June 2, 2017
San Jose State’s New Golf Complex Completed
The Spartans new golf home is ready.
On Thursday, San Jose State University officials celebrated the completion of the Spartan Golf Complex, the first significant renovation to its South Campus athletics facilities in recent years. The new complex was made possible by a $5 million gift from alumni Rich and Cindy Thawley and multiple gifts from other donors.
“San José State University is thrilled to open a golf facility that will benefit student athletes, the broader university community and our neighbors,” Athletics Director Marie Tuite said. “This project is a significant milestone in our efforts to revitalize all campus facilities for academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.”
Located at 579 E. Alma Ave., two grass tee areas will provide hitting positions for 80 golfers. In addition, the complex will offer two large tour-quality putting greens, three bunkers and two chipping greens. Three target greens will be positioned in a 400-yard-long driving range for distance hitting practice.
Spartans head coach John Kennaday was all smiles.
Both the Spartans men’s and women’s golf programs have rich histories. Since college golf first became a NCAA sport in 1897, and with the addition of women’s golf to the NCAA’s championship calendar starting in 1982, the Spartans are one of only nine programs to claim a NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship and Division I Women’s Golf Championship. The Spartans are one of 11 schools with a NCAA individual men’s champion and women’s champion.
Professionally, San José State alumni have 131 victories on the PGA, LPGA, Champions, Nationwide and PGA Tour Canada tours. Spartan golfers can claim 23 major and United States Golf Association (USGA) championships through 2016. Ken Venturi, Juli Inkster and Patty Sheehan have major championship victories as part of their World Golf Hall of Fame careers.
Blach Construction and Gensler served as general contractor and architect, respectively. Fundraising is underway now for phase 2, which will include a clubhouse with a fitness center, locker room and coaches’ offices.
-NCGA Staff
