Soaring on the wings of promise, a ‘crazy idea’ transforms a longtime Michigan golf landscape into American Dunes.
Located in Grand Haven, Michigan, the site of American Dunes has been a golf property since 1965. Originally, it was The Grand Haven Golf Club, designed by Bruce Matthews Jr., and recognized for years as one of America’s finest public courses. In 2006, the Rooney family became owners and operators.
With 18 people, the maintenance team is fully staffed for the summer. That includes VerDuin, two assistants, an equipment manager, four full-time and five part-time seasonal workers, and five full-time summer workers. An internship program is expected to launch in 2022.
The only clubhouse entrance and exit is through the Folds of Honor Memorial, a commanding open-air tunnel. Nestled securely in the ground are bronze boot prints of soldiers who have been killed in action.
What is America’s largest nationwide golf fundraiser all about? Beginning as a grassroots initiative in 2007, Patriot Golf Days started raising money for Folds of Honor. In 2020, the PGA became a partner and these special events also started contributing to PGA HOPE to amplify the opportunity to help military families and veterans through the game.
A cross sits between Nos. 17 and 18 at American Dunes in Grand Haven , Michigan. Players are urged to leave nickels in the grass at the cross, a long tradition of pilots at the gravesites of fallen soldiers. (Jason Lusk/Golfweek)
It was all to benefit the Folds of Honor, a charitable organization Rooney founded in 2007 to benefit the children of killed and injured U.S. military soldiers. Folds of Honor has since awarded academic scholarships to more than 29,000 children. Forget the trees, the renovation, the golf altogether for a minute, Rooney would tell you.
American Dunes. On the eastern shores of Lake Michigan is the historic Grand Haven. Golf Club which was transformed into a national treasure. Sculpted through. the deep sands. Inspired by a passion for America. Built to honor.
Lt. Col. Dan Rooney. PGA professional. F-16 pilot with three tours of duty in Iraq. Husband to one, father to five girls. And the founder of The Folds of Honor Foundation.