Fundraiser Held for VA Heroes Golf Course

by Ralph Hattenbach

A fundraiser was held Wednesday night at the Heroes Golf Course at the VA property in West LA. Over 150 people attended an event to help make improvements to the course located on the northern end of the Veteran facility.

Ricardo Bandini spearheaded the efforts with a substantial gift of his own money in addition to a $200,000 gift from the Community Justice Foundation. Bandini's family back in 1889 donated the land that the Heroes course stands on today.

Recently, a group of volunteers from television industry Steven Bochko and Andy Friendly have worked to secure a donation from the Annenberg Foundation to build a new clubhouse to replace the building built in 1946. The original idea for the course came about through the efforts of local Hillcrest Country club to honor returning WWII veterans.

Numerous veterans volunteer their services doing maintenance on the course and some have graduated to paying jobs. The course is open to the public (greens fees are $11 during the week, and $13 on weekends) and veterans play for free.

In addition to the new clubhouse, the long-term plan is to open a driving range on the property. If you haven't ever visited the Heroes Golf Course, you will be very impressed by this little gem of a course hidden right in the Westside.

For more information and golf lessons you can contact golf pro Jim Denneline at 310-473-0710 or http://www.heroesgolfcourse.com.

Attached photos show the plan for the new clubhouse, Ricardo Bandini and a "victory garden" at the Heroes Golf course in West LA.