BATON ROUGE – After undergoing extensive renovations over the past year, the home of the nationally-ranked LSU men’s and women’s golf programs is ready for competition as the University Club with its newly-designed par-72 layout re-opened to members Friday morning.
The course at the University Club was re-designed under the watchful eyes of LSU legend and PGA Tour pro David Toms and renowned golf course architect Jim Lipe.
It comes as no surprise that the University Club has already been selected an NCAA Men’s Golf Regional host site for the 2013 season, marking the first time in the history of the LSU men’s golf program the team will play host to an NCAA postseason tournament on its home course.
“I think all LSU fans are going to be very proud of what this is not only going to do for the membership at the University Club, but also the impact it is going to have on our golf programs here at LSU,” said men’s golf head coach Chuck Winstead. “The golf course looks gorgeous. It’s been lengthened. We’ve got trees, bulkhead and water in play. It’s an impressive example of golf course architecture.
“David Toms and Jim Lipe have really taken the lead on the renovations, and their vision has transformed University Club into one of the finest golf courses in the South.”
The challenging 18-hole, par-72 course at University Club will play to 7,700 yards from its championship tees and feature wide fairways bordered by pine hammocks and native grasses, in addition to 2,000 feet of beautiful bulkhead. Four additional sets of tees are also available.
In addition, the lake areas have been increased by 110,000 cubic yards and more than 500 trees have been added to the course to provide a challenging test of golf for anyone playing the University Club.
Not only that, but the course now has one of the most impressive finishing holes in golf as the 18th hole on the back nine features a new championship “Tiger” tee with a beautiful six-foot high wood bulkhead. The lake was expanded near the green, where an additional 180 feet of bulkhead was also added.
“This (the renovation of the U-Club) is the next step to get us where we want to be,” said LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen. “We’re excited about what the University Club has become. We look forward to showing it off, and we look forward to how it will shape the future of our golf programs here at LSU.”
LSU fans have the opportunity to experience the new renovations themselves as the University Club is set to open to the general public next month as it plays host to a special Course Preview Event on Thursday, Sept. 16. The event is free and open to the public.