Jack Nicklaus Designs Golf Course for Veterans

Posted by zz Dan Hauser

Updated on September 3rd, 2013

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Published in Jupiter

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Jack Nicklaus has designed close to 300 golf courses all over the world including the Bears Club in Jupiter, but none are more important to him right now than a nine-hole facility in Washington State. That’s because this facility has been specifically designed for, and open only to military veterans.

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is a nine-hole facility in Lakewood, Washington that Nicklaus built. The Lost Tree resident is now working on a nine-hole expansion and turning the facility into a full 18-hole golf course.

Nicklaus is giving more than half a million dollars’ worth of expertise in designing the expansion for the course that is routinely used by wounded veterans for physical and mental rehabilitation.

"I didn't have the privilege of serving my country back in our time.  But I'm having a lot of fun being part of it today," Nicklaus said.

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is operated and maintained by an all volunteer force consisting of grounds crews, maintenance personnel, operations folks, and management personnel. The course is not supported by government funds. Operating and capital costs are paid with annual pass and daily green fee revenues.