“If you can’t see, if you can’t walk, there is always a way,” said Army Veteran Jonathan Turnbull. Jonathan’s golf story is especially powerful, as he lost his sight in a suicide bombing attack in Syria in 2019. Yet, through the support of Project Golf, Jonathan learned to play golf again, showing the power of golf as a form of healing for veterans and active duty military.

Mischelle Choinski, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is another inspiring Veteran and PGA HOPE graduate. Wheelchair-bound due to her disability, Mischelle felt she had lost the independence that came with being a golfer. But with the help of PGA HOPE leaders Angel Diaz, PGA, and Gary Schaal, PGA, she was able to play again using a paramobile. Mischelle credits PGA HOPE with giving her a new lease on life, saying it added another three and a half months to her life, highlighting the life-changing power of the program. In the Fall of 2024, Mischelle met fellow disabled veteran and Army veteran Norman Dumais. Their shared experiences and love of golf brought them together, reflecting the deep friendships PGA HOPE fosters.

Project Golf’s mission is to “advocate the virtues of golf as an impactful and therapeutic means of helping those in need by alleviating physical, mental, and financial barriers and enriching the quality of life for all Active Duty Military, Reserves, National Guard, Veterans, underserved youth, and newcomers to the game.” The organization is led by Director Angel Diaz, PGA, supported by two staff members, 11 volunteer Veteran Ambassadors, and 14 PGA Professional Instructors. To date, they have conducted 30 instructional classes and served more than 453 disabled veterans, 100 underserved youth, and 500 newcomers to golf.

Beyond their facility, Project Golf and Angel Diaz have made a broader impact. In 2024, they led the initiative to designate May 9 as South Carolina PGA HOPE Day, in conjunction with the Myrtle Beach Classic tournament. The resolution, championed by Representative Heather Crawford for the House and the Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette from the State, was passed, formally recognizing the program’s positive influence on active-duty service members, reservists, and veterans throughout South Carolina.

The celebration continues in 2025 at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. To commemorate SC PGA HOPE Day today, Project Golf will be hosting special giveaways, sponsor Monarch Roofing will award a free roof to a veteran, and a Junior ROTC Program will serve as flagstick attendants at the 10th tee throughout the day.

We encourage the community to join us today in honoring South Carolina PGA HOPE Day on May 9, and to recognize the incredible impact this program continues to have on our veterans and active military members.

For more information and inquiries on Project Golf and this special event, please go to www.projectgolf.org or contact:

Angel Diaz, PGA | Director – Project Golf | (843)390-7500 | director@projectgolf.org

 

Learn more about PGA HOPE and donate HERE

Learn more about what Project Golf does and the stories of Jonathan, Mischelle, and Norman in a video by Project Golf HERE

 

PGA HOPE Carolinas

PGA HOPE is a national PGA of America Program and part of their charitable PGA REACH Foundation with 500+ programs nationwide.  Each year the program impacts over 17,000 Veterans taught by over 3,000 PGA Professionals. The PGA Carolinas Section has 11 programs in South Carolina that positively impact 600+ Veterans each year.  Nationally there are 14,000 Veterans on the waitlist for the program and 140 in South Carolina and 50 in Myrtle Beach.  The Myrtle Beach Chapter is one of the largest and fastest growing nationally.

Project Golf

Project Golf is a 501(c)3 charity of PGA Professionals providing specialized golf instruction free of charge as a therapeutic means of improving the quality of life for our disabled Veterans.  With its headquarters at the Barefoot Golf Resort, each year Project Golf  positively impact 150+ disabled Veterans as part of PGA HOPE.