Salute Military Golf Association

What Salute Military Golf Association does

Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers adaptive golf programming to post-9/11 wounded veterans across the United States. The organization operates seven regional chapters and more than 25 clinic locations, anchored by its founding Mid-Atlantic chapter at Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring, Maryland, and has cumulatively served 6,000+ members since 2007, with 300+ veterans participating in 2025. Programs are delivered by PGA-certified professionals and military veteran instructors using modified equipment and adaptive techniques tailored to physical and cognitive injuries.

SMGA funds its programming through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and event-based fundraising, with its signature Charity Golf Classic having cumulatively raised more than $1.9 million. The organization maintains a layered partnership ecosystem that includes TaylorMade (equipment), Booz Allen Hamilton and StepStone Group LP (corporate sponsors), host venues such as Argyle Country Club and Chambers Bay, and institutional endorsers including the PGA of America, which awarded SMGA its 2024 Patriot Award. SMGA is enrolled in the Combined Federal Campaign and holds GuideStar Platinum transparency designation.

Operational expansion has been incremental and chapter-driven: Maryland (2007), New York (2011), Hawaii (2014), Colorado and Pacific Northwest (2015), and most recently Georgia (2023). In 2024, SMGA launched the American Golfer Program, a remote/mobile adaptive golf format designed to reach veterans outside the fixed clinic footprint. Leadership comprises co-founder Jim Estes, President Jamie Winslow, and Executive Director Chris Johnson, supported by a 1-10 person staff.

Name

Salute Military Golf Association

Legal name

Salute Military Golf Association

Website

https://smga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Salute Military Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers adaptive golf programming across seven chapters and 25+ clinic locations to post-9/11 wounded veterans, funded through corporate sponsorships and its signature Charity Golf Classic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Adaptive Golf Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive golf programs
• Veteran rehabilitation services
• Nonprofit adaptive sports
• Charity golf tournaments
• Military family support

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Charity Golf Tournament Revenue: The SMGA Charity Golf Classic and other hosted golf tournaments raise funds through participant entry fees, sponsorships, and auction/raffle items. The annual Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $1.9 million supporting veteran recovery programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors (Platinum, Silver, Bronze tiers) provide financial support in exchange for brand visibility at tournaments and events. Major sponsors include StepStone Group LP, Booz Allen Hamilton, The Logan Home Group, and others.
3. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute via the SMGA website (online donations), mail-in checks, and in-kind donations of golf equipment. SMGA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN #65-1296873).
4. Retail Revenue (AmazonSmile): SMGA participates in the AmazonSmile program, receiving 0.5% of qualifying Amazon purchase prices directed to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SMGA delivers free adaptive golf programs, family-inclusive golf opportunities, and once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences to post-9/11 wounded U.S. veterans and their families. Core deliverables are the 6-week Warrior Golf Clinics taught by PGA Class A Professionals at chapter locations, the American Golfer Program (6 private lessons plus a custom-fitted set of TaylorMade clubs for veterans not near a chapter), and member benefits including lifetime free instruction, discounted greens fees, and tournament participation. All offerings are provided at no cost to eligible veterans.

Product overview

The Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) operates a unified suite of rehabilitative golf programs for post-9/11 wounded veterans. The core offerings include the Warrior Golf Clinics (6-week adaptive golf instruction by PGA professionals at chapter locations), The American Golfer Program (remote participation via matched PGA professionals with equipment provision), the annual SMGA Charity Golf Classic (primary fundraising tournament), and the Booz Allen Hamilton Tournament Series (nationwide fundraising events). Membership benefits complement these programs by providing ongoing access to golf courses, instruction, tournaments, and experiences. Programs are delivered through 7 chapters and 25+ clinic locations across the country.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Warrior Golf Clinics Six-week adaptive golf instruction program delivered by PGA Class A Professionals at chapter locations, designed for wounded and injured post-9/11 servicemen and women in recovery. Clinics promote camaraderie among warriors and encourage family-centered activities; provided free of charge to eligible veterans.
• The American Golfer Program Remote-delivery program enabling post-9/11 wounded veterans not near a chapter location to participate in six private golf lessons with local PGA professionals, including custom club fitting and a set of TaylorMade equipment. Provided free of charge to verified eligible veterans.
• SMGA Charity Golf Classic Annual fundraising golf tournament held each June at Norbeck Country Club in Rockville, MD. Has raised more than $1.9 million supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of post-9/11 wounded veterans; 100% of net proceeds from tournament entry fees go to SMGA programs.
• Booz Allen Hamilton Tournament Series Nationwide annual series of golf fundraising tournaments conducted in partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton, with events held across the country to benefit SMGA programs. Has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to date through nationwide Booz Allen Hamilton volunteer planning and execution.
• SMGA Vet-Am Tournament Annual tournament featuring a 5-person captain's choice scramble format where each foursome plays with an SMGA Purple Heart veteran, held at Argyle Country Club with title sponsorship by The Logan Home Group. Includes lunch, on-course beverages, and awards reception with open bar cocktail party and dinner.
• SMGA Membership Benefits Benefits package for SMGA members including free golf instruction for life, free and discounted greens fees at partner golf courses, free tournament participation, lifetime equipment discounts, paid entry into amateur tours (VGA), free handicap services, and access to once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences such as The Masters, Tiger Jam, Russell Wilson Celebrity Invitational, and Golf Ireland.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served nearly 6,000 veterans since founding in 2007, with over 300 veterans served in 2025 alone.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, supporting and minor.

• Booz Allen HamiltoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual nationwide tournament series partner. Booz Allen Hamilton employees across the country donate hundreds of hours to plan golf events and volunteer at tournaments. To date, these events have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for SMGA programs.
• StepStone Group LPflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic, providing major financial support for the organization's annual flagship fundraising event.
• TaylorMade GolfcoreOthersProvides custom-fitted sets of TaylorMade golf clubs (11 clubs and a golf bag) to veterans who complete the American Golfer Program. SMGA members also receive substantial discounts on TaylorMade and Adidas golf gear through an equipment discount program.
• The Logan Home GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the annual SMGA VET-AM Tournament at Argyle Country Club. The Logan Home Group is a veteran-owned and operated real estate group serving Maryland, D.C., NoVa, and Southern Pennsylvania.
• Argyle Country ClubcoreOthersSMGA headquarters location in Silver Spring, MD. SMGA Maryland chapter clinics are held at Argyle Country Club, which provides free or discounted access to SMGA members. Also hosts the annual VET-AM tournament.
• Montgomery County (MD) Municipal Golf CoursessupportingOthersProvides discounted greens fees to SMGA members: $15 cart fee Monday-Thursday; free play on Fridays after 1pm (must call day-of). Part of SMGA member benefits package.
• Olney Golf ParkcoreOthersFlagship clinic location for SMGA Maryland since 2007. Provides one free bucket of balls per day to SMGA members. Home course of co-founder Jim Estes, PGA.
• Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course (Fort Carson)coreOthersHost venue for SMGA Colorado chapter clinics, which operate out of Fort Carson. PGA Professional Paul Surniak directs the program at this location.
• Chambers Bay Golf ClubcoreOthersHost venue for SMGA Pacific Northwest chapter. PGA Professionals at Chambers Bay (including Brent Zepp) run three Warrior Clinic series per year. Home of the 2015 US Open.
• Kaneohe Klipper GCcoreOthersHost venue for SMGA Hawaii chapter on the island of Oahu. PGA Member Mo Radke oversees the chapter, which runs programs year-round.
• Master PGA Professional Brad ClaytoncoreOthersMaster PGA Professional directing SMGA Carolinas chapter with nearly 30 years of teaching experience. Programs offered at Ft. Bragg, Camp Lejeune, and Pinehurst, NC. Named one of the top teachers in North Carolina by Golf Digest magazine in 2019.
• Veterans Golfers Association (VGA)supportingOthersSMGA reimburses members for VGA membership, local registration fees, and green fees and cart fees for up to 3 events plus regionals or nationals. VGA hosts 350+ tournaments annually culminating in a national championship.
• Ship StickssupportingOthersGolf club shipping partner offering SMGA members a discount on worldwide door-to-door golf club transportation services.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP VisionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• Capital BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• Capitol Tax GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• SigmatechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• Western Transportation GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• Superior Communications Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the SMGA Charity Golf Classic.
• AmazonSmilesupportingOthersSMGA participates in the AmazonSmile program, receiving 0.5% of qualifying Amazon purchase prices directed to the organization. Same Amazon experience, same prices, same Prime benefits, with charitable donation attached.
• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal employees can contribute to SMGA through the Combined Federal Campaign. SMGA CFC ID# is 80143. This provides a payroll giving option for federal employees to support the organization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PGA REACH: The PGA of America's charitable foundation delivering PGA-led programming including adaptive golf for veterans and individuals with disabilities. Closest mission-aligned peer given shared PGA professional delivery model and adaptive golf focus.
• Veterans Golfers Association (VGA): National nonprofit that hosts 350+ amateur golf tournaments annually for veterans, culminating in a national championship. Directly comparable as a fellow veteran-golf organization with which SMGA coordinates on VGA membership reimbursement and tournament entry for its members.

Emerging players

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Veteran enrichment nonprofit building community connections through fitness and shared activities. Comparable as a veteran-wellness nonprofit using physical activity (including golf chapters) for reintegration, paralleling SMGA's rehabilitation mission.
• Hope For The Warriors: National nonprofit supporting post-9/11 wounded veterans, service members, and military families through clinical, financial, and recreational programs. Directly comparable wounded-veteran peer that also offers fitness and recreational outlets.
• Disabled Sports USA: National nonprofit providing adaptive sports opportunities to individuals with disabilities, including veterans. Overlaps with SMGA on the adaptive-sports-for-special-needs model, though operates across many sports rather than golf specifically.
• Folds of Honor: Military family nonprofit providing educational scholarships, supported by a national golf fundraising tournament circuit. Comparable as a military-affiliated nonprofit leveraging golf events as a primary fundraising channel.
• Salute America's Heroes: Nonprofit supporting severely wounded post-9/11 veterans and their families through financial assistance and rehabilitation programs. Directly comparable as a post-9/11 wounded-veteran service nonprofit competing for overlapping donor and beneficiary populations.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Largest post-9/11 veterans advocacy organization, focused on policy, benefits, and community. Comparable as a national post-9/11 veteran nonprofit with overlapping member demographics and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest US nonprofit serving post-9/11 wounded veterans across mental health, physical rehabilitation, career transition, and long-term support. Comparable as a wounded-veteran services nonprofit competing for the same donor dollars and member attention.
• Fisher House Foundation: Major military-family nonprofit operating comfort homes near VA and military medical centers. Comparable as a well-established post-9/11 veteran/military-family organization embedded around Walter Reed/Bethesda with national reach and significant donor base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salute-military-golf-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Salute Military Golf Association