A Master Class in Determination
- Dan Ruder
- Jun 25, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 25
For every cliché, there is a kernel of truth.
Golf doesn't always build character; sometimes it reveals it.
What golf reveals in Marty Turcios is an ability and a will
that surprises those who dwell on the superficial.
—Golf Channel, June 2011
Two questions occasionally come up when I am speaking to people about Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf: "How did you meet Marty?” and "How did you get involved with his nonprofit?” I actually appreciate those types of questions because they show their interest. My response to those questions is usually tied to what wasn't asked: “Why did you get involved?” The title of this article has to do with the answer to all three questions.
The first time I met Marty Turcios was at a driving range in 2019. I was struggling with my swing (nothing new there), and Marty, who has a speech impairment and moves a little differently than most, came over and offered a few tips. He didn’t make a big deal out of it. He just watched, listened, and then quietly adjusted my grip and my backswing. I remember thinking, “Here’s a guy who’s got his own challenges, but he’s focused on helping me get better.”
Later that day, I watched Marty take a few practice swings with his driver, a ball teed up in front of him. I thought, “There’s a lot going on in that swing.” But watching someone with cerebral palsy swing like that - it was incredible. Then he hit the ball. Dead straight. Pure.
I just stood there, kind of stunned. The whole thing was both amazing and humbling.
Most Wednesdays, I’d spot the adaptive golf clinics at the range and see people laughing, swinging, learning. Marty was always there too, doing what he’d done for me: listening and then giving hands-on help. It took me a moment to realize that he wasn’t just part of the group. He was the one leading it. Of course he was.
Over the years, I’d catch up with Marty in the clubhouse. He’s got a sharp sense of humor, and while he has a speech impairment, he is actually easy to understand. But everything shifted in 2025 when he invited me to one of his nonprofit’s board meetings. That’s when I finally saw the bigger picture.
His nonprofit is Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf. The clinics are free for participants, but not free to run. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes, from fundraising and grant applications to organizing and making sure everyone has what they need. His board advisors include a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a person who is also an outreach coordinator for another nonprofit, both volunteers. I offered to help with the website, thinking I could at least make it easier for people to sign up for events without having to send a carrier pigeon.
That’s how I met Marty and got involved. As for why I stuck around, it isn’t complicated or mysterious. It’s because of his commitment to what he does, and the passion for why he does it. These are two sides of the same coin, in my opinion. Decades in the military have taught me to spot real commitment, and I was naturally drawn in.
Despite living with a disability, Marty runs these adaptive golf clinics for others, all as a volunteer. There’s a quiet strength in that ...strength without fanfare. If one person asks for a separate golf clinic session with Marty because they can't make it to the typical Wednesday session, Marty will do it.
While updating the website, I began learning more about adaptive golf beyond the headlines. Conversations with Marty were also helpful, chock-full of personal stories and some that delved into academic discussion. Marty explained the therapeutic benefits of adaptive golf; benefits that have been documented and are still being studied. We talked about the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) approach to instruction, where people learn to trust their instincts, find what works for them, and take charge of their progress. SDL has long been a key part of adaptive golf instruction.
I started digging into Marty’s story and the nonprofit’s roots. I watched a Golf Channel video segment about him, read letters personally written to him from sports legends, and learned about the people and veterans his nonprofit has helped since 2010. I was beginning to understand why Marty is passionate about what he does.
But when people are truly passionate about something, it's often heard in their voice and how they speak about it. When Marty talks about these ideas, you can feel his passion. He lived the principles of self-directed learning long before they were widely recognized. He knows firsthand the actual value of therapeutic golf beyond just the adaptions needed to make it a sport for everybody. His drive comes from that personal understanding and a determination to use his experience to help others.
Answering the "how" question is easy. Revealing the answer to "why" always requires a deeper response. I could have just said that Marty's commitment and passion drew me in and are why I wanted to become part of his organization. That is, essentially, my why.
As the quote at the top of this article states, golf reveals an ability and a will in Marty Turcios that surprise most people. My experience thus far has been a master class in determination, and the only thing that surprised me is that I wasn't expecting it.
This article is for informational purposes only.
If you have questions, or want to learn more about MTTG, go to MTTG.ORG
