From PGA HOPE Graduate to PGA Affiliate for Retired Marine Corp Veteran, Vincent Caballero
After graduating from the South Florida PGA HOPE program just a few weeks ago, Vincent Caballero, a retired Marine Corps Veteran of 18 years, is enrolling into the PGA Affiliate program, setting his sights on becoming a PGA Professional.
Caballero’s participation in PGA HOPE, which introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities through free, six-week sessions with PGA Professionals, inspired his desire to become a PGA Professional.
While he was involved in golf and passionate about the game prior to PGA HOPE, Caballero credits the program for changing his perspective.
“It was just one of those blessings in disguise,” he said about his involvement with PGA HOPE.“I can only give kudos to the PGA for having the program, but also being able to get Veterans of all ages and all services to come out and get instruction,” he said.
Now, thanks to his experience with PGA HOPE, Caballero wants to make a bigger impact in golf by becoming a PGA Professional.
“When you do what you love, you don't worry about money, I think Oprah taught me that,” said Caballero. “There are things that the PGA can do, to reach out and help grow the game, but also keep those who have been playing for years to be a little more involved.”
Outside of the impact the program had on Caballero, he also made a significant impact on the others around him.
“I was kind of taken aback one day because he (Caballero) came up to me on the putting green and he said, ‘I need to thank you’, and I said no, ‘I need to thank you for all you have done,’” said Bridgett Ackley, PGA Professional at the Don Law Golf Academy and PGA HOPE instructor.
Ackley said it is people like Caballero that make you feel a sense of pride and joy knowing you are playing a significant role in helping individuals grow and in some cases, find a new purpose for their lives.
“Caballero later told me that he enrolled into the PGA affiliate program and wants to get his class A card,” she said. “It was so cool to hear that first-hand, and also to dive deeper into his history, because he has been involved in golf but he has an incredible story.”
PGA HOPE is a six week program, introducing golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. To learn more about PGA HOPE,
click here.
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