Professional Spotlight Featuring Jeff Mietus, PGA

Thank You for Your Service Featuring Jeff Mietus, PGA, USMC

My name is Jeff Mietus. I am a 25-year PGA member, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Secretary on the PGA REACH Foundation board of trustees. I was president of the WNYPGA section in 2013, when the idea of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program came to my attention. It immediately became my mission to launch the program here. There were only a couple of PGA of America sections with a program at the time, so we decided to rally our leaders. Talk about an easy task! We went to Erie, Rochester and Niagara County with beers and pizza to get PGA pros to step up and take the lead… so, it began. I have never been so proud of my peers, none of us knew how to get started, but they jumped in and made it happen. Everyone involved is better for it today. I have always felt it is important to appreciate our military and veterans. People will say “Thank you for your service” but that isn’t always enough. If you appreciate them then we should do something... talk is cheap. About 20 PGA professionals did something. And now we have had over 600 veterans participate. It is not just that the vets participate, they heal, make friends, and learn the greatest game ever. They come back year after year. Some have traveled to the greatest courses in the world and attended major championships through PGA HOPE. Many are now avid golfers and play with other veterans weekly. Some foolish ones have decided they want to be PGA pros. I have read many letters from vets that let us know we made a big difference in their life. Some still bring tears to my eyes. For me, it’s fun. I have a new group of bud’s and look forward to busting chops with the crew every week. I get stupid texts, funny Facebook posts, and laugh and smile all the time I’m around them. I am also proud. Our little program has grown. I remember the first program at Grover Cleveland GC. Maybe 10 participants were there. One woman watched from her car for the first few weeks before she had the courage to join us, but she loved it. We went to Lancaster Country Club, Audubon Golf Course, Transit Valley Country Club, The Dome and Glen Oak Golf Course. While teaching PGA HOPE clinics I became a better teacher. I learned to teach workarounds for serious physical limitations. I learned about adaptive golf. I have met some of the coolest people. I also learned how much damage can happen to those serving in our military and how our what started as a little program has helped in a big way to help our veterans. If you are not involved, Why? We now have a foundation with supporters like; PGA REACH National, Tee it Up for the Troops, Donald Ross Sportswear, Bunkers in Baghdad, Tee2Green, Custom Turf, Oncore Golf, Lancaster CC, Niagara Frontier CC, Glen Oak GC, Wanakah CC, The Kahkwa Club and Verde Golf. In 2020, we were able to raise over $30,000 to support the HOPE Program. It could be and should be more. Help out! My sincerest thanks go to all the PGA Professionals who help. Also, to Steve Bartkowski and the Section staff who have taken this to the level it is today. We never could have imagined how it would grow. They have truly embraced it and made a huge difference.

Oorah! Jeff Mietus PGA, USMC