Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 11/18/2022
BELCHERTOWN – Local military veteran Troy Brin was named a Professional Golf Association (PGA) HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Ambassador following the completion of a specialized training program during the PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week at the famed Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
PGA HOPE is a rehabilitative golf program that impacts more than 7,500 veterans each year living with physical and cognitive challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and amputees.
The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental six to eight week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency.
The program includes advanced golf instruction and wellness training for ambassadors as well as a specially designed golf and wellness tool kit, which includes golf training tips and wellness exercises designed to promote and sustain a healthy and active lifestyle.
All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA section foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all veterans.
Brin is a retired infantry master sergeant who served 20 years of active service in various units.
Those units included the 3rd Battalion 325th Airborne Battalion combat team in Vicenza, Italy, 101st Airborne Divisions Long Range Surveillance Detachment, and Pathfinder Company in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 6th Ranger Training Brigade in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Organization in Washington, D.C., and The University of Kansas Reserve Officer Training Corps.
During his service, Brin served multiple combat tours as part of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
He also earned the US Army Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Jumpmaster Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Expert Infantryman’s Badge; as well as two Bronze Stars, Defense Meritorious Service medal, three Meritorious Service medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom medals.
As a PGA HOPE Ambassador, Brin will help champion the program throughout the Connecticut PGA section.