UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (Sept. 2, 2010) – While top-ranked amateurs battled brisk winds and each other for quarterfinal spots in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay, a special presentation took place near the main public scoreboard.
On Thursday, Aug. 26, Gene McClure from the United States Golf Association presented a $25,000 check to representatives of nearby American Lake Veterans Golf Course. The funds will assist with maintenance of unique and heavily-used facility, the only course in the U.S. designed specifically for wounded and disabled veterans.
On hand to receive the gift were Harold “Pepper” Roberts, president and founder of “Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course” and PGA golf professional Ken Still, a volunteer at the course and member of the board of directors of the “Friends of ALVGC,” the nonprofit fundraising arm of the course.
“The USGA is proud to join in supporting this most worthy effort to make the experience of the game possible for many who have sacrificed and served,” said McClure, a member of the USGA Executive Committee and chair of the USGA Grants Initiative. “We want golf to provide enrichment to their lives,” he stated, adding, “This course and program are unique opportunities to accomplish this goal and the values which the USGA shares with American Lake Veterans.”
Between April and August 2009, veterans played more than 12,000 rounds of golf at the nine-hole American Lake course, which is maintained and operated by a dedicated group of volunteers.
A multi-million dollar capital campaign is under way to add nine new holes to the existing nine, and to make other improvements to enhance the facility’s accessibility. Jack Nicklaus, a 1969 Ryder Cup teammate with Still, and his design firm, Nicklaus Design, are donating design services for the “new nine.” The legendary golfer is also serving as honorary co-chair of the fund-raising campaign.
Roberts said pledges, endowments, grants, and gifts of stock or appreciated assets are welcomed in support of the campaign. Golfers are also invited to play in the “9-11 Tournament,” a fund-raiser scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10 at the course. Details are online at www.veterangolf.org.
About the USGA
The USGA funds a variety of philanthropic programs, including an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants initiative, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities.
Contact:
Harold (Pepper) Roberts, president/director,
Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, 253-589-1998 or
Online: www.veterangolf.org
