Michigan Golf Journal August 2021

tour with MGJ . “This is a practice area for situational golf, how to get the ball in the hole. This will replicate what we see on the road. It might help us recruit more players, for sure, but making us better players – that’s primary. “We can recreate any conditions out here we want, from firm bunkers to soft bunkers, to greens running as slow or fast as we want. It’s a different kind of practice. When you go across the street to the driving range, you hit 10 seven irons to a pin. What does that teach you about scoring? Here we can say, ‘you’ve got 240 yards to the hole, get it down in 3.’ Every shot you need to hit from 240 and in, to be good, you can practice that right here.” There will be a 10-ball limit to any player. They can walk the area like a short course. MSU’s world-renowned Turfgrass department was instrumental in development, along with golf course designer Paul Albanese. Oakland U: The Oakland University Athletics department recently unveiled plans for the new Varsity Golf Training Center for the men’s and women’s golf programs. “This facility will be a game- changer for our current student-athletes but also in our recruiting for future student-athletes,” said men’s coach Nick Pumford. “I couldn’t be more excited for the future of Oakland men’s and women’s golf.” The new state-of-the-art facility will feature a putting and chipping green in addition to driving range bays and a team room with a nutrition station. Both men’s and women’s locker rooms will be on-site, plus head coach offices and a team lounge. “The facility will allow our student-athletes the ability to practice year-round with state- of-the-art technology,” women’s head golf coach Alyssa Gaudio-Guss said. “We will be able to work on our short game skills and come out in the spring ready to play.” MGJ Oakland University’s planned facility 29 August 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com