Dan Medina faced plenty of dire situations in his former role as a United States Navy technician who routinely rendered harmless deadly underwater explosives.
Thus, his attempt to sink a 20-foot putt under the sun-drenched sky at Commerce City’s Buffalo Run Golf Course last week appeared pretty drama-free.
Medina – an Explosive Ordinance Disposal expert during his time in the Navy – did well. His ball crawled just up to the hole on the practice green at Buffalo Run, where he and other military veterans gathered for some instruction from local pros from the Professional Golf Association.
Medina appreciated the meticulous discipline and solid form needed from him to produce a nearly perfect putt. He also felt at ease and calm that only a golf course can conjure.
“During the drive here, I felt under pressure,” said the El Paso County resident. “But once I am here, I feel relaxed and ok with myself. This feels good, no doubt about it.”
It’s a feeling shared by retired Army veteran Bob Ervin, who was among seven former service members being tutored by Buffalo Run Head PGA Pro Garrett Hoffman and First Assistant PGA Pro Jordan LeBlanc.
“With these guys, I know we are getting the best teachers there are,” Ervin said. “There is nothing like getting tips from a real pro.”
Well-being through golf
The Buffalo Run instructors and students are part of a nationwide program called PGA HOPE, or Helping Our Patriots Everywhere, a developmental six-to-eight-week curriculum taught by PGA of America golf professionals. The classes are geared toward former military members and are free to them. PGA Hope is being offered at more than 550 program locations in the U.S., across all 50 states, impacting more than 17,000 veterans annually, according to a PGA Hope news release.
PGA HOPE is described as a rehabilitative golf program for veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Participants of PGA HOPE programs include military veterans living with physical or cognitive challenges such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and amputees, among other challenges, the news release states.
Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE is the only adaptive golf program that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which enables VA Facilities to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy.
LeBlanc, a decorated Army veteran, recently led a group of Colorado military veterans to compete in the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup , held May 12th at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC. The Secretary’s Cup is a spirited nine-hole golf competition that kicks off during PGA Championship week and features 12 teams of four military veterans who have participated in the PGA HOPE program, according to the news release.
The local participating military veterans in the tournament were Jeremiah James, Commerce City, U.S. Army; Paul Garcia, Commerce City, United States Air Force; Erich Posdzich, Commerce City, United States Marine Corps and Joshua Lee, Denver, United States Navy.
LeBlanc said Project Hope students are tutored on all facets of golf, including the proper placement of feet on putts, hitting out of sand traps and driving the ball. Most have had some experience on the fairways and he hopes to teach them the best golfing habits, he said.
“We want to teach them control, especially speed control on the greens,” LeBlanc said. “We keep things, especially putting, simple. But mostly we want to teach them to enjoy the game, that’s why we are out here.”