IU Athletics Announces The Pfau Course at Indiana University To Open June 15; Details Safety Protocols In Response to COVID-19
6/8/2020 9:00:00 AM | General, Men's Golf, Women's Golf
Bloomington, Indiana – Indiana University Athletics announced today that IU's new public golf course, The Pfau Course at Indiana University, will officially open to the public June 15.
In preparation of the opening of the new course, IU launched the course's official website, www.thepfaucourse.com, this week. Among other things, the website includes a detailed account of the design of the course and practice facilities by world-renowned course designer Steve Smyers and two-time major winner Fuzzy Zoeller, a hole-by-hole description of the new layout, daily/annual rate information, tee time procedures, and details about the Pro Shop in the George Thomas Family Clubhouse.
In anticipation of the course's opening, the general public will be able to reserve tee times beginning June 11.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with University protocols, IU Athletics has also announced a series of safety precautions and guidelines to protect the health and safety of golfers, staff and visitors to The Pfau Course at Indiana University, which can be found here. These protocols include physical distancing guidelines, check-in/departure procedures, golf cart usage restrictions, course modifications, facemask requirements, and facility limitations, among other things.
In addition to these guidelines, the Pfau Course at Indiana University staff has also established extensive and thorough cleaning protocols for the course, with special emphasis placed on high touch and high trafficked areas. Among the cleaning guidelines are regular disinfecting of the check-in area and restrooms.
About the Course
The Pfau Course at Indiana University was built on the same 265-acre east side Bloomington property previously occupied by the IU Championship Golf Course, the original Par-3 course, and the IU Cross Country Course since the 1950s. But other than its location, everything about The Pfau Course at Indiana University is different from its predecessor, providing golfers with a new must-see, must-experience destination golf course just minutes from the Indiana University campus.
Designed by highly-acclaimed architect Steve Smyers and two-time major winner and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller, The Pfau Course at Indiana University offers a unique, world-class layout that is set in the natural beauty of southern Indiana. Smyers and Zoeller utilized the area's natural topography in designing the course, while also highlighting the combination of forest, open space and forest edges that result in both amazing views and a wonderful golfing test.
It's a venue worthy of hosting not only Big Ten Championship golf, but also national amateur and professional championship events. It rivals any of the others that Smyers has designed over a designing career that stretches more 40 years and includes designs in six continents.
"It reminds me of the quote of the famous golfer Bobby Jones– he said the more he studied it, the more he loved it. The more he loved it, the more he studied it. I think that's true for my feelings about this property here at IU. It's a fantastic place for golf," Smyers said.
Indiana University's new golf course is also environmentally friendly. The course is outfitted with Zoysia fairways, a slow-growing dense grass that prevents weeds from penetrating the surface. Zoysia is also a warm-weather grass that is both heat and drought-tolerant, another net plus for the environment with the course's regular maintenance.
The zoysia fairways are framed first with 8-10 yards of bluegrass rough followed by a blend of fescue, or Irish Links, that is reddish/orange in color and significantly enhance the already picturesque views throughout the course. The Irish Links rough is wispy and designed to allow golfers to find and play their ball from it.
Among the course's many takeaway features is 147 bunkers spread out amongst the 18 championship holes. The bunkers come in a wide variety of sizes and depths, offering players with creative ways to navigate them. In addition, Smyers chose to design the bunkers with a more traditional, rugged look that feature overgrown edges– or "eyebrows." The greens, meanwhile, are bent grass, a cool-season grass well suited for southern Indiana's spring, summer and fall climates. Like the bunkers, The Pfau Course at Indiana University's greens come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The average green size is 6,680 square feet, and they range in size from 4,145 square feet on No. 10 to 10,014 square feet on No. 7.
In addition to offering a supreme test for championship-caliber players, the Par-71 design is also accessible to players of all skill levels. It features six tee options, offering an 18-hole experience that ranges from 4,586 to 7,908 yards.
The golf facility also features two practice areas/driving areas to meet the needs of a wide range of players. The Pfau Course at Indiana University's practice and training area is located adjacent to the clubhouse, and includes:
- the Courtney Cox Cole Practice Area, which features a full-sized, dedicated driving area with target greens, as well as a short game area that includes two green complexes and two practice bunkers;
- the 10,332-square foot Jeffrey L. and Jennifer R. Kittle Putting Green.
Use of this practice area is complimentary for those with scheduled tee times. While its use is currently limited to those with scheduled tee times due to the COVID-19 protocols, it will eventually be available for a daily fee as well for those who do not have tee times.
The Pfau Course at Indiana University's second and more traditional driving area offers a 25-station driving area for the enjoyment of golfers of all ages and skill levels. Located to the south of the practice facility and George Thomas Family Clubhouse, this driving area facility is accessible by entering off the 45-46 bypass by the new IU Health Regional Academic Health Center.
The end result is a course and golf facility that offers a supreme test to the championship golfer, while also being economically accessible to the high-handicapper or casual golfer. It's a wonderful addition to IU's world class athletic facilities, and an equally important addition for the Indiana golfing community.
Founding Donors
In addition to the major gifts from Ned and Sue Pfau and the George Thomas Jr. family that made the construction of The Pfau Course at Indiana University and the George Thomas Clubhouse possible, the self-funded project received critical philanthropic support as well from a series of founding donors. These founding donors are recognized at each of The Pfau Course's 18 tee boxes (listed below).
The founding donors are:
Ellen and Jim Sparrow – No. 1
David and Phyllis Green – No. 2
Steve and Diane Hiatt – No. 3
Terry and Marcia Weiss Family – No. 4
The Brown Family – No. 5
Craig and Lisa Roeder – No. 6
Randy and Beth Seger – No. 7
Scott and Becky Seger – No. 8
Roger and Mickey Seger – No. 9
Spider and Kathy Miller – No. 10
Doug and Eileen Williams – No. 11
Gene and Sharon Sponseller Family – No. 12
The Rifkin Family – No. 13
The Rink Family – No. 14
In Honor of Richard L. O'Brien – No. 15
Michael F. and Jody J. Petrie – No. 16
The Family of John and Marianne Hart – No. 17
Chip and Teresa Pfau – No. 18
In preparation of the opening of the new course, IU launched the course's official website, www.thepfaucourse.com, this week. Among other things, the website includes a detailed account of the design of the course and practice facilities by world-renowned course designer Steve Smyers and two-time major winner Fuzzy Zoeller, a hole-by-hole description of the new layout, daily/annual rate information, tee time procedures, and details about the Pro Shop in the George Thomas Family Clubhouse.
In anticipation of the course's opening, the general public will be able to reserve tee times beginning June 11.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with University protocols, IU Athletics has also announced a series of safety precautions and guidelines to protect the health and safety of golfers, staff and visitors to The Pfau Course at Indiana University, which can be found here. These protocols include physical distancing guidelines, check-in/departure procedures, golf cart usage restrictions, course modifications, facemask requirements, and facility limitations, among other things.
In addition to these guidelines, the Pfau Course at Indiana University staff has also established extensive and thorough cleaning protocols for the course, with special emphasis placed on high touch and high trafficked areas. Among the cleaning guidelines are regular disinfecting of the check-in area and restrooms.
About the Course
The Pfau Course at Indiana University was built on the same 265-acre east side Bloomington property previously occupied by the IU Championship Golf Course, the original Par-3 course, and the IU Cross Country Course since the 1950s. But other than its location, everything about The Pfau Course at Indiana University is different from its predecessor, providing golfers with a new must-see, must-experience destination golf course just minutes from the Indiana University campus.
Designed by highly-acclaimed architect Steve Smyers and two-time major winner and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller, The Pfau Course at Indiana University offers a unique, world-class layout that is set in the natural beauty of southern Indiana. Smyers and Zoeller utilized the area's natural topography in designing the course, while also highlighting the combination of forest, open space and forest edges that result in both amazing views and a wonderful golfing test.
It's a venue worthy of hosting not only Big Ten Championship golf, but also national amateur and professional championship events. It rivals any of the others that Smyers has designed over a designing career that stretches more 40 years and includes designs in six continents.
"It reminds me of the quote of the famous golfer Bobby Jones– he said the more he studied it, the more he loved it. The more he loved it, the more he studied it. I think that's true for my feelings about this property here at IU. It's a fantastic place for golf," Smyers said.
Indiana University's new golf course is also environmentally friendly. The course is outfitted with Zoysia fairways, a slow-growing dense grass that prevents weeds from penetrating the surface. Zoysia is also a warm-weather grass that is both heat and drought-tolerant, another net plus for the environment with the course's regular maintenance.
The zoysia fairways are framed first with 8-10 yards of bluegrass rough followed by a blend of fescue, or Irish Links, that is reddish/orange in color and significantly enhance the already picturesque views throughout the course. The Irish Links rough is wispy and designed to allow golfers to find and play their ball from it.
Among the course's many takeaway features is 147 bunkers spread out amongst the 18 championship holes. The bunkers come in a wide variety of sizes and depths, offering players with creative ways to navigate them. In addition, Smyers chose to design the bunkers with a more traditional, rugged look that feature overgrown edges– or "eyebrows." The greens, meanwhile, are bent grass, a cool-season grass well suited for southern Indiana's spring, summer and fall climates. Like the bunkers, The Pfau Course at Indiana University's greens come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The average green size is 6,680 square feet, and they range in size from 4,145 square feet on No. 10 to 10,014 square feet on No. 7.
In addition to offering a supreme test for championship-caliber players, the Par-71 design is also accessible to players of all skill levels. It features six tee options, offering an 18-hole experience that ranges from 4,586 to 7,908 yards.
The golf facility also features two practice areas/driving areas to meet the needs of a wide range of players. The Pfau Course at Indiana University's practice and training area is located adjacent to the clubhouse, and includes:
- the Courtney Cox Cole Practice Area, which features a full-sized, dedicated driving area with target greens, as well as a short game area that includes two green complexes and two practice bunkers;
- the 10,332-square foot Jeffrey L. and Jennifer R. Kittle Putting Green.
Use of this practice area is complimentary for those with scheduled tee times. While its use is currently limited to those with scheduled tee times due to the COVID-19 protocols, it will eventually be available for a daily fee as well for those who do not have tee times.
The Pfau Course at Indiana University's second and more traditional driving area offers a 25-station driving area for the enjoyment of golfers of all ages and skill levels. Located to the south of the practice facility and George Thomas Family Clubhouse, this driving area facility is accessible by entering off the 45-46 bypass by the new IU Health Regional Academic Health Center.
The end result is a course and golf facility that offers a supreme test to the championship golfer, while also being economically accessible to the high-handicapper or casual golfer. It's a wonderful addition to IU's world class athletic facilities, and an equally important addition for the Indiana golfing community.
Founding Donors
In addition to the major gifts from Ned and Sue Pfau and the George Thomas Jr. family that made the construction of The Pfau Course at Indiana University and the George Thomas Clubhouse possible, the self-funded project received critical philanthropic support as well from a series of founding donors. These founding donors are recognized at each of The Pfau Course's 18 tee boxes (listed below).
The founding donors are:
Ellen and Jim Sparrow – No. 1
David and Phyllis Green – No. 2
Steve and Diane Hiatt – No. 3
Terry and Marcia Weiss Family – No. 4
The Brown Family – No. 5
Craig and Lisa Roeder – No. 6
Randy and Beth Seger – No. 7
Scott and Becky Seger – No. 8
Roger and Mickey Seger – No. 9
Spider and Kathy Miller – No. 10
Doug and Eileen Williams – No. 11
Gene and Sharon Sponseller Family – No. 12
The Rifkin Family – No. 13
The Rink Family – No. 14
In Honor of Richard L. O'Brien – No. 15
Michael F. and Jody J. Petrie – No. 16
The Family of John and Marianne Hart – No. 17
Chip and Teresa Pfau – No. 18
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