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Inspiring Warriors Golf presents veteran program to commissioners, seeks community sponsorships
Summary
Founder Russ Holden and Marine veteran Gabriel Axtell described Inspiring Warriors Golf, a week-long camp pairing golf professionals and wartime 'warriors' with aftercare provided by Warriors Journey; sponsorships start at $7,500 per veteran.
Russ Holden, founder and CEO of Inspiring Warriors Golf, and United States Marine Gabriel Axtell presented the group's veteran rehabilitation program to the Board. The nonprofit runs week-long golf camps for catastrophically wounded veterans paired with top PGA professionals and a partner organization, the Warriors Journey, that provides follow-up and crisis intervention.
Holden described the program as a growth-and-service initiative that brings distinguished golf professionals and guest speakers to camps. "We wanted to go out and get the best of the best of the best," he said, listing several PGA professionals and guest speakers who have participated, and noting the program has hosted veterans at Augusta National during Masters-related events. Holden said the week-long camp is designed to build camaraderie and to address invisible wounds through workshops, peer connections and structured aftercare.
Gabriel Axtell, a United States Marine who participated in a recent camp and now serves as a program liaison, described his personal experience: "Because of people like the Warrior's Journey, Inspiring Warriors Golf, I have a wife that says she had a husband and I have 3 kids who have a father when they go home." Axtell said he had struggled after service and credited the program and Warriors Journey for intervening at a crisis point.
Kevin Weaver, founder of the Warriors Journey (Springfield, Missouri), joined via a recorded message describing the organizations' partnership and broadcast that Warriors Journey provides triage and ongoing care following an event. The presenters asked community members to sponsor veterans; Holden said a sponsorship to send a veteran through a week-long camp and in-program aftercare costs $7,500 per veteran.
Commissioners thanked the group for the presentation, invited them to take a photograph with the Board and expressed appreciation for veterans' service. No action was required of the Board; the presentation was informational and staff noted the group's requests for community partnership opportunities.
