“THIS GOES WAY BEYOND TEACHING SOMEONE HOW TO PLAY GOLF. IT’S ABOUT IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.” – ZACH STEFFEN
PGA Associate Zach Steffen joined GIVE Foundation in 2023, shortly after joining the team at Terrace Hills Golf Course as director of instruction.
What began as a simple invitation to play in a GIVE event years earlier soon turned into something much more—a chance to make a lasting impact on Iowa’s Veterans through the game he loves.
Since joining GIVE, Zach has brought compassion, patience, and purpose to every class, helping Veterans connect with each other, rediscover joy, and find healing through golf.
This is his story.
A LOCAL PRO WITH A HEART FOR SERVICE
Zach grew up on the south side of Des Moines, attended Lincoln High School, and went on to play collegiate golf at Indian Hills and Iowa State. After competing professionally, he began coaching and one day found himself invited to a GIVE tournament at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. That first interaction with GIVE stuck with him.
“They were asking for pros, and I knew some of the guys forming a team, so I said yes,” Zach said. “I was lucky enough to be there at the right time in the right place, and I’ve been aboard since.”
Years later, when GIVE was looking for a new home for its Des Moines program, Zach had just joined the staff at Terrace Hills. The timing was right. The mission was personal. He was in.
TEACHING WITH PURPOSE
At Terrace Hills, Zach leads GIVE classes alongside longtime PGA instructor Carol Nitzschke-Henrich. During class, he helps Veterans get comfortable with the basics: setup, putting, chipping, and swing mechanics, always with an emphasis on flexibility, not perfection.
“When we start the classes, we always tell them: if anything hurts or doesn’t quite feel right, tell us. We’ll work around it,” Zach said.
Zach doesn’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, he adjusts stance and motion for each individual’s needs. While some changes involve clubs or equipment, most of the time, it’s about setup.
“The way I stand and move shouldn’t look like how you move. We make the adjustments before they ever take a swing,” he explained.
And it’s not just the instruction that makes an impact. Zach brings a sense of humor and calm to each session.
“Golf can sometimes get labeled as boring, and I try to make it enjoyable and personable,” he said. “Some Veterans told me they came because their spouse took the class and said I was the funniest thing. I don’t try to be funny, I just try to make it fun.”
LEAVING A LASTING IMPRESSION
Zach may not have a military background himself, but his desire to give back runs deep.
“I was looking for something to inspire me, and to give back,” he said. “These Veterans have given so much sacrifice for all of us. It was a perfect fit for me.”
He remembers one Veteran in particular who hadn’t left the house in years due to severe PTSD.
“He said this program and the golf was really what did it,” Zach said. “That’s when I knew I was hooked. This was about more than golf—it was about improving Veterans’ quality of life and giving them something much more valuable than being able to hit a golf ball better.”
WHAT GIVE GIVES BACK
For Zach, GIVE has offered him something, too.
“Perspective,” he said. “Even on days I’m tired or not feeling great, I remind myself that someone might need this today. We’re creating values and memories that can last a lifetime.”
The Veterans agree. After this year’s Terrace Hills Veterans Scramble, GIVE Veteran Kevin Willis shared: “Zach was fantastic!”
Zach also credits his teammates for the program’s success.
“Carol and the volunteers bring so much knowledge and experience,” he said. “And we’re lucky to have volunteers who show up, even on short notice.”
He’s made it a personal mission to bring younger professionals into the fold.
“It’s fun to get new, younger people involved, too,” he said. “They need to see the value our Veterans have and the sacrifice they’ve made.”
ZACH’S MESSAGE TO VETERANS
To any Veteran thinking about signing up for GIVE, Zach has a clear message:
“Give it a shot. You’ll have a great time, you’ll get a little better at golf, you’ll learn, and you’re going to meet some great people along the way.”
Zach joined GIVE to teach the game. What he found was a greater sense of purpose—and a community of people who inspire him just as much as he inspires them.
GET INVOLVED WITH THE GIVE COMMUNITY
When it comes to supporting our Veterans here in Iowa, there’s always more work to be done.
We need your help to advance our mission of providing our Veterans with the empowerment, camaraderie, and accessibility they deserve.
If you’re searching for GIVE Volunteer opportunities in the Iowa City area, you can reach out to Mike McNamara directly via email at mike.mcnamara@riversidecasinoandresort.com.
Explore our website and follow us on social media to learn more about the GIVE community and how you can support our mission.