SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - United States Marine Corps Veteran Matt Sorenson was awarded 'Veteran of the Year' by the PGA REACH Gateway Foundation in St. Louis.

Since returning home, Sorenson has battled severe PTSD and anxiety. 

"It's hard for me to get outside of my own property. I feel safe out on the golf course. I feel safe with veterans," Sorenson said. "Then you put that with the PGA HOPE, I'm with veterans, I'm on the golf course. There's no safer area for me."

Sorenson attributes the ability to relax on the course to the game itself.

""There's so many different things to focus on while you're playing golf." Sorenson continued, "You know, it's a good mission to get that ball in a three inch hole."

The PGA HOPE Program is what got him out of the house and onto the course along with some prodding from his wife, Kristi.

Kristi said, "It's almost created a monster. He's out on the course 3 or 4 days a week. He'd be out here every day if I'd let him."

In May, Matt was chosen to represent the area in the PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup in Rochester, NY.

Now, the lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan is being awarded 'Veteran of the Year' by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.

"I think that's just for more of my progress through the last couple years. I sat back. I was alone. I didn't speak to anybody," said Sorenson. "Now where, you know, I'm stepping out of my boundaries."

Matt's mission now is to help other Veterans experiencing similar hardships, as well as getting out on the course as much as possible.

Copyright 2023. WAND TV. All rights reserved.