St. Peter, Minn. – On Saturday, May 31, a group of 40 donors, alumni, family members and student-athletes of Gustavus Adolphus College and its men’s and women’s golf programs attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the state-of-the-art Drenttel Golf Facility. The building site is west of the Swanson Tennis Center on the northwest corner of the campus.
“We are pleased that friends of the golf program have committed the funds needed to build the facility,” said President Jack R. Ohle. “The funds raised include a gift to the College’s endowment that will provide meaningful annual operating support for the facility. We look forward to engaging others who might be interested in supporting the facility in any way.”
Designed by Minnesota-based architectural firm TKDA, the 2,650-square foot Drenttel Golf Facility will feature three heated hitting bays that open to an outdoor driving range, a putting green, space designated for a golf simulator and new video analysis equipment, a team lounge, and full restrooms.
In addition to benefitting the golf program, the Drenttel Golf Facility will free up class space in Lund Center and has the potential to generate revenue for the College through rental fees.
“This facility has been a vision of mine for some time and to see it become a reality is very exciting,” said head men’s and women’s golf coach Scott Moe. “It will be instrumental in helping our teams remain two of the premier programs in the country.”
The first of its kind in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the structure and its amenities will offer Gustavus student-athletes a state-of-the-art practice facility.
The initial construction of the building was made possible through a generous lead gift from Edward `81 and Sandra Drenttel who are grateful for the impact the Gustavus golf program has had on their three daughters—Taylor ’12, Jordan ’15, and Mallory ’17.
“My wife Sandy and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to support the Gustavus golf program with this facility,” said Ed Drenttel. “The golf program deserves a first class facility that will provide a campus home for one of the very best golf programs in the country. This practice facility will be a space where teammates can hone their skills and where they can spend time together to form friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Drenttel went on to state that the facility fulfills not only a dream of his family’s but also of coach Moe and other donors who have made contributions to seeing the project become a reality. “This new golf facility represents a ‘commitment to excellence’—a phrase I believe captures the heart and soul of the Gustavus golf program,” concluded Drenttel.
The Gustavus men’s golf team has won 25 MIAC championships and has made 21 appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Gustie men won the NCAA championship in 2004 and have finished runner-up three times. The Gustavus women’s golf team has won the MIAC championship three times and has made nine showings in the NCAA tournament — finishing inside the top three in five of those nine trips.
Construction on the Drenttel Golf Facility will begin this month and is expected to be completed by the start of the 2014—15 academic year.