The nation’s only golf course designed specifically for facilitating the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans officially doubled in size this summer with the opening of the new “Nicklaus Nine” at American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood.
The Golden Bear donated his design services for American Lake Veterans Golf Course — the 400th Jack Nicklaus design to open worldwide — so that more of the nation’s veterans could experience the healing powers of golf.
“Golf has been a big, big boost to a lot of the guys that have post-traumatic syndrome or challenges transitioning into the mainstream of society,” Nicklaus says. “I will never forget meeting a gentleman who, after coming home from Vietnam, tried several times to take his own life. Then he was introduced to American Lake and the wonderful people involved there. That association, along with the game of golf, helped save his life.”
The “Nicklaus Nine” debuted during American Lake’s annual volunteer appreciation tournament in June. The grand opening featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by Joanne (Tatum) Hatner, whose father, Joe, was the director of the VA Hospital during the first ribbon-cutting ceremony for the course in 1957, an event she attended.
Following the ribbon cutting, local legend Ken Still, a former PGA TOUR professional and a teammate of Nicklaus on the 1969 U.S. Ryder Cup team, hit the ceremonial first tee shot.
“It was a beautiful day,” said Still, who played a significant role in recruiting his longtime friend to become involved in the project at American Lake. “We had 200 volunteers and they were the first ones to play the nine. My wife [Linda] sang God Bless America. We had a great time. Everything was such a positive. Everyone had a smile on their face.”
Nicklaus visited the site several times to personally oversee construction and assess its progress.
“Kenny called me, oh, I don’t know, six or seven years ago,” Nicklaus said, “and he told me, ‘Jack, I need your help. We’ve got nine holes of golf out here, and it’s playing 40,000 rounds a year. We need more golf.’ All these veterans, they’re unbelievable, and I want to help them.
“Ken then said, ‘I want you to design another nine holes, and fix up the first nine.’ Well, we’ve raised the money; we’ve gotten the [additional] nine holes designed and built; and next we will renovate the first nine. ”
The course is ADA-accessible, is run by 200-plus volunteers and operates without any federal funding or paid employees. In 2015, the course ranked No. 1 on Golf Digest’s list of “The 9 Most Cheerful Courses in America.”
American Lake Veterans Golf Course is open to all veterans, their families and guests. This includes active duty, as well as retired military, National Guard and reserve members. The only non-veterans allowed to play are employees of the Veteran’s Administration. Anyone can also play as a guest of someone who qualifies.
The importance of American Lake to local military men and women, and the importance it has in the game of golf, is not lost on the Golden Bear, and it was only fitting that a milestone for Nicklaus Design has become a stepping stone for accessible golf at military facilities nationwide.
“I could not be happier that American Lake turned out to be Nicklaus Design’s milestone 400th golf course,” Nicklaus said. “It’s been a labor of love. We get the opportunity to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and limbs so we can live free in this country. To thank our nation’s heroes in this small way really is my privilege. It is the least we can do for the one percent of Americans who protect the other ninety-nine percent of us.”
“We are all exceptionally excited about the opening of the Nicklaus Nine,” said Bruce McKenty, course manager. “It has been a long time coming.”
