Links to Freedom spend about $ 150,000 this year at Fort Belvoir, he says. As word has spread, Greiner has fielded inquiries from other military facilities about partnering with or creating similar models.
Links to Freedom spend about $ 150,000 this year at Fort Belvoir, he says. As word has spread, Greiner has fielded inquiries from other military facilities about partnering with or creating similar models.
Greiner says Links to Freedom will direct or affiliate with programs in San Diego and Salt Lake City, Utah, this year. The next step, he says, is to establish Links to Freedom ties to about 10 of the largest military facilities.
director of the Middle Atlantic PGA, helps him break the ice.
“ Dick will just walk up to them and say,‘ Where’ d you get blown up?’‘’ Greiner says.
Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jose Gonzalez wasn’ t blown up, but he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress after three tours in Iraq. Since joining Links to Freedom last year, he’ s gone from casual to avid golfer. And in his new hobby, Gonzalez, 41, has found camaraderie he
“ But going through the same frustrations with learning to play golf— misery loves company, right?— you learn things that you take into your private life.”
– GUNNERY SGT. JOSE GONZALEZ enjoyed with his military“ battle buddies.”
“ Initially, I didn’ t think of it as therapy,” he says.“ But going through the same frustrations with learning to play golf— misery loves company, right?— you learn things that you take into your private life. Something bad happens, you let it go and you move on to the next situation.”
For some participants, the next move can even include playing golf in Scotland. Henry went last spring among a group of wounded warriors organized by Links to Freedom and the St. Andrews Legacy veterans’ charity.
Henry is among Greiner’ s many disciples now into golf for the long run who help recruit and connect Links to Freedom newcomers.
“ I’ m loyal to the game and to the program,” Henry says.“ I say to people‘ I promise you’ re going to love it. Come in with an open mind and give it all you got. Make the time, bring your family and you’ ll enjoy it.”
At Fort Belvoir, Greiner’ s dream includes building a dedicated training facility set apart from the 30-mat driving range, chipping and bunker area, and double practice greens.
BUILDING POSITIVE OUTCOMES The grand vision for Links is not without clouds. Despite screening wounded vets to determine the suitability of Links to Freedom as a therapeutic fit, some injuries run far too deep.
“ Three people related to this program have attempted suicide. One succeeded,” Greiner says.“ That hits you hard, because you’ re trying to do this so that doesn’ t happen.”
To prevent those scenarios, Greiner brought vast teaching experience to the unique challenge of working with injured veterans and their families. He interviews each participant, as he would any student, to understand their physical limitations. But he has taken classes and studied methods to better coach golfers who use a wheelchair or an adaptive cart that positions them to swing.
“ At the beginning, there was an awkwardness trying to get the information I needed,” Greiner says.“ I was very sensitive to bringing things up that would remind the person of how they got that way.”
Greiner says retired Col. Richard Johns, a regular volunteer and former executive
Get Involved
Since 2010, Links to Freedom has used the community of golf to help approximately 1,500 injured service members or their family members heal emotionally, physically and socially.
Formally established as a nonprofit foundation in 2015, Links to Freedom offers free eight-week sessions in the spring and fall. Twohour classes conducted by golf pros and military and civilian volunteers are followed by a lunch. Classes cover golf fundamentals and stress motor skills, mobility and flexibility, promoting a lifetime sport while helping participants regain confidence and re-establish personal relationships.
Interested in participating in Links to Freedom sessions at Fort Belvoir or Joint Base Andrews, Maryland? Register at linkstofreedom. org / 2017-program-registration.
For more information about volunteering or donating money or equipment, contact Rob Koon at( 520) 270-6559, Ursula Palmer at( 410) 746-2005 or email L2F @ linkstofreedom. org.
vsga. org M AY / J UNE 2017 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 29