Beneficiary Spotlight
Name: Andy Stevens
Regiment: Royal Army Ordnance Corps, the Royal Logistics Corps – I became an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO)
Rank: I retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Why did you decide to join the military?: I wanted to join the Army from a very young age and during the 1970s I watched a TV programme called Nationwide. The BBC embedded a TV film crew with the Army Bomb Disposal Teams in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles and I was hooked. This was my first choice career.
Date joined: January 1981. I arrived at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, aged 19.
Length of service: 33 and a half years.
Why did you leave the military?: I had a mental health crisis in 2013 and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I was medically discharged in July 2014.
How did this injury/illness occur?: I returned from an operational tour in Afghanistan in December 2012, I was emotionally fragile and in early 2013 Margaret Thatcher died. The coverage of her death included footage of the 1982 Falklands Conflict. I am a Falklands Veteran and had witnessed the bombing of the two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristam. The TV’s images acted as a trigger for a mental health breakdown and I received mental health care prior to my medical discharge from the Army.
When and how did you hear about On Course Foundation?: I heard about the On Course Foundation through the Preston Personnel Recovery Unit (PRU) in January 2014.
What was your golfing experience prior to joining On Course Foundation?: I had no golfing experience prior to the age of 40 (2003) when I started hacking around the course at Catterick Garrison as a form of relaxation. I was not able to play much golf in the Army’s time due to the demands and as a result I did not represent my unit, Corps of the Army at golf.
‘’Each event helped me slowly get back on my feet; this was from my new found confidence in golf skills through great coaching and self-confidence in being able to talk about my mental health issues. I also met other Veterans with PTSD and this helped me with my understanding of this unseen injury.’’
What is your experience of On Course Foundation so far?: The first year of being with On Course Foundation was critical to my recovery and learning how to live with PTSD. Each event helped me get back on my feet; this was from my new found confidence in golf skills through great coaching and self-confidence in being able to talk about my mental health issues.
I also met other Veterans with PTSD and this helped me with my understanding of this unseen injury. I have also made it into the Simpson Cup team. This fantastic event pits wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and Veterans from the UK and America against each other in a Ryder Cup style match play event. This gives me a tremendous sense of achievement and I love the opportunity to meet up with my American contemporaries.
Your employment experience so far: I take great pride in being a volunteer Ambassador for the On Course Foundation. In this role I have attended a variety of golf trade events and represented the On Course Foundation at a number of fundraising days. I have also taken on more voluntary roles at my own golf club, including becoming a volunteer assistant greenkeeper which provides me with a real mission and purpose in life. Being out on the golf course when I am playing or working is great therapy.
What do you hope to gain from On Course Foundation in the future?: I have a number of goals for the future. I hope to become a golf rules official so that I can be a match official at future Simpson Cup competitions. I also hope to get me handicap below 5 whilst maintaining my friendships with the incredible people that I have met through On Course Foundation and I hope to welcome other wounded, injured and sick Veterans to this amazing and highly effective charity.
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.