November 16, 2001
University Park, PA. -- Penn State's Board of Trustees today heard of a proposal for the development of a championship, daily fee golf course that would be built on University property adjacent to the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.  Gary Schultz, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business, while introducing the project said, "About a year and a half ago, Matt and Chris Bahr approached us with the concept of developing a golf course on University lands north of Innovation Park."  Indicating that some work had been done since then, Schultz went on to say, "We believe we are now at an appropriate point to more fully explore this proposal."

The proposed course would utilize students and faculty from the Professional Golf Management Program and the College of Agricultural Sciences Turf Grass Management Program, and would have a particular focus on the environmental conditions in the area.

Under the plan presented to the Trustees, the University would lease approximately 250 acres to a private partnership known as Lion Golf. State College developer Bob Poole is the managing partner of the group, which also includes Chris and Matt Bahr, Eddie Lauth and PGA tour pro Nick Price, who is expected to be involved in designing the golf course.

Dan Sieminski, Assistant Vice President for Finance and Business, told the Trustees that the course will be designed and developed in ways that will consider the environmental conditions in the area.  Said Sieminski, "The developers are committed to making this a showcase for developing an environmentally sensitive golf course. They will develop a Natural Resource Management Plan in concert with Audubon International to ensure that they properly address wildlife habitat, waste management, energy efficiency, water quality and conservation, and pest management. The course will also present an opportunity to use effluent from the University's waste water treatment plant to irrigate the course, and turf management practices will be employed to ensure environmental stability of the soils on the course."

Despite tremendous growth in the Centre Region, there has not been a new golf course built in the area for the past 30 years. Market demographics suggest that there is an unmet need of between 85,000 to 110,000 rounds of golf annually.  That is enough unmet demand to support three more golf courses in the area.

In addition to partnerships with the Turf Grass Management and Professional Golf Management programs, the new golf course will also provide practice opportunities for Penn State's golf teams, taking pressure off the Blue and White courses for tee times.

The University would have no financial investment in the project, but would receive revenue from the 60-year land-lease.  The course would also serve as an enhancement to the amenities offered at the Penn Stater.

The land for the course would need to be rezoned to make the golf course possible.  Rezoning of the land would make it taxable for College Township, Centre County and the State College Area School District.

"We think this will be a wonderful enhancement to the local community," said Poole.  "The topography of the area really lends itself to a top-flight championship golf course, and with Nick Price's involvement, we are confident we will have a course that will be a tremendous golf experience."

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Contact:  Stephen J. MacCarthy, Vice President for University Relations (814) 863-1028  fax: (814) 865-1762 e-mail: maccarthy@psu.edu