WE ARE GOLF
Featuring Jordan LeBlanc, PGA
Jordan's Journey
After finding peace of mind in golf following his Army service, Jordan turned his passion into a career at Buffalo Run Golf Course, inspired by the way the game builds deep human connections. He has since become a powerhouse for PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), rising to the position of Lead National Trainer and traveling the country to certify hundreds of PGA of America Golf Professionals in helping veterans heal through golf.
For Jordan, golf is more than just a game—it’s a way to teach integrity, overcome challenges, and bond with his community. Whether he’s leading a national team or playing a round with friends, he lives and breathes the game because he’s seen firsthand how it can literally save lives.
Q&A With Jordan
What does it mean to you to support those who serve and vets through PGA HOPE?
"It means everything to me. As a veteran and a PGA Member, I have the honor of seeing both sides of the coin. I see the impact that PGA HOPE makes on a local and national scale. This program literally saves lives, and I have seen it firsthand."
Why do you love golf?
Birds chirping, dew on the grass, and the sound of the ball rolling into the cup. I love this game to its core, and it has brought me so much joy in such a short period of time. The challenge the game provides, the camaraderie between players, and being outdoors is the perfect trifecta for clearing one's mind. This is truly the greatest game ever played.
"I believe anyone can play the game of golf. Whether you are standing, sitting, hitting with two arms, or one, this is a game for everyone." ~Jordan
A Story About PGA HOPE
"We started a new HOPE program at Buffalo Run, and for the first two weeks, I handed out name tags and made it a point to try to remember everyone's names. The goal was by week three, no more name tags. So on the third week, the first five veterans came to me, and I know them all by name.
I get to the last guy, and I feel like I've never seen him before in my life. So I swallow my pride, and I walk up to him, and I say, “Could you remind me of your name?”
And he says, “My name's Mike.”
And I said, “I'm sorry, Mike. I tried to get everybody's names down. I must have missed you.”
And Mike said, “Don't be sorry. Here's what happened.”
He told me that for the first two weeks of our HOPE program, Mike drove his car from his house to the road that sits above our driving range. And he told me that he sat in his car for two weeks and watched us. He was trying to figure out if it was a safe place for him. He was trying to find the motivation to get out of his car. By week three, he came down. Mike told me two weeks later, “You know, Jordan, before those two weeks that I drove from my house to the course, I hadn't left my house in six months.”
So, PGA HOPE offered Mike this opportunity to get out of his house, to come and enjoy our programming, to come be around other veterans. We might have saved his life that day."
What People Say About Jordan
"Jordan has been an incredible PGA HOPE instructor and someone I’m genuinely grateful to have learned from. From day one, he created an environment that was welcoming, supportive, and motivating; not just as a coach, but as a veteran himself who truly cares about the veterans he works with.
The 2025 Secretary’s Cup was especially impactful for me, and a big reason for that was Jordan’s leadership and preparation. He helped make the experience feel meaningful and confidence-building, not intimidating. The way he balanced instruction, encouragement, and camaraderie made a lasting impression and elevated the entire event."
~ Jeremiah James, PGA HOPE Graduate and US Army Veteran
“Jordan, you are a truly gifted leader—steady, purposeful, and uniquely positioned to guide this program across the line of departure.. Your clarity of vision and calm confidence create momentum, but it’s your humanity that sets you apart.
Your inclusiveness has been genuinely healing for me. You create space where people feel seen, heard, and valued, and that matters more than you may realize. Together, I believe we can help our members understand the realities many veterans carry with them—the alienation, the pain, the survivor’s guilt, and the physical or emotional limitations that trauma can impose. Those experiences don’t disappear when the uniform comes off, and acknowledging them with empathy is powerful.
We carry an incredibly important message—one that reaches far beyond instruction or technique. This program may offer more than just the swing, more than just a moment in time. It has the potential to restore connection, purpose, and hope—and in some cases, it may quite literally save a veteran’s life.
Thank you again for your leadership and your heart. I am grateful for you and truly look forward to supporting you in any way I can as we move forward together.”
~ Thomas Parks, PGA Associate and Marine Veteran
"Golf is not so much about the good shots that you hit, but more about the bad ones. How well you can control your emotions and focus when needed." ~Jordan
Advice for Veterans Curious About Golf
- Anyone can play golf. Golf meets you exactly where you are; no experience required and no pressure to be perfect.
- Golf is built on moments in time. Whether it’s one good swing, one good hole, or one good conversation, those moments add up.
- The course creates mental space. Time outdoors, away from distractions, allows Veterans to slow down and reset.
- Connection happens naturally. Golf encourages conversation, camaraderie, and shared experiences without forcing them.
- Progress is personal. In golf, success isn’t measured against others, but in small improvements and meaningful moments.
Jordan LeBlanc, PGA
PGA Assistant Golf Professional - Buffalo Run Golf Course
(303) 289-1500
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