The 2016 Family Golf Week officials announced today that Veterans Golf Association (VGA) will serve as the 2016 event benefactor. The VGA is committed to promoting the game of golf to veterans and their family members. The VGA develops programs that allow members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through the game of golf.
The VGA started as an idea amongst wounded veterans at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Several friends routinely played together at golf courses around the area to encourage each other to not only improve their games, but to also heal through camaraderie and competition. After recovering from their injuries, these friends relocated around the country and missed the opportunity to compete against one another regularly. Realizing that other veterans could be in a similar situation, the VGA was created in 2014 and is the first golf organization dedicated to promoting the game to all veterans and their family members.
The VGA is an international golf development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to veterans and their family members. Through local inter-club league play, tournaments, and national qualifiers, they help reinforce values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf. Additionally, the VGA offers family oriented activities that will help veterans and their family members increase the amount of quality time spent together, become more physically active, and be more involved in their communities.
“We are so pleased to have VGA as part of the Family Golf Week team,” Brad “Greenie” Greenstein said. “The core of our events is centered around family and that is directly in line with the offerings of VGA. It has been said that a family’s love is good medicine. Even though our ‘prescriptions’ are filled through the camaraderie of a fun golf competition, our medicine builds family bonds and memories that last a lifetime. Ultimately though, it’s a privilege to serve those who so admirably serve us.”
Additionally, the VGA focuses on post traumatic growth initiatives to help veterans and their families cope with combat related injuries, stress, and suicidal tendencies. Using golf as an alternative activity, these veterans can choose a more productive way to deal with combat related stressors that affect their everyday lives.
“We look forward to working with the team of Family Golf Week and appreciate their efforts to help support military and Veterans’ families,” said Joshua Peyton, President of VGA. “Their efforts will help alleviate the financial stress that often accompanies an unexpected hospitalization.”
