Golf tournament supports local fallen Marine, therapy group

There’s still time to sign up for a fundraiser in memory of a local Marine and the therapy group that’s helped him and so many others.

The first annual Tyler Switzer Memorial Golf Tournament is set for May 5 at the Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa.

Switzer, a 25-year-old Vacaville resident, was a Vacaville Police Department cadet who later became an Explorer with the Fairfield Police Department. He attended college would follow his younger brother, Andrew, into the Marine Corps. He deployed several times, his last to the Middle East and was with a special unit that was part of the Afghan withdrawal, said his dad, Ron.

He completed his service in January 2022 and charted a new course to become a commercial airline pilot. Set to begin flight school May 22, he was killed May 13 in a motorcycle crash on Pleasants Valley Road.

American Military University officials posthumously awarded Switzer his degree and will fly his family up for the graduation, all expenses paid, in June. Andrew will walk in his brother’s stead.

Proceeds from the fundraiser, held in partnership with Solano Family First Responders, will benefit E5 Therapy, which provides treatment and mental healthy services to military veterans and first responders.

The therapy group helped Tyler when he returned from a deployment to the Middle East, Ron said, and has also helped his surviving family members as well as military and other first responders in need, many times pro bono. The memorial golf tournament is simply a way to honor Tyler and give back to both E5 and the community.

“Through therapy, I have to keep finding ways to celebrate his life,” Ron told The Reporter earlier this year.

Tyler, said his dad, was an amazing human being who always looked out for others. That’s what he wants people to remember.

“He had the biggest heart in the world,” Ron emphasized.

Which leads to the golf tournament. Tyler was amazing at golf, Ron said, and the event is a way to give back by supporting E5 Therapy.

Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by lunch at 10 and a shotgun start at noon.

Cost is $175 per person, 4-player scramble and includes Green fee, cart fee, hosted beverages, lunch, dinner and an awards reception at 4:30 p.m.

Deadline to enter is April 15.

Donations are also being sought. For example, gift baskets, items to place in baskets and other items for a silent auction/raffle to benefit E5.

For more information, to donate items or to buy tickets, contact Ron Switzer at tylerswitzermemorialgolf@gmail.com or 372-2813.