May 13, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Athletics unveiled plans for a new 17-acre golf practice facility on Friday. The state-of-the-art complex, located behind Gamecock Park and minutes from the University’s main campus, will feature over 400 yards of hitting space as well as three greens totaling 18,000 square feet.

The facility is being built by USC Foundations through private gifts from several generous donors. Construction is currently underway, and grassing is scheduled to be completed by July. The men’s and women’s golf teams are expected to begin utilizing the new complex in mid-October 2016.

“We are very fortunate to have donors who share the passion for the Gamecocks as well as wanting to create a championship experience for our golf teams,” South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner said. “State-of-the-art facilities like the golf practice complex will benefit our teams in competing for SEC and national titles.”

Once finished, the new facility, which has not yet been formally named, is expected to rank among the top collegiate practice complexes and aid in future recruiting efforts of the Gamecock golf programs.

“Everyone associated with our golf program is extremely excited about the development of this new practice facility,” South Carolina men’s golf coach Bill McDonald said. “The functionality of the design and the proximity to campus will help our players practice more efficiently and effectively.”

“This is just another example of South Carolina’s commitment to providing its student-athletes with the best facilities in the country,” South Carolina women’s golf head coach Kalen Anderson said. “The facility will be extremely beneficial in the development of our players and in our recruiting efforts.”

Noted golf course designer Beau Welling, a USC alumnus, has planned the facility, which is focused on providing players an opportunity to work on every aspect of the game, from putting, chipping, and bunker play to pitch shots and standard range exercises.

For the past four years, the Gamecocks’ primary driving range and short game facility has been The Coop Practice Facility, located near the Par Tee Driving Range in West Columbia. The comprehensive eight-acre complex, which was created through the help of Lexington County, has helped pushed South Carolina golf into the elite ranks of NCAA Division I teams.

“We’d like to give a special thanks to Cobblestone, the Members Club, Lexington County and The Coop for helping us achieve continued success and providing us the catalyst for this incredible new facility,” South Carolina director of golf development and facilities Puggy Blackmon said.

Both programs have advanced to the NCAA Regionals in each of the last 18 seasons. The men’s team has earned a trip to the NCAA postseason in 20 of the last 21 seasons, advancing to the NCAA Championship in each of the last three years. The women’s program has earned a berth in the NCAA Championship in each of the last seven seasons, and the Gamecocks have won an NCAA Regional title four times during that span, including the 2016 Baton Rouge Regional last weekend.

The elite facility will provide a convenient, options-oriented practice area for the Gamecock golfers and cater to the continued development of players.

“With time being such a precious commodity in today’s day and age, we have tried to create a facility that is highly adaptive to how someone wants to practice,” added Welling. “In essence, we have deconstructed the game of golf to the core practice elements and put them in an experiential environment very close to campus.”

Both players and coaches will be able to tailor their practice scenarios within the complex due to the flexibility afforded by the three greens, five bunkers and informal teeing areas. Fairway areas are designed to provide for a multitude of hitting options, as well as simulated hole experiences to the target greens. The dual-ended nature of the facility also permits players to train in a variety of wind conditions, and the state-of-the-art irrigation system will allow for sustainable water usage, while still permitting the complex to be maintained for tournament-like conditions.

The short game area is highlighted by the three greens, measuring roughly 6,000 square feet each, built to United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications. Two target greens will serve for practicing chipping and bunker play as well as full shots from fairway areas. The remaining green is exclusively for putting.