A police officer in Manchester, New Hampshire made a promise to a homeless man to get him off the streets and onto a golf course.

Officer Justin Maguire has known Mark Yphantis, a member of the homeless community, for years. However, it wasn’t always on a positive note.

As Officer Maguire shares, “Mark was an alcoholic. I arrested him four or five times.”

Though, it didn’t just come out of nowhere for Mark. “When my ex passed away . . . I started drinking every day,” shared Mark.

The two sure do have one thing in common, though . . . a love for golf!

In an effort to help Mark get back on his feet, Officer Maguire told him that if he stayed sober, he’d take him golfing.

Mark said, “I kept that in the back of my mind, and I finally said, ‘I think I’m going to do this.”

At the beginning of the year, Mark checked into a rehab facility, and now has over 100 days of sobriety under his belt.

True to his word, and with help from donations, Officer Maguire surprised Mark with a new set of clubs and, together, they played 10 rounds at Derryfield Country Club.

Officer Maguire continues, “I want him to practice. If we get some nice weather, at some point, maybe mid-summer, I’ll pick him up and we’ll go play golf again.”

Mark is no longer homeless, and is even holding down a job!

The formerly homeless man shares, “It’s a lot better than the way I was [five] months ago . . . but, that’s old news now. It’s time to look forward so I don’t see what’s behind me. You know?”

Mark credits the encouragement from Officer Maguire and the help of Christian After Care Ministries and Helping Hands for helping him find sobriety, and staying sober.

(MSN)