Caddie School for Soldiers

What Caddie School for Soldiers does

Caddie School for Soldiers is a UK- and US-registered nonprofit charity founded in 2019 by Don J. Snyder, operating a month-long residential caddie training programme for ex-military veterans from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The programme is delivered at the Kohler Home for Soldiers on the outskirts of St Andrews, Scotland (the home of golf), with one session per year held at Kohler Co. golf properties in Wisconsin. Each session trains a cohort of six veterans under a Caddie Master at Duke's Golf Course, with all travel, food, accommodation, caddie uniform, and golf provided at no cost to the veteran. Veterans are recruited via an online enquiry form and through referral partners such as The On Course Foundation (OCF), and are screened with a brief application, a virtual mentor meeting, and a mental wellbeing form before acceptance.

The core offering is a single, unified training service rather than a suite of products. Supporting elements include a mentorship programme that brings alumni back as Caddie Mentors for subsequent cohorts, the Sgt. Richard Snyder Cup invitational tournament, and the Herb Kohler Coin presented to each graduate. The organisation has also produced a documentary, Carrying On, capturing the impact of the first session. Since inception, the school has run 10 training sessions, trained 95 veterans, converted 40+ alumni into mentors, and raised over $400,000 from donors and partners, with media coverage reaching audiences in 100+ countries.

The business model is donation-funded, with no fees charged to veterans. Revenue is derived entirely from charitable giving in both USD and GBP, accepted via the website, QR code, JustGiving, Eventbrite, and PayPal. The organisation operates a six-tier Donor Programme (Clubhouse at £500+ through Champion at £150,000+), each tier carrying named recognition benefits. Kohler Co. serves as Presenting Sponsor, providing funding, facilities, uniforms, and the Herb Kohler Coin tradition; Peak Scientific is a Supporting Sponsor; Folds of Honor extends college scholarships to veterans' children. Operating overhead is minimal — five employees plus an international volunteer collective — with separate boards in Scotland and the United States and dual legal entities (a Scottish SCIO, SC052511, and a US 501(c)(3)).

Name

Caddie School for Soldiers

Legal name

Caddie School for Soldiers SCIO

Website

https://caddieschoolforsoldiers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Caddie School for Soldiers is a UK- and US-registered nonprofit founded in 2019 that delivers free, month-long residential caddie training to ex-military veterans from the UK, US, and Canada, funded entirely by donations and corporate sponsorships led by Presenting Sponsor Kohler Co.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran support and charitable training services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Training Delivery Providers (In-Person, Virtual, Train-the-Trainer) (BPACANAM)

Keywords

• Veteran caddie training
• Military transition support
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Professional caddie education
• Veteran rehabilitation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Scotland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a registered 501(c)(3) charity in the U.S. and a Scottish Charity (SCIO, SC052511), the organization is funded entirely by donations. It accepts donations in USD and GBP via its website, QR code, JustGiving, and Eventbrite. The donor programme features named tiers (Clubhouse, Par, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross, Champion) with associated recognition benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Caddie School for Soldiers runs a free, fully-funded month-long residential caddie training programme for ex-military veterans from the U.K., U.S., and Canada at The Home for Soldiers in St Andrews, Scotland (with additional sessions at Kohler Co. properties in Wisconsin). Six veterans per cohort live on-site while receiving professional caddie instruction from a Caddie Master, mentorship from alumni, and structured wellbeing support, and graduate with The Herb Kohler Coin and the chance to be employed at world-class golf courses.

Product overview

Caddie School for Soldiers operates a single, unified charitable programme focused on training ex-military veterans to become professional caddies. The core offering is a month-long residential training programme based in St Andrews, Scotland (with additional sessions in Wisconsin, USA), where veterans receive world-class caddie instruction from a Caddie Master. The programme includes accommodation at The Home for Soldiers, mentorship from trained alumni, and culminates with graduation and presentation of The Herb Kohler Coin. The school also operates a Donor Programme with tiered recognition levels, publishes veteran stories, and produces documentary content. No separate product modules, add-ons, or SaaS offerings exist.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Veteran Caddie Training Programme
• Donor Recognition Programme
• Carrying On Documentary

Quantifiable outcome

• 95 veterans have completed the programme and 40+ caddies have become mentors since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kohler Co.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Kohler Co. serves as the core Presenting Sponsor of Caddie School for Soldiers. They provide generous donations of funds, resources, and the use of their golf properties in both the U.S. (Wisconsin) and Scotland. They have also funded essential items such as uniforms for veterans' training. The late Herb Kohler's generosity enabled the establishment of the school, and his legacy is honored through 'The Herb Kohler Coin' presented to every graduate.
• Peak ScientificcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPeak Scientific is a Supporting Sponsor whose generous contributions made the third session (first in the U.S.) and the fourth session (held in St Andrews) possible. Peak Scientific is listed as an Albatross-level donor.
• Folds of HonorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFolds of Honor generously provides college scholarships to the children of U.S. veterans who complete the Caddie School for Soldiers programme, extending support beyond the veteran to their family.
• The On Course Foundation (OCF)coreOthersThe On Course Foundation (OCF) is a veteran organisation that provides opportunities for veterans to learn, enjoy, and build golfing skills. Many of those who attend and complete the Caddie School for Soldiers programme are referred by OCF. The organisation also provides golfing skills development that complements the caddie training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Hire Heroes USA: US non-profit providing free professional development, job search, and career coaching to veterans. Comparable as a veteran-to-civilian workforce transition nonprofit, with the same 'free training to job placement' value proposition.
• Folds of Honor: US non-profit providing scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans. Already a partner of Caddie School for Soldiers (offers scholarships to veterans' children). Comparable in mission alignment and donor base, with overlapping beneficiary families.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led disaster response organisation that uses service to help veterans transition. Comparable as a veteran-purpose non-profit with a strong peer community model, though focused on humanitarian operations rather than sport.
• Bob Woodruff Foundation: US non-profit focused on post-9/11 veterans and their families, funding programmes in education, employment, and康复. Comparable as a medium-sized veteran-focused non-profit with corporate donor relationships.
• The Mission Continues: US non-profit that deploys veterans as volunteer leaders in community service, with a focus on post-service purpose and transition. Comparable in targeting the same veteran transition-to-purpose arc, though delivered through community service rather than sport.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large US non-profit providing programs and services to veterans and service members. Comparable as a veteran-focused charity with a similar donor-funded model, though broader in scope (mental health, physical wellness, employment) and not sport-specific.
• The Gary Sinise Foundation: Major US veteran-support charity funding programs for wounded heroes, including entertainment, education, and specialised equipment. Already an Eagle-level donor to Caddie School for Soldiers; comparable in mission and donor base.

Others

• The R&A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews): Governing body of golf worldwide (outside the Americas & Mexico) and custodian of The Open. Operates in St Andrews, the same ecosystem as Caddie School for Soldiers; comparable as an adjacent institution shaping the caddie profession and St Andrews' golf employment market.
• PGA of America: US-based golf trade association representing PGA Professionals. Comparable as an adjacent institution in the US golf industry that certifies and employs golf professionals, with potential partnership and employment pathways for veteran alumni.

Direct peers

• On Course Foundation (OCF): UK/US-based charity that uses golf to help wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans. Most direct comparable — it's also a referral partner for Caddie School for Soldiers and operates in the same veteran-golf intersection with training and employment pathways.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/caddieschoolvet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CaddieSchoolforSoldiers-CSS
• Facebookfacebook.com/caddieschoolforsoldiers
• Instagraminstagram.com/caddieschoolforsoldiers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caddie-school-for-soldiers

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caddie School for Soldiers