I know everyone is going to jump down my throat regarding the economy, but...(economy aside)

Given the amount of Land available adjacent to West Campus, why don't we have our own 18 hole course on campus as do many schools? (just saw photos of Kent States, Ohio has one, I know Illinois State has their own...

Is Harvest Farms not NIU's home golf course? From what I understaind this course is one of, if not the finest course in the entire state. It is just a short 30 minute ride from DeKalb. I know its not in DeKalb, but to have your home facility as Harvest Farms (where an NIU flag flys constantly) is pretty cool.

I'm definitely grateful to have such a fine golf course as our home, but an on-campus course is still is still a very nice recruiting tool, for the golf team and otherwise.

(08-06-2009 09:18 PM)filmmaker Wrote:  I know everyone is going to jump down my throat regarding the economy, but...(economy aside)

Given the amount of Land available adjacent to West Campus, why don't we have our own 18 hole course on campus as do many schools? (just saw photos of Kent States, Ohio has one, I know Illinois State has their own...

Who...cares...about...golf? The land would be put to better use as a repository for septic tanks.

(08-06-2009 11:08 PM)filmmaker Wrote:  I'm definitely grateful to have such a fine golf course as our home, but an on-campus course is still is still a very nice recruiting tool, for the golf team and otherwise.

I couldn't disagree more.

Golf is not a sport (at least in college that many people watch) Rich Harvest Farms was named one of the top 100 courses in the country and has already hosted the NCAA regional championships and will be hosting the Solheim Cup this year. Also, many of the best golf teams you are going to find in the south due to the fact that you can play year round. So competing for recruits versus other schools I think is quite a bit different. In fact I would say having this RHF helps us more in recruiting than having a course on campus. You can't match the quality.

I don't think we even pay anything to Rich Harvest for that to be our home course (thanks Jerry Rich) which is a DEAL. With a campus course you have maintenance staffing and and all the rest that comes with having a golf course.

There are plenty of golf courses in the area if you're looking to play a round but I don't think its a wise investment of university funds considering what we're already getting.

(08-06-2009 09:42 PM)Huskie359 Wrote:  Is Harvest Farms not NIU's home golf course? From what I understaind this course is one of, if not the finest course in the entire state. It is just a short 30 minute ride from DeKalb. I know its not in DeKalb, but to have your home facility as Harvest Farms (where an NIU flag flys constantly) is pretty cool.

100% AGREE....and again thanks to Jerry Rich....

The country is satured with golf courses...many are offering deals due to lack of play...the cost to build would exceed the cost of an IP facility...The yearly maintenance costs are high..not money will spent given today's economic climate.... it would be nice tho...

Harvest Farms is a wonderful course and proud home course of the NIU golf program.

NIU is never going to build a course on campus, nor should they. That would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility. I think you confuse the average NIU student as being a member of the golf set. The only people to play a course on campus would be a smattering of students and mostly local yocals looking for a cheap round of golf. The financial payback on such a project would be non-existent.