Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1345880
There is no place like this in America. Many of you may have fond memories of playing a very special southwest Michigan golf course, known as Grand Haven Golf Club, several years ago or more. Tucked away just a few miles off the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, Grand Haven Golf Club was designed by well-known Michigan Architects Bruce Matthews and son Jerry Matthews. Or maybe in recent years you've driven past this "little golf course gem", once known for its winding fairways of tree-lined forestry and picturesque sand dunes, to find the golf course closed. Since its opening in 1965 to 2018, those majestic pine trees—now matured for over 50 years—had almost completely covered the golf course and its beautiful dunes f rom view, making play extremely difficult—if not nearly impossible. Going back in history over 20 years ago, Dr. John Rooney purchased Grand Haven Golf Club in 1998. Then in 2007, Rooney's son, Major Dan Rooney—a fighter pilot in the USAFR and PGA Professional—founded The Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to families of military men and women who have fallen or been disabled while on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. However, it wasn't until 2018, that Lt Col Dan Rooney, F-16 Fighter Pilot with over 1,800 hours of flight time and 3 combat tours in Iraq, a PGA Golf Professional, married with 5 daughters, and owner of Grand Haven Golf Club, would approach his childhood hero, Jack Nicklaus, with his grand vision to save their financially struggling family-owned- and-operated Grand Haven Golf Club. On February 22, 2018, sitting down with Mr. Nicklaus at The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida, Nicklaus quickly said yes to Rooney's vision and plan to transform the struggling Grand Haven Golf Club, and to preserve the birthplace of Folds of Honor. Mr. Nicklaus jumped on board and brought with him time, talent, and many resources of Nicklaus Design—the world's leading golf course design firm. His firm has designed over 425 championship golf courses around the world—with Nicklaus himself being personally involved in over 300 of the course designs. GOLF NOW! Chicago 47