Golf: Renovations announced for Gleacher Golf Center, teams compete at Big Ten Championships

The Gleacher Golf Center is set for a massive makeover after Northwestern announced renovations to the facility would be coming for the fall of 2019. The practice center opened as part of the Patten Gymnasium complex in 1998 thanks to a gift from Eric Gleacher, a 1962 graduate of Northwestern.

“We cannot thank Eric and Paula Gleacher enough for their incredible support of Northwestern Golf,” Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss said. “Their impact on our successes over the years, and the student-athlete experience afforded our golfers, has been remarkable.”

Whether the improved facility will result in improved performances from the golf team is yet to be seen, but freshman David Nyfjall, one of the top amateurs in the world, is confident that it will pay dividends in due time.

“As a school where we have to go indoors during the winter, the facilities are important,” Nyfjall opined. “The winter period itself is really key to improving our golf game as it is a great time to do developmental work and the facilities are essential for that.”

Some of the features will include an indoor short-game and putting area expanded to 5,400 square feet, with raised ceilings and a nearly 3,000-square-foot green. The facility will also feature a 19’ x 8’ digitally adjustable putting platform that includes a 3D-modeled green that can be tilted at any angle.

“We all are incredibly thankful to Eric and Paula Gleacher for their efforts,” Nyfjall said, “We can’t thank them enough for providing us with the opportunity to practice in world class facilities.”

The men’s team is currently competing at the Big Ten Championships in Philadelphia, sitting in ninth place after the first day of play. Nyfjall is leading the team after shooting a 2-over round of 72. Additionally, senior Ryan Lumsden became the first Northwestern golfer to win the Byron Nelson award, given to a golfer based on a nominee’s entire collegiate academic and golf career as well as his character and integrity while in college.

The women’s team finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships last week, as Brooke Riley highlighted the team’s performance with an even par score of 144 over two rounds.

Both teams will compete in the NCAA regionals over the coming weeks, with the hope of qualifying for the NCAA Championships.