The concept of driving to succeed will assume a greater dimension for aspiring golf professionals when they arrive for the new school year at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C. Thanks to a collaboration of volunteer efforts throughout the golf industry, students in the college’s Professional Golf Management program will enjoy a renovated driving range.
A partner in the project was Steve Dorer, who, until last year, was the certified golf course superintendent responsible for the college’s 18-hole golf course. Looking for a project coordinator, the college approached Dorer through his new employer, Revels Tractor Co., a John Deere One Source supplier. In concert with golf program director, Jerry Hogge, Dorer and Brian Whitcomb, current secretary of the PGA of America, the partenrship created an example of what can be achieved when different arms of the golf industry work together.
“The college has been trying to get this work done for several years,” Dorer said. “Because the students spend so much time on the practice range it used to suffer heavily. But this work will provide a first-class facility. It has been an extremely satisfying investment in the future of the game.”
Arizona-based Whitcomb, who is also an accomplished designer, provided shapers for the project at no charge as an investment in the future of golf.
“The PGA of America has a rich history of being a fraternal organization," Whitcomb said. "The opportunity to help college men and women who will, in turn, help people in the future as PGA professionals is a privilege. Thousands of PGA members help civic organizations and lead fundraisers for worthy causes. This project is simply my turn to give back a little.”
The new driving range at Methodist College presents a welcome to visitors. Instead of a drab plain with one overworked hitting area, the new range features book-end hitting areas, target greens and aesthetically pleasing undulations. A winding fairway of 419 Bermudagrass completes the visual appeal. An upgraded irrigation system will help ensure optimal performance.
The project also includes installation of a practice fairway bunker, a greenside bunker and chipping area. Three new practice putting greens were built providing 21,000 square feet of putting surface. All are grassed with TifDwarf Bermudgrass.
Whitcomb provided similar volunteer service and labor when several holes were rebuilt at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida. One difference with this project is the immediate feedback from the people benefiting from the fruits of his labor. Whitcomb said he was struck by the good grace and enthusiasm of students at Methodist College before they left for their summer break.
“Never have I seen so many well-behaved, appreciative young men and women as I did at Methodist College,” he says.
Another palpable difference for Whitcomb with this volunteer project was the constant presence of military aircraft from Fort Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne and Special Forces: “Working beneath military airplanes and helicopters training to protect us made my efforts seem pretty insignificant indeed.”
Methodist College is one of select group of college in the nation offering a PGA Professional Golf Management program accredited by the PGA of America. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration or Marketing with a concentration in Professional Golf Management.
Source: Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association