News 2023

Mar. 29, 2023 – Birdie Blake Miller

Eleven-year-old Blake Miller, son of U.S. Air Force Veterans Erica and Ryan Miller, received his new set of golf clubs and his first private lesson from PGA Senior Certified Instructor and Jacksonville U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Director Rhonda Ferguson. When we met his mom Erica-beneficiary of our Will of Iron Golf Program-last July, she shared with us that she was expecting her second child. Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting three-month-old baby Reagan. She sat in the lesson with his big brother and judging by her face in the picture, we can confidently say she is another Birdie in the making.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance Agency, GeoPoint Surveying, Wounded Warrior Project, FCBI Fund, Guardian Fueling Technologies, SecureSI, and James J. McCall DDS. If you want to support the Birdies of Eagles Golf Program for Military Children, click here.

Mar. 23, 2023 – The Suarez Family is Our First Foursome!

One more birdie joins the nest! Raphie Suarez is the oldest son of U.S Army Veterans Mayi and Rafael Suarez, both beneficiaries of our Will of Iron Golf Program. He is a freshman at Creekside High School where we hope he will be able to try out for the golf team next year. He started his golf lessons at TPG with golf instructor Paul Powers. The Suarez Family is our first family foursome: mom + dad + 2 birdies!

Mar. 20, 2023 – Goodwill Ambassadors Gabriel George and Eric Trinidad + 20 Years of the Iraq Invasion

We caught up with our goodwill ambassadors U.S. Navy and Army Veterans Gabriel George and Eric Trinidad for nine holes at Turnbull Bay Golf Course. Regardless of the merciless wind, we enjoyed great tee shots, balls in the water, missed putts, a giant falcon, and a great lunch. Eric reminded us that twenty years today the Iraq invasion began. He was at boot camp and deployed eight months later. The memories are vivid and raw, but they know as Gabriel says, “life is for the living”. Thanks to these men and thousands of other veterans we have the privilege to enjoy freedom an a beautiful day of golf under the sun. Watch the reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/771754451198814

Mar. 13, 2023 – Youngest Birdie Starts at First Tee

Our youngest birdie, Sophia–daughter of U.S. Air Force Veteran Josh Ray, started at First Tee at The Golf Club at South Hampton. She received her new set of golf clubs back in November 2022 but had to wait to turn five to begin the lessons. She might be a princess at heart, but Sophia is determined to get the ball in the hole.

Mar. 8, 2023 – New Birdie Princess Leah

Last Wednesday, a new birdie joined the nest. Leah Priester is the youngest daughter of U.S. Air Force Veteran Bradley Priester, a beneficiary of our Will of Iron Golf Program. She received a brand-new set of golf clubs and her first private lesson from PGA Senior Certified Instructor and Jacksonville U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour Director Rhonda Ferguson. Leah was dressed like a princess ready for a ball, but instead of a “Father-Daughter Dance”, The Zellner Foundation is pleased to provide the “Father-Daughter Golf Time.”

Mar. 6, 2023 – Our Mission Stretched Out to Pensacola, Florida

On February 21, 2023, we received a submission from U.S. Army Veteran Josh Matson, who was interested in participating in our Will of Iron Golf Program. During the qualification process, we learned he lives in Pensacola, almost four hundred miles from our territory. Even though we are a small local organization with limited resources, something in Josh’s voice made us trust our motto: where there’s a will, there’s a way. We asked him to find a golf club near him and get the contact information of their golf pro. Within hours, we spoke to Grant McCormick at Lost Key Golf Club in Perdido Key, FL, and set up Josh’s lessons. Last Friday, March 3, Josh received the brand-new golf bag, donated clubs, and other supplies we shipped to him. As it is our procedure, we asked Josh for his bio. When we read it, we confirmed that we had been speaking to a one-of-a-kind patriot and a Purple Heart recipient. He allowed us to publish his story:

“My name is Josh Matson, and I am from Pensacola, FL. When I was eighteen, I watched the twin towers fall on September 11, 2001. I decided a few months later to speak with a recruiter with the Armed Forces, but I was not sure which one. I found myself sitting in the complex that had the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy next to each other. I flipped a coin- Heads Army, Tails Navy. It landed on heads. Nearly a year later, I attended boot camp as an Infantryman at Ft Benning, GA. Then, I joined the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea on January 6, 2003. In 2004 we were shipped to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 6, 2004, my unit was heading back to base after completing a mission in Ramadi. Before my truck reached the entrance, an Iraqi Police car rammed the front corner of the driver’s side and exploded. The explosion created a blast that knocked our five-ton truck into the air and caused a wave of fire to splash on the sixteen soldiers in the rear and two soldiers and a Marine in the truck’s cab. I lost consciousness, and my hands and face were on fire when I woke up. My unit had to find cover in a nearby house until we were medevac out of the area. I spent almost a year in the hospital recovering from physical and mental health issues until I was released back to my unit in October 2005. In December 2005, I separated from the Army to spend time with my wife and son, who was born on the day of our deployment. After several years, I felt I had not finished my service and decided to re-enlist in the Army. So, in Feb 2009, I attended Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and became a Bridge crew member with the Army Corp of Engineers. After graduating from AIT, I was stationed at Ft Polk, LA, when I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. After returning from Operation Enduring Freedom, I was stationed in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. During my time in Alaska, I noticed discomfort in my lower back, and we eventually decided a spinal fusion was needed to relieve the pain. Due to the nature of the surgery, I retired from the Army on Memorial Day 2015.”

We salute Josh for his faithful and courageous service to our nation. We also hope to meet him in person and play a round of golf soon.

Mar. 4, 2023 – Golf Lessons for Military Wife

Last Saturday, March 11th, we were pleased to meet Ivelisse Travieso. She served our country as a military wife for twenty-four years alongside her husband, U.S. Army-Navy Veteran Juan Travieso. After Juan became a beneficiary of the Will of Iron Golf Program at the end of 2022, Ivelisse noted a change in his behavior as golf became therapy. So, she decided to join him “in the next chapter at the links” and add it to thirty years of wonderful marriage. Spouses of military personnel share their loved ones with our nation unselfishly. The Zellner Foundation recognizes their sacrifice and is honored to include them as beneficiaries of our golf program.

Feb. 7, 2023 – Birdies of Eagles Clinic Kickoff

On Tuesday, February 7th, five of our birdies–all students of the Alexander Preparatory Academy–began their golf clinics at Brentwood Golf Course under the instruction of Monty Duncan, General Manager, and Golf Professional. The perfect weather matched the energy of these military veterans’ children. The Zellner Foundation can’t wait to see how high these bridies can fly. We will keep you updated with their progress!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance Agency, GeoPoint Surveying, Wounded Warrior Project, FCBI Fund, Guardian Fueling Technologies, and SecureSI. If you want to support the Birdies of Eagles Golf Program for Military Children, click here.

Feb. 2, 2023 – Golf Lessons for U.S. Navy Veteran

Last Thursday, February 2nd, we had the privilege to meet Lieutenant Commander José Sellés, U.S. Navy, Retired. A proud son of Puerto Rico, José joined the US Navy in January 1991 and retired after more than thirty years. He served on board USS Independence and USS George H. W. Bush. In 2010, José served as Joint Defense Operation Center Battle Captain at Kandahar, Afghanistan, during the most complex attack on base history. For his actions, he was awarded a NATO Commendation. His awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, seven Navy Commendation medals, five Navy Achievement medals, Army achievement medals, and multiple campaign medals. He is married to LT Rebecca Sellés and has a daughter, Adrianna Sellés, who is attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. We salute José for his military leadership and faithful service to our nation, and we promise to help him achieve his new mission: beat his friend–also beneficiary of The Zellner Foundation–Luis Borges, in golf.

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance Agency, GeoPoint Surveying, Wounded Warrior Project, FCBI Fund, Guardian Fueling Technologies, and SecureSI. If you want to support the Will of Iron Golf Program for Military Vets, click here.

Jan. 20, 2023 – Three Years & 30+ Veterans Milestone Celebration

Last Friday, we were blessed with great company, food, and beautiful golf weather to celebrate the third birthday of The Zellner Foundation and our 30+ Veterans Milestone at Cimarrone Golf Club. Thirteen beneficiaries and eleven Grateful Americans shared a round of golf in which some of us lost many golf balls but also gained many memories to cherish. We want to thank Factor Contractors, owned by US Navy Veteran Mike Talkington, for sponsoring our event and for his service to our nation. The video below, starring US Army Veteran Sean Karpf, is just a sample of the mood among the foursomes!