Golf team finds home at Mount Pleasant Country Club
When Central Michigan decided to re-establish women’s varsity golf for the first time since 1982, the team needed a place to compete.
After a “competitive bidding process” with other local golf courses, Mount Pleasant Country Club reached an agreement with CMU to build an indoor facility to accommodate the team.
In March 2014, the two sides agreed to a 10-year lease. CMU pays $35,000 in rent annually to the club in addition to $5,000 in utility costs and maintenance. The university can make both payments in one lump sum or 12 equal installments throughout the year.
At the end of the initial lease period, CMU has the option of renewing the lease in five-year increments up to four times.
While CMU is not hosting any matches in the next two years, any future events would be at Mount Pleasant Country Club.
The facility features a 3500-square-foot turf room with a putting green, two hitting bays and a lounge/locker room area for the team. There is also a simulator within the building, although that was not part of the original design.
“That was the selling point to the members," said Mt. Pleasant Country Club General Manager and Superintendent Jim Priebe. "We were going to build this building and the girls are going to be able to use it, but we’re going to have a section of simulator for our membership,."
The aboutGolf simulator allows a golfer to take swings and play 18 holes, even during winter.
Mount Pleasant Country Club — which is 3.3 miles from campus — allows CMU to use the simulator during off hours as a donated item to the team.
CMU golf is also given unrestricted access to the course and outdoor practice facilities. Team members can drop in at any time and play a round or use the driving range.
“From the standpoint of the Mid-American Conference, we probably have a top two or three facility, which is a great recruiting tool,” said Assistant Coach Lauren Grogan.
Also included in the lease is CMU’s ability to install a sign or other trademarks of the university on the building. There are no signs on the outside of the facility, but there have been steps taken to identify the partnership between the club and CMU.
The club has changed its colors to maroon and gold and installed a sign on its scoreboard. Senior Associate Athletic Director Craig Willey said the athletic department has started making plans with Head Coach Cheryl Stacy for more branding within the facility, but it is still generating funds.
