Friends of American Lake Veterans News Articles

Retired golfer receives ‘Ken Still Day'

Fircrest’s Ken Still spent his entire career on the PGA Tour reaching out to galleries in all parts of the country.

TODD MILLES; STAFF WRITER - Published: 02/15/12 12:05 am

Fircrest’s Ken Still spent his entire career on the PGA Tour reaching out to galleries in all parts of the country. On Tuesday, his hometown showed him a little of that same love. The Fircrest City Council approved a letter of proclamation, declaring Feb. 12 – the golfer’s birth date – as “Ken Still Day.”

As Still sat with his wife, Linda, City Council members took turns reading congratulatory letters from Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd and Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Still, 77, was hailed in a letter written by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy as the city’s goodwill ambassador to the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course.

Clark Mather, a representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, also read a letter written from the longtime Washington politician that stated it was “very appropriate” that Still serve as a community delegate to the national championship. At the end of the 20-minute presentation, a visibly touched Still took the podium, thanking the “great city” for the honor.

Councilman Matthew Jolibois said, “Fircrest is proud of our son.”

Source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/15/2026662/retired-golfer-receives-ken-still.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Kevin Gleim - South Sound Business People THE NEWS TRIBUNE Published: 02/14/12 12:05 am

Kevin Gleim, financial representative for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, was recognized with the Divisional Volunteer of the Year. His award offered him $5,000 to donate to Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, the charitable organization of his choice. The award is for outstanding service to others in church, community, chapter and professional organizations in 2011.

A course in good design
Posted: 11/11/2011
by: Monika Weiss

... One bright morning this fall, I walked a round of nine holes with the regular Friday women’s group made up of both veterans and volunteers. I stopped to chat with a group of older gentlemen playing ahead of the ladies. Although only my second time out to American Lake, I knew that this was not a place short on good stories. ...

Post by Debbie Cafazzo / The News Tribune on Nov. 3, 2011 at 6:28 am with No Comments »

Tyee Park Elementary School will honor veterans at an assembly scheduled for 12:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the school, 11920 Seminole Rd. S.W., Lakewood.
The event will feature student songs, music from a JBLM Army Band and a keynote address from retired Air Force Col. Joe Jackson, a Medal of Honor recipient. There will also be a special tribute to Gen. John Shalikashvili, who died in July. He often attended the Tyee Park Veterans Day ceremony.
Also part of the school event will be Pearl Harbor survivors, Tuskegee airmen and other area veterans.

OCTOBER 11TH, 2011

written by Kid Foam

Veterans Day at Uptown Espresso-100% to a Local Veteran Cause

On Veterans Day, November 11th, Uptown Espresso will donate every dollar of revenue, and 10% of coffee cards and merchandise, to a local Veteran cause. Uptown Espresso stands with you in gratitude for the service of our Veterans who defend our freedoms. By patronizing Uptown Espresso on Veterans Day, you will be contributing to the American Lake Veterans Golf Course which is operated and maintained by 100% volunteer labor. Nearly every dollar of contribution to American Lake Veterans Golf Course goes directly to the improvement and maintenance of the facility which makes a significant impact in the rehabilitation of Veterans. Join us on Friday, November 11th, enjoy Uptown and know that your spend is going to a noble cause.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Elects Bruce McKenty as National Senior Vice Commander

LAKEWOOD, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On August 13, 2011, Bruce McKenty of Lakewood, Washington was elected as National Senior Vice Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a national veteran service organization with more than 44,000 members. Read More here...

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..."

By Rhonda Glenn | August 26, 2010

American Lake: The Golf Course With Heart

It was just an old golf course. Built around 1955, its nine holes were probably laid out by maintenance workers from the Veterans Administration. At least, that's all anyone remembers.

Forty years later, unfunded, sun-scorched and with a sprinkler system that worked fitfully, if at all, American Lake Golf Course near Tacoma, Wash., was threatened with extinction. Read more here...

By Scott Hanson, Seattle Times staff

Looking for challenges: Martinson competes without legs lost in Vietnam

It's not like Jim Martinson sets out to be a role model.

He's just living life the only way he knows how — going full-bore, always looking for the next challenge. There is always another mountain to climb for the 63-year-old from Puyallup.

Literally, in his case. Read more here...

from SI.com

Nicklaus donates course design for disabled veterans

Jack Nicklaus takes the wrapping off another in his signature line of hybrid clubs and hands it to Danny Dudek.

The Army lieutenant colonel, paralyzed below both knees, is propped up inside a "SoloRider,'' a specially designed cart with a seat that tilts up to support disabled golfers when they swing. He takes the new club, leans over the ball and follows the legend's instructions.

THWACK!

The white ball soars into the sunny Northwest sky, past lush evergreens and lands about 150 yards down the driving range. Read more here...

By Scott Hanson, Seattle Times staff

Jack Nicklaus helps design new 9 at veterans golf course

LAKEWOOD, Pierce County — Ken Still had been friends with Jack Nicklaus for about 50 years, a relationship that was cemented early on when the two were Ryder Cup teammates in 1969.

But in all that time, Still, a Tacoma native, had never asked for anything from his friend.
That changed last spring when Still called Nicklaus for help with American Lake Golf Course at the VA Hospital in Lakewood, the only course in the country that is completely accessible to wounded and disabled veterans.Read more here...

Honoring Our Medal of Honor Recipients
Hole No. 3 at American Lake Veterans Golf Course Dedicated to Medal of Honor Award Recipients

Hole No. 3 at American Lake Veterans Golf Course, considered the course’s “signature” hole,” was dedicated as the “Medal of Honor” hole during a special event on June 25. The recognition honors recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. Read more here...

from the Tacoma News Tribune

Nicklaus steps up to tee for soldiers

Roy Ranslow waited Tuesday at the American Lake Veterans Golf Course to see one of the greatest golfers ever to swing a club.

Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear himself, was visiting the Lakewood course to help chart its future. He’s donating the services of his design team to expand the course from nine to 18 holes. He’s also honorary co-chairman of the committee trying to raise $3 million for the project. Read more here...

from the Tacoma News Tribune

Jack Nicklaus wows crowd with swings, smile

Jack Nicklaus flashed a silky swing, charm and a smile as bright as the countless golf balls he has sunk during his storied career Monday.

The man nicknamed the Golden Bear — winner of 18 major tournament titles and regarded by many as the best to ever swing a club — worked the crowd of more than 150 people who attended a private clinic at the Tacoma Golf & Country Club in Lakewood. Read more here...

from the Golf Week Wire

"Yes" - A Well-Used Word Among Volunteers At American Lake Veterans Golf Course

"No" is not part of the vocabulary around American Lake Veterans Golf Course. At this unique facility, the mantra is "can do."

Just ask the two Ryder Cup teammates who said yes when asked if they could help with this haven for wounded warriors. Read more here...

from the Tacoma News Tribune

American Lake: Disabled, wounded veterans enjoy first course with facilities designed for them

The new 8,400-square-foot building at American Lake Veterans Golf Course has a putting green, a training room with a simulator, and a device called the “Explanar” to help straighten out a golfer’s swing. Read more here...

from Seattle's KOMO4 news; see accompanying video here...

Wounded warriors take a swing at therapy

A million-dollar golf clubhouse just opened at the American Lake Veterans Hospital.

It's part of an effort to give wounded soldiers coming back from combat a chance to heal - and the unusual idea has caught the eye of famed golfer Jack Nicklaus. Read more here...

from the Seattle Examiner

American Lake Golf Course for disabled veterans in Lakewood; first of its kind in the nation

So many of our brave Iragi and Afgan war vets are coming home disabled and re-entry is tough. How do we give them a new lease on life after they have sacrificed and suffered so much? Read more here...

Nicklaus Headlines Invitational Event at BIGHORN Golf Club to Benefit Wounded VeteransPALM DESERT, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2009) –Jack Nicklaus is topping a significant donation from his design firm with a personal appearance next week at an exclusive special event at BIGHORN to help raise funds for American Lake Veterans Golf Course. ALVGC is the nation’s only course designed specifically for the rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. Read more here...

from the Seattle PI

At American Lake Veterans Golf Course, volunteers labor together for game they love LAKEWOOD, Pierce County – For the past 30 years, Isaac Laws has driven twice per month by the tranquil, almost hidden, fir-lined fairways of the American Lake Veterans Golf Course on his way to American Lake Veterans Hospital for his ongoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. A survivor of several mortar attacks while fighting in Vietnam, the Ocean Shores resident and Army veteran came home to an uncertain world in which he constantly struggled to adjust to life back home, questioning his fate in having survived the war when others had not. Read more here...

Rallying 'Round the Flagstick

LAKEWOOD, Pierce County — On the third tee, a group of a dozen volunteers, including Gail Price, 88, a World War II veteran, is ignoring the pelting rain and laying new turf.

In a shed, Lyle Hanks, 85, who was shot in the first assault wave on Omaha Beach on D-Day, is repairing and building clubs so that wounded veterans can use them. On the driving range, Russ Carlson, 67, who lost a leg and suffered severe arm wounds in the Battle of Khe Sanh in Vietnam, is hitting balls and socializing. It doesn't take long to figure out why American Lake Golf Course is such a special place and why Mondays can be remarkable days. Read more here...

Coming Full Circle Just over 37 years ago, Ed Dougherty left the U.S. Army and Fort Lewis with a weathered set of Wilson Staff golf clubs and the rest of his life in front of him.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd return to the area as a professional golfer.

"I can't believe somebody's asking me for an autograph near the course where I started to play golf," he said with a huge grin.
"It's a pretty humbling experience."

Dougherty, along with fellow Champions Tour golfers Dana Quigley, Allen Doyle, Jim Thorpe and Lonnie Nielsen hosted a free clinic at American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood Read more here...

A special golf course with an extraordinary mission is managed and maintained by a devoted "band of brothers."

Back in June of this year, golfers across the world enjoyed the action at Oakmont Country Club during the 2007 U.S. Open Championship. Approximately 10,000 volunteers and employees worked diligently to prepare the golf course for 156 competitors. Tens of thousands of spectators were fortunate to be on the course, while millions more watched on television as the best players in the world put everything they had into every shot. With the players struggling to meet Oakmont's challenges, commentators frequently employed metaphors such as "warrior," "hero," and "battling" to describe their play.

Two weeks prior to the Open, I was fortunate to visit warrior golfers of a different type. While none would qualify to play in the U.S. Open, their devotion to the game, their golf course, and their comrades is unmatched. To fully appreciate their remarkable story, it is first necessary to take a few brief trips back in time. Read more here...