Mount Vernon Country Club Completes PGA HOPE Program for Veterans
Alexandria, VA – Mount Vernon Country Club (MVCC) recently completed its Spring 2026 PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, providing six weeks of golf instruction and camaraderie for 10 local veterans.
PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation. The initiative introduces golf to veterans and active-duty military members to support their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. All programs are led by PGA of America Golf Professionals and are offered at no cost to participating veterans. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans may also be referred to PGA HOPE as a form of therapy.
The spring program at MVCC was led by Director of Player Development Henry Appel, with support from Head Golf Professional Taylor Babcock and First Assistant Golf Professional Max Kirske. All three instructors completed specialized PGA HOPE training that prepares golf professionals to work with participants who may have physical limitations or other service-related challenges.
“We could not have been more in awe of the service and commitment of these Veterans and that in spite of the traumas they have experienced, they wanted to be a part of the PGA HOPE program,” said Taylor Babcock, MVCC Head Golf Professional. “I am also grateful that our Club membership was fully supportive of using our Club’s golf professionals and resources to give back to these Veterans and give them a glimpse of life after service and the traumas and injuries they sustained during active duty.”
According to Babcock, some participants use golf as a form of physical therapy, while others value the opportunity to reconnect with fellow veterans and build new friendships.
“PGA HOPE was more than just golf; it was about bringing veterans together to create a welcoming community. It was a way to give back and to say thank you to our veterans that have sacrificed for our country,” said Appel. “In just the short time that I had with the group, I got to know each and every one of them. It made me feel a sense of pride to help them and for them to want to be helped by a PGA professional on their healing journey.”
MVCC joined the PGA HOPE effort as part of its support for America250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The club is the first country club in the United States to become an America250 Supporting Partner and is located on what was once President George Washington’s Union Farm.
Since launching in 2015, PGA HOPE has served more than 65,000 veterans nationwide. Organizers hope to bring the program back to Mount Vernon Country Club in 2027.
