Wanted: Your no-longer-used golf balls and clubs

Mission: Bring joy, stress relief and rehabilitation to our troops around the world

Longtime Biltmore Park neighbors Paul and Tara Nickel on S. Braeside Drive are on a mission, and they need your help.

Paul, a longtime golf enthusiast and regional volunteer for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Bunkers in Baghdad, is collecting gently used golf balls and clubs to send to U.S. troops stationed around the globe. This incredible nonprofit ships golf equipment to active-duty military members, injured veterans and rehabilitation clinics to provide a meaningful outlet for recreation, therapy and stress relief  — and to improve their game!

Since its founding in 2008 by attorney Joe Hanna, Bunkers in Baghdad has shipped more than 13 million golf balls and over 1 million golf clubs to soldiers serving in more than 70 countries. What started as a simple idea after Hanna read a Golf Magazine article describing troops creating makeshift driving ranges in Iraq has grown into a worldwide operation bringing joy and a sense of normalcy to thousands of military personnel.

When Hanna needed someone to help lead the effort in the Southeast, he turned to Paul Nickel. Paul has become a powerful advocate and organizer for the cause. Last year Paul and Tara were honored with the President’s Award at the annual Bunkers in Baghdad Golf Tournament for their outstanding service and dedication.

Paul has helped spearhead donor drives, resulting in massive donations of more than 5,100 golf clubs and 62,000 golf balls.

Paul is calling on his Biltmore Park neighbors to be part of this generous movement. If you have old golf balls or clubs collecting dust in your garage, drop them off for donation. Every single item makes a difference.

All donations go directly to support the men and women serving our country, providing an outlet that builds morale, promotes recovery and reconnects them with a game they love or have just discovered.

Let’s come together as a neighborhood to support this incredible mission. To coordinate a drop-off or ask questions, contact Paul Nickel at (585) 314-7473 or via email at nickelapaul@gmail.com.

Doug Smith, head of the Biltmore Park Golf Association, is working with Paul to organize a future Biltmore Park Golf Gear Drive, so stay tuned for collection dates and drop-off locations.