LAKEWOOD, Wash. (April 22, 2010) — “If we had $2 million by tomorrow, we could probably break ground next week,” Harold “Pepper” Roberts told reporters during a pre-opening preview of the new Rehabilitation and Learning Center at American Lake Veterans Golf Course. The comment was in response to a question about the $3 million capital campaign and timeline for constructing nine new holes being designed as a gift from Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design.
The existing nine hole American Lake Veteran Golf Course, built in 1955 on Veterans Administration Hospital grounds, has been operated and maintained by volunteers since 1995 when federal funds were eliminated for VA courses.
Roberts, the founder and president of Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, the facility’s nonprofit fund-raising arm, told reporters the new $1.3 million R/L Center was built entirely from donated or discounted services and materials, plus financial and in-kind contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals.
The two-story, 8,400 square foot building replaces a structure affectionately called the “caddyshack,” where golfers checked in for the past 60 years. The new building conforms to ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
The new R/L Center houses a state-of-the-art full swing golf simulator, a putting area, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a formal check-in counter, pro shop and offices. Other amenities Roberts touted were the classrooms, conference areas and “seating clusters” designed for one-on-one counseling, group sessions and supportive conversations and camaraderie.
Roberts, a retired teacher and veteran of the Korean War, told reporters American Lake Veterans Golf Course is, for many veterans, their only social outlet – “the only place where they are in the company of those who understand their history.”
“It has been estimated that as many as eight of every 10 veterans who play the course have experienced some form of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Roberts said. This group includes veterans of Vietnam, Korea and World War II who serve mentors for younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the older veterans were former patient who now also volunteer on the maintenance crew and in providing other services at ALVGC.
With the new Rehabilitation and Learning Center, American Lake Veterans Golf Course is better able to serve the special physical and psychological needs of our veterans, Roberts said, pointing to studies that show the positive impact of golf on individuals with disabilities. A three-year study by the College of Health at the University of Utah showed golf promotes physical improvement and improves self-confidence, optimism and hope to dramatically improve quality of life for those with impairments.
Rush Commercial of Gig Harbor, Wash. provided design/build services for the R/L Center. Other members of the design and construction team include Northwest Home Designing, Inc. of Lakewood, Wash. (design services), North Pacific Design, also of Gig Harbor (construction documents and interior design) and Pacific Northwest Engineering, Inc. of Tacoma (structural engineer).
Last year, more than 12,000 rounds of golf were played at ALVGC between April and August. The demand is expected to grow in anticipation of the largest homecoming of veterans in 30 years as service members return from Afghanistan and Iraq, many with severe injuries and emotional trauma.
In addition to donating design services, Jack Nicklaus is serving as honorary co-chair for the fund-raising campaign. He is joined by Gen. John Shalikashvili, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997, and uses the course as part of his own rehabilitation since suffering a debilitating stroke in 2004.
The current campaign has a fund-raising goal of $3 million. Donations may be made online at www.veterangolf.org or by mail to Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, PO Box 99608, Tacoma, WA 98496. Friends of ALVGC is a 501(c)3 organization.
Contact:
(253) 589-1998
Harold (Pepper) Roberts, president/director
Online: www.veterangolf.org
