University Golf Courses

[George Pazin]

Are other university activities required to be self funded or self sustaining?

I think it's kind of a sad statement on the political status of our wonderful game that it is viewed as something only for the priviledged.

[Matt_Ward]

Lou Duran:

I hear what you're saying, but the fact of the matter is quite simple -- a course that gains the tag "University" is exactly that. If the powers-that-be decide to "restrict" access or simply "buy" the tag from the college / university then so be it.

I don't doubt or dispute your concerns regarding access but clearly access is an issue with most "University" courses anyway. The question becomes whose access is imperiled.

Karsten Creek is a superb layout and often goes unnoticed because of the stature of in-state courses such as Southern Hills and Oak Tree GC, to name just two. The NCAA Championship only served to open a few eyes on the merits of this fascinating layout in the nation's heartland.

[Lou_Duran]

Matt,

My remarks about access in this context are not meant broadly to include the general public.  I understand that KC is a very fine course (one of my son's golfing friends, Zack Robison, plays for OSU and did very well at the NCAA championship).  The coach, some alumni, and, apparently, the university have every legal right to create and operate a club in their image.  I think that it is an opportunity foregone that the students at OSU are excluded, economically for the most part, from enjoying such a great facility which owes its very existence to the university.  As one whose life was enriched by the exposure to Ohio State's Scarlet & Grey club, I just lament that Oklahoma State students don't have similar opportunities at a course which, on paper at least, is affiliated with the university.  No doubt, had Coach Brown at Ohio State had his way, he too would have severely restricted access to the Scarlet course.  Fortunately, he did not possess that power, and the course served the wider interests of the student, faculty, staff, and alumni populations.  The Scarlet course is definitely overplayed, but I suspect that its benefits and impact to the university and the wider community are in multiples to those of OSU- Karsten Creek.    

[Doug Wright]

From the standpoint of golf-course architecture (its creation, maintenance, and preservation), is it a good idea for a university to own a golf course? In other words: In the long run, can a university be the ideal owner/operator of a golf course? In still other words: Are there any university golf course that just keep getting better and better?
 

Dan,

I had the opportunity to play the Cornell course last month  for the first time in 25 years and I have to say I think it's better and better. Certainly a much better golf course than I recall when I was there. It's matured nicely, they haven't done any stupid modifications (and maybe have made some improvements) and it represents vintage RTJ, the alumnus whose name is on the course, very nicely.  I think they appreciate the heritage there. The thing that surprised me was the greens.  They are much more contoured than I recall and really quite clever in many places.  Maybe they were careful to have it in primo shape for the $$$-giving alums, but it certainly was despite the incessant rain around there.

Is Seven Oaks at hapless Colgate better than RTJ Cornell? It used to be, but guess I need to venture over there some year to see...They're both better than the 9 holer at my other alma mater Hamilton, but Hamilton beat them both for access--the first tee was 50 yards from my freshman dorm and never occupied.  

PS I think Cornell's course is open to the Cornell student/faculty/administration/alums etc and accompanied guests.