It's the little course that could. And now, after more than 10 years of toil and $1 million in donations for a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation and Training Center and course upgrades, the American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood is officially part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Attended by I Corps Commander Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti; Congressman Adam Smith; "First Mike" Gregoire, husband of Washington Governor Chris Gregoire; Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director John Lee; and VA Puget Sound Director David Elizalde along with more than 100 friends and volunteers with the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, a short ceremony held April 29 marked both the formal dedication of the Rehabilitation and Learning Center and the facility's transfer to the VA.

Built in 1955 by maintenance crew and inpatients at the adjacent VA hospital, the course and its "caddy shack" country club had for years been run and maintained by volunteers. In 1995, the VA did away with most of its golf courses to redirect funds to medical care. Cared for by a core of dedicated volunteers, however, the American Lake Golf Course managed to survive.  "But the only people who could play it were able-bodied people," said Harold "Pepper" Roberts.

In 2003, Roberts spearheaded a movement to form the not-for-profit 501 C (3) Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course. The group's mission is to "promote the rehabilitation of our disabled veterans through the healing power of golf in an atmosphere of camaraderie that aids in the healing transition of their physical, mental and emotional challenges," according to its website (http://veterangolf.org).

Since 2004, the group has raised funds to upgrade the course's shoddy sprinkler system and construct a covered driving range as well as purchase golf carts - including nine "solo riders," and two "paragolfers," which allow the mobility impaired to continue to take part in the sport. Future improvements include a "New Nine," which was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

And in 2009, thanks to donations from more than 162 businesses, 36 foundations and more than 1,000 individuals, construction began on a new Rehabilitation and Training Center. Completed about a year ago, the 8,400 square foot, completely accessible facility contains an indoor training room with a hitting net, swing trainer, four-hole putting course and Full-Swing Golf Simulator as well as a cozy lobby, library, and conference room.

But the American Lake Veterans Golf Course is about much more than perfecting a swing or lining up a solid putt - it also serves as an informal support group for military veterans and retirees. "If it wasn't for this golf course, a lot of vets would have nothing," said Bob Brush, a medically retired Soldier who now trains others on how to use the paragolfer. "It's a new family."