Get Outdoors

Both pages, left to right: A massive American flag sits between holes 9 and 10. Golfers enter the property through the Folds of Honor Memorial Wall. Each hole features two plaques honoring a fallen service member and a Jack Nicklaus championship.

Golf for Good

American Dunes GC pays tribute to fallen soldiers with a unique, patriotic approach to golf, a special clubhouse ambience, and funding for family scholarships

By Mark Spezia

D an Rooney’s knack for turning inspiration into action has positively impacted thousands of lives. In 2006, the decorated F-16 fighter pilot, who served three combat tours of duty in Iraq and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, was aboard a flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids when it was announced that the plane was carrying the body of a fallen soldier named Cpl. Brock Bucklin, who left a young family behind.

That resonated with Rooney, who still serves as an Air Force reservist, and the experience compelled him to do something.

Rooney soon founded a charity, Folds of Honor, above the garage of his home in Broken Arrow, Okla., with the purpose of providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen and disabled military service members. The charity’s first fundraising event was held at Grand Haven Golf Club, then owned by Rooney’s parents, in the summer of 2006. Bucklin’s son, Jacob, became the first Folds of Honor scholarship recipient in 2007. Since then, the organization has awarded nearly 35,000 scholarships worth more than $160 million to the dependents of military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Just over a decade later, Rooney learned that Grand Haven Golf Club had fallen on hard times. His parents were contemplating selling the property to developers.

Rooney, a PGA golf professional, couldn’t stomach the thought of that happening. Instead, he envisioned a place that would commemorate the birthplace of Folds of Honor, provide golf’s most patriotic experience, give back to military families, and inspire others to join the Folds of Honor Squadron.

Rooney pitched his bold idea to golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who won a record 18 major professional championships before launching a second career designing hundreds of golf courses. Nicklaus jumped at the idea and waived his usual $3 million design fee, and more than two years of extensive renovations commenced.

Rooney renamed the course American Dunes Golf Club after the original Grand Haven course closed in 2018. His vision became reality on May 2, 2021, with the grand opening of American Dunes. By then, 11,000 tee times had already been sold and Golf Digest ranked it fourth on its annual list of the nation’s top new courses. This past January, Links magazine included the course among the top 10 Must-Visit Public Golf Destinations for 2022.

Today, American Dunes has committed its profits to be donated to the Folds of Honor

organization. Future plans include a 16-room lodge.

“There aren’t many golf courses you play on which you’re going to shed a tear,” Rooney says in a video on the PGA of America’s website. “American Dunes is going to tug on your emotional heartstrings.”

The tugging begins soon after visitors arrive. The only way to enter the property is through the Folds of Honor Memorial Wall, an open-air tunnel of 8-foot-tall walls featuring inspirational messages and plaques with stories of soldiers killed in action whose family members are Folds of Honor scholarship recipients. The boot prints of those honored on the wall are cast in bronze on the ground.

Each hole features two plaques — one honoring each of Nicklaus’ 18 major championships, and the other telling the story of a fallen service member.

The sand is the star of the course, which plays 7,213 yards from the back tees. The course covers 148 acres and has been returned to its original landscape from long ago, with dunes wandering throughout the property. The track features more than 30 true bunkers, along with many dune features and expansive fairways. The greens are generous and very fair to players. A massive American flag, which golfers need to play around, sits in the center of the fairway between holes 9 and 10.

Carts feature state-of-the-art speakers, Bluetooth connection, and a video screen with a GPS system that gives the yardage to the hole. Coming out of the speakers are messages from Rooney, Nicklaus, and those who have benefited from Folds of Honor scholarships.

“We’ve received rave reviews on the course itself, from both the general public and golf journalists,” says American Dunes General Manager Doug Bell. “Average golfers say it’s extremely playable. They really enjoy navigating through all the sand, and while there’s a handful of challenges, it’s not as hard as other Jack Nicklaus courses. Journalists have said to us that the rugged dunes are a challenge, but the course doesn’t beat you up, and it’s a wickedly special course to play.”

American Dunes’ proximity to Lake Michigan enhances the experience. “Golfers can’t see the big lake from the course, but they can hear it and smell it at one point during their rounds, when they’re only about 300 yards from shore,” Bell notes.

Golf at American Dunes usually concludes with a few rounds at its CAVU Squadron Bar, which features two replica F-4 Phantom II jets hanging from the ceiling, depicting Pardo’s Push, one of the most famous aviation maneuvers in Air Force history. Beer taps are built into an actual hollowed Aim9 Sidewinder missile, the type of weapon often fixed under an F-16’s wings.

Even the restrooms are military-themed, with stalls shaped to resemble an F-16 cockpit, complete with speakers playing the most memorable lines from the films “Top Gun” and “Caddyshack.”

Special Tributes: Activity all around the facility pauses twice a day to honor those who have served. Taps plays at 1 p.m. and a bell rings 13 times, signifying the 13 folds it takes for the American flag to reach its triangular shape at the funerals of fallen service members. The National Anthem is played at 5:30 p.m.

“Over and over again, I’ve seen people come here for the golf course but leave with a moving experience they never expected to have because they’re playing for something greater than themselves,” Bell says.

“We’ve had veterans — everyone from people who served in WW II to our assistant golf professional (Nate Fisher) — crying and saluting the flag. Last summer, veterans working in the area began to leave their offices during lunch breaks to come here for the playing of Taps.”

PLAN IT! American Dunes Golf Club americandunesgolfclub.com

Welcome to Michigan’s Little Bavaria

Situated along the majestic Cass River in central Michigan lies a small town that piles a heaping plate of simple joys that you can share with friends and family no matter the season. Frankenmuth was founded in 1845 by a group of 15 German immigrants. They knew a charming spot when they saw it, and the town those early settlers built continues to honor its heritage with Bavarian architecture, quaint streets graced by flowers, restaurants and boutiques that cater to visitors hankering for Old World flavors and some 18 major festivals and events throughout the year. It says something about the need for people to experience a connection with older traditions when a town of 5,000 residents can attract nearly 3 million visitors per year.

From the architecture to the restaurant menus, many visitors don’t even realize that everything in Frankenmuth has a strong and authentic tie to Little Bavaria, Germany. In fact, on the second Sunday of every month, St. Lorenz Lutheran Church still offers a worship service spoken in German for locals engrained with their German heritage.

A Frankenmuth tradition, more than 1.8 million allyou-can-eat family-style chicken dinners are served annually at either Bavarian Inn or Zehnder’s, two of the largest independently owned restaurants in America.

ESCAPE FROM THE CITY

The majestic Cass River runs through downtown Frankenmuth and makes for an amazing opportunity to relax and view the local wildlife. Take in the sights on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, or the Frankenmuth Funships for a more intimate setting. Known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” the Frankenmuth community is alive with German heritage, from the German food and architecture to festivals that celebrate the community’s German roots.

WORLD'S LARGEST CHRISTMAS STORE

Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland has a showroom the length of two football fields filled with every type of ornament, light and Christmas décor imaginable. Bronner’s greets over 2 million guests annually and is truly a sight to see.

Built on Tradition, Made for Memories.

While the traditions and culture of Michigan’s Little Bavaria give visitors a sense of being in Germany, it’s really chicken and Christmas that put Frankenmuth on the map as being one of Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations. Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland has called Frankenmuth, Michigan home since its inception in 1945. With a showroom the size of two football fields, it’s no wonder it’s the world’s largest Christmas store. Right in the heart of Downtown sits Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, two of the largest independently owned restaurants in America located right across the street from one another. Together, these two restaurants serve 1.8 million all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners. Frankenmuth truly is a destination offering something for everyone. From boat rides on the river by Bavarian Belle, a traditional paddlewheel style riverboat, or an intimate wine and chocolate tasting experience by Frankenmuth FunShips. See a different side of Frankenmuth with Frankenmuth Kayak Adventures, or a climb in the trees at

Frankenmuth Aerial Park.

With its close proximity to Detroit, only an hour away in fact, Frankenmuth is steadily becoming known as a place to go for close to home outdoor adventures. Let’s not forget the festivals. Family memories and traditions begin at the more than 18 major events that take place in Frankenmuth annually, such as the Olympic-style Dog Bowl featuring dog races, disc competitions and more, or the popular Auto Fest for those with a love of classic cars. There’s also a number of cultural festivals that pay homage to the roots of the community, such as Bavarian Festival or Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, both featuring polka bands, German dance groups and entertainment. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this four-season destination in Michigan is sure to become a family favorite for generations to come.

Just dial 1 (800) FUN-TOWN.

Yes, that's really Frankenmuth's phone number and they sure live up to it! With its fair share of annual festivals and events, Frankenmuth has something fun for everyone all year long. Frankenmuth offers a number of fun things to do year-round, from horsedrawn carriage rides and water parks to zoos and petting farms. Or just sit at a café, listen to the glockenspiel, and watch the world go by. A clean and safe town, Frankenmuth knows how to roll out the welcome mat.

Start planning your trip today at frankenmuth.org!

Forest Hugs

The three arms of the Dow Gardens canopy walk thrill visitors with views up to 40 feet above the ground and through the woods

By Ellen Creager

When this old world starts getting you down, there’s a place that’s way up high and trouble-free.

The canopy.

“There’s a sense of smallness I feel being there. I’m completely embraced by the forest. It’s comforting,” says Carolynn Paten, assistant director of Dow Gardens’ guest operations in Midland, home to the nation’s longest ADA Accessible canopy walk.

She echoes the experience of many who feel peace in the woods as their cares fall away: “There’s a calm there I really appreciate.”

The Whiting Forest canopy walk is set amid a white pine forest dotted with apple, paw paw, and cherry trees. It spreads out in three directions for 1,400 feet (about the height of the Empire State Building), more than a quarter of a mile. Open since late 2018, it has attracted visitors from across the U.S. — especially people who have been shut out of other canopy adventures because of physical challenges.

“Young families with small children, holding the hand of grandma in the wheelchair, make it a family experience anyone can do together,” Paten says.

Whiting Forest isn’t competing with loud zip line parks or rope courses that cater to fit and agile guests. Instead, it welcomes everyone, young and old, accessibility issues or not. “We’re making the forest accessible,” Paten says.

Starting at the “nut,” or central entrance, one arm of the canopy walk takes visitors to a lookout over Lake Margrador, a small pond. Another arm leads to a 40-foot-high glass overlook of orchards that’s particularly spectacular in the fall. The third arm leads to a “hammock” cargo net structure that can hold 30 people.

On the canopy walk, deep calm reigns. Breathe. Relax. Repeat. The psychological

benefits of walking in a forest — or, as the Japanese call it, Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” — are many. Even 15 minutes spent wandering among trees leads to less anxiety and stress while creating a sense of peace and well-being, multiple studies have found.

The walkways themselves show the great pains Whiting Forest has taken to preserve every tree possible, because “we knew without the canopy we didn’t have a canopy walk,” Paten says. Only six trees were removed during construction, and designers even modified the walkway around one strangely growing tree to preserve it.

The additions included an education center, café, a large accessible playground, and two scenic bridges. Dow Gardens is also home to an award-winning Children’s Garden, Estate Garden, and coming this summer, a remodeled and reimagined conservatory. It’s an extension of the experience at Dow Gardens itself, with a total of 110 acres of luxuriant gardens, bridges, and flowers. Visitors enter through the main Dow Gardens entrance at 1809 Eastman Ave.

The backstory of this nature-rich attraction starts with chemist Herbert Dow. In 1890, attracted by rivers in Midland that are naturally rich in bromine (used in many medicines and photographic processes), he moved to the city and started a chemical company. Soon, he and his wife, Grace, built a home in Midland and accumulated more than 600 acres (about the area of Central Park in New York City), where they raised seven children.

The founder of Dow Chemical was “a scientist by profession, but he was a horticulturist at heart,” Paten says, so part of his vast property was planted with orchards and gardens. After Herbert Dow died in 1930, his wife began a philanthropic family foundation. Today, Dow Gardens is its signature gift.

The canopy walk is a friendly place. It’s ADA-compliant, so it’s good for strollers, slow walkers, and wheelchairs, as well as the young and old, the tired, and the naturestarved.

When it opened, it became wildly popular, but lost momentum during the pandemic. Now, officials expect crowds to be out again. Many locals come multiple times a year, but Midland, which is about a two-hour drive from Detroit or Grand Rapids, also is an easy stop for travelers headed up north. Dow Gardens is open year-round, “and we do our best to keep the paths clear,” Paten says.

Admission is $10 for adults, and $2 for children ages 6-17 and college students, and gives visitors access to both Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest. An annual pass is available for $20. Those who are unable to make the walk to the forest, due to mobility issues, are encouraged to call to arrange parking.

Once there, canopy visitors will experience what many others already know: stress evaporates when you’re up high in the trees.

Both pages, left to right:

Lookout points along the more than quarter-mile canopy walk showcase the pond and forest.

PLAN IT! Dow Gardens dowgardens.org