Zero Dark Birdie

to provide golf-centered retreats and support programs for military veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health challenges, helping them reconnect, decompress, and access life-changing treatment.

Zero Dark Birdie was founded by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Matthew Scott to address the urgent mental health crisis facing America’s military veterans. Every day, more than 17 veterans die by suicide, with thousands more struggling silently with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), depression, and anxiety. Traditional systems of care are often overwhelmed or inaccessible, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

Recognizing the healing power of golf as both a therapeutic outlet and a bridge to deeper care, Zero Dark Birdie was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide golf-centered wellness retreats that help veterans decompress, rebuild camaraderie, and reconnect with life-changing resources. These retreats combine peer-to-peer support, mindfulness practices, and structured recreation with access to trusted treatment providers, ensuring that each participant not only experiences relief during the program but also leaves with a sustainable care plan.

Grounded in the mission of Zero Veteran Suicides; Total Transformation, Zero Dark Birdie is more than a retreat program—it is a forward operating base for healing. By leveraging the game of golf and a strong referral pipeline to specialized care, the organization empowers veterans to reclaim hope, purpose, and connection.

Zero Dark Birdie creates measurable impact by addressing the mental health crisis facing veterans through golf-centered wellness retreats. Each retreat provides a safe and supportive environment where veterans can decompress, rebuild camaraderie, and access life-changing treatment pathways. By combining the therapeutic power of golf with peer-to-peer support, mindfulness practices, and direct referrals to vetted providers, we help veterans reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression while strengthening resilience and community.

Our impact extends beyond the retreat itself: participants leave with renewed hope, a network of peers, and a clear care plan that connects them to long-term resources. Through this model, Zero Dark Birdie advances its bold mission of Zero Veteran Suicides; Total Transformation, ensuring that every veteran we serve is not only supported in the moment but equipped for lasting healing and recovery.

Many veterans hesitate to seek mental health treatment due to stigma, mistrust, or the fear of being defined by their struggles. Zero Dark Birdie lowers this barrier by offering golf as a non-threatening entry point into healing. Our retreats provide a familiar, enjoyable, and supportive environment where veterans can relax, reconnect, and open up without the pressure of a clinical setting.

Through the camaraderie of the game, veterans naturally build trust with peers and facilitators, which creates space for honest conversations about their challenges. Within this safe setting, they are introduced to mindfulness practices and connected to trusted treatment providers in a way that feels empowering rather than intimidating. What begins as a round of golf often becomes the first step toward life-changing care—and for many, a turning point toward hope, healing, and transformation.

As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I have witnessed firsthand the silent battles that follow so many of us home—the weight of PTSD, the effects of traumatic brain injuries, and the invisible scars of service. Too many of my brothers and sisters in arms continue to struggle in silence, and far too many lives are lost to suicide each day.

I founded Zero Dark Birdie to change that. Golf became more than a game for me—it became a source of peace, connection, and healing. By creating golf-centered wellness retreats, we provide veterans with a safe and supportive environment to decompress, rebuild camaraderie, and discover pathways to life-changing care.