Sept. 29, 2006

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – A private dedication will be held this Saturday, Sept. 30 for the opening of the Robert and Marilyn Rolfs Family All-Season Varsity Golf Facility, which is located at the Warren Golf Course on the northeast corner of the University of Notre Dame campus. The $2.1 million, 10,333-square foot facility will officially be open for use beginning next week for both the Irish men’s and women’s golf programs.

Four offices are located on the east end of the building to accommodate the coaching staffs. Each student-athlete will have his or her own locker area in their respective locker room and a fully-furnished lounge is available to members of both teams for studying or relaxing. Another asset for the teams is a club repair room, which is located in the southern wing of the facility.

“The future has arrived,” says Notre Dame men’s golf head coach Jim Kubinski. “We’ve awaited the opening of our new facility with great excitement and to see this day come to reality is such a thrill.”

“Obviously we’re grateful for the exceptionally generous support from Mr. Bob Rolfs and his family. To benefit from such a great generosity is humbling in a way but it also shows that Notre Dame is about tradition and family and supporting the dreams of generations to come.”

A 5,000-square foot indoor short game area, that includes a putting green, chip and pitch area along with a practice bunker will allow the student-athletes the ability to practice their short game year-round on campus. One of the nicest features of the facility are the six hitting stations that are located within the building that lead out to the Warren Golf Course driving range, allowing players to work on their swings in all weather conditions. Incorporated within the stations is state-of-the-art video equipment to give players and coaches instant feedback on players’ swing techniques.

“The impact of the new facility is already being felt with the reaction that we are getting from recruits,” states Fighting Irish women’s golf head coach Susan Holt.

“We are seeing an immediate impact with recruiting and that will only make our program stronger by bringing in top-level talent. The facility will also allow us to get quality practice time all year round. The putting and chipping areas are extremely nice and very authentic.”

–ND–