About Us
VISION AND MISSION
Vets Whole In One was founded on the concept of combining mindful meditation techniques, along with the teaching of golf to help rehabilitate war veterans. The concept was initially created by a clinical psychologist based out of the Downtown Los Angeles Veterans Administration. After years of classes, along with studies conducted by The University Of Southern California, the results have been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Vets Whole In One creates a welcoming and peaceful space, where veterans can share positive experiences with like-minded peers. We have established a community that fosters positive relationships. A community where participants enjoy the outdoors, while being physically active, and engaging with their fellow veteran brothers and sisters in a natural setting.
Vets Whole In One welcomes all veterans to our free golf clinics, golf tournaments, and mindful meditation sessions.
Our Mission:
Vets Whole in One is committed to providing mindfulness coaching, golf clinics at various locations and meals for veterans who are connecting with their peers in the community. We provide a minimum of 1 event a month that is open to the Veteran Community at no cost.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board consists of war veterans, golf professionals, and mindfulness teachers.
Jim Dennerline / PGA Professional
Founder, President
Founder and president of Vets Whole In One, Jim has been a PGA teaching professional for over 40 years. He is the proud recipient of the 2022 (SCPGA) Patriot Award. Southern California Professional Golfers Association highest award for giving back to our nations veteran community. Jim has also been an integral part of G.I.V.E (Golf Intervention for Veterans Exercise), a USC research study that demonstrated how golf play can improve physical performance, cognitive function, and social well being. Jim has worked with veterans from various health backgrounds, including those with amputations, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and severe health complications. He has a true passion for giving back, and is dedicated to helping veterans heal and live happier lives.
Nate Boyer
Board Member, Former active duty green beret, Former member of the Seattle Seahawks
Board member of Vets Whole In One, Nate is also a former member of the Seattle Seahawks and former active duty Green Beret. He has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with JCET (Joint Command Exchange Training) Missions to Israel, Bulgaria, and Greece. Nate has had a myriad of experiences such as: backpacking solo throughout Europe and Central America, working on a fishing boat in San Diego, mentoring children diagnosed with autism, and volunteering at Refugee Camps in the Darfur region of the Sudan/Chad Border. Recently, he has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a wounded veteran to raise money for clean water wells in Tanzania. He brings his can-do attitude and his belief that anything is possible.
Stephen Islas
Board member, Meditation Teacher, Navy Vietnam Combat Veteran
Teaching mindfulness meditation for over 40 years, Stephen is also a Navy Vietnam veteran and has studied with spiritual masters in India and San Francisco. He has conducted more than 150 communication and relationship workshops and has been leading men’s groups since 1984. Stephen has helped to successfully merge mindfulness with golf to help rehabilitate and heal trauma, upsets, and PTSD using his experience as a veteran and meditator. He welcomes all veterans and assures that he will “be there” and create a safe environment for them to help guide their healing on their way back home.
ADVISORY BOARD
Our programs run with the help of our talented and dedicated advisory board members. The advisory board assists in a range of functions from operations, promotion, fundraising, to helping with golf instruction and mentoring.