A Network of Support
Tags: Golf, Chicago, Women Veterans, Veterans, Cdga

A Network of Support

Golf has provided a cherished space for a Chicago group of women veterans CDGA Dec 16, 2021·5 min read

By Tim Merrick

This article appeared in the November 2021 edition of Chicago District Golfer.

Without any prior experience, Lisa Scott (second from left) has found both golf, and the friends she plays with, to be much more than just a game.

“Golf is a good walk spoiled.” The old adage has been a popular phrase within the golfing community, uniquely describing the frustration associated with playing the game amongst the most scenic of environments.

A local group of women veterans would argue otherwise.

“It’s a lifeline, it’s a way to get out and be on these beautiful golf courses where I never would have imagined myself being,” said Lisa Scott, a Chicago native and Army veteran who served from 1982–85. “It’s exposed me to new experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Lisa and her fellow female veterans play golf through a series of year-round clinics administered by RevelationGolf across the Chicago District, designed specifically for veterans. The CDGA Foundation works in conjunction with RevelationGolf by providing funds for these clinics, which employ the therapeutic benefits of golf as part of a structured rehabilitation program for wounded veterans. The clinics also provide opportunities to active duty military and their families. Events feature either instruction to help introduce participants to the game, or rounds to hone their skills.

“They’re there to uplift you, comfort you and give you words of encouragement to let you know it’s going to be okay.” — Lisa Scott, U.S. Army Veteran

RevelationGolf works with veterans from a wide variety of backgrounds and needs. Groups feature veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), homelessness, physical limitations, addiction or military sexual traumas. Additionally, women are grouped together and work specifically with female instructors. As these individuals continue to transition from service to civilian life, golf is a unique tool that allows them to not only participate in an outdoor activity, but also form bonds with those who understand the difficulties they may be facing.

“What this program has done, it has given them an opportunity to find their military family again,” said Donna Strum, executive director of RevelationGolf. “I think a lot of our service members deal with a variety of issues. All of a sudden you go back home and you lose that commonality that you had, you lose the strength you had. It gives them the opportunity to have a support system when you’re going through a difficult time.”

Prior to participating in the clinics, golf really wasn’t on Scott’s radar. Four years ago, at the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago, she was involved with the MOVE! Weight Management Program when her primary care physician recommended the game as a further means of exercise.

“I thought, ‘Well, I never wanted to play golf,’” admitted Scott. “But it was an opportunity to do something healthy, that’s fun. It’s relaxing and calming. It’s a nice getaway.”

Scott enjoyed her experience so much so that she began recruiting women from Jesse Brown to come to the clinics. She quickly was joined by a group of up to seven other women, all interested in seeing the benefits Scott spoke so fondly of. One of those who joined her was Tracy Ladner, a Navy veteran who served in various capacities from 1982–2002. A self-admitted “introvert” with no prior playing experience, Ladner came to the same conclusion as Scott.

“I like golfing, but it’s more like I’m competing against myself and not other people,” said Ladner, who is wrapping up her third season of playing. “I’m just trying to get better. I like being outdoors, I like being in nature. I find it very restful, unlike most people who are very tense and crazed [on the golf course].”

RevelationGolf clinics, funded in part by the CDGA Foundation, provide veterans like Tracy Ladner (left) the opportunity to receive golf instruction and play rounds.

What may be even more important than the physical benefits of the clinics to Scott and Ladner is the sense of community they’ve come to cherish. They’ve enjoyed each other’s company so much that the women have done what any friend group does in the digital age — create a text group. This chain not only discusses golf and their next clinic, but any and all topics. Individuals can be open about the troubles they may be experiencing away from the golf course, knowing the others have a keen sense of their backgrounds in the military world.

“They know what we’ve gone through,” said Scott. “They may not have experienced the same things, but they know someone perhaps who has. They’re there to uplift you and to comfort you and give you words of encouragement to let you know it’s going to be okay.”

“We pretty much text each other every day,” added Ladner. “If somebody goes AWOL, we track them down. It’s comforting because you don’t have to explain things. You don’t have to go into detail about stuff. If you say something [here], everybody pretty much knows what you’re talking about.”

The group concept has become so influential on its members, that when transportation from Jesse Brown to the clinics was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the women began driving themselves. Sometimes, they even carpooled. They’ve competed together at various veterans competitions, including the National Veterans Golden Age Games and the Valor Games Midwest. Off the golf course, the group even goes to plays or dinner.

Armed with a support system for life, the group feels they can now tackle just about any challenge together. And as Strum maintains, that sense of community and family all leads back to golf being more than just a “good walk.”

“Tracy said to me ‘Donna, we didn’t have that before you gave us golf,’” said Strum. “We gave them community and we gave them a support network just because we gave them golf.” ●

Tim Merrick is the Director of Communications with the CDGA. A 2017 graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, he’s been with the Association since 2018.