PGA HOPE Reunion at the DOW Championship
By Tom Lang
It’s been well-documented how much the PGA HOPE program for veterans is an uplifting program for both the PGA instructors, and the military veterans themselves – many of whom are learning the game of golf for the first time.
But it goes deeper than that.
I have listened to dozens of personal stories about how the sport of golf saved veterans from heartache, loneliness, a feeling of not being remembered, or most importantly – has helped veterans thinking about suicide ‘come off the ledge’ with a sense of new fulfillment.
Doug Temple, the new director of golf operations at Bay Valley Resort in Midland, began working with veterans long before PGA HOPE was born. He then created a weekend extravaganza a few years ago for PGA HOPE program graduates to reunite, and by extension enjoy a full day at the third round of the DOW Championship – the entire weekend at no cost.
Any veteran and a guest can enjoy a free day, Thursday through Sunday, at the LPGA tournament held at the Midland Country Club at the Veterans' Suite at the Dow Championship. Hundreds of veterans the last several years have enjoyed the no cost viewing deck, which includes handicap accessibility, premium tournament views, and an elevated food and beverage experience.
Temple’s group reunion specifically goes a few steps further to bring in people who have completed the PGA HOPE program, for a Friday golf scramble at nearby municipal Currie Golf Course. All the food and entertainment, and a swag bag of goodies is covered as well – plus two nights at the Midland Holiday Inn for weekend invitees and their families. The group of 40 veterans and 10 PGA pros and all their families then go to the tournament on Saturday to enjoy the Veteran’s Suite and grounds. The LPGA DOW Championship foots the entire bill.
"We're very committed to veterans and we appreciate their service, so it's an honor to have this relationship with them. We're always looking for ways to include Veterans throughout the tournament week,” said Wendy Traschen of the DOW Championship. "We're excited to expand our partnership with PGA HOPE, and Doug has been doing incredible things with this program in the region."
Last year, Dow ambassador and former PGA Tour player Cory Paven, came to the Friday scramble at Currie and played a hole with each of the scramble groups.
“The event is memorable because it captures the very essence of PGA HOPE: connection. It brings together veterans from different eras, branches, and walks of service, creating an instant bond that doesn’t need explanation,” said Dusty Hull, a veteran from Lansing. “But what makes it truly profound is what it gives beyond the veteran is that it gives something back to our families.
“For many of us, service is defined by sacrifice, the missed moments, the quiet stress at home, the weight our families carry while we’re away. This event, paired with the Dow Championship, changes that narrative. It creates an experience where our families are not on the sidelines of our service, but fully part of something positive, something celebratory. For me, it’s the first time my service has translated into a net positive experience for my family.”
Temple is also chair of the Grow the Game committee at Michigan PGA.
“The whole intent is to really go above and beyond in every point of this weekend event,” he said. “We have all kinds of things interweaved to make it special beyond an 18-hole event and hanging with some veterans, which that alone is a pretty good deal.”
Saturday night will be capped off by a Jimmy Buffet luau poolside at the Holiday Inn. Special guest appearances to entertain the group are also planned.
The reunion event was voted 2025 Military Program of the Year for the Michigan PGA Section.
ANY veteran can learn more about free entrance into the Dow Championship here: https://dowchampionship.com/spectator-information#onsite
