On Course Foundation Information

The On Course Foundation supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans through golf. Our mission is to build confidence and self-belief in our members through golf skills and employment events, and set them on the path to meaningful full-time employment opportunities 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. Led by our dedicated PGA professionals, our programme of golf activities aims to restore self-confidence and provide a sense of purpose to our members who once struggled to see hope in their future. With many lacking self- belief, it’s our aim to help our members realise their potential and set them on a fulfilling career path. The Foundation’s founder, John Simpson MBE, visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in June 2009 and was moved by what he saw and heard. Although John only has one good leg following childhood polio, he has played golf to a high standard since the age of 14 and maintains a successful career in the golf industry. John spoke to the patients, many amputees, about the opportunities in golf and related this to his own life experience. Many patients were enthused by the opportunity to participate, compete and work in such a sport. An initial pilot golf skills scheme took place in September 2009, run in collaboration with the staff at Headley Court, and was a great success. All this was the genesis of the charity; John’s aim was to create a charity, the On Course Foundation, to offer injured Servicemen, women and veterans the opportunity to participate in golf on a level playing field with everyone else, either as a player or through employment in the golf industry. The On Course Foundation was officially launched on 2 July 2010 at the Royal Household Golf Club at Windsor Castle.