SMU Golf Has a New Home Course

[friarwolf]

We are pleased to announce that the Dallas Athletic Club will be the home course of the Southern Methodist University Golf teams. Many months were spent off the course, deliberating details and in contract negotiations, and an agreement has been finalized. The Board believes this association will enhance the fine tradition of golf at this Club, while providing an exceptional, state of the art facility for SMU. This is an exciting new chapter in DAC history, and we are anxious to begin the journey.

The substance of our agreement includes an Indoor Practice Facility and an Outdoor Practice facility. The Indoor Practice Facility will be constructed at the expanded north end of the range and will house two practice bays equipped with state of the art electronic diagnostics and practice aids. One bay is for DAC use as scheduled through the pro shop, and the second is exclusively for SMU use. The Outdoor Practice Facility will replace the existing Par Three course. We are very pleased that SMU will hire Chet Williams of Nicklaus Design to design and oversee construction of this entire area, which will have 4 holes of golf, practice bunkers and putting greens. SMU players will utilize the outdoor facility, and DAC members and staff will have full access to the area.
Additionally, SMU will be constructing a team building, which will have coach's offices, locker rooms, training room, conference room, and more. This building will be for SMU use only and will be designed by noted Architect, Robert McKinney. He and Chet Williams will work closely together to dovetail the buildings into the range and Par 3 area to make the most pleasing impact on our property. This work will require a reconfiguration of the maintenance area and DAC internal planning for this is underway and all costs will fall under site work.

SMU will provide funding for the site work, design, construction and furnishing of the entire project. The agreement requires that all designs be mutually agreed upon so DAC and SMU are pleased before construction begins. It further allows SMU one year to complete fund raising for the project, and a second year to complete all design work, obtain building permits and start construction. SMU wants to start construction as soon as possible so we are hoping to see a start well ahead of the timelines allowed.

SMU currently pays a Facilities Use Fee to DAC for the use of our facilities and will continue to do so. In addition to this fee, SMU will be responsible for the cost to operate the Indoor Practice Facility as well as utilities to both buildings. Students and coaches will continue to have use of the Pro Shop and the 9-1/2 Snack Bar.

DAC is proud to be the home of the SMU Golf Teams and we as an organization are committed to a wonderful working relationship with SMU, their coaches and players.

[smupony94]

Cozy confines for SMU golf

Agreement with DAC paves way for complex to house programs


01:01 AM CDT on Thursday, July 26, 2007



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On the day of his death, Payne Stewart was on his way to Dallas for a meeting about finding a golf course for SMU, among other things. The former SMU player knew that having a home course would be the quickest way to elevate the programs.

That dream will soon be reality.

In a move that will put SMU on par with the best programs in the country, the college has entered an agreement to make Dallas Athletic Club its home with a $4 million practice facility and clubhouse.

"We have made a commitment at SMU to be top 25 in all we do," athletic director Steve Orsini said. "This golf complex will exceed that standard."

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Designs include a team clubhouse, men's and women's locker rooms, a hall of fame and trophy room, coaches' offices, study rooms, a conference room, a workout facility and a media room.

There also will be two hitting bays equipped with video and swing analysis technology. A four-hole practice area created by Chet Williams of Nicklaus Design will feature numerous hitting stations for short-game work. And there will be two large putting greens with bent grass and Bermuda.

Robert McKinney, a former Texas Amateur champion, will be the architect.

Men's coach Jay Loar has been tinkering with design concepts since he started nine years ago. The project could be completed in 18 months, depending on fund raising.

"It's probably the best arrangement in the United States; at least the top three," Loar said. "Just having a home base will launch SMU. We've got a good program, but now there shouldn't be any top player that won't consider SMU."

Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are among the college programs with home courses.

For DAC, becoming home of SMU golf has plenty of benefits. Members will see its makeshift practice course dramatically upgraded by a top designer. By expanding the north end of the driving range, parking spaces will increase and the maintenance building will be hidden.

"Number one, look at all the physical stuff we're getting," DAC president Allen Hundley said. "This is also a way to give back by letting the kids play. And there's prestige. We'd love to get a yearly event or an NCAA regional."

DAC hosted the 1963 PGA Championship won by Jack Nicklaus. It has 36 holes. The Nicklaus-designed Blue Course has hosted a number of other events, such as the 1991 Texas Amateur, the 1993 Southern Junior, the 1997 USGA Mid-Amateur, the 1998 AJGA Boys Championship and the 2003 Texas Amateur Championship.

The lead donor for the new complex will get naming options, but at least a portion of the facility will be named after Stewart, the former PGA Tour star who died in a plane crash in October 1999.

"Payne Stewart loved SMU and SMU golf," Loar said. "He was aware that a home course was the missing ingredient in our quest to become a perennial top-25 golf program and make a run at another NCAA national championship."

brnichols@dallasnews.com


SMU GOLF COMPLEX
Location: Dallas Athletic Club, 4111 La Prada, Mesquite

Completion: 18 months to two years

Design: Chet Williams, Nicklaus Design Team; Robert McKinney, architect

Cost: $4 million, through fund raising