The entrance to Greenbrier Golf & Country Club’s Lifestyle Center

The PGA of America Golf Professionals at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club in Lexington are excited and honored to be embarking on a new endeavor to give back to the Lexington community by starting the Lexington area’s second PGA HOPE chapter as PGA HOPE Lexington East. Kelly Williams, PGA General Manager of Greenbrier, will be spearheading this chapter, alongside members of his team, with sessions occurring every Monday beginning February 26 and ending April 8.

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces the game of golf to Veterans and Active Duty Military through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum taught by PGA of America Golf Professionals. These Professionals are trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency to best teach and support the participants in enhancing their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being through golf. PGA HOPE Lexington East is one of nine chapters in Kentucky and one of over 500 in the nation across all 50 states. In 2023, Kentucky’s seven PGA HOPE chapters impacted 540 Veterans and Active Duty Military at a variety of sessions throughout the year. 

The catalyst behind Kelly starting a PGA HOPE chapter at Greenbrier is a combination of time and place, different occurrences and the strong desire to keep giving back to the community. He was serving on the PGA of America National Board when they committed to funding the PGA HOPE program nationally, but it did not fit at Greenbrier at the time due to the multitude of other programming at the course. With the unfortunate dissolution of two integral programs in the Hayes Middle School junior golf program and Children’s Charity Classic due to COVID, Kelly saw a void and opportunity to continue positively impacting the lives of those in the community and the Greenbrier membership. With the construction of the facility’s 16,000 sq ft Lifestyle Center falling into this timeframe, Kelly began working towards the creation of PGA HOPE Lexington East to continue “being good stewards in the community.”

An aerial view of the practice facilities and Lifestyle Center at Greenbrier

Though this is his first year as a PGA HOPE instructor, Kelly has long been involved in the game of golf across multiple capacities. He started working in the golf industry in outside services picking the range at a public facility in Nicholasville at the age of 16, flourishing into having a nationally recognized career, all beginning with the support of PGA of America Golf Professional. He started at Greenbrier over 25 years ago in the outside services department and has been serving the community ever since. Kelly has received multiple awards at the state level from the Kentucky PGA Section, most recently the 2023 PGA Golf Executive of the Year and PGA Professional Development Award. Kelly’s outstanding work, customer service, contributions, and more have also been recognized at the national level, most recently, at the 2024 PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, in January. He received the 2024 PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year Award, one of the highest national accolades PGA of America Golf Professionals can be presented that “recognizes outstanding services in an executive management position, as well as leadership, vision, courage, moral character and a substantial record of service to the Association and the game.” As he reflects on this award, Kelly admits that it “has not quite sunk in yet,” but that he is “proud for my family, Greenbrier, and the Kentucky PGA.” He further shares that “it is such an honor to be listed among the names of other award winners, and to be only the second national-level award winner in the 99-year history of the Kentucky PGA Section.” 

Kelly receiving recognition of his award from PGA of America President John Lindert, PGA, at the 2024 PGA Show

A pinnacle of Greenbrier’s PGA HOPE chapter is their ability to use both an indoor and outdoor facility for their sessions. Their state-of-the-art indoor facility includes four hitting bays equipped with Trackman Simulators that allow users to explore a multitude of courses, in addition to viewing stats on their swing and ball-striking. There is also an indoor putting green with Puttview technology where participants will learn to hone their skills.

 Greenbrier’s simulator room features four Trackman Simulators, a PuttView Indoor, and other amenities

The PGA HOPE Lexington East participants will use a combination of the indoor and outdoor practice facilities depending on the weather. This setup will allow them to practice all areas of their game and receive different types of feedback, from the numbers on the Trackman or PuttView to watching their ball fly on the driving range. Weather conditions and other factors will not impact or interfere with their ability to learn and practice the game, allowing for constant improvement and enjoyment of the game of golf. 

Kelly demonstrating the PuttView indoor monitor

It is clear the excitement and anticipation of starting this chapter is shared across the board with Greenbrier’s staff, with Assistant Professional Drew Bailey reflecting on his own enthusiasm in his involvement. In the year Drew has been at Greenbrier, he shares that “getting to know the members, families, and my coworkers has been a blessing.” He also reflects on his personal motivations for getting involved with teaching at a PGA HOPE chapter. “Both of my grandfathers served and have always been big role models. They have been on my mind more lately as they have aged. I also have friends from high school who are serving now, and knowing what they are doing means seeing them when they are home is not something I take for granted,” he states. Drew also expresses the magnitude of Kelly’s role in his involvement, calling him a “role model” and explaining that he “wanted to help Kelly in any way that I can.”

Drew Bailey (left) and Kelly Williams, PGA (right)

Drew and Kelly represent the goal all PGA of America Golf Professionals have with their involvement in PGA HOPE - impact the lives of Veterans and Active Duty Military through golf. They both strongly expressed how they will be most profoundly impacted by the program through the knowledge that they are sharing how golf can be used as a tool to enhance one's physical, emotional, and social well-being. They also represent how one’s journey towards and reasoning for joining a PGA HOPE chapter can be different, but the impact remains the same.

PGA HOPE Ft. Knox participants enjoying a session

Teaching at a PGA HOPE chapter is a fantastic way for PGA of America Golf Professionals to give back to those who have made sacrifices on behalf of our country, but they are not the only ones who can support Veterans and Active Duty Military. The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs states there are over 295,000 Veterans in the Commonwealth, with the Veterans Affairs office in Lexington estimating more than 83,000 live in Lexington’s primary service area. There are certain costs associated with running a PGA HOPE program that total approximately $300 per participant for the 6-8 weeks. However, the participants are NOT charged, and these costs are covered by the PGA of America’s private donor program. Some of these costs include range access, course access, food and beverage, and a graduation ceremony. Any money donated to a PGA HOPE chapter will assist in covering these costs and ultimately allow more Veterans and Active Duty Military to participate in this life-changing opportunity. Please click HERE to access the platform to donate to Kentucky’s PGA HOPE chapters, and mention in the “Comments” section that it is for PGA HOPE programming. We are incredibly grateful for your support and any donations, and we cannot wait to impact the lives of Veterans and Active Duty Military through golf at PGA HOPE Lexington East, and all of the Kentucky PGA HOPE chapters this year and beyond.

Media Contact:

Abby Ligons | Golf House Kentucky | aligons@kygolf.org