Helping disabled veterans through golf

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (WPVI) -- A day on the course for this foursome is something of a miracle.

Marine Capt. Jason Haag tells us, "Oh no, absolutely not. A couple of years ago I thought I'd be dead, for sure, absolutely. So to be out here and be able to do this is amazing."

This group of injured and disabled war veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have gone to hell and back.

Some have lost limbs, and now live with life altering injuries.

Retired Marine Cpl. Christopher Bowers says, "We like to flock towards people that have similar experiences that we have. So we don't feel like outcasts. And we really surround ourselves with guys that have been through the same things we have, and there's a real deep bond there."

And that bond is now on Mays Landing's golf course, where the first ever April C Kauffman Golf Outing took place.

It's now also the new home of the South Jersey chapter of Disabled Sports USA, Warfighter Sports.

Edward Afanador, Retired Marines, Air Force, Army, explains, "What we do is, we actually provide warriors injured in Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to learn the game of golf."

Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Thom says, "Not only are we taken care of, but our care givers as well. A lot of people don't understand that our caregivers not only go through what we go through every day but they go through it with us."

The golf tournament ended a three day event. The organization teaches veterans golf and other sports and reintegrates them into society.

Everything provided by the nonprofit is free of charge to wounded veterans and their caregivers, including adaptive equipment and individualized instruction.

Popular veterans activist April Kauffman started the idea four years ago, but she was murdered before she could see it through.

Her daughter, Kim Pack, came in show of support.

Pack says, "Just the group of people she's been able to affect, and they're all coming together to carry on her name, is just so humbling."

And now with this year's new sponsorship with Disabled Sports USA, organizers are hoping to get even more people on the greens.