Through a “creative community partnership backed by external support,” the Edwardsville, Ill. club will be the site of the new Harry Gallatin SIUE Golf Practice Facility, named for the late coach of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. The first phase of developing the facility will cost $350,000, all contributed by individual and corporate donors, for a 2,200-sq. ft. building with three indoor/open hitting bays, a video training system and an indoor putting surface. The Sunset Hills membership will also have year-round access to the facility.

 

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) has announced a “creative community partnership backed by external support” that will create the new Harry Gallatin SIUE Golf Practice Facility at Sunset Hills Country Club (SHCC) in Edwardsville, Ill., the SIUE website reported.

The indoor practice facility and driving range is being named in honor of legendary SIUE coach and supporter, the late Harry Gallatin, who envisioned the facility that would increase student-athlete training opportunities, according to the website.

“I believe strongly that a key element in the future of higher education is the pursuit of university/community partnerships,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “This is an excellent example of such a mutually beneficial approach.”

“I wish to thank key leaders at SHCC and SIUE for working together to make the practice facility a reality,” Chancellor Pembrook continued. “It will be a beautiful and practical structure located within minutes of our campus, and will serve both SIUE golfers and members of SHCC well in future decades.”

Phase I of the multi-phase development will cost approximately $350,000, with its estimated completion slated for early 2019, the SIUE website reported. The 2,200-sq.-ft. facility will include three indoor hitting bays, a video training system, an indoor putting surface and the ability to open the doors to hit out into the driving range.

Phase II will include the addition of an outdoor synthetic putting surface and tee boxes for the driving range. Phase III will feature the addition of an approximately 1,500-sq. ft. indoor chipping facility.

“This project is a great fit for both the University and Sunset Hills Country Club, and we are happy to have worked out an agreement to make the facility a reality,” Cory Darr, the club’s President, told the SIUE website. “This facility gives both the SIUE student-athletes and the SHCC membership access to an indoor facility that will allow for practice year-round. No one else in the area has this option.”

“The facility and resulting relationship will allow the University and Sunset Hills to partner to show what an amazing area we live in,” Darr added. “The University is thriving, the club is growing, and the community has a bright future on the horizon.”

Major individual and corporate donors have contributed 100 percent of the project’s construction costs, the SIUE website reported, including TheBANK of Edwardsville.

“We’re elated to see dad’s final project fulfilled at Sunset Hills Country Club,” said Jim Gallatin. “After his basketball career was over, playing and coaching golf became his athletic passion. The University and Sunset Hills combined to facilitate his efforts. Their commitment to his passion and vision is realized in this facility. We appreciate all the donors who have contributed and are proud to have this development in dad’s honor.”

“With this development, we saw an opportunity to accomplish our philanthropic goal creatively,” added Rachel Stack, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation. “It is my hope that the foundation can use this model to form other philanthropic partnerships in the community.”

SIUE’s Director of Athletics Brad Hewitt, PhD, called the project “a win-win, both for our outstanding men’s golf program and Sunset Hills Country Club, which continues to attract prospective members to its beautiful venue.”