With warmer weather approaching, golfers flock to Ohio University’s golf course located on 106 S. Green Drive. The golf course, which claims roughly 3152 to 3300 yards of grass across nine holes, opened for the spring March 2.
With daily hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., students and locals have access to an affordable option for golfing in Athens.
Alex Hileman, the assistant director of the golf and tennis center at OU, discussed memberships and pricing.
“Our indoor tennis courts and our golf are not included in that student fee structure, and so there is a fee anytime anybody wants to use the golf course or our indoor tennis courts,” Hileman said.
Despite the golf course not being built into student fees, Hileman said students can golf at a cheaper rate.
“We have tiered pricing, so students typically get the lowest rate out of anybody, for nine holes out here, for a student it is $16, if you want to ride on a gas cart … that’s a $9 additional fee,” Hileman said. “The monthly membership for students is $75, it’s a 30-day membership just so that we’re sure we’re not ripping people off or anything like that for different lengths of months.”
The golf center also offers an annual membership, which runs from the day the course opens in the spring to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It costs $420 for students and $520 for faculty and staff. Pricing for those outside of the university is set by age range on the OU recreation website.
While the weather has been favorable this spring, it has not always been, and it can pose a challenge to getting the golf course up and running for the spring. Temperatures and extreme weather can pose a threat to the course upkeep.
“A couple of weeks ago, we had a snow event pretty late in the year that kind of threw a wrench into things a little bit,” Hileman said. “But then obviously it can go the other way too, if we get really hot weather that can definitely mess up the grass and stuff like that.”
The opening of the golf course for the spring also brings students who participate in the men's and women's club golf teams.
Ryan Mahaffey, a junior studying finance and president of the men's club golf team, said how special it was to see the golf club grow over the years.
“It’s been super cool to help run it and help start it up,” Mahaffey said. “We started it up about three years ago. It was my freshman year, winter time, and so to be part of the leadership and see how much we’ve grown, but then also create so many special bonds and friendships with everybody. I can’t speak highly enough about the experience that we’ve been able to do.”
Mahaffey discussed the rarity of having a golf course on campus that is available to both students and the public.
“Other campuses don’t have what we have, right?” Mahaffey said. “We have (a course) literally right on campus here. Again, pretty affordable prices. I would say what also makes it special is the people you often see there.”
Having an affordable golf course on campus makes it accessible, but location and parking do present challenges.
“If you are a student that lives off campus and you want to just play at the golf course, you have to have some sort of permit, whether that’s at ping or even in front of the golf and tennis center,” Mahaffey said. “So I think that accessibility piece makes it really hard for students who live off campus or even any visitor off campus to park and have to worry about getting ticketed.”
Mahaffey said he sees most golfers carrying their gear across campus to the golf course. Despite the challenges that might arise when going to the golf course, golfers are still enthusiastic to get back on the greens.
Isaac Donovan, a senior studying sports management and vice president of the men's club golf team, discussed the excitement surrounding spring golfing.
“Everyone during the winter is just anxious, because we’re itching to get back out there on the course,” Donovan said. “Being able to have a course right here on campus that anyone can go to is truly amazing.”
Lauren Bunn, a senior studying integrated social studies, is the vice president of the women’s club golf team. Bunn discussed how practicing outside is more enjoyable as golfing inside can be limiting.
“I hate the winter, just as the next person, but being able to just be back on the course and being able to actually hit golf balls that aren’t into a net or being tracked by a simulator … makes it a lot more enjoyable,” Bunn said.
Bunn encourages any students who are interested in joining the team and urges them not to be intimidated.
“Just look past the fact it’s something you don’t know how to do,” Bunn said. “It’s an opportunity to meet new people, first of all, but then you also get the option to try a new sport, and even if you don’t think you’re good at it, that’s what we’re here for.”
Golfers and those looking to pick up a new hobby can find their place on the greens of the golf course. The opening for the spring does not just welcome the old but also the new.
“Check out the golf course,” Mahaffey said. “Check out the club team. I think there are so many benefits that surround it and really just enjoy the scenery that Athens, Ohio, gives us.”
