Murray State Golf Opens New Indoor Practice Facility in Stewart Stadium

Supporters and friends of the Murray State men's and women's golf programs gathered at Roy Stewart Stadium (Aug. 28) to enjoy the grand opening of the Racer Golf Training Facility, the first on campus area either team has enjoyed.

Through several donors, the Racer golf programs now have a handy indoor facility that will allow the student-athletes the opportunity to maximize their ability through the Foresight Sports system, the most complete all-in-one virtual golf practice set up in the game. Racer golf student-athletes will be able to improve their swings through science and be on par with other programs that use this technology. A putting green and a putting lab will help the players shave strokes. With an indoor facility on campus, the Racers can escape the cold and wet weather that used to put a halt on practice when playing on the Miller Memorial Golf Course was the only option.

The $150,000 raised for the project is progress toward accomplishing all of the goals of the facility master plan for Murray State golf teams.

The facility is also a way to honor the rich history of each Racer program through stunning informational graphics that are located on the walls of the space. At the top of the list are the three head coaches that have an amazing 81 combined years in running the men's and women's programs. Buddy Hewitt, Eddie Hunt and Velvet Milkman. Hewitt launched the men's team in 1961 and led it for 41 years until Coach Eddie Hunt took the Racers and guided them for the next 20 years before retiring in May. Milkman, the only coach in Racer women's golf history since the program began in 1993, has won 12 Ohio Valley Conference championships, the most of any coach in Murray State history.

The other graphics in the facility highlight every player that has ever played for Murray State. The list totals 293 men's players and 97 for the women's team. There is also an area that focuses on former Racer golfers that have risen to the highest levels in the LPGA and PGA Tours including women's players Moa Folke, Linette Holmslykke and Lee-Anne Pace and men's stars including Ron Acree, Nick & Patrick Newcomb, Chris Pigott and Jared Wolfe, . The history of each golf program is spotlighted with lists of team and individual titles and All-Ohio Valley Conference and All-America selections. The 2019 accomplishments of Linette Holmslykke are highlighted as she became the first woman from an OVC school to

advance to the finals of the NCAA Championship on her way to winning the NCAA's Elite 90 Award.

The addition of the Racer Golf Training Facility is only the beginning of the improvements that are in the MSU Athletics Facility Master Plan. The Frances E. Miller Memorial Golf Course, the home of Racer Golf, has been a great place to play since 1983. Murray State Athletics plans to build a more functional 300-yard driving range and reconfigure practice greens. Indoor hitting bays in a building on the driving range will allow the Racers to get their swings in no matter the weather. The Racers already enjoy a great locker room at the Miller Memorial clubhouse.

Grand Opening Comments
Dr. Bob Jackson – Murray State University President
"This facility will be a difference maker for men's and women's golf. I appreciate all of those who have been involved in this project. There are at least three ingredients to athletics success. The first is the student-athlete. Those who have a passion and desire to learn. Second is facilities, where they practice and play, because this is where championships start. And thirdly, coaches are probably the most important ingredient of all. We all have had coaches and teachers that have made a difference in our lives. The ones who pushed us higher than we ever thought we were able to go. They are leaders, mentors, surrogate parents and dedicated professionals who are talented in their trade. Coach John Wooden said it well. A good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life."

Harold Doran – Golf Facility Donor
"We've had 89 years of combined golf on this campus and only three coaches. That's unheard of. It just shows the level of commitment these coaches have had to their sport, to their student-athletes and this university. (Coach Buddy Hewitt, Coach Eddie Hunt, Coach Velvet Milkman) have built a high-caliber men's and women's golf program that we can all be proud of."

Kevin Saal – Murray State Director of Athletics
"These three individuals (Coach Hewitt, Coach Hunt, Coach Milkman) and their families have literally impacted thousands of people from their dedication to golf at Murray State. They've created and cultivated a pathway for student-athletes to earn their degrees and develop into highly competitive athletes. These three coaches have developed students, persons, players and professionals equipping young men and women to be outstanding citizens, spouses and parents. This is Murray State Golf."

Coach Velvet Milkman – MSU Women's Golf
"Everyone here today has played an integral role in the development of our golf programs. Our golf teams have achieved success throughout the years, but there several factors that go into that success. I feel the support from our MSU administration and supporters is so important. The building of Miller Golf Course and the use that we have enjoyed through the years is important. This facility will allow us to practice year-round and it will help us recruit quality student-athletes."

Coach Daniel DeLuca – MSU Men's Golf
"What an exciting day for Murray State, the athletics department and our golf programs. It's exciting to honor those who have paved the way for this moment to be possible. This new facility will be a hallmark on our university and our program and I am happy that our players can begin using it to maximize their abilities."

Coach Eddie Hunt – MSU Men's Golf Retired
"Buddy Hewitt did something that is very hard to do. He came here and was a great athlete and then he stayed and became a great coach. The word that was used all the time to describe Coach Hewitt, was that he was a gentleman. I am very proud to be here today with Buddy for this opening of the golf facility."

Dr. Abby Dowdy – Coach Buddy Hewitt's Granddaughter
"It is rare for a coach to stay at one school for 41 years. This is a testament to the quality programs at this university as well as the people they hire. Big Bud loved golf and he was good at it. He was a gentleman's gentleman. He was smart, funny and loved the game of golf because it was a mental game. I know he would say this golf facility will help the program and he would be very honored that his golf history is being recognized."

About The MSU Athletics Facility Master Plan
Shared to Racer Nation in August of 2021, the facility master plan provides clarity and sets the Racers up for a great future. The 14-month evaluation process was meticulous and thorough and it provides a vision for a pathway to accomplish the largest advancement of athletics facilities in the history of Murray State University. An in-depth study of each athletic facility was done in consultation with university leadership, architects, engineers and construction professionals to determine the current viability, create a needs assessment and outline scope of work for each venue. The plan is part of the larger capital campaign for Murray State University. The athletics venues that will be touched include the CFSB Center, Roy Stewart Stadium, Bennie Purcell Courts, Pat Spurgin Range, Cutchin Field, Johnny Reagan Field, Marshall Gage Track, Miller Memorial Golf Course, Racer Arena and Racer Field. A new Athletics Performance Center is included in the plan.

Murray State University Athletics

Murray State Golf Opens New Indoor Practice Facility in Stewart Stadium

Related News

Related Videos