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Veterans Find COMFORT in Golf phoenix valley tee times
FEATURE
BY TIM EBERLEIN, PGA
V ETERANS
HAVE OVERCOME MANY OBSTACLES WHEN RETURNING HOME FROM SERVING OUR COUNTRY. F ROM BEING AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR MONTHS AT A TIME , TO CONSTANT MOVEMENT, AND FEARS OF INJURY OR DEATH . T HESE TRAUMAS CAN BE DEVASTATING .
The mental and physical injuries troops bring home with them, like traumatic brain injury, loss of limb, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, can present challenges when transitioning into civilian life. Even with the help of the military in assisting the veterans for transition, the veteran needs to find support when he or she comes home.
DAVE HILLARY
For 30-year old Iraq war veteran Dave Hillary, dealing with the psychological issues was the hardest, and he said, “Golf saved my life”. Hillary explained, saying, “I fell on hard times back in Houston when I returned. But before it was too late, I made a decision to get help and began finding the real me again.” Hillary then found strength and support through other veterans at the Military Warriors Support Foundation, and met another war hero and Purple Heart recipient in Chad Pfeifer, who won the first Wounded Warrior Open in 2011.
Pfeifer, a Golf Academy of America - Phoenix graduate, told CHAD PFEIFER Hillary about the school and how it had helped him achieve a sense of normalcy in his life. About The
AUTHOR
TIM EBERLEIN, PGA
That’s when Hillary also decided to start playing golf again, just like he did as a youth growing up in Dallas at Prestonwood Country Club. “Golf is at first an escape and a release for many veterans,” said Pfeifer, who today works as an assistant golf professional at Tatum Ranch Golf Club in Cave Creek, Ariz. “You find a new love for the game. It is very rewarding to me that I can have a second career opportunity in something that I have become passionate about.” Like Pfiefer, Hillary decided to pursue golf as a career and is currently attending the Golf Academy of America in Dallas and will be graduating in 2013.
JONATHAN GERNATT
When 26-year old Jonathan Gernatt was discharged from the Navy after 5 years of service, the hardest part of transitioning to
Golf Academy of America - Phoenix Campus Director
480.857-1574
www.golfacademy.edu
Tim Eberlein is a PGA Master Professional and Campus Director for the Golf Academy of America in Phoenix. For more information on the Golf Academy of America, visit www.golfacademy.edu or schedule a campus visit call 480-857-1574. For more information on how to become a PGA member go to www.pgalinks.com.
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