Breaking ground on the future of CMU golf
CMU's donor-funded golf facility is slated to open in fall 2027
A digital rendering of the upcoming golf facility for Central Michigan University. Photo courtesy of Central Michigan Athletic Communications.
Golf has never found a permanent home on the Central Michigan University campus.
Throughout the history of the men’s and women’s programs, CMU opted for off-site locations to compete, whether at local country clubs or other nearby golf courses.
As a result, issues and frustrations were quick to crop up.
“Our roster limit is nine,” Kevin Jennings, the head coach of the men’s golf program, said. “If we go to country clubs … and out on the putting green, that issue for a lot of facilities is daunting because it’s like we’re taking over the green.”
However, the men’s and women’s teams being displaced would not be a permanent problem.
In 2024, Central Michigan Athletics announced its plans for a 40-acre year-round golf facility, located directly west of Theunissen Stadium on the southwest end of campus. A 16,000 square foot clubhouse would stand as a centerpiece for the site.
In the eyes of Denise Williams Mallett, chair of the Central Michigan Board of Trustees, this golf facility represents a bold step forward for both the athletics department and the university in general.
“I look at things from three perspectives,” Mallett said. “Student success is huge for me and our board, stewardship and long-term vision. … This facility to me is about more than just golf.”
Mallett was quick to mention that this project is entirely funded by donors who hold a vision for the future of golf at CMU.
An $5 million lead donation by Thomas ‘Rocky’ and Traci Ricelli, a family who has financially supported the golf programs in the past, kickstarted the funding process. It was the largest single-gift donation in CMU Athletics history.
With the project estimated to cost over $11 million, the remaining funds were covered through other cash gifts by individual donors and by reaching fundraising goals.
“The Ricelli family covered 70-80% of it,” Mallett said. “This is their vision, and to have them want to give back to CMU is wonderful. … It allows us to have that opportunity to not rely on tuition dollars to do construction, so that’s fantastic.”
After accounting for the project’s funding, the focus shifted toward which amenities were necessary to greatly improve student-athlete development.
Jennings played a considerable role in finalizing what was important to include in Central Michigan’s facility.
“During the planning stage, I had the pleasure of visiting facilities all over the country,” Jennings said. “What I’ve been able to bring [back] … can maximize the possibilities within the resources we have.”
As a year-round facility, there will be numerous amenities to promote student-athlete growth both indoors and outdoors.
During the warm months, golfers can train on three reversible holes with multiple tee boxes, while refining other skills on driving ranges and a dedicated short-game practice area.
Meanwhile, the clubhouse’s interior will include four hitting bays and training simulators, a putting green, locker room space, and locker room space for the men’s and women’s programs. Coaches will also enjoy their own office space, along with room to host events and show hospitality.
“The biggest thing to me, because this is the lens of my own personal philosophy, is that human factor, the community element, that’s woven into this,” Mallett said. “Often we can miss that, we can take it for granted.”
Strengthening relationships
Central Michigan has made an intentional effort to emphasize community with this project, particularly focusing on continuing its relationship with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe by allowing them to have a voice throughout the process.
Erik Rodriguez, the interim public relations director for the SCIT, is optimistic for the development of the facility and the university’s commitment to the Tribe.
“We value that relationship, hope to continue that relationship, and hope others continue to see the beauty and depth of the tribal heritage and the culture we have here at the Saginaw Chippewa tribe,” Rodriguez said.
CMU invited the Tribe to perform a ground blessing ceremony June 24, recognizing the history of the traditional Anishinaabe land while celebrating the future of the project.
“It’s the opportunity for us to offer some of the traditional smudging medicine and ceremony to that land to cleanse it, to heal it, to have good thoughts,” Rodriguez said. “We want to … integrate that into everything that is Central Michigan University and the campus.”
Tribal elder Joseph Sowmick performed the smudging ceremony around the perimeter of the site, burning sacred plants as an act of restoring balance to the land.
“[It’s] to make sure that this land will continue to be utilized and stewarded for the purposes development, the core principles of those teachings we are passed down,” Rodriguez said.
The SCIT’s involvement with the facility expands beyond the blessing ceremony as well. Younger members of the Tribe will have opportunities to use the facility as they learn about the game as well.
“I think there’s a tremendous mutual benefit to the space,” Rodriguez said. “Throughout our nation, we have a community that really loves the game of golf as well. Our tribal youth can utilize that space to interact with Division I student athletes and coaching staff.”
A digital rendering of the upcoming golf facility for Central Michigan University. Photo courtesy of Central Michigan Athletic Communications.
Building a long-term vision
The ground blessing ceremony only marked the beginning of the construction process, which Jennings said is already creating increased interest about the men’s golf program.
“I can already see the type of individuals who are interested or are paying attention,” Jennings said. “The level of interest for recruits … has grown dramatically. There’s a lot of great things happening within the program.”
Central Michigan has drawn recruiting interest from across the nation and at the international level with both the men’s and women’s golf programs, including players from Canada and India currently representing the maroon and gold.
Jennings said it’s encouraging to see this increase in attention on so many levels.
“The [men’s] group we have this fall is an entirely new team, and it’s a very exciting time for them,” Jennings said. “It raises the bar in every manner as we try to bring the first title to Central Michigan University.”
With a new season approaching, both programs will have some ground to make up if they wish to contend for a Mid-American Conference championship. The men’s team placed seventh in the 2026 competition, while the women’s program finished eighth overall.
For CMU golf, the future ultimately begins with the construction of the facility. Mallett is encouraged that the strength of the community will be an important driving force for years to come.
“We’re talking about five, ten, twenty years in the future,” Mallett said. “It’s one of those things that show that when we’re investing in people, students, facilities, this hits all areas of that. And it’s very attractive when we’re trying to compete for the strong student base, faculty, coaches and supporters.”
Development has already begun on the site near Theunissen Stadium, with the project aiming to be completed in fall 2027.
