LAKELAND, Fla. (October 23, 2023) – Florida Southern College announced today that it will break ground on the Moccasins' new Golf Club House at Lone Palm Golf Club in Lakeland, Fla. on Thursday, October 26.
Dr. Anne Kerr, President of Florida Southern College, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "This new facility at Lone Palm represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing our student athletes with state-of-the-art facilities. We believe it will not only enhance their performance, but also contribute to the pride of our entire College community as we celebrate the achievements of our exceptional golf programs."
Anticipated to open in the Fall of 2024, the 4,000 square-foot golf clubhouse will provide a Championship lobby, displaying all 33 titles earned between the men's and women's golf programs, pro-style locker rooms, offices for each coach, two TrackMan hitting simulators, a putt view studio, fitness and rehabilitation area, meeting space, and a student-athlete lounge.
"This project is going to completely change the game for the future of golf at Florida Southern," said
Drew Howard, Director of Athletics. "Thanks to our generous donors and Lone Palm, this project will make a huge impact on generations of student athletes at Florida Southern and beyond. We are grateful for our continued relationship with Lone Palm, which enables
Robbie Davis and
Lee White '12 to continually recruit and nurture exceptional student athletes."
"Mr. George Jenkins was instrumental in the origins of the golf teams and FSC's success," Wayne Raath, General Manager of Lone Palm, stated about the golf clubhouse. "To now see this project come to fruition at Lone Palm, the course that he built, adds a special significance."
"Lone Palm Golf Club has been a home for my family and me since 1980," commented Florida Southern Women's Golf Head Coach
Robbie Davis. "I cannot think of a better place for Florida Southern to make a home for our athletes as they continue our quest to win National Championships. Thank you to all that have made this a success!"
This new space, settled near the 18
th green at Lone Palm, has been designed by John Curtis, CMHM Architects, and will be built by Register Construction and Engineering of Lakeland.
"We are beyond excited for the Lone Palm project to take shape over the coming months," said Florida Southern Men's Golf Head Coach
Lee White '12. "Our team has been inspired by the overwhelming support shown by the Florida Southern community. This facility will not only elevate our skill set, but also give us the ability to attract and retain the top talent we need to compete for championships. I truly believe this will be the best indoor golf facility in the state."
The Moccasins have 17 NCAA Division II National Championships between the men's and women's golf programs with 16 individual national champions.
Gallery: (12-14-2022) FSC Golf Clubhouse at Lone Palm
About Lone Palm Golf Club
Founded in 1964 by George Jenkins, Lone Palm is one of the premier private golf clubs in Central Florida. Listed as one of the most beautiful courses in Central Florida, Lone Palm is set on nearly 400 acres of beautiful scenery and wildlife. The 18-hole, championship course provides both challenge and enjoyment for professionals and novices alike. Originally designed by legendary golf course architect, Dick Wilson, and renovated by Steven Smyers in 2022, Lone Palm has played host to many professional, amateur, and charity tournaments throughout the years. With a par of 72, the Lone Palm course winds its way through serene Florida landscape.
About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning, and boasts 30 NCAA Division II National Championships. Florida Southern is ranked at #11 among the "Best Regional Universities in the South" by U.S. News & World Report in its "2024 Best Colleges" guide and is included in The Princeton Review's "2023-24 Best 389 Colleges" guide and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2024. The 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction guidebook praises Florida Southern's AACSB accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise alongside the College's School of Education and its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Poets&Quants, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, and The Princeton Review further laud the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise and the Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences as foremost programs in the nation for business and nursing education. Home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC has appeared on The Princeton Review's top 25 "Most Beautiful Campus" national listing for 14 consecutive years. Connect with Florida Southern College.
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