GAM Awards PGA HOPE Michigan with Program Serving Veterans

By Greg Johnson

    Dusty Hull, a former Michigan Army National Guard Sergeant who in 14 years in the military was deployed to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he struggled to find his identity in civilian life after leaving the service in 2019.

    PGA HOPE Michigan, a program for Veterans and a part of the non-profit PGA REACH Michigan Foundation, came to the rescue.

    “They gave me connection and purpose,” said the Muskegon native and Lansing resident who has been named a PGA HOPE Michigan Ambassador. “It’s so much more than some golf lessons. I believe it’s life-saving. We find out someone recognizes us, that they find value in us and want to teach us something. I can’t express how much that means.”

    PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces and teaches golf to Veterans and Active-Duty Military to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, the program is inclusive of a developmental six-week curriculum. All programs are provided at no cost to all participating Veterans.

    PGA HOPE Michigan has been named the 2026 winner of the Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award, an award presented annually since 2022 by the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM).  Glenn Pulice, a PGA Professional and the general manager at the Royal Oak Golf Center, nominated the PGA Hope Michigan for the award. He hosts instruction programs annually at the golf center.

    “We see first-hand what it does for our Veterans, and the Michigan PGA has continued to facilitate and grow the program and do great things through golf,” he said. “The impact is incredible. You can see the reaction of the Veterans. They interact and connect with the pros and with each other and then they tell you how much it means.”

    In 2026, there will be 26 program locations at Michigan golf facilities (up from just three in 2022) with 52 six-week sessions presented across the state. They expect to serve 600 Veterans this year through PGA Hope.