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University Unveils New Golf Course

May 2, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –

Benefactors, alumni and representatives of the University turned out on Monday to dedicate the Warren Golf Course.

Notre Dame President Rev. Edward Malloy started the ceremony with an official blessing of the clubhouse and grounds. Then a ceremonial bagpiper paraded the small gathering to the first tee.

Course designer, Ben Crenshaw had the honor of the first drive, followed by University executive vice president, Rev. E. William Beauchamp

The drives signified the official opening of the course, which has been in development for some time. The course is situated on 250 wooded acres next to the northeast corner of Notre Dame campus.

The most unique feature of the course is that there is no par for it. Only the yardage is posted for each hole of the course. It allows players the chance to determine par based on the terrain and weather conditions. The inaugural day proved to be a challenging one, due to heavy rainfall.

The majority of the benefactors opted to play nine holes on the rainy day. The inaugural foursome tried to play the full 18 before succumbing to the downpours. The inaugural foursome included Crenshaw, Beauchamp, Notre Dame alumnus, William K. Warren and his son, Stephen Warren.

The course incorporates lots of water in its design. It includes two lakes and Juday Creek. There are 86 bunkers on the course and it spans 6,744 yards form the back tees. The Warren Golf Course also includes a driving range and putting green.

It will play host to the Notre Dame men’s and women’s golf teams

“It is our distinct pleasure to do a golf course for an institution like this,” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw’s firm Crenshaw and Coore designed the course. Their architectural firm was established in 1986 and it is based in Austin Texas.

Coore stated that the team’s goal was to develop a golf course that is traditional. He and Crenshaw strove to create a course, which would fit in with the Notre Dame campus. They wanted a course, which looked like it had been in existence for sometime rather than something modern.

Crenshaw and Coore placed environmental safeguards as one of the top priorities for this course. Improvements were made to Juday Creek. The company planted over 4,000 shrubs and trees.

The Warren Golf Course also includes a clubhouse. The 7,000 square foot house is home to the Warren Grille and pro shop.

The course is currently accepting tee times. Notre Dame students, faculty, staff and alumni can request tee times up to two weeks in advance. They also will pay reduced greens fees. The public may request times only one week in advance. Greens fees are listed at $35 for 18 holes. The Warren Golf Course plans on implementing a special schedule for the football season.

The University will continue to run the nine-hole course currently in existence.