An $8 million gift from an alumni group will enable Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti to build a new golf training facility.
The Ann Arbor News reports that the donation from the GameAbove alumni group will help pay for construction of the GameAbove Golf Performance Center.
The university says the donation is the largest ever in its history.
The 15,000-square-foot facility will serve as the indoor training site for the Eastern men's and women's golf teams, the university says. The building will have locker rooms, offices, indoor putting and chipping, and simulators to support both indoor and outdoor training.
The facility also will be used to host youth and community events to expand the teaching of golf in Ypsilanti and southeastern Michigan.
The center will be dedicated to Bruce Cunningham, the university's men’s golf coach. Construction is expected to start in the spring with a target operational date by the end of 2020.
GameAbove’s investment will include $6 million to $6.5 million toward construction of the facility and the remainder for 12 years of operational costs.
“A truly exceptional golf program deserves the best equipment and facilities to remain competitive in today’s collegiate experience,” GameAbove spokesman Denis Wolcott says. “The group of dedicated Eastern Michigan University alumni who are behind GameAbove is excited ... to further enhance the ... environment at EMU.”
The facility will be built on West Campus; an official location has not yet been announced. It will serve as the indoor training site for the university’s men’s and women’s golf teams.
