There’s nothing revolutionary about college-owned or affiliated golf courses. They’ve been a part of campus life for a long time. Some of the most historic courses, such as the ones at Yale, Ohio State and Stanford, are nearly 100 years old.
What is new, however, is the thinking among college administrators that golf courses can be much more than an aging line item on the balance sheet. Many top universities have now come to recognize that golf is a viable investment. Starting in the mid-1990s, they’ve put money into building new courses and renovating old facilities to generate interest, embrace golfers of the next generation, increase revenue and connect with the local community.
The new college golf course construction boom didn’t originate in Lubbock. But, with the creation of The Rawls Course at Texas Tech in 2001, the Big 12 school was one of the first to embrace the concept of golf investment as a win-win for the university and community. Texas Tech also developed a successful blueprint that many others have followed.
When the university publicly acknowledged their wish to build a golf course, alumnus Jerry Rawls (Class of 1967) was immediately interested in lending his financial support on two conditions: it had to be located on campus and it had to be one of the finest collegiate golf facilities in the country. Texas Tech hired Tom Doak, one of the most acclaimed golf course architects of the modern era, to turn Rawls's dream into reality.
Doak and his team from Renaissance Golf built an entire landscape from scratch. On what was once a flat, 268-acre cotton farm, they moved 1.3 million cubic yards of topsoil to create a stunning 7,349-yard, par-72, layout with wide fairways, deep-faced bunkers and boldly contoured green complexes. By design, the entire property – from the rumpled topography and rugged landscaping – mimics the eroded features and canyons of the nearby South Plains Caprock region, giving the course an appealing rustic look.
The Rawls Course at Texas Tech, named in honor of the facility’s visionary and main benefactor, opened for play in 2003. It is home to the Texas Tech Men’s and Women’s Golf programs, and at the same time provides an enjoyable social venue for the entire university and surrounding community.
The remainder of the project is no less impressive. The practice facility, also designed by Doak, spans 55 acres and is one of the largest anywhere in the country. It includes teeing areas on three sides, and a special hitting bay facility for the golf team. In addition, there is an expansive short game practice area with three greens, five bunkers and shots up to 150 yards.
In 2012, Texas Tech opened a $3.7 million clubhouse at The Rawls Course. The state-of-the-art building includes a public area as well as separate, private facilities for the university's golf teams.
Any preconceived notion about West Texas golf being a lonesome, dusty setting is quickly erased upon seeing first-hand The Rawls Course. If you’ve never had the chance to tee it up on what Golfweek Magazine ranks as the No. 2 “Course You Can Play In Texas†and the No. 3 “Best Campus Course In The Country,†the TGA has some great news.
The Rawls Course will host an upcoming Fun Golf Play Day on Aug. 10. The event is open to all TGA Members and their friends. Play begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start and the format is a two-person scramble with Gross and Net divisions. There will also be two on-course contests in addition to the scramble. Entering the competitions is optional, for those that would just rather play and not worry about their score. The cost is $80 for TGA Members ($90 for non-members) and includes green fee, cart fee, range balls, and prizes for top finishers.
For more information about the Aug. 10 Play Day at The Rawls Course, click here.
