Red Ledges Golf Designer Helps Disabled Veteran Golfers
A Seattle developer and a golf legend have come together to help
disabled veterans play golf. The two are key players in a $4.5 million
project to expand and improve American Lake Veterans Golf Course in
Lakewood, WA, which calls itself the nation's only course for disabled
veterans.
Gene Lynn of Gig Harbor, and his wife, Evie, have donated $500,000 to the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, a nonprofit that runs the course. Gene Lynn is a developer, builder, philanthropist and chairman of Careage Inc., a developer of senior housing communities and health care centers.
That famous golfer? It's Jack Nicklaus, who is designing nine additional holes for the course as a donation valued at $500,000. He also is honorary co-chair of the project's capital campaign, which has raised more than $1 million so far.
American Lake Veterans Golf Course was built in 1955 on 377 acres of the Veterans Administration Hospital grounds near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It was initially designed as a place of respite rather than for rehabilitation, and didn't take into account the special needs of disabled golfers.
The course has nine SoloRider carts that allow disabled golfers to swing while seated.
In 2003, Harold "Pepper" Roberts formed the nonprofit and worked to restore the course and make improvements geared toward disabled veterans, including those who are blind, amputees or suffering from emotional trauma or other impairments. They added a covered driving range, handicap-accessible bunkers and greens, larger tee boxes, a pavilion for veteran events, and nine specialized carts equipped with swiveling seats that allow golfers to hit the ball while seated. A short three-hole course was added for people in wheelchairs.
About $250,000 is earmarked for improvements to the original nine holes, including better maintenance facilities and ADA restrooms. The additional nine holes are expected to cost $2.95 million to build. They are dependent upon funding and the construction schedule could be set as early as next week.
More than 12,000 rounds of golf were played at the Lakewood course between April and August of last year. Golf course officials said there are thousands of service members returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with severe physical and psychological trauma that might be helped by golf therapy.
The finished Lakewood course may become a pilot project for other courses across the country. A three-year study by the University of Utah showed the game of golf promotes physical improvement, increases self-confidence and improves quality of life for the disabled.
Jack Nicklaus designed the Signature Golf Course at Red Ledges luxury homesites which opened in 2009, it was the 200th golf course designed by Nicklaus.
Original Article Source: The Seattle Times
Gene Lynn of Gig Harbor, and his wife, Evie, have donated $500,000 to the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, a nonprofit that runs the course. Gene Lynn is a developer, builder, philanthropist and chairman of Careage Inc., a developer of senior housing communities and health care centers.
That famous golfer? It's Jack Nicklaus, who is designing nine additional holes for the course as a donation valued at $500,000. He also is honorary co-chair of the project's capital campaign, which has raised more than $1 million so far.
American Lake Veterans Golf Course was built in 1955 on 377 acres of the Veterans Administration Hospital grounds near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It was initially designed as a place of respite rather than for rehabilitation, and didn't take into account the special needs of disabled golfers.
The course has nine SoloRider carts that allow disabled golfers to swing while seated.
In 2003, Harold "Pepper" Roberts formed the nonprofit and worked to restore the course and make improvements geared toward disabled veterans, including those who are blind, amputees or suffering from emotional trauma or other impairments. They added a covered driving range, handicap-accessible bunkers and greens, larger tee boxes, a pavilion for veteran events, and nine specialized carts equipped with swiveling seats that allow golfers to hit the ball while seated. A short three-hole course was added for people in wheelchairs.
About $250,000 is earmarked for improvements to the original nine holes, including better maintenance facilities and ADA restrooms. The additional nine holes are expected to cost $2.95 million to build. They are dependent upon funding and the construction schedule could be set as early as next week.
More than 12,000 rounds of golf were played at the Lakewood course between April and August of last year. Golf course officials said there are thousands of service members returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with severe physical and psychological trauma that might be helped by golf therapy.
The finished Lakewood course may become a pilot project for other courses across the country. A three-year study by the University of Utah showed the game of golf promotes physical improvement, increases self-confidence and improves quality of life for the disabled.
Jack Nicklaus designed the Signature Golf Course at Red Ledges luxury homesites which opened in 2009, it was the 200th golf course designed by Nicklaus.
Original Article Source: The Seattle Times
Advertise on APSense
This advertising space is available.
Post Your Ad Here
Post Your Ad Here
Comments