June 8, 2009
DALLAS (SMU) - June 15th is shaping up to be a big day for SMU Athletics and its golf programs, as the Mustangs will break ground on the new SMU Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center at the Dallas Athletic Club (DAC) before teeing it up for the annual Mustang Club Golf Classic.
The day will start at 12:45 p.m. with the groundbreaking which starts the construction on the center. The center will consist of three main components: a teaching facility that will feature two indoor hitting bays with state-of-the-art video swing analysis and a media-enhanced conference meeting room; a team clubhouse that will include men's and women's locker rooms, a Hall of Champions, coaches' offices and a study/computer center; and a four-hole short game course, planned by Chet Williams of Nicklaus Design that will create a multitude of practice stations for every conceivable lie or situation, and two large putting greens - one Bentgrass and one Bermuda.
"This golf complex will help our golf teams remain among the elite in collegiate golf while we maintain the high academic performance of our golf student-athletes," said SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini.
A partnership with the DAC will enable SMU to create this golf center that will exceed the standards of the country's other top golf programs. The facility also will be an instrumental component of SMU's successful recruitment of outstanding young golfers who will carry on the tradition Stewart established as a student-athlete and professional golfer.
SMU alumnus and two-time U.S. Open champion Payne Stewart envisioned a permanent golf course and practice facility for the University's golf program, then the one missing ingredient in SMU's quest to become a perennial top-25 golf program. His spirit and accomplishments, which he often attributed to his experience as an SMU athlete, will be memorialized by this facility.
To support this Second Century Campaign project for men's and women's golf, contact Tim Leonard, senior associate athletic director for development, at 214-768-4465 or tleonard@smu.edu, or Kori Kaufman, director of athletics capital projects, at 214-768-4660 or kkaufman@smu.edu.
Following the groundbreaking, the Mustang Club will present the second-annual Mustang Club Golf Classic.
The event is a perfect way to gather with friends, play some golf and kick off the new membership year. The shotgun start is set for 1 p.m. on two 18-hole championship courses, followed by dinner and awards at the clubhouse. Fans that can not make the golf event are welcome to join the group at approximately 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the end of the day with fellowship and a dinner and auction to benefit the athletic programs.
The player registration fee is only $160 per player. To play or attend the dinner, please RSVP ASAP to Debbie Mulvenna at dmulvenna@smu.edu or by calling Debbie at 214-768-3315.
Media wishing to attend the events should contact Brad Sutton in the SMU Athletic Media Relations Office at (214) 768-2883 or via e-mail at bsutton@smu.edu.
