Army of Volunteers Makes Nest Golf Club 10th Anniversary Home Base Golf Tournament Possible

As the saying goes, it takes a village! In the case of the Nest Golf Club’s Home Base Tournament, it takes a community with 3,350 residences and a Club membership with a passion for helping heal the invisible wounds of war.

Over the last 10 years, hundreds of unsung heroes have served on the tournament committee helping secure over $2 million for no-cost clinical care for Florida Veterans. As we head into the 10^th Annual Tournament to be held November 3, 2025, we sat down with a few of the change-makers involved to discuss what makes this event so successful.

Neighbors Unite for Good

Richard Brown became involved when his neighbor in Pelican Landing, Kathy Swift (who chaired the inaugural tournament) told him about the mission and encouraged him to learn more. “Just from her passion alone, I knew I wanted to support the great work Home Base does,” Richard recalls.

For the last five years, Richard has been deeply involved in the tournament, serving on committees, collaborating with event chairs, and contributing generous financial support. He has become the top tournament contributor, is a sponsor and has rallied others to play. His involvement in the tournament and commitment to the cause led him to be invited to serve as a member of the Home Base Florida Leadership Council.

Richard believes in Home Base’s approach to care, treating Veterans with respect and dignity while offering a hand up rather than a handout. “When a cause like Home Base helps Veterans at no cost so they can live their best life, I want to be part of that,” Richard added. “I believe the more you give, the more you receive. I hope my continued support helps expand access to Home Base’s life-changing programs so that more Veterans can benefit from the services they provide.”

Charlie Young has also been involved on the committee for the last five years helping with the event fundraising. As Chair of the Fundraising Committee, he and his team of five fellow patriots secure sponsorships, teams and auction items.

“I’ve always tried to give back to my community,” said Chairlie. “Stepping up to help the men and women who gave us their all is a no-brainer. We cannot take our freedoms and liberty for granted.”

An Army of Volunteers

U.S. Army Veteran Basil Bennett has been involved in the tournament for the last five years and has stepped up this year to Chair the committee. His passion to help comes from a unique place of having served alongside Veterans. “I am very proud and grateful that our membership has come together in such a big way for a shared cause dear to my heart,” Basil said. “I don’t want the Veterans struggling with the wounds of war to ever be forgotten. Making it 10 years just confirms the foundation is set and we can continue to drive toward the elimination of Veteran suicides.”

Basil leads a committee of 35 members who work all year to put on an event of this size and 20 volunteers who help out the day of the event. Roles include fundraising, auction items, publication relations, catering, printing and many behind the scenes activities.

This milestone 10^th Anniversary tournament is already sold out at 244 golfers demonstrating the significant, steadfast commitment this generous club and its members have made to the Home Base Florida mission. The event kicks off with an action-packed Opening Ceremony with all the patriotic fanfare a Veteran’s appreciate event deserves including a performance of the national anthem by Reina Ozbay, an international child singer and actress, color guard, and a bag piper, a visit from Uncle Sam and, for the first time, a Lee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter fly over and that includes a ball drop as part of the fundraiser. The 18-hole, shotgun start tournament includes a putting and hole in one contest. Immediately following the tournament, there will be a sold-out awards dinner with 320 guests that includes a 50/50 raffle, live and silent auction and a testimonial from a Veteran who has benefited from Home Base Florida’s services.

To be sold out this far in advance is a credit to the hard work of the committee who is committed to make this year’s the best yet. “We have a large, passionate and wonderful group of volunteers,” Basil adds. “We expect this year to be our best fundraising year. We are already sold out for both the golf and dinner.”

“We have something special here at The Nest,” added Charlie. “It all gets done through many people and many meetings. Our members truly take ownerships and have a “WILL DO not just a CAN DO” attitude.”

Home Base Florida is incredibly grateful to the tournament volunteers, Nest Club members, event sponsors and donors who have such an incredible impact on our mission to expand access to our life-changing and life-saving wellness and clinical care. To support the 10^th Anniversary tournament, click here.