Golf program to launch teaching, learning facility

During the summer months, Kent State broke land on the new Golf Teaching and Learning Facility with the hopes of making the men’s and women’s golf program one of the most prominent in the nation.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Aug. 23.

The new facility will cost approximately $1.4 million and is being financed through private support.

“The Golf Teaching and Learning Facility will be a model for other schools,” said Kent State women’s coach Mike Morrow.

The center will contain four bent grass target greens with full greenside bunkers and swale, a 70-by-40 yard bent grass tee area, extensive short game area, locker rooms, study rooms with computers and Internet capability, a trophy room, offices for coaches and indoor heated stalls, which allow golfers to shoot outdoors at all times of the year.

“We are proud to have the prestige of knowing that we will have one of the finest golf teaching facilities in the country, a place where the golf teams can practice no matter what the weather condition,” said Laing Kennedy, Kent State athletic director.

The first part of building has begun with the ground-breaking and irrigation work. The construction of the facility is to begin next spring.

Morrow said he is hoping that the facility will offer Kent State students and golfers a place to benefit and learn more about the game and help build a great program for years to come.

The facility will allow the golf teams to display their abilities and people to recognize their impressive record.

The men’s golf team has produced 63 All-Mid-American Conference golfers, 19 All Americans and 14 golfers whom have been selected as All-American Scholar-Athletes.

The men’s golf team has won the MAC Men’s Golf Championship 15 times overall, including 11 times within the last 14 years.

Kent State alumnus Ben Curtis is a three-time All-American golfer and 2003 British Open Champion.

The women’s golf team has also produced a fine record. The women’s team has won all seven MAC championships and has made appearances in the NCAA regional for the last five years.

The women’s team has advanced to the NCAA championships twice.

The men’s and women’s teams will be able to benefit from the academic study lounges, which include computers, printers and Internet usage.

“We are very excited to see it go underway and for the outcome,” Kennedy said.

The facility is being built on the south end of the golf course, at the end of Powdermill Road.

Contact sports correspondent Caroline Lautenbacher at [email protected].