PGA of America Hosts PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week – Honoring Veterans at Congressional Country Club, Including 4th PGA HOPE Ambassador from the Colorado Section, Zechariah Owens

Zec Recently Returned Home from the PGA HOPE National Golf and Wellness October 10-14 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

Larkspur, CO — October 14, 2025 – The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is proud to announce the selection of Army Veteran Zec Owens as the fourth PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Colorado Section Ambassador since 2019. This appointment underscores the foundation's commitment to enhancing the lives of veterans through golf and community support.

The PGA of America REACH Foundation—the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America hosted 19 Veterans and two Veteran squad leaders at PGA HOPE National Golf & Wellness Week, presented by ConocoPhillips and T-Mobile, October 10-14 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Included in that exclusive group was Zec Owens, who is a 2023 Graduate of the PGA HOPE Buffalo Wyoming Chapter, led by PGA of America Golf Profesional Dan Ashley, at Buffalo Golf Club.

The participating Veterans, all graduates of their local PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) programs, participated in an immersive five-day event that included advanced golf instruction from PGA of America Golf Professionals and wellness training from the Cohen Veterans Network - covering topics including social media, public speaking, stress management, and mental health.

A special highlight of the week, PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee and record 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, made a surprise visit, joining the Veterans for a putting contest on Sunday and a fireside chat with the award-winning reporter and PGA of America REACH Foundation Trustee, Bret Baier. Nicklaus, who was joined by his wife Barbara—the 2019 winner of the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award—is a renowned global ambassador, course designer, businessman, and philanthropist, who continues to use his success as a platform to help others.

Pictured: 2024 PGA HOPE Colorado Ambassador, Zec Owens

Zec Owens, a dedicated advocate for veterans' wellness, joins the ranks of previous local PGA HOPE Colorado ambassadors Jay Millar (2023), Chris Cordova (2022), and Joseph Robinson (2019) who have helped bridge the gap between military service and civilian life through the therapeutic benefits of golf. His unique experiences and passion for helping fellow veterans make him a perfect fit for this role.

When asked what the PGA HOPE Program in Wyoming did for him, Zec stated “HOPE got me back into a community of like-minded people that I have been lacking since I left the Army. Being the 2024 PGA HOPE Ambassador means the world to me. This opportunity to help other veterans silence their demons, through the game of golf is an honor that I won’t take lightly. Life can get pretty lonely for my brothers and sisters who served, but the Buffalo GC PGA HOPE Program has brought back that needed sense of community for us.”

Zec found his true calling and served as an Army Specialist from 2013-2016. After leaving the Army, Owens sought a fulfilling pursuit and found it at the Veterans Home of Wyoming in Buffalo. There he became deeply involved in activities supporting veterans, focusing on suicide prevention and aiding those with mental health and memory challenges.

Pictured L-R: Jack Nicklaus, Zec Owens, Barbara Nicklaus

PGA HOPE Colorado programming has made a significant impact since its inception, providing veterans with opportunities to learn and enjoy the game of golf at no cost, which serves as both a therapeutic outlet and a means of building lasting friendships. Through its programs, PGA HOPE Colorado has successfully reached over 700 veterans in calendar year 2024, helping them transition to civilian life, develop new skills, and create supportive networks within their communities. This is a growth of over 71% in veterans served compared to 2022 when the Foundation made it a strategic priority to reach more veterans.

"We are thrilled to welcome Zec as our fourth PGA HOPE Colorado Section Ambassador," said Steven Bartkowski, CEO and Executive Director of PGA REACH Colorado Foundation. "His commitment to serving his fellow veterans aligns perfectly with our mission to empower those who have served our country. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on our programs in Wyoming."

PGA HOPE is not just about golf; it’s about healing, connecting, and providing a pathway to community reintegration for veterans. The Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans by offering a supportive environment where they can engage in the game, learn new skills, and find purpose through sport.

For more information about PGA REACH Colorado foundation and how to support the programming, visit https://reach.coloradopga.com/.

For a list and map of all PGA HOPE Ambassadors, visit https://sites.google.com/pgahq.com/pga-hope-ambassador-hub/ambassadors.

About PGA REACH Colorado Foundation

The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is a 501c3 public charity in Colorado that works daily to support our over 900 Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals to make a difference in our local communities. Programming ensures that regardless of your age or background, cost will try not to inhibit one’s involvement and enjoyment of the game of golf. The mission of the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections, and the game of golf.

Media Contact

Steven Bartkowski
CEO/Executive Director
sbartkowski@pgahq.com

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Fitzgerald Goes Wire-to-Wire to Capture Senior Crown

By Scott Minta • July 30, 2025

Longmont, Colo . - What a difference a day makes as cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted the players on day two of the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship, compared to hot and sunny temperatures during the opening round. Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, took a 3-shot lead into the final round after a 3-under-par 67 on day one. “The 3-under on day one was fortunate, the golf course is very difficult and is tough to make putts, Fitzgerald said.” Three back of Fitzgerald to start the day was the 2012 and 2013 senior champion, Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Instructor at River Valley Ranch Golf Course, and four back was the 2022 and 2023 champion Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club.

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Honors Wounded Hero with its 12th Sponsored Mortgage-Free Home

By Steven Bartowski • July 30, 2025

Golf with a purpose: $110K Raised for Local Programming, One Hero Honored

Colorado PGA Professionals Give Back Through TEACH FORE REACH

By Steven Bartowski • July 30, 2025

Colorado PGA Professionals Give Back Through Teach Fore REACH

Maggie Hartman, PGA - We Are Golf

By Steven Bartowski • July 22, 2025

Golf as a Lifelong Connector: Maggie Hartman’s Journey For Maggie Hartman, PGA, golf has always been more than a career—it’s been the constant in her life. Over 16 years, she’s given 2,100+ lessons to 650+ students, mostly juniors, finding joy in their growth both on and off the course. As a kid, the golf course was where Maggie felt most at home—surrounded by mentors who shaped her path. Today, she pays it forward by helping young golfers find their footing, their confidence, and their love for the game.

Colorado PGA Welcomes Two New At-Large Directors

By Steven Bartowski • June 25, 2025

On March 31, 2025, at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, CO, the Colorado PGA proudly welcomed two newly elected At-Large Directors during the Section’s annual Spring Membership Meeting. Drew Parr, PGA Head Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club, and Tristen Fay, PGA Head Professional at Fort Collins Country Club, were elected to serve on the Colorado PGA Section Board. Both will begin their three-year terms at the 2025 Fall Membership Meeting, bringing a shared commitment to leadership, service, and advancing the Section’s mission.

Kyle Heyen Elected as 49th President of the Colorado PGA Section

By Steven Bartowski • October 24, 2024

Goodwin Fires Final Round 67 To Claim 67th Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title

By Scott Minta • September 11, 2024

Centennial, Colo. - It was a beautiful day to crown a champion at Valley Country Club for the 67th Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club began the day with a two-shot lead over Tristin Goodwin, PGA Assistant Professional at Cherry Hills Country Club. Goodwin started the day red hot as he birdied four of his first six holes and added an eagle on hole 5 as he holed his wedge shot from 40 yards out. After hole 6 Goodwin had flipped a two-shot deficit into a three-shot lead. “My strategy did not change, but my mindset definitely changed a little bit, I started to feel more pressure as I was leading the golf tournament now,” Goodwin said. Bogies on holes 7 and 9, the two par threes on the front nine, and a birdie from Keffer on 7, Goodwin and Keffer made the turn to the back nine dead even at 9-under-par.