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BY: Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.
The University of Illinois and the Fighting Illini Golf Team takes the next step in preparation with the dedication of it’s new practice facility today in Urbana.
Illinois now a prominent golf power in the world of NCAA golf, will be among the leaders in college golf with a state-of-the-art practice facility. The facility is now a indoor and outdoor facility, and is for use by both the men’s and women’s golf teams of the university.
Men’s head golf coach Mike Small, is also the reigning IPGA Section Champion.
The dedication will be held at the facility 1415 W. St. Mary’s Road in Urbana. Attendee’s will include UI President Robert Easter, UI Chancellor Phyllis Wise and Director of Athletics Mike Thomas.
“The Lauritsen/Wohlers Outdoor Golf Practice Facility is one of the jewels of the college golf world,” Thomas said. “Along with the Demirjian Indoor Facility, we feel that the University of Illinois has the finest and most complete golf training facility in the nation. The men’s and women’s golf teams members will be able to practice every shot from nearly every angle that they should encounter on the golf course. The group of supporters who helped make this facility possible believe in the mission and direction of our golf programs under Coach Small and Coach Slone. We appreciate all that was done to make this facility a reality.”
“As a former player and now a coach, this is an exciting day for the Illinois golf program,” said men’s coach Mike Small. “I’m thankful for the gifts provided to us for this project and I’m excited to have donors back on campus to celebrate the opening of this brand-new facility. This is another important step for the growth of our program, and it will help us continue to achieve our goals for student athletes.
“This is a historic and exciting day for Illinois Golf,” said head women’s golf coach Renee Slone said. “Our programs are so very fortunate to have great support from these donors who share the visions for Illinois Golf. The Lauritsen/Wohlers Outdoor Facility combined with the Demirjian Indoor Facility will provide our team members with the opportunity to hone their skills and prepare for competition at one of the finest facilities in all of college golf.”
The new outdoor Lauritsen/Wohlers outdoor practice area at U of I.
The facility was inspired by the practice area at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament. The area is 24 acres in size and is made possible through several donors including PGA Tour player and U of I alum Steve Stricker and his wife Nicki.
The outdoor area will allow players to practice any shot in golf from various lies and grass types, and feature target fairways and greens, fairways and greens, fairway and greenside bunkers and putting greens. The combined facilities total 6 million when you include the 2 million in equipment and a 3.5 million dollar endowment to to support the annual operations.
More information at fightingillini.com/sports.