( On left ) Firefighters , police , EMTs , and others were on hand for the initial First Responders Golf Foundation tournament . The 2021 event at Dub ’ s Dread drew a sold-out field of 36 teams . ( Photo contibuted ) about the PGA ’ s HOPE program for the military that gets disabled and other veterans on the golf course and that the blueprint was in place . Unfortunately , because of COVID , we weren ’ t able to get it going as quickly as we wanted .”
The blueprint was for the formation of the First Responder Golf Foundation , a not-for-profit foundation with the goal of using golf to bring awareness to PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ) to First Responders by providing a golf tournament , golf outings , and social events for mental health wellness . Pope himself had turned to golf to recalibrate . A near-scratch golfer , he outdueled 144 other golfers to win a Golf Channel national amateur tournament . “ It helped calm me down ,” he said .
Through Fisher ’ s help , Pope decided to apply for and received a 501C3 tax exemption as a not-for-profit charitable organization . The first tournament was held at Dub ’ s Dread in August of 2021 and drew a full field of 36 teams paying $ 500 per team . Another full field followed last year , and when announced in February , this year ’ s tourney filled immediately — with 40 teams from Kansas responders in Topeka , Wichita , and elsewhere and individuals from as far away as Georgia , Arkansas , and New Jersey .
To further spread mental health awareness , Pope and other KCK First Responders manned a booth at the Kansas City Golf Show the last two years . “ We had a lot of people stop past ,” said Pope . Pope ’ s dealing with the public can sometimes be the worst part of his job , consoling families after a tragic death .
( Above ) Steve Pope ( center ), founder of the First Responders Golf Foundation , is joined by two other foundations in the battle against PTSD , Rob Sanderson ( left ), who provides surfing mission trips for military and first responders through SWEL , and Ronnie Doumitt , Answering the Call for first responders in need of medical , and financial help . ( Photo contibuted )
Funds make it possible for First Responders to get on golf courses to decompress , recalibrate , and reinvigorate . There are also simulated golf events during the winter at X Golf in Leawood and Parkville and True Aim Indoor Golf . Clinics are planned to get more people involved , and there will be other offerings , such as Yoga , to those not interested in golf . “ The Foundation is also part of a fund-raising concert in Topeka later this year , and we ’ re partnering with Stretch Zone to come to fire stations in Kansas City , KS .”
( Above ) Whether a firefighter or a schoolteacher , stress in the family of Steve and Katie Pope and son Ryker led to the formation of the fast-growing First Responders Golf Foundation founded to fight PTSD .
Donations are also made to Peer Support teams for first responders to see therapists trained to understand first responder issues . Pope takes no salary . When there ’ s something to be discussed , he reaches out to his golf partners and board members Brian Taylor , Ritch Nigh , and Ryan Johnson . “ On the golf course , of course ,” he says .
The feedback from Pope ’ s social media blitz has been overwhelming , some coming from as far away as Australia and England . “ Most of the response has been from my real talk videos . They are powerful messages . I don ’ t mind crying . I talk about what I ’ ve been through ; what my wife has gone through as a teacher . One wife called me and said her husband was just like me .”
A 1989 graduate of Bishop Ward , Pope worked as a chart writer at The Woodlands after graduation but always knew he wanted to be a firefighter . He got into the field as a volunteer for two years with the Merriam Fire Department before being hired there full-time . In 1997 , he joined the KCK Fire Department , where he ’ s been a captain for the last 12 years . In addition , he ’ s coached the Piper boys ’ golf team since 2016 and the girls ’ team for four years . “ I ’ m giving up coaching . It ’ s hard to give up , but the Foundation is continuing to grow and taking more of my time . This PTSD mission is a marathon , not a sprint .”
Persons seeking more information can visit the First Responders Golf Foundation website at www . firstrespondersgolf . org , or they may reach Pope at frgfoundation @ gmail . com or 913-915- 1596 . In addition , readers can follow Firefighter Golf on the YouTube channel and Instagram . Firefighter Golf is the original brand that led to the social media blitz that resulted in the formation of the Foundation .
Alan Hoskins , Golf Writer Lead Feature Writer since 2007 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE ™ Magazine
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