Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course

is a Non-profit Veteran Rehabilitation Golf Course

It was a neglected old golf course that had been serving our military since the time it was built around 1955, most likely by Veterans Administration maintenance workers. The U.S. Government discontinued funding for VA golf courses in 1995, the course became sun-scorched and almost unusable due to the broken sprinkler system and a lack of funding for general maintenance.

Once on the brink of extinction, it's now like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course goal is to promote the rehabilitation of our disabled veterans through the healing power of golf, in an atmosphere of camaraderie that aids in the healing transition of their physical, mental and emotional challenges.

Our Story

We invite you to share this fifteen minute presentation with others so they can see and help promote awareness of our progress developing and improving our Course in Courage. Our disabled veterans are counting on you for support.

Golf is much more than a simple game, even for the well and able-bodied. It requires complex mental and physical concentration; it builds strength, range of motion, and balance.

It can be enjoyed as a solitary sport with individual goals, and it can be a very social activity. For wounded veterans, golf offers a doorway to hope and a path to strength - physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Words from the General, tipping his hat to all of us

John Shalikashvili, General, U.S. Army (Ret)

"I am only one of the thousands of veterans benefitting from golf at American Lake.

Unlike many veterans, I was lucky not to lose legs or arms in combat. But when a stroke left me partially paralyzed, the golf program at American Lake helped my recovery.

Our new Rehabilitation and Learning Center, along with nine more holes, will give every disabled veteran the chance they deserve.

Please join me in supporting our warriors with a generous donation..."

One of our soldiers received the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry received the nation's highest military decoration in a ceremony July 12. Leroy plays golf at our golf course. He lost his right hand and forearm in Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to an Army sergeant for courage on the battlefield in Afghanistan. The 31-year-old native of Santa Fe, NM, was recognized for courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia in May 2008.

Petry is the second living, active-duty service member to receive a Medal of Honor for actions in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Last year, Obama awarded a Medal of honor to Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, also for actions in Afghanistan.

Golf Lesson - Leroy Petry and Jack Nicklaus

From the World Wars

through our current crises in Iraq and Afghanistan, generations of valiant American soldiers have made contributions and sacrifices while guarding our country's freedom and destiny. We all owe these veterans a debt of honor, and for those veterans scarred by battle, we owe them a place of healing – of new possibilities.

Such a place is American Lake Veterans Golf Course.

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus – an American hero in his own right – is honoring our veterans with the donation of his valuable time and design for the New Nine. The design is nearing completion, the plans are drawn - all that is needed are the funds to begin building. That's where your support comes in.

Give the gift

of physical and mental rehabilitation, hope and camaraderie. Donate here.

PLEASE DONATE