Michigan State University Athletics
Forest Akers Celebrates Grand Opening of All-Weather Driving Range
2/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 19, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University's Forest Akers Golf Courses celebrated the grand opening of its new all-weather driving range with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon (Feb. 19). The new facility, which is the first of its kind in Mid-Michigan, features 18 heated/covered hitting stalls. The ceremony included MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, men's golf head coach Sam Puryear, women's golf head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, and men's golfer Jack Newman, who will participate in the 2009 Masters. The event kicks off a celebration week of specials and donations to the Sparrow Foundation Children's Miracle Network from Feb. 19-28.
"With our new all-weather, heated driving range, golfers can practice year-round comfortably and watch the entire flight of their golf ball," said Steve Ruthenberg, manager for Forest Akers Golf Courses. "With our excellent lighting, they can even practice in the evening. With our partnerships with the MSU golf teams and the Sparrow Children's Miracle Network, we're hoping the grand opening celebration will be great for MSU and the community."
"There's just so many people to thank for this facility," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "When (Ken) Horvath came to me and said he wanted to do this, trust me, I was the first person that said, `how do we start?' I couldn't wait to build something of this caliber and nature because I knew it was the next piece in the puzzle for our student-athletes to help reach their potential. The indoor facility (Rearick Golf Center) has already allowed us, both Sam and myself, to coach two of the best teams in the country.
"Opening those doors for the first time and watching the smiles on our players faces was priceless. We're not only excited from the golf teams side but also the public side as well. Knowing all of the people in the community are involved and that they'll be able to watch their ball fly, which is imperative in order to be a successful golfer, is really what this is all about.
"I love the question that we get, time and time again: `how does Michigan State continue to produce Big Ten champions and All-Americans, and win Big Ten championships, when we're in this climate?' We're winning Big Ten championships on a regular basis because we believe in our players and the players believe in Michigan State University and our system. In having this facility, it will allow us to take our teams the next step higher. We thank everyone who has been involved and we appreciate their support over the years."
"When I first took this job, people asked me why I would come from California to Michigan," said Puryear. "My answer was that the people in this administration were proven winners. Having this winter complex, having the support of everyone in athletics and the administration, with President (Lou Anna) Simon here, and also with the Fossums (Bruce and Mary) here - it doesn't get any better than this. Seeing Jack work so hard and having the chance of a lifetime to play in the Masters, to me that just proves that dreams can come true. The seeds of those dreams start here. I really feel that Michigan State has built something that a lot of people have taken notice of."
A variety of promotions will be offered throughout the week:
• Forest Akers will donate $1 from every large bucket of balls purchased to the Sparrow Foundation Children's Miracle Network.
• Fifteen percent off the purchase of Forest Akers Range Debit Cards, and all golf instruction classes or clinics.
• Jack Ebling of WILS-AM's "The Jack and Tom Show" will broadcast live from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.
• A free Nike Demo Day will let golfers try the newest Nike golf equipment from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.
• Free golf lessons and tips from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Forest Akers offers two 18-hole championship layouts, a state-of-the-art practice facility referred to as The Golf Center, two full-service golf shops and a full complement of services. The Golf Center is Mid-Michigan's premier practice facility. The 20-acre practice facility opened in 1997 and was rated as one of the top 10 new ranges in the country. The Golf Center is open to the public with a variety of membership options available.
The new driving range will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Forest Akers Golf Courses, at www.golfmsu.msu.edu, is a unit of the Division of Housing & Food Services at Michigan State University.
Portions of this release courtesy of Michigan State University Division of Housing & Food Services Marketing Communications.
