ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
I served in the British Army for 10 years as both an Infantry Soldier and later as a Combat Medic. During this time I deployed on multiple tours of Afghanistan and East Africa. During one of my tours in Afghanistan I was shot and suffered life changing injuries both physically and mentally. In some ways I am lucky that I actually have physical scars that tell my story as many other guys that suffer with mental health issues from deployments don't have that luxury and understanding from outsiders.
After leaving the military I was unable to work full time and was lost in many ways. Golf provided a bastion of escape from the doldrums of 'normal life' I would find myself playing 72 holes some days just because I didn't want to go home and sit with my thoughts. When I found out about the Caddie School and the opportunity it provided for me to potentially find work again, I was so excited. I had direction and purpose again.
The school itself is an amazing environment. Getting to live in the caddie house and spend your day with other guys that all understand your situation is a special feeling. I have also never met a 'civilian' with a greater understanding and empathy for veterans than Don Snyder. The Caddie School for Soldiers is a special place that provides hope, direction and a sense of self worth for anybody that attends. The team are all absolute professionals of the highest calibre and put their heart and soul into the students and the craft.
Obviously the COVID pandemic has halted any work for Caddies over the last 2 seasons but I am hopeful moving forward that I will be able to find work next season on the Links and spend my days outside again, rain or shine, working hard in the company of like minded men and women who don't care about your past.
I’ve faced many of the same struggles afflicting many veterans after returning to civilian life. My belief that I can provide purpose to others and meaning in this world slowly chipped away. Having the chance to attend the school, I was given the empowerment again of being able to effect the success or failure of the man next to me. Learning the trade of caddying, I shared the triumphs and disappointments with each golfer I walked with. Yet confidence arises from helping others overcome the struggles this game provides- one golf hole at a time. It spreads to life off the course- as a father and man who now can turn toward taking on life’s struggles and not away. I could not have done any of this without the support of my fellow caddie veterans and those running the school. I will be forever grateful for this experience! Josh Campbell from the US
My name is Simon Jones and I am a 32 year old former UK Royal Marines Commando. I served on operational tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. With 3 weeks remaining of a seven month tour I was seriously wounded on the battlefield and received life changing physical and mental injuries. Once I had completed my 18 month rehabilitation I was approached by The Caddie School For Soldiers through The On Course Foundation as I had a keen interest and passion for golf. After completing the caddy school I secured employment at Royal Liverpool as a full time caddy. I am now working alongside professional golfer Mike Browne and he has invited me to be his caddy in Dubai this year for the season ending Race to Dubai on the European Tour. The school provided me with a wealth of knowledge, confidence and ambition to succeed at being a caddy. I am forever grateful for the opportunity.
I served in the 1st battalion of the parachute regiment which I joined 1989. In 22 years of service I served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Africa, Germany and Cyprus. I was diagnosed with PTSD while serving as a sniper. I came to the school through The On Course Foundation in the UK. The School gave me a second chance in life which I grabbed and it has turned my life round completely to the better of 100%. I am now in my third year as a caddie for The Links Trust, working full time out on The Old Course. Scott Hale from Edinburgh
I’m Dan Matthews a retired Sgt of the Canadian Armed Forces in which I served for 21 years. Golf has been a big part of me finding a new normal and my time in Elie was second to none. When I first arrived at the Caddie School I was very nervous and even though I was smiling all i wanted to do was hide as I was out of my comfort zone and no support system that I was use to. Don, Davy, David, Grame and Mo made my time in Scotland the most amazing moment in my life and helped me find myself and start towards something that I could seeing doing from now on. The Caddie School for Soldiers has help me in ways that I can’t explain, but what I can say is that I has helped become more comfortable in who I am now.
Caddie School for Soldiers meant a lot to me. It has helped me through some of the trials I have been through in my military years. Bringing me together with others who have served and have seen what I have seen gave me a sense of ease. Being with soldiers from all around the world has also shown me that it was not only me going through rough patches. Being in the program has taught me confidence and to be more accepting to challenges that may seem impossible. This program has also given me a second chance at life and made me feel like I was needed. It has helped me become more social. It has helped me be more open to new adventures. It has also given me a sense of purpose not just for myself but to return what you all have done for me but for others as well. It was a dream come true for me and if I could do it all over again, I would.
