Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey is one of the most expensive and exclusive private clubs in the world, with an initiation fee around $370,000. Magnificent views of the New York City skyline, which can be seen from the practice range, could be worth that alone.
Baylor University has a rich athletic history; as well as some historic athletes who are very rich. As a Baylor student, Billy Williams lettered in football in 1962 before going onto a career in finance, business and investing. Williams has contributed a multi-million dollar gift to the university for the construction of a state-of-the-art golf center. The planned 14-acre facility will include a practice course and range, as well as a clubhouse. It will serves as a complement to the Twin Rivers Golf Course, which Baylor will still use as its home course for tournaments.
Following an opening round of 70 at the Hong Kong Open last month, three-time major champion Padraig Harrington took to the practice range at Hong Kong Golf Club to spend time with local Special Olympic athletes.
Once a small driving range in the middle of nowhere, Longview Golf Centre in Urbandale, Iowa found itself surrounded. “We used to hit golf balls out in the middle of the cornfield so people who drove by knew we were a driving range,” said Lori Gaffney-Burmeister, an LPGA golf pro at Longview. Owners, Sue and George Frampton, announced the range’s last day as Friday, October 23, citing a desire to “welcome new development in the community.” As the community surrounding the property continues to explode with new development, the once “middle of nowhere” golf range is now a hot commodity for developers.“The entire Des Moines area has grown so fast,” said Gaffney-Burmeister. “Which is a good thing. But it’s sad to see this place go.”
