MT Athletics
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – On the eve of the seventh annual Intercollegiate at The Grove, Middle Tennessee Athletics is officially unveiling a brand new golf practice facility currently under construction at the Blue Raiders’ home course.
“This project is a huge step forward for Middle Tennessee Athletics, moving both of our golf programs to the forefront in college golf in terms of facilities,” Director of Athletics Chris Massaro stated. “The Grove is an elite golf course, and we believe that the addition of an elite facility gives Blue Raider golfers one of the best places in the country to call home. Our donors provided tremendous support in making this facility possible, and for that we can’t thank them enough.
“Our new golf facility is going to be an outstanding asset, and would also not have been possible without the resources and help of The Grove and its staff, former coaches Whit Turnbow and Brennan Webb for their foresight in starting this project, and the current Head Coaches of both of our golf programs in Mark McEntire and Chris Adams.”
After breaking ground on August 15, the Blue Raider Men’s and Women’s Golf programs will move into their new $1,000,000 facility – built in partnership with and located at The Grove Club – by year’s end.
“The Grove has been very generous with their time and their resources both during and long before we began this project,” Head Men’s Golf Coach Mark McEntire stated. “We are so appreciative of everything The Grove has done for us. It is a great partnership, and we continue to look forward to what lies ahead.”
Middle Tennessee’s new golf home will boast many features that will provide Blue Raider golfers the opportunity to enhance their abilities year round. Three indoor hitting bays and an indoor putting green with multiple slope changes provide numerous areas for student-athletes to perfect their game despite harsh weather conditions that would typically put a halt to practices.
Two of the indoor hitting bays will include TrackMan simulator studios where more than 90 different courses can be played virtually while being just steps away from a players lounge, locker rooms, training facilities and a study area.
Synthetic turf used in all practice areas will be installed by Goat Turf, located in Murfreesboro and owned by Blue Raider Baseball alum Tyler Burnett, while construction is being completed by Shane McFarland Construction.
“We are beyond excited about our new indoor practice facility at The Grove,” Head Women’s Golf Coach Chris Adams said. “It is an outstanding addition for our program and just gives us that many more opportunities to get better. It will offer so much for us to show to recruits as well as to enhance our practices. Having multiple indoor hitting bays with TrackMan technology plus the putting area with different slope changes allows our players the ability to improve their game year round regardless of any type of inclement weather.”
With a state-of-the-art practice facility located at the highly-rated Grove Club, Middle Tennessee Golf will now stand on par with some of the top programs not only in the state of Tennessee, but all of Division I golf in what it offers collegiate golfers to give them the ability to become top-ranked players.
“From a collegiate golf standpoint, having a home course that is a top-ranked golf course with what will be the finest training facility in the state is a game-changer on many levels,” McEntire exclaimed. “Not only will this help with recruitment, gaining the ability for year-round play and training gives our players a definite edge.”
“I think we are extremely fortunate to have this type of facility on such a great course and to be able to use it for practice whenever we need to, during nice weather but especially during those winter months,” Adams added.
The 18-hole, par 72 Greg Norman Signature course at The Grove offers fairways kept at tour heights, greens rolling at U.S. Open speeds and bunkers identical to those at the Tour Championship, providing a golf experience that is unparalleled in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
“As with all top-notch golf programs, it is very important to have an indoor practice/teaching facility to allow year-round practice in any type of weather,” said Mike Green, General Manager at The Grove. “The Grove is providing the space, overseeing construction, and will provide utilities and maintenance in the future. It is truly a great joint venture to be used by both the university and our teaching staff.”
Middle Tennessee Athletics secured 100 percent of the funding for the $1,000,000 project from private donors.
“We have had tremendous support from our donors and alumni here at Middle Tennessee, and they are who really made this facility possible for us,” McEntire stated. “Without them we would not have been able to complete this project that will continue to advance our program.”
“I have seen a lot of nice facilities, but I truly believe that when completed this will be one of the top facilities around,” Adams concluded. “To have this exceptional facility on an outstanding, championship golf course – it just doesn’t get any better.”
| FACILITY FEATURES |
- Three indoor hitting bays
- Two Trackman simulator studios w/ 90 virtual courses
- Indoor putting green
- Outdoor hitting area
- Club fitting technology
- Players lounge
- Locker rooms
- Workout facility
- Study spaces
- Coach offices
- Storage facilities
| FACILITY SPECS |
| Groundbreaking | August 15, 2020 |
| Construction Time | Approx. 120 days |
| Est. Completion Date | Mid-December 2020 |
| Size | 3,851 square feet |
| Indoor Surfaces | Installed by Goat Turf |
FLOOR PLAN
