The Fighting Illini golf programs are excited to unveil an upgrade to the Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility thanks to the generous donations from several alumni. The facility received a new surface for its 7,000-square foot putting, chipping and pitching area thanks to donations from former Illinois golfers, Luke and Kaitlyn Guthrie, Scott and Kristy Langley and Thomas Pieters. The new surface features seven different varieties of turf for improved short-game practice.
“As a head coach, it is always special to have former players stay involved with the program and to see them give back and to support those who follow,” said men’s golf coach Mike Small. “Scott and Kristy, Luke and Kaitlyn, and Thomas, without any hesitation generously funded the resurfacing project of the indoor putting and chipping room, and we can’t thank them enough. Scott, Luke and Thomas were part of the same championship team, and for them to come together to fund this project just shows again how great of Illini teammates they truly are!”
Justin Timberlake had more than a few highlights during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this month, including a near ace at the iconic par-3 seventh and back-to-back chip ins on holes 16 and 17. Among the excitement, a highlight that may have been missed was this trick shot he pulled of on the range at Pebble Beach.
At this stage, golfers everywhere are ready for winter to be over. Especially our neighbors to the north. At Fraserglen Golf Course in Abbotsford, Canada, an ice storm toppled the nets surrounding their practice range. According to the facility, freezing rain accumulated on the nets, essentially turning them into sails which brought down the poles when the wind picked up.
Although Nike announced back in August of last year that they’re exiting the golf equipment business (see story on page 54 of this month’s issue), the company is staying engaged with the industry in multiple ways. They recently announced a partnership with Todd Sones, one of the game’s leading instructors, to launch four junior developmental camps this summer at White Deer Run Golf Club, located on Chicago’s North Shore. Todd Sones Impact Golf and Nike Junior Golf Camps will operate the camps in conjunction. “I am excited to work with Nike Junior Golf Camps, to bring a great experience to juniors golfers who attend our program,” said Sones. “We love having the opportunity to work with young players and teach skills that will help them in golf and life.”
