Scheduled to open in late 2017, the Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center will give the Ball State men's and women's golf programs a year-round home on campus.
"The Yestingsmeier Golf Center will give our golf student-athletes a wonderful place to hone their skills during the winter months." Ball State Director of Athletics Mark Sandy said. "Additionally, this team bonding and learning space will greatly enhance our opportunities to recruit talented young people. We appreciate the support of our donors and thank them for making this building come alive."
The new facility, which is being constructed along Bethel Avenue on the north side of campus, will be approximately 6,400 square feet and feature two indoor hitting bays for four players, a hitting simulator bay, 2,200 square foot putting and chipping area, locker and restroom facilities for the women's and men's golf teams, a meeting/office room, team lounge area and club repair room.
"The indoor golf facility is a dream come true," women's golf coach Katherine Mowat said. "I am so thankful and appreciative of so many people who played a part in getting to this point - campaign directors, donors, athletic directors, architects and Ball State staff. This building will help our student-athletes reach new levels with their golf games, as we will have access to the best technology the game has to offer and a place to practice any day of the year, regardless of weather. A new era for Ball State golf begins with this phenomenal building."
The exterior of the building will feature brick, consistent with the University's color scheme that primarily matches the brick used on the Alumni Center, Fisher Football Training Complex and Venderly Football Center. A large glass opening will be located on the east wall of the putting green to allow natural light into the space. Metal wall panels in a color matching that used on the Alumni Center, Fisher Football Training Complex and Venderly Football Center will be used on the balance of the exterior wall in addition to the brick. While the exterior palette will fit in with adjacent buildings, the golf facility will have its own design features to make it a unique facility.
"It is an exciting time for Ball State golf," men's golf coach Mike Fleck said. "The Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center will change the game in how our student-athletes train, practice and prepare. With a state-of-the-art training facility and technology to match, our guys will be able to work on their games year round. The greatest thing about this facility is we are able to honor and provide a legacy for Coach Yestingsmeier. Past, present and future Cardinals will benefit from the generosity of everyone who helped make this vision become reality."
Earl Yestingsmeier was an exceptional supporter of Ball State University and the patriarch of Ball State golf for more than 50 years. Yestingsmeier earned his bachelor's degree from Ball State in 1955 and his master's degree from the University in 1958. He then spent virtually his entire professional career working for his alma mater. He started as sports information director in 1959 and became golf coach in 1963. Yestingsmeier coached the Ball State men's golf team for 36 years until his retirement in 1998, spending 31 of those years in a dual role as the university's sports information director. He remained one of Ball State's biggest fans until his passing in January 2014.