OPERATION

Albatross

A retreat mission for healing the invisible wounds of war through golf, connection, and purpose. We help veterans heal from trauma through mental health awareness exercises, psychoeducation and engagement through community, and personalized care. It’s not just therapy — it’s a new mission.

Our Mission

From Combat to Clubhouse:
Ending Veteran Suicide with Purpose

Our Mission is to create transformative retreats where veterans rediscover hope, healing, and community—starting on the fairway.

Zero Dark Birdie, based in Southern California, is a nonprofit with a mission to end veteran suicide—because an average of 18 veterans die by suicide every day in the U.S.

Through our psychoeducation training, we meet veterans in the silence of their struggle and offer connection, therapy, and purpose. Each experience is customized—partnering with providers to deliver critically informed healing and peer camaraderie.

This isn’t just about golf. It’s about transformation. It's about giving warriors a new mission: to fight for their own future.

Help us
change the stats.

We Need A Solution for Veteran Mental Health

Every day, approximately 18 U.S. veterans die by suicide. For many, the war doesn’t end when they come home — it just gets quieter. At Zero Dark Birdie, we believe that healing isn’t a luxury — it’s a mission. Yet too often, that mission is abandoned.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and moral injury make it difficult for veterans to reintegrate, build relationships, or even find peace. Civilian life becomes another battlefield.

Together, we can change the statistics — one retreat, one veteran, one round of golf at a time. Through golf-centered retreats, we meet veterans in the silence of their struggle and offer connection, therapy, and purpose. Each experience is customized—partnering with providers to deliver critically informative healing and peer camaraderie.

The Price of Invisible Wounds ...

18/day

On average, roughly 18 veterans die by suicide every day. A recent study estimates the number could be as high as 44.

... and climbing, without support

29%

29% of Global War on Terrorism Veterans are known to suffer from PTSD.

The clock is still ticking ...

140K+

Since 2001, there have been over 140K reported veteran suicide deaths.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report; Mission Roll Call, The State of Veteran Post-Traumatic Stress (2024); MDedge Federal Practitioner, 2024 Suicide Report Summary

Empowering Veterans

Healing Through Golf and Connection

We connect veterans to trauma-informed care

through trusted mental health partners and personalized education that empowers self-healing.

Discover healing through precision, patience, and connection — one hole at a time.

Our golf retreats restore purpose and build unbreakable camaraderie.

From campfire talks to team scrambles, our events bring the tribe back together

because no one should walk the fairway alone.

Thousands of Veterans have restored hope and clarity in their lives through community-based activities.

Our Foundational Healing Grants enable veterans to access safe, guided psychedelic therapy. Word is quickly spreading about how effective these therapies are–our waitlist continues to grow, with hundreds of veterans eager to embark upon this promising frontier of treatment.

Meet the Team

Our Zero Dark Team

Matthew Scott

FOUNDER

Matthew Scott is a Marine Corps Veteran, Risk Analyst and founder of Zero Dark Birdie, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans heal through golf, community, and mental health support.

Eddie Ramirez

BOARD MEMBER

A dedicated USMC Veteran and Intelligence Analyst, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Zero Dark Birdie team. With a passion for supporting fellow veterans, he leads initiatives that focus on mental health and wellness.

Cody Harris

CO-FOUNDER

Cody Harris is a dedicated Board Member at Zero Dark Birdie, bringing his extensive experience as a Navy Veteran and a passionate Mental Health Advocate to the team.

Raymundo Garza

MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR

Marine Corps Veteran, dedicated Veteran Advocate and Mental Health Specialist with 8 years of experience in Veteran Case Management services. Graduate of California State University Long Beach. Passionate about promoting mental wellness, recovery and access to quality services for Veterans through compassionate and evidence-based care

Nick Meraz

BOARD MEMBER

Nick Meraz is a Navy Veteran from 2005-2009 and has a lived experience dealing with the struggles that come with PTSD and issues after his time in service.

One Retreat. A Lifetime Shift

Tee Off with Zero Dark Birdie

TBD

Zero Dark Birdie Golf Retreat

Join us for a one-of-a-kind retreat where elite veterans reconnect with themselves and each other through the healing power of golf, camaraderie, and quiet. This is more than a game — it’s a pathway back to peace.

Need Help Now?

We encourage anyone seeking help to contact our partners at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or the Veterans Crisis Line.

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