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THE GOG BLOG part of Golfers on Golf, by Director of Content and Creation, Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy The work will begin shortly.

MAJOR DAN ROONEY the Founder of the Folds of Honor, has joined forces with the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus.

The two will redesign and reimagine the first golf course to hold a Folds of Honor Fundraiser. Grand Haven Golf Club, in Grand Haven Michigan.

Besides upgrading the golf course, the new name of the course will be American Dunes. And it will be classified a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

“I love the game of golf,” said Nicklaus. “But I love my country even more.”

Grand Haven that first opened in 1965, had the father-son duo of Bruce and Jerry Mathews as designers. In 1998 Dr. John Rooney bought the club. 20 years later Dan Rooney told Nicklaus of his vision to improve and preserve the birthplace of the Folds of Honor. Nicklaus immediately agreed to take on the project.

To fund the project, there are 18 different hole sponsors. And several more private investors. Because there is hope to reopen by Memorial Day of 2020, work is already moving forward. Various members of the design team from Nicklaus Golf are donating their time.

“American Dunes will stand a vessel to raise awareness and donations to the Folds of Honor, while recognizing Jack and Barbara (Nicklaus) contributions to the military.” said Major Rooney.

The site has been described as a solid mix of sandy soil, mature trees, elevation changes and rolling terrain, locted 200-300 yards off of Lake Michigan. Nickluas and the design team, have made several site visits. And they are looking at potential options for improvements.

“The property is bascially sand underneath,” says Nicklaus. “It had magnificent trees that had grown up over time. But is that what this golf course should be with dunes off the lake. What we are trying to do, is create something that opens up the feeling of coming off Lake Michigan. Having the opportunity that creates a golf course that plays between the mature trees and rolling dunes, creates a course that is unique. If we can do that, while raising money for our military families, it would be something special in the game of golf.”

More details at Foldsofhonor.org.