As most of you know, the PGA Tour has now surpassed $3 billion in charitable giving. Watching the PGA Tour weekly on television inspires all of us but the most dramatic feature is the give back to the local communities. As a long-term employee of the Nicklaus Companies, I personally have witnessed the charitable success of the Memorial Tournament; it has established itself as one of the premier tournaments on the PGA Tour. The vision of Jack Nicklaus is to honor the memory of living and deceased individuals who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf, additionally, the tournament proceeds benefit the greater Columbus charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and numerous other local charities.
Jack Nicklaus and Nicklaus Design have been very much involved in many of the golf courses that have a generous charitable component. None are more evident than American Dunes in Grand Haven, Mich. Nicklaus redesigned the golf course owned by the founder of The Folds of Honor, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, and his family for several years. The Folds of Honor provides scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Since 2007, they have helped 29,000 children of military soldiers with scholarships. As Nicklaus recently said, “I love the game of golf, but I love my country even more.”
Another golf course that is tied to the military and is a great give back example is The American Lake Veterans Golf Course in connection with the VA Hospital in Lakewood, Wash. Nicklaus renovated the front nine and added a second nine holes to complete the 18 holes in 2016. The golf course is operated and staffed by volunteers under the vision of former PGA TOUR player Ken Still (deceased), for the rehabilitation and enjoyment of those wounded warriors and those who served our country.
One of the newest golf clubs soon to open is the Quixote Club in Sumter, S.C., co-designed by Jack Nicklaus II and Kris Spence. The vision of Greg and Lewis Thompson was founded on the idea of connecting, inspiring and changing lives through golf. With this vision in mind, the proceeds from the club, including a portion of all memberships, are re-invested back into the community through the Sumter STEAM Charter School conceptualized by Greg Thompson and is now a reality beginning with kindergarten and first grade and set to expand to further grades and more scholars in the ensuing years.
Recently announced, Nicklaus will charitably redesign and restore the Normandie Golf Course outside of St. Louis. This golf course was established in 1901 and is open to the public. The vision of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association in connection with the MACA Foundation 501(c)(3), and Beyond Housing 501(c)(3), a nationally recognized community effort created to address the fundamental challenges with municipalities in the Normandy School District in North St. Louis County. Headed by the vision of Tom O’Toole, Curt Rohe and under the management of Jeff Smith and Walters Golf, the golf course will be dramatically renovated to create further opportunities for residents of the local County and surrounds. Through the continuous donations of numerous individuals and companies, construction costs to the golf course will be paid by those charitable efforts throughout the United States.
It is a pleasure and honor to be associated with so many great projects and visionaries who see the potential in all people through the game of golf. Thank you to all the clubs that have a charitable component established at their club that benefits people in their local communities.
Paul T. Stringer is president of Nicklaus Design. He can be reached at [email protected].