game. I was never a very [2:28] good golfer and I'm definitely better [2:32] because I was able to golf twice a week [2:34] with the guys I met through the program [2:36] and so the more you play golf you don't [2:40] get I mean you don't get better but you [2:42] get better. [2:44] >> I'm a social golfer. I am a social [2:46] golfer. This the camaraderie with the [2:48] other veterans. It is amazing. You will [2:51] not meet nicer men and women than you [2:53] have with this program. My my dad was [2:56] really into golf. Um and he passed away [2:58] last year and I never really got to play [3:00] with him and I always kept saying you [3:02] know I'm a learn I'm a learn and never [3:03] got to play. So now [music] um getting [3:05] into golf uh my in-laws bought me my [3:08] first golf lesson and then I found PJ [3:10] Hope to give me free golf lessons. So so [3:13] golf is super expensive. This gave me [3:14] like a low barrier entry way to get into [3:18] golf and then also uh you know build [3:21] with the fellow veteran community. So, [3:23] it's been a great experience all around. [3:29] >> This was just an awesome event. Um, [3:31] we're so happy like this is the least we [3:33] can do for our vets. Uh, they uh [3:35] sacrifice a whole lot more than what [3:37] [music] we're doing here today. So, um, [3:39] to all vets out there, thank you for [3:41] your service. Uh, and come on out and [3:43] visit the [music] Bremar Golf Dome when [3:45] you when you have a chance.