Powering the Future — and Honoring the Past: How Kyle Murray Is Transforming Collision Repair and Supporting Veterans at American Lake

When you meet Kyle Murray, owner of Murray’s Collision Group, you see a leader equally committed to innovation and community — a third-generation auto craftsman who is now guiding the collision-repair industry into the EV era.

This year, Kyle was honored with the 2025 Arrow Award from Fix Auto USA, a national recognition reserved for standout leaders who elevate their teams, embrace technology, and model the future of the industry. Under his leadership, Murray’s Collision Group has expanded to four Fix Auto and two CARSTAR locations, including two EV-certified, Tesla-approved repair centers—a milestone that positions the company at the forefront of the Pacific Northwest’s electric-vehicle transition.

But while Kyle is steering the business into the future, he remains deeply grounded in the values his family has upheld for decades: craftsmanship, integrity, and service.

And one of the places where that service is making a meaningful impact is at a remarkable, veteran-built facility just south of Seattle.

A Course Like No Other — and a Fleet That Needs the Community’s Help

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood is a national treasure: the only fully ADA-accessible golf course in the United States created specifically for disabled veterans. Designed, operated, and maintained largely by veterans and volunteers, the course provides more than recreation — it offers rehabilitation, community, and a renewed sense of purpose for those recovering from physical injuries, mobility challenges, and PTSD.

Recently, the course achieved an important milestone: 15 aging golf carts were replaced to meet growing demand and ensure that veterans with mobility limitations could continue enjoying the course safely and comfortably.

For now, there is no shortage — veterans are able to play without interruption.

But the long-term challenge is clear:

Another 45 carts still need to be replaced over the next five years to prevent accessibility constraints in the future. As the course grows in popularity and usage increases, the window for replacing the remaining carts becomes more critical.

Where Kyle Murray Stepped In

Upon learning about the course’s long-term needs, Kyle took action. Murray’s Collision Group became the first official sponsor of the new and improved Golf Cart Replacement Program, helping catalyze broader community support and establishing a model for local businesses who want to contribute to the ongoing sustainability of a veteran-focused institution.

In a recent video filmed at the course, Kyle underscores why this mission matters:

“This course is about healing,” he says. “Right now everything is working, but if we don’t plan ahead and replace the remaining carts over the next few years, some veterans might lose access to a place that means so much to them.”

His message is as much a call to service as it is a challenge to other business leaders: Join the movement. Help keep the course strong. Ensure its future.

Watch Kyle’s video here!

Leadership That Extends Beyond the Shop Floor

Kyle’s involvement with American Lake reflects the same qualities that earned him the Arrow Award: future-focused leadership, a commitment to people, and a deep respect for the community he serves.

While he invests in EV readiness, advanced equipment, and expansion across the region, he is equally committed to honoring veterans — not only through words, but through action.

It’s a balance of innovation and compassion that defines his approach to leadership.

A Forward-Looking Mission

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is not facing a crisis today — and that’s exactly why planning matters. With 15 new carts already in service and 45 left to replace, the next five years are crucial.

Replacing the remaining carts will ensure that:

• Veterans with disabilities continue to access the course

• The facility stays true to its mission of inclusivity

• The community maintains a national model for adaptive recreation

Kyle hopes more local partners will join the effort.

“When you support the cart program, you’re not just replacing equipment,” he says. “You’re investing in healing, connection, and dignity.”

The call is simple: act today so veterans never face a barrier tomorrow.