N.C. State University Breaks Ground on Course Clubhouse

Since its opening in 2009, the Lonnie Poole Golf Course has used what Poole, whose $40 million gift has helped to fund the facility,  called a “double-wide” to serve as its clubhouse. The $5 million construction will begin next month and will include locker rooms, coaching offices, dining facilities and a large balcony overlooking the 18th green. “This is an important part of N.C. State’s brand,” said the university chancellor.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held October 24 at Lonnie Poole Golf Course at North Carolina State University (NCSU) for the 25,000-sq. ft. Carol Johnson Poole Clubhouse, the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer reported.

Construction for the clubhouse, named after Lonnie Poole’s wife, will begin in November and is projected to be complete in 10 months, The News & Observer reported.

“It was something that was incomplete, but with the new clubhouse will be complete,” Poole said. “Just as my wife made my life complete, she will now make the golf course complete.”

The clubhouse is funded, in part, by a $2.5 million portion of the Poole family’s $40 million gift to N.C. State in 2010. Lonnie Poole is the founder of Waste Industries, which is based in Raleigh, The News & Observer reported.

The Arnold Palmer-designed golf course’s groundbreaking was held in July 2007 and the course opened two years later. The course has been using a temporary building that Poole referred to as the “double-wide” as its clubhouse. In total, the new clubhouse will cost $5 million, with about $700,000 still to be raised, and will include locker rooms, coaching offices, dining facilities and a large balcony overlooking the 18th green.

The addition of the clubhouse will enable to school to potentially host such events as NCAA golf regionals and should further enhance recruiting for the men’s and women’s golf programs, The News & Observer reported.

“In my business, we say facilities are a silent statement of commitment, and this is truly one,” Athletic Director Debbie Yow said.

The golf course is also used as a research and training facility for the school’s Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research and Education, and for NCSU’s Professional Golf Management Program, The News & Observer reported.

“This is an important part of N.C. State’s brand,” chancellor Randy Woodson said.

Tags: Arnold Palmer carol Johnson poole clubhouse center for turfgrass environmental research and education Debbie yow Lonnie poole Lonnie poole golf course NCAA north Carolina state university professional golf management program Raleigh N.C. randy woodson waste industries