USMC Sergeant Michael Nicholson enlisted in the Marine Corps because the military was in his blood. Generations before him had proudly served. While on combat foot patrol in Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion 12th Marines, Mike was catastrophically injured by a 40-pound improvised explosive device. He lost both of his legs and his left arm.
Many surgeries later and well along in his recovery, Mike was introduced to adaptive sports by his wife, Katie, after she saw a TV special about the Invictis Games, an adaptive sport competition for the military. Mike went on to golf and swim on Team USA for the Invictis Games and on the Marine Corps team in the Warrior Games. After those competitions, Mike transitioned his focus to golf.
He has been using the VertaCat golf chair for nearly three years. As an assistant golf professional at Hunter’s Green Country Club, the VertaCat makes Mike’s daily work easier and far more accessible. He is able to ride around the course to check on golfers, support the member experience, and stay engaged with the flow of play without the physical strain that once limited him.
With the support of adaptive equipment and a growing community around him, Mike’s goals have sharpened. In the short term, he aims to have a strong golf season and compete in six adaptive tournaments. Long term, he hopes to continue teaching adaptive golf and ultimately earn his PGA card.
The sport has transformed Mike’s mental health, giving him something meaningful to work toward, time outdoors, and a sense of belonging. Adaptive tournaments connect him with both veterans and civilians, creating a tight-knit community built on shared challenges, encouragement, and mutual respect. At Hunter’s Green, many members had never played alongside someone with a disability before, and now they have become enthusiastic supporters—some even caddying for him. Watching that shift unfold is one of the most rewarding parts of Mike’s journey.
His recent success on the course—two second‑place finishes and a stretch of consistently strong play—provide even more motivation, but for Mike, success is also measured by how many veterans and differently abled golfers he can help bring into the game. With golf courses on nearly every military base, he sees the sport as an accessible, healing outlet for service members and civilians alike.