Wounded Navy veterans get custom club fittings at Desert Classic

A couple of wounded warriors got the chance to step up their golf game at PGA West as they both received custom club fittings. It’s all part of an outreach to those who served our country.

The driving range is packed at PGA West, as golfers get their swing in. While most on the course were seasoned veterans, these two are veterans of a higher calling…

“I was in the Navy….20 years”

“We just recently retired, family and I, 28 years in the Navy.”

For Stu Wertz and Shane McKenzie, they’re at PGA West for the Desert Classic and are getting custom fitted for their very own clubs. As they take their swings on the course, Wertz is honest about his golf game.

“It’s a process, working through it. Definitely not like a seasoned player,” Wertz said.

He’s a purple heart recipient and served in Iraq, where he was injured during an operation. Golf is a way to heal for him.

“I learned a lot from it personally and left some friends of mine, and miss them and stuff like that. They’re the real heroes,” he said.

He’s one of over 130 wounded veterans over the last 8 years, that has been custom fitted for clubs thanks to the PGA Tour’s non-profit Birdies for the Brave. For McKenzie who was also injured in Iraq, he’s glad to be out swinging a club.

“Camaraderie, being out with others. Fresh hair, Grass. I think that makes it special,” he said.

With more motivation to golf, both veterans say they’re ready to hit any course with their brand new clubs.

“It’s really nice to go out anyway. Be outside and do something like that, you know?” Wertz said.

“Whatever they already decided, we’re going to go with that,” McKenzie said.