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Fundraiser to add golf facility at Lancaster Veterans Home

by The AV Times Staff • May 16, 2014

(L to R) Frank Belt, Lou Gonzales, and Norman Andrews hold a rendering for the new putting green while standing in front of its proposed location at the Lancaster Veterans Home.
(L to R) Frank Belt, Lou Gonzales, and Norman Andrews hold a rendering for the upcoming putting green project while standing in front of its proposed location at the Lancaster Veterans Home.

LANCASTER – It’s been two years since the idea was born to build a 9-hole putting green on the grounds of the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home in Lancaster.

The putting green will be constructed with artificial turf and is designed to be  maintenance free.
The putting green will be constructed with artificial turf and is designed to be maintenance free.

A group of local businessmen Friday announced plans to complete the fundraising for that project with a golf tournament this summer.

Led by Lou Gonzales of Antelope Valley Chevrolet and Frank Belt of Kidz Golf, Inc., the group announced the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home Inaugural Golf Tournament, scheduled for Monday, July 14, at the Antelope Valley Country Club.

Belt, a Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, has already raised more than $22,000 toward the goal of $45,000.

The 88-year-old raised the money himself by placing donation cans at various businesses in Palmdale, Lancaster and Rosamond.

“We are within sight of our goal,” Belt stated. “We hope to raise the balance of the money for the putting green at this golf tournament and begin construction the next day, completing the project before the end of this year.”

The group announced the golf tournament fundraiser at a ceremony at the Veterans Home Friday, which included the Color Guard from the Civil Air Patrol at Joe Walker Middle School.
The group announced the golf tournament fundraiser at a ceremony at the Veterans Home Friday, which included the Color Guard from the Civil Air Patrol at Joe Walker Middle School.

Gonzales, one of the leading sponsors of the tournament and a U.S. Army veteran, said, “This is the least we can do for these veterans who have given so much for us. This is a great project and I am glad to help Frank accomplish it. Let’s bring the community together behind this.”

Norman J. Andrews, Administrator of the Veterans Home, said activities are very therapeutic for veterans. “The putting green will give us the opportunity to create many activities, including competitions and mini golf that will serve all our veterans. Some of our residents may not be able to swing a golf club, but they can all putt.”

How to take part in the inaugural golf tournament fundraiser

Registration for the July 14 tournament begins at 8 a.m. that day with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The cost per player is $150, and it includes green fees, a raffle ticket, two mulligans, a putting contest and breakfast, lunch and dinner for each golfer. In addition, there is an opportunity to participate in the “Active Military Player Sponsorship”, allowing a veteran or wounded warrior to join a foursome and share in the day of golf and camaraderie.

To register a foursome, contact Nicole at Antelope Valley Chevrolet at 661-952-2300, ext. 318.

If funds are raised beyond the construction needs of the putting green, the excess will be donated to the activities fund at the William J. “Pete” Knight Veterans Home.

“Surprisingly,” said Andrews, “the state does not provide any funds for activities. All of our activities are funded by donations.”

Help sponsor the 9-hole putting green

Sponsors already committed to the project include Lockheed Martin, the Pacific Palisades Post of the American Legion, Senator Steve Knight, Sierra Toyota and about a dozen more local businesses and individuals.

More sponsors are being sought at levels from $500 to $5,000. To discuss sponsorship opportunities, call Nicole at Antelope Valley Chevrolet at 661-952-2300, ext. 318.

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Filed Under: Lancaster, Rosamond

9 comments for "Fundraiser to add golf facility at Lancaster Veterans Home"

  1. Chevy Fan says

    September 23, 2014 at 8:39 am

    This is an awesome thing that AV Chevy has done and only one of many. I saw on their website that they also sponsor Be Cool Stay In School and Help Support Grace Resource Center (http://www.avchevy.com/Welcome). I’ve been to all sorts of dealerships from Los Angeles to Bakersfield and beyond. Remember, you vote with your money. Next time you buy a car support a business that gives back locally like this one.

    Kudos, guys, and thank you for supporting our veterans.

  2. William says

    May 18, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    It’s going to cost upwards of 1 trillion dollars to care for veterans health care from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and other veterans over their life spans.

    Who is willing to have their taxes increased to pay for that? The republicans want to cut taxes on the rich, so who does that leave?

    Ask Steve Knight or Tony Strickland about that if you get a chance. The belong to the party that cuts veterans benefits when they can.

  3. Josh says

    May 18, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    That’s cool, another place for the kids to go…wait never mind..

  4. Grasss? says

    May 17, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    Is it going to have artificial grass?

  5. dumbandblind says

    May 17, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    With the present drought where are they going to get the water for all that grass? This is one of the most irresponsible projects thought about. I’m pretty sure veterans won’t have a problem foregoing a golf course and conserve water.
    http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-drought-covers-california-15-years-20140425-story.html

    • Genius says

      May 17, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      Hey Genius if you read the whole story they are using artificial turf. That means no water necessary.

      • Josh says

        May 18, 2014 at 12:50 pm

        Why can’t the homeowners of the A.V use artificial turf? We get fined for that [removed]. We then again get fined for watering our grass 3 times a day..

  6. Lee says

    May 17, 2014 at 8:26 am

    It isn’t a golf course that we need – its a new Veteran Cemetery! Los Angeles (Sawtelle) is filled and closed; Riverside is so far away and won’t have availability forever. With so many of our locals have been in recent wars…I ask where will their resting place be in years to come? Our baby boomers are also reaching an age when a lasting peace is at hand. With land as relatively inexpensive in Antelope Valley why don’t we consider a Veteran Cemetery?

  7. QHR says

    May 16, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Awesome support for our local Veterans – Thank you!
    Hope the the VA will make future plans for a larger clinic or better yet, local VA hospital.

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