July 26, 2007

DALLAS - SMU and The Dallas Athletic Club have entered into an agreement to establish the DAC as the home of the SMU men's and women's golf programs. As part of the agreement, SMU will construct a new $4 million practice facility and clubhouse on the grounds of the DAC.

"We have made a commitment at SMU to be top-25 in all we do," said SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. "This golf complex will exceed that standard and will help our golf teams remain among the elite in collegiate golf while we maintain the high academic performance of our golf student-athletes."

The complex will consist of a team clubhouse, men's & women's locker rooms, a Golf Hall of Fame and trophy room, coaches' offices, study rooms, a conference room, a workout facility and a media room. There will also be two hitting bays equipped with state-of-the-art video and swing analysis capabilities. On the five acres surrounding the complex, there will be two large putting greens - one Bentgrass and one Bermuda grass. Chet Williams of The Nicklaus Design Team will create a four-hole short course with a multitude of practice stations for every conceivable lie or situation.

"We are pleased that the Dallas Athletic Club will be the home course of the SMU golf teams," said DAC President Allen Hundley. "We believe this association will enhance the fine tradition of golf at this Club, while providing an exceptional, state-of-the-art facility for SMU. DAC is committed to a wonderful working relationship with SMU, their coaches and players."

Architect Robert McKinney, former Texas Amateur Champion, said, "This project will set the standard for all college teams in the nation."

While the lead donor will have naming options, at least a portion of the complex will be named after SMU alumnus and championship golfer Payne Stewart.

"Payne Stewart loved SMU and SMU Golf," said SMU Head Men's Golf Coach Jay Loar. "On the day of his tragic death, Payne was on his way to Dallas to meet about a location for an SMU golf course and practice area, among other things. He was aware that a `home course' was the missing ingredient in our quest to become a perennial top-25 golf program and make a run at another NCAA National Championship. Now we can make his dream a reality."

The SMU men's golf team claimed the National Championship in 1954 - while the DAC served as their home course - and has remained among the nation's top programs, winning three of the last four conference championships. The SMU women also won a National Championship, claiming the 1979 AIAW crown. They are two-time conference champions and have finished in the nation's top 25 12 times in the last 32 seasons.

"This awesome opportunity for SMU`s golf programs and the DAC is a result of the hard work and efforts put in by Jay Loar," said SMU Head Women's Golf Coach Todd Selders. "The women's program is very appreciative of this opportunity with DAC and will show its gratitude by keeping and elevating its status among the elite programs across the country. We are very fortunate to be able to use the facilities that we do in the Metroplex and our success is owed to their professionals and members."

Home to 36 holes of championship golf, the DAC challenges both teams' skills on a regular basis, giving the Mustangs two of the premier golf programs in the nation.

The Jack Nicklaus-designed Blue Course offers natural waterways, rolling hills and a splendid variety of trees. All Bentgrass greens, 419 Bermuda fairways, waterfalls, white sand and grass bunkers make the Blue Course a pleasure as well as a challenge to play. Waterfalls around the fifth and 11th greens and a stone bridge on No. 7 are particularly scenic points. The Blue Course has hosted a number of notable tournaments including the 1963 PGA Championship, 1991 Texas Amateur Championship, 1993 Southern Juniors Championship, 1997 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship, 1998 AJGA Boys Championship, and the 2003 Texas Amateur Championship.

The Jack Nicklaus Gold Course stretches over 7,000 yards and plays to a par 72, with 419 Bermuda fairways and Bentgrass greens. Natural features, including eight lakes and many mature trees, are combined with modern design techniques to provide golfers with a variety of scenes and interesting golf shots on every hole. Gold Course popular attractions include the stone bridge on Nos. 10 and 11. The Gold Course notable tournaments include the 1997 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship, 1998 AJGA Boys Championship, and the 2002 TSWGA Championship.