Honored to be honored

Iowa native Jim Dickerson not only loves playing golf, but has a passion for helping others.

Dickerson, who spent his entire career in the military before retiring, recently was awarded the Patriot Award on behalf of the 2014 PGA of America National Awards for his work with war veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as physical injuries.

Dickerson, 70, is a PGA teaching professional at the University of Iowa Finkbine Golf Course and is the founder of the GIVE (Golf for Veterans Everywhere) Foundation, located at Blue Top Ridge golf course in Riverside.

The award is presented to a PGA professional 'who personifies patriotism through the game of golf and demonstrates unwavering commitment and dedication to the men and women who have valiantly served and protected the United States of America,” according to the release.

For six years he has been hard at work engaging veterans with golf lessons, hoping to make an impact for those whom he feels well deserve the effort.

'I owe it to them as a volunteer,” said Dickerson, the the first golf instructor for the PGA of America in a rehabilitative golf program. 'They volunteered to put themselves in harm's way by essentially signing a blank check, including the ultimate sacrifice. ... It's all we can do to take care of our brothers and sisters when they come back.”

Dickerson believes the game of golf serves as a therapy for veterans struggling with PTSD. Heading to the links and swinging a club helps veterans find and enjoy a new challenge.

He started the program in 2008 and has guided 600 veterans and their families to learn the game of golf.

He is the first Iowa PGA Section member to receive the National Patriot Award and was the inaugural Iowa Section Patriot Award recipient in 2013.

'It's quite humbling and recognizes the fact that I've had the opportunity and privilege to work with our wounded and disabled veterans and induce the game of golf to enhance their physical, social, and emotional capabilities,” Dickerson said. 'I really feel good about what I do. I feel like I'm rewarded more than what they're receiving.”