PELL CITY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs joined the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association for a ribbon cutting and dedication of the Wayne Kendrick Putting Green unveiled today at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City.  Kendrick, a golf enthusiast and resident of the home, was the driving force initiating the special project in the spring of 2020.

Neal Wisdom, President of the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association said, “It seems a good way to give back to these residents, who have given so much to us through their service to our country. It is especially fitting that we accomplished this in 2020 due to the restrictions placed on the residents due to Covid-19.”

The artificial green was constructed by Ken Healy of Ideal Synthetic Surfaces with volunteer labor from the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents. Mr. Healy says that though every install is special to him, none have been more special than building this green for our veterans. Ken says, “The smile on their faces when they found out what we were doing is priceless and all the payment needed.”

“I want to thank the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association, our Veterans Service Organizations, and everyone who generously donated their time and resources to this wonderful project,” said Kent Davis, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. “The Wayne Kendrick Putting Green is a testament to the community coming together to honor our treasured Veterans in a very special way.”

Donations from the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and others in the turfgrass industry made building the green possible.