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Golf FacilitiesSports: Men’s and Women’s GolfDemirjian Construction ProgressStone Creek Golf Course WebsiteOrange and Blue Golf Course WebsiteDriving Directions |
Demirjian Golf Practice Facility
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is currently constructing a comprehensive indoor golf facility for year-round practice, training, instruction and research. The building has been made possible thanks to a lead gift from the Demirjian family of Decatur, Illinois and will be named the Demirjian Golf Practice facility. The family was present with Director of Athletics Ron Guenther and University dignitaries to kick-off construction of the building which will be located on St. Mary’s Road, across from the Atkins Tennis Center.
The building, designed by RATIO Architect Inc., in a modern style, will be an all-inclusive indoor golf teaching center spanning 16,000 square feet and measuring three-and-a-half stories tall at its highest point. It will feature the finest amenities, making the facility the home away from home for the Illinois men’s and women’s golf programs. Head men’s golf coach Mike Small believes it will be the finest indoor facility in college golf.
The opening of the Demirjian Golf Practice Facility is scheduled for November 2006 and will include the following:
- 16,000-square foot facility
- 6,300-square foot putting, chipping, and pitching area
- Six heated hitting bays that open onto an outdoor driving range, two of which are outfitted with state of the art video analysis equipment
- Full locker rooms
- Fully equipped golf repair room
- 1,500-square foot team lounge
- Study area with computers
Other significant contributors that have helped make this facility possible include Art Wyatt, Jeff and Madalyn Tinervin, Avy and Marcie Stein, and Steven and Janet Bowsher.
Stone Creek Golf Course
The newest course in the Urbana-Champaign area is Stone Creek Golf Club. The Southeast Urbana course opened in the spring of 1999. The course is located approximately five miles from campus and is the current home of the University of Illinois golf programs.
Stone Creek was named for the creek that meanders through the course. The daily-fee golf course features soft, smooth slopes with subtle elevation changes. Among the course’s characteristics are sculptured bunkers and several lakes. The trees and shrubbery used to decorate the course are indigenous to the Central Illinois area.
Tim and Dick Nugent designed the course on a piece of farmland on the outskirts of Urbana. The design was intended to ensure the enjoyment of all skill levels that play the course.
The par-72 course measures 7,118 yards from the men’s tees.
Since it’s opening, Stone Creek Golf Club has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments including the Northern Club Pro Championship and Big Ten Men’s Championships in 2001, Big Ten’ Women’s Championships and USGA Men’s Amateur Qualifier in 2002, Women’s Western Amatuer in 2003, Illinois State Men’s Amateur in 2004 and USGA Men’s Amatuer Qualifier in 2005.
U of I Orange and Blue Golf Courses
In April 2003, the University of Illinois opened a short-game outdoor teaching center for the exclusive use of the Fighting Illini men’s and women’s golf teams.
Located at the University of Illinois Orange and Blue Golf Courses, the center features two 7,000-square foot greens, one for putting and one for chipping, putting and full shots. It also includes three different types of bunkers. The short-game center was designed in order for the players to practice every possible golf shot inside of 130 yards.
“This was just another step in our progression as a top-notch program,” Head men’s golf coach Mike Small said of creating the short-game center. “I believe that creativity and imagination are key in the development of a player, and this facility will help us develop those characteristics in our short game.”
The Orange and Blue Golf Courses were both designed by C.D. Wagstaff of Evanston, Illinois. The Orange course, built in 1950, is approximately 151 acres, while the Blue course, built in 1966, is approximately 140 acres.
Driving Directions
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