October 1, 2005

Purdue dedicates new indoor golf training center

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's all-weather Tom Spurgeon Golf Training Center, which features an indoor putting green, a swing-analysis video computer system and multiple heated hitting bays, was dedicated Saturday (Oct. 1) during an 8 a.m. ceremony.

Exterior view
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The $2.72 million, 11,400-square-foot center is named in honor of Tom Spurgeon, a member of the Purdue Board of Trustees and Purdue alumnus from Peoria, Ill., who made the lead gift of $750,000. Spurgeon attended the ceremony and was joined by Purdue President Martin C. Jischke and Intercollegiate Athletics director Morgan J. Burke.

"This center is a true state-of-the-art testament to Tom's love for golf and his loyalty to Purdue," Jischke said. "With all the indoor practice opportunities this facility offers, we can tell our golf teams that they don't have to put away their clubs in the winter and that every season is golf season at Purdue."

Interior view
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Spurgeon, who graduated in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in industrial management, said he was excited to be a part of the effort to improve golf training at Purdue.

"I'm proud to have my name associated with a center that reflects Purdue's level of technology and quality of education," Spurgeon said.

The center will include an undulated indoor chipping and putting area, as well as a computerized video system to help golfers improve their swings and provide a virtual reality introduction to courses where Purdue collegiate golfers compete. Also included will be eight heated driving bays for year-round use. The bays and other facilities will be open for rental by the public when they are not in use by the men's and women's golf teams.

"Purdue golfers will have the competitive edge at this new center, which joins the two championship golf courses at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex," Burke said. "These new tools help establish Purdue as a premier destination for new student-athletes. The center also is a benefit to the community, offering area golfers more options for off-season practice."

Other areas of the facility include team locker rooms, a lounge, coaches' offices, a pro shop and a classroom. The architectural design is similar to the clubhouse and other facilities at the course.

"It will be great to be able to get some indoor work done, but the biggest benefit of this center will be in recruiting," said Devon Brouse, head men's and women's golf coach. "There's no facility comparable in the entire country, and this will provide tremendous visibility and appeal to future Purdue students in the Midwest and across the country."

Brouse said the center will include an equipment and range operation facility to maintain the public driving range. He said he hopes the center also will provide a place to offer more golf instruction to accommodate demand by students in golf classes and community members.

An entrepreneur who has built companies throughout the United States, Spurgeon most recently was president and CEO of Lincoln Office, an office furniture dealer in Peoria, Ill., that plans and designs effective work environments through people, information, products and services. He has served on the executive committee of the Purdue Alumni Association board of directors and chaired its Strategic Planning Task Force.

Spurgeon also donated $1 million toward the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center. The Spurgeon Hall of Spirit, on the center's first floor, is named in his honor. The area includes changeable showcases featuring photographs, memorabilia and other objects that highlight some of the university's accomplishments and feature distinguished alumni.

MBAH president and CEO Jay G. Smith and his wife, Rita, helped lay the foundation for the training center with two gifts announced in February. One was a personal gift, and another was in honor of MBAH Insurance's former president Ralph "Buffy" Mayerstein, who is now chairman of MBAH.

Jay Smith graduated from Purdue in 1983, and he was named All-Big Ten in 1983 and was the top golfer on the squad that year. He said he is looking forward to the new facilities.

"This was our way to give back something for students to use, but I'm hoping to get some time there, too," he said. "And it'll be a great way to knock the rust off in the spring."

The general contractor for the Spurgeon Golf Training Center was McDougall Pierce of Fishers, Ind.

The dedication is part of a two-week celebration leading up to Purdue's Oct. 15 Homecoming. Events focus on ways Purdue is improving education and helping the state of Indiana as part of the university's strategic plan and $1.5 billion fund-raising campaign.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Tom Spurgeon, (309) 693-2444, spurgeont@lincolnoffice.com

Morgan Burke, (765) 494-3198, mjb@purdue.edu

Devon Brouse, (765) 494-2290, dbrouse@purdue.edu

Jay Smith, (765) 420-1304, jsmith@mbah.com

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Video also is available by contacting Jesica Webb, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue University's new all-weather Tom Spurgeon Golf Training Center gives Purdue golfers an indoor putting green, a swing-analysis video computer system and multiple heated hitting bays. The center is estimated to be open by spring. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)

A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/uns/images/+2005/spurgeon-ext.jpg

PHOTO CAPTION:

Purdue University's Tom Spurgeon Golf Training Center will include an undulated indoor chipping and putting area. The center of the putting area will simulate hills and breaks found on real greens, and turf around the outside will allow practice pitching and chipping. The nets can be lowered to accommodate more golfers on both sides of the room. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)

A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/uns/images/+2005/spurgeon-int.jpg

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