Veteran/Active Military

MISSION STATEMENT: To establish an effective program designed solely around the message “Thank You” to show our veterans/active military how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

Veterans/Active Military personnel deserve recognition and appreciation for the service and sacrifice they’ve made protecting our nation. Viera East Golf Club Management and Staff want to say Thank You to these veterans/active military by sharing the physical and mental benefits of golf as well as the fun of the sport with them

In 2009 the current Veteran/Active Military Program was developed. We conducted four free clinics for disabled veterans and followed up the clinic with a free lunch. The disabilities ranged from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to individuals with multiple amputees. We averaged 25 participants in the first four clinics but wanted to get more people involved.

In 2010 we offered a total of seven free clinics. Four clinics would be conducted on the driving range/putting green and would include lunch. The additional three clinics were designed as course management clinics. These clinics were limited to a smaller group size but were more interactive as we were on the course discussing “every round” scenarios.

Keeping with the seven clinic schedule, 2011 presented us another year to give back to our hero’s. We conducted four range clinics and three course management clinics. In addition to the clinics we are developing a gift box program where we send items of need to our men and women severing abroad. Last year we had the opportunity to team up with the Washington Nationals during Spring Training to send baseball gear to Afghanistan. As you can imagine, being so far from friends, family and home in general can cause moral to dip during down time. The Nationals generously donated enough equipment to field five (9 man) teams giving our men and women the opportunity to pass the time more enjoyably. We have also been awarded by Ping one of eleven Adaptive Fitting Systems in the Country. This fitting system was developed by Dr. Paul Wood in order to give people with disabilities the opportunity to play golf with equipment specifically designed for their needs. With this fitting system we are able to fit those in wheel chairs, those with artificial limbs, people with little to no hand strength and the list goes on.

As with all great programs Viera East Golf Club could not be as effective without the help of our sponsors. Sysco donates the hamburgers and hotdogs for the clinic (3 year supporter). Coke donates all the beverages for the clinic and lunch (3 year supporter). The Viera Woman’s club helps with Registration, serving lunch and baking desserts for lunch. Suzy Turner PT provides physical therapy advice to those in need of a little help with developing stability during the process of swinging a golf club (3 year supporter). To all of our sponsors we say thank you, not only for your support of the program but for seeing and understanding the magnitude and the importance of giving back to our military.

As 2012 rolls on we look forward to seeing new faces and developing new friendships. We are actively searching new ways to expand the program in 2013 in order to reach more of our veterans and active military personnel. If you are interested in attending one of our clinics please call (321) 639-6500 to sign up as a limited number of spots are available. If you would like to donate to or are interested in sponsoring an event please call Justin Wasson at (321) 639-6500. For a look at the schedule for the 2012 Veteran/Active Military Program please click here.

As simply as it is stated, it’s not stated enough, THANK YOU to all the veterans past, present and future. Your service and sacrifice is honored at Viera East Golf Club and we understand that the freedoms we enjoy are directly attributed to that service and sacrifice!