Beneficiary Spotlight - Nick Fleming -

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Post Date: Thursday, January 6, 2022

Beneficiary Spotlight - Nick Fleming
Nick Fleming was in the early stages of a promising military career with the Royal Marines before seriously injuring his knee whilst playing rugby. He needed something to give him a focus during his recovery and he was introduced to golf via a week long On Course Foundation event. His progress since, both on and off the course, has been amazing to see - significantly improving his golf and building confidence via work experience placements which has helped him to find a meaningful, alternative career.

BENEFICIARY SPOTLIGHT

Name: Nick Fleming

Rank: Marine (GD)

Regiment: 42 Commando, Royal Marines

Date joined: February 2014

Length of Service: 3 years, 8 months

Why did you decide to join the military?: I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and also got bored at University and was seeking a new challenge.

How did this injury occur?: Knee injury which led to a medical discharge.

When and how did you hear about On Course Foundation?: I attended a golf skills week at the Battle Back Centre In Lilleshall which On Course Foundation were delivering. I subsequently attending another course at Battle Back a year later and joined On Course Foundation not long after.

What was your golfing experience prior to joining On Course Foundation?: Minimal. I had only played about two full rounds in my life up to that point.

What is your experience so far - what do you take out of attending events?: At first I was interested in the employment side of the programme, especially as I was due to leave the Royal Marines not long after joining On Course Foundation. Now that I have found meaningful employment, the social aspect is the most important thing to me, keeping in touch with people I’ve met on various events and link to the Armed Forces as a whole.

Is there one particular event that stands out? Why was it so good?: Orlando 2018 has been stand out event for me so far and my words can’t really do it justice. I’m still blown away by the fact that I got to go on that trip and the week as a whole was just phenomenal.

A very close second would be the work experience event I did at the Belfry. The opportunity to get an insight into that line of work and the generosity that was shown to me by the American Golf team was fantastic.

Your employment experience/aspirations?: I was interested in event management/marketing, however, life has taken me down a different path and I do welfare work for the RAF Benevolent Fund instead. One day I would love to obtain employment in the golf industry but can’t really see in what way at the moment.

The work experience I did through On Course Foundation was a great addition to my CV when I was first looking for a job.

''It also provided me with an opportunity to challenge myself and compete within a sport after I found out that I couldn't play rugby anymore. The expert tuition and social interaction that I have experienced since my first events has been superb and I am immensely grateful for all that has been provided.''

What do you hope to gain from On Course Foundation in the future?: To continue to attend events where possible and to keep the social aspect alive. I think my focus has shifted slightly and I am really enjoying attending the fundraising days that get circulated from the On Course Foundation office.

After being given so much by the charity, I would like to do as much as possible to give something back. Unfortunately, ill health, work and lockdown restrictions got in the way last year but things will pick up again in the future.

What is your overall experience of On Course Foundation?: Although sceptical of golf at first, that probably lasted about five minutes into my first proper exposure of the sport and On Course Foundation at the Battle Back Centre.

To begin with, golf gave me something to focus on besides my rehabilitation and also gave me an excuse to get off camp, especially when my colleagues were away on exercise or deployment. It also provided me with an opportunity to challenge myself and compete within sport after I found out that I couldn’t play rugby anymore. The expert tuition and social interaction that I have experienced since my first events has been superb and I am immensely grateful for all that has been provided.

The golf itself is only one element of the charity and the work experience opportunities that I have received so far gave my CV a vital boost, especially at a time when new employment was very much the focus on my thoughts.

I am very proud to be a member of On Course Foundation and am eternally grateful for all the support that I have received. I’m also excited to see the charity grow in the future and will look to support it in any way I can.

ABOUT US

On Course Foundation continue to provide positive provision for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans - supporting their recovery and transition to civilian life through confidence building golf events and opportunities for employment in the golf industry.

As a sport, golf offers a unique platform where players of all skills and backgrounds can compete healthily, improving not only their physical but mental strength too. With many lacking self- belief, it’s our aim to help our beneficiaries realise their potential and set them on a fulfilling path.

Formed in 2010, we have seen first-hand that that participation in golf can have a profound positive effect on the rehabilitation of our beneficiaries.