Jack Conger offers “tune-up” evaluation & golf lesson to benefit National PGA hope initiative.

Jack Conger and the PGA HOPE Initiative

Jack Conger, CNY PGA Hall of Famer and “4” Time Teacher of the Year in the Section, called me last week and told me about a program he was initiating in January and February to benefit CNY golfers as well as the National PGA HOPE Initiative.

He is offering a special “Tune-Up” Evaluation Golf Lesson to help golfers get a head start on the 2026 golf season. Jack is calling it a “Tune-Up” so he can evaluate our GRIP, STANCE, ALIGNMENT, BACK SWING, DOWN SWING AND FOLLOW THROUGH”.

Included in his lesson will be a video of our swing and a hand-out of some things we can do during the Winter months to help us prepare for the up coming golf season.

The cost is going to be $30 dollars but he is going to donate $10 of the $30 to the National PGA HOPE Initiative. I informed him I have been well aware of this wonderful program since it started because it focused on benefiting veterans and active military.

A First-Hand Experience

Last week I became Jack’s first participant at his Indoor Golf Academy at the Erie Village GC. For the first 5 minutes he asked me a series of questions about my clubs, my golf game and my goals for 2026.

It was absorbing and beneficial to me because the questions were meaningful and it was the first time I had thought about my personal goals.

My next stop was the hitting cage where Jack conducts his golf lessons. When I informed him I needed time to warm-up and stretch before hitting balls, he responded before I finished my sentence and said, “I already knew that, so take your time”.

After my warm-up, he asked me to hit 5 or 6 balls at a “target” before he started to video my swing. He picked out my biggest issue immediately and said, “You don’t get your right shoulder back far enough in your back swing”.

I sort of already knew that about my swing during the Winter months, but I didn’t want to say anything before he gave me his “official” evaluation. He nailed it in less than 2 minutes.

And when he gave me several hand-outs for drills I could do during the Winter, I was convinced it was the best $30 any golfer could spend this Winter that will also benefit a great cause.

Supporting a Great Cause

By the way, Jack told me he called Joe Tesori, the Executive Director of the program for the CNY PGA, and informed him his goal and commitment was to raise $1,000 for the PGA HOPE Initiative.

When I said, “Jack, that’s 100 golfers and a lot of lessons”, he said, “I know, but I’m going to do it”! Let’s help Jack achieve his goal.

You can contact Jack at...jackconger@pga.com.

About the PGA HOPE Initiative

The PGA HOPE Initiative (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a national program launched by the PGA of America in 2017 to support military heroes.

It is a 6 week developmental golf program that is taught by PGA Professionals who have been trained to teach adaptive golf techniques that are also sensitive to military culture.

Impressively, the programs are offered to veterans at “no cost”, thanks to the primary funding from PGA REACH (Professional Golfers Association) and the supplemental support by Section Foundations.

Words from PGA REACH CNY

Joe Tesori, Executive Director, PGA REACH CNY, had this to add about the program...”PGA HOPE is an incredible program that supports veterans and active-duty military through the game of golf.

I have often said that PGA HOPE is not just about golf; it is about getting our veterans who have fought for and defended our nation to connect with fellow veterans while learning this beautiful game.

PGA HOPE relies entirely upon the support of our PGA Professionals, at “NO CHARGE” and for Jack Conger to support us in this way, means the world to our local programs and most importantly, to our veterans.”

Impact Across Central New York

Since it’s inception in 2017, PGA REACH CNY has successfully delivered numerous programs throughout the Central New York PGA region.

The outreach program now extends from Syracuse into the Southern Tier, Oneida, Oswego and Utica areas. The CNY PGA is committed to “fostering lasting connections by actively developing post program opportunities for local veterans to stay engaged and active throughout their life”.

Thank You

THANK YOU CNY PGA AND JACK CONGER...jackconger@pga.com