Golf: The Answer to Injured Veterans Ongoing Recovery

Veterans with disabilities being seen at the Iowa City VA Medical Center now have the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf as the result of the efforts of three area entities. The VA Medical Center in Iowa City, the Iowa Section of the PGA and Riverside Casino & Golf Resort established the G.I.V.E. (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere) Foundation which raises money to fund the Iowa Veterans for Golf program.

The golf program has four phases of training for veterans to enhance their mental, social, physical, and emotional well-being and improve their quality of life: Introduction to golf (rules, equipment, dress, scoring, etiquette, etc.), Indoor instruction, Outdoor practice at Blue Top Ridge and Golf rounds at Blue Top Ridge. “The opportunity to give back to our men and women in the Armed Forces is what this program is all about. It is the least any one of us could do to show our appreciation of and respect for the men and women who serve our country,” said Riverside Casino & Golf Resort CEO, Dan Kehl.

Iowa VA Medical Center Director Barry Sharp praised the program calling it a “truly unique partnership” that will benefit our veterans “We could not be more pleased to have the Iowa Veterans for Golf Program start in Iowa City. It shows a commitment from Iowa businesses and organizations to our veterans. It will bring great enjoyment to our veterans, their families, VA staff, PGA staff and Blue Top Ridge at Riverside staff.”

“The Iowa PGA Section is excited to connect our more than 170 members and some 100 apprentices with our country’s veterans of the Armed Forces to whom we owe so much,” said Iowa PGA Section President Ken Schall of Des Moines. “The Iowa Veterans for Golf Program has unlimited potential to bring deserving people into the game of golf.”

To learn more about the program please visit www.giveforveterans.com.