By Tim Rogers, NOPGA Media

AVON — The objectives of the Northern Ohio PGA HOPE Cup are many, and all were on display on a bright and sunny Wednesday at Avon Oaks Country Club.

The third edition of the event, organized by the NOPGA Foundation and supported by nearly 20 Section professionals, came off as planned — and then some.

Some of the key objectives of PGA HOPE include:

  • Introducing veterans to golf for the challenge and joy the game can provide.

  • Providing a six-to-eight-week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency, culminating in PGA HOPE Day (proclaimed earlier Wednesday by Governor Mike DeWine and Jim Tressel).

  • Helping veterans cope with physical, mental, or emotional hurdles while enhancing overall well-being.

  • Honoring and celebrating our heroic veterans for their service.

  • Giving veterans a day to themselves and a public “thank you” from the NOPGA.

For U.S. Navy veterans David Boos and Don Bell, the event created an unexpected “objective” — a reunion with a shipmate they hadn’t seen in 46 years.

Boos, a PGA of America Life Member and long-time instructor in Youngstown, captained a team at the HOPE Cup. Bell, who had participated in the PGA HOPE program at Tom Parteleno’s Parto’s Golf Learning Center in Youngstown, played on Parteleno’s team.

Their connection began in the late 1970s when both served aboard the USS Independence (CV-62). Growing up on opposite sides of Youngstown, they became friends during deployment from 1976–1979. After leaving the Navy, their lives went separate ways — until Bell walked into Parteleno’s facility this summer wearing a USS Independence hat.

“I was in shock,” said Boos. “A ship that size, with 4,700 people, and two guys from Youngstown meet again after all these years because of PGA HOPE. What are the chances?”

The reunion was emotional, and the two quickly rekindled their bond. “I didn’t recognize him at first,” Bell said, “but once we started talking, it all came back. I was amazed. It had been 46 years.”

Both men enjoyed the day at Avon Oaks. “Overall, it was a great day,” said Bell. “They treated us like kings.”

Boos reflected on the enthusiasm of the veterans he teaches: “Their excitement is through the roof. Sometimes they don’t want to stop after nine holes. It’s wonderful to see.”

PGA HOPE — Helping Our Patriots Everywhere — brought two Navy shipmates back together, showing the power of golf to build bonds that last a lifetime.