College of Golf March 2018 Events
Renowned Golf Course Architect Gene Bates Visits College of Golf
by Ken Martin, PGA, Keiser University College of Golf Professor
Keiser University College of Golf students in Professor Ken Martin’s Golf Course Design and Maintenance class recently welcomed renowned golf course architect Gene Bates as a guest speaker.
The group benefited from Bates’ broad range of experience in more than ninety construction projects with a focus on project budgeting, scheduling, coordination, and administration, as well as details regarding golf course design and construction processes.
Mr. Bates has served as President of Gene Bates Golf Design since 1988 and Vice President of Couples Bates Golf Design since 1992.
He is a member of the exclusive American Society of Golf Course Architects; two of his designs are in the top 100 courses in America, with another design named as the number one Championship Golf Course in Asia.
As a golf course designer with over 35-years’ experience in the industry, he has provided professional services for the design and construction of golf courses around the world.
He works closely with PGA Tour professionals Fred Couples and Johnny Miller on many of his designs in the United States, including Hawaii, Europe and Asia.
Mr. Bates’s experience in the golf course design industry has allowed him to develop expertise in the areas of design, engineering, construction management and landscape architecture, while gaining a vast knowledge of agronomy and golf course maintenance.
Mr. Bates presents a photo of Soldier Hollow Golf Course (Utah), a Bates design and site of the 2012 U. S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
SeaHawks NCCGA Golf Club Team Captures Florida Regional Tournament
The Seahawks National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Golf Club Team recently won the Florida Regional Golf Tournament by 12 strokes at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club in Tampa, Florida.
The Seahawks opened up an 11 stroke lead after day one and increased their margin to 12 strokes with a strong day two finish, defeating University of Central Florida’s “A” and “B” teams and the University of South Florida. Captain Chris Rooney posted a strong third place individual finish, followed closely by Chris Psetas, who finished fourth. Pratyush Jain claimed sixth place individually, while Bradford Schwarz finished in 12th place.
Winston Crozier and Brennen Gillis tied for 16th place; Daniel Barber was 23rd; and Hongseok Im finished tied for 31st. Coach John Callahan praised his team for their grit and stamina in difficult weather conditions and was extremely happy with the Seahawks victory.
The next NCCGA Regional Tournament will be held at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Florida, April 7th and 8th, as the Seahawks seek to make it two Championships in a row.
L-R: Hongseok Im, Pratyush Jain, Daniel Barber, Brennen Gillis, Captain Chris Rooney, Chris Psetas, Brad Schwarz, and Winston Crozier
KU’s College of Golf Club Team Enjoys Friendly Match
With the Flagship Campus Golf Team
The Keiser University College of Golf Club Team recently played a friendly nine-hole match with the Flagship Campus Golf Team at PGA National’s Squire Golf Course.
Eleven golfers from the Club team and five members of the Nationally-ranked Flagship Campus Golf Team participated. Students enjoyed the competition and, more importantly, the comradery.
Liam Gransden led the Flagship Campus Team with a two-under-par 34, while John Breedlove fired a three-over-par round of 39. Frank Longabucco led the College of Golf Club Team with a one-over-par 37, and Ken Martin, Winston Crozier, and Daniel Barber from the College of Golf Club Team shot three-over-par 39s.
“Giving the College of Golf students as many opportunities to play competitive golf helps them prepare for their PGA Playing Ability Test and National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Regional tournaments,” said Frank Longabucco, PGA Instructor and one of the Club Team Coaches, along with PGA Instructor John Callahan.
Upcoming events for the College of Golf Club Team include another friendly get-together with the Flagship Campus Golf Team, additional qualifying rounds for the next National Collegiate Club Golf Association Regional Tournament, and the Student Match Play Championship.
