Paynes Stewart Cup update

[PonyPride]

Hello SMU Golf Fans, Friends, and Payne Stewart Golf Center Supporters!

Our men's team survived winter-like conditions in Columbia MO and prevailed at the Mizzou Tiger Intercollegiate with Kelly Kraft capturing top honors and received, for the 5th time, C-USA Golfer of the week! (clips below)

As our team prepares for C-USA next week in Orlando and the 10th Annual Payne Stewart Cup approaches (May 4th, E-vite attached) we continue to fundraise to fulfill Payne Stewart’s dream and build a home for SMU Golf: The Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center at the Dallas Athletic Club.

To follow the Payne Cup tournament, you are sure to enjoy the festivities in honoring our SMU Hall of Fame Golfer. We hope you plan on joining the Payne Cup Committee, our SMU Golf Coaches, SMU team representatives, and Director of Athletics, Steve Orsini, for a guaranteed wonderful evening!

Golf Center Project update:
· The Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center will prove to be an impactful piece of SMU Athletics Second Century Campaign history.
· Gifts and written pledges secured total just over $2 million -50% of the $4 million project goal.
· Project Components include: A Short Game Course, Teaching Facility, and Team Clubhouse.
· Construction plans to break ground on the Short Game Course and Teaching Facility are in process.
· Several center naming proposals are in motion, led by Dr. Turner and Steve Orsini.
· Optimal response to these proposals will allow us to reach and exceed our 80% project goal and also begin construction on phase three -the Team Clubhouse.
· Steve Orsini will present a Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center update during the Payne Cup evening, with impetus to reach our project goal of $4 million.
· The fundraising deadline is June 25, 2009, an extension of the original June 25, 2008.
· The DAC and Payne Stewart Board’s dedicated partnership and loyalty to this project, and your generous pledges have brought us close to fulfilling Payne Stewart’s dream.
· We look forward to teaming up with you and those attending the Payne Stewart Cup - to drive home Payne’s dream –and build our home for SMU Golf, bearing Payne’s name.


Tim Leonard-Senior Associate Director of Athletics and I will be available at the Payne Cup reception to share project details with all interested in being on our “Payne Dream Team.â€