Aug262015page6 by The Lasso

Sports

6 | Wednesday, August 26, 2015

twulasso.com | The Lasso

TWU Golf

Fate of Pioneer Golf Course Still Uncertain Historical 75 year-old campus fixture deemed inefficient and facing possible closure Sierra Taylor Managing Editor staylor40@twu.edu According to a recent feasibility study by WindRose Global, the Pioneer Golf Course on TWU’s Denton campus is losing more funds than it is gaining. Recently, Chancellor and President Dr. Carnie Feyten and a committee composed of TWU faculty, staff, students and Denton residents met to discuss the practicality of keeping the golf course. Assistant Director of Fit-

ness and Recreation Karrie Fletcher shared: “The university hired a consultant who worked with the committee and the golf course staff to analyze all aspects of the course including previous budgets, course usage, staffing, current golf trends and usage by the university community.” Fletcher was one of the committee members. Feyten addressed the issue of the golf course during the Fall Assembly on Friday, August 14. She stated: “In terms of operations every year, our

cost is larger, and that probably isn’t going to get any better.” She added: “The irrigation system is getting older, and at some point, we would have to be replacing that. The golf carts aren’t really working that well anymore, and some of the bridges need to be fixed.” According to Denton Guyer High School Golf Coach Roddy Adams, who sat on the committee as well, everything was examined in a proper and professional manner, but either the course will be upgraded and the revamped facility will begin to turn a profit, or the course will be closed. Fletcher shared: “No decision has been made at this time. Dr. Feyten wants to take the fall semester to consider all of the options before making a decision. She has indicated that she would like to meet with the committee again in December to discuss those options.” According to the study, TWU uses 20 million gallons of water annually to irrigate the course, which costs around $96,000. Feyten said: “We use potable water, which means drinking water, to irrigate the golf course. That is something we are looking into with the city about how we can change that.” The design of the 18 holes

Photo by Tabitha Gray

Lawn maintenance grows increasingly more difficult as irrigation system ages.

is about 1,000 yards shorter than competitive courses, which means that even if TWU had a golf team, then they would not be able to practice or host tournaments there. Feyten stated: “As the golf course gets older, it needs more and more funding to sustain it. The trends nationally in playing golf are dropping significantly, especially among women and junior players. Only three percent of golf games are played by employees and students.” The golf feasibility study has not halted golf games, but Fitness and Recreation has discontinued the new intramural game, Foot Golf, while the feasibility study continues. Oth-

er intramural sports like flag football and the soccer leagues have a sign-up deadline of September 8, with play beginning as early as September 14. Recreational Supervisor Gabriel Cruz shared: “[Intramural sports] is a great opportunity for students to meet others or build on existing relationships through a competitive atmosphere.” At press time, Dr. Mendez-Grant was slated to present the WindRose Global’s feasibility study findings to the Denton City Council in a Tuesday afternoon meeting. Stay connected with The Lasso for further developments.

Photo by Tabitha Gray

Local golfer caddies his own clubs across the Pioneer Golf Course as he enjoys a round.

TWU Fit and Rec

Outdoor National Championship at TWU National competition

Photo by Sierra Taylor

Bridges on the course will require future maintenance adding to the increasing cost of upkeep.

Logo Courtesy of TWU Fit and Rec

Johnna Headly Reporter jheadly@twu.edu

NOT HING S AYS YOU’ V E A RRIV ED L I K E T H E T I T L E “N U C L E A R O F F IC E R .”

In the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program, you can put yourself in truly elite company from day one. Get up to $168,300* in financial support as a student. Enjoy an impressive salary. Extraordinary benefits. As well as world-class technical training. Command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. A stealth submarine. And teams of Sailors. Ready to gain experience beyond your years? Learn more. WANT TO LEARN MORE? CONTACT YOUR NAVY RECRUITER TODAY.

402DADGOF11

Texas Woman’s University has been selected among 59 other schools across the country to participate in an Outdoor National Championship. The championship is a program designed to motivate students, staff, faculty and the community to engage in the outdoors. The competition will last six weeks. It is scheduled to start on September 6 and end on October 17. Registration began August 24 and can be found online. All TWU campuses – Denton, Dallas and Houston – and their communities can register and rack up points for the university. To earn points, participants can chose from a variety of activities outside, including hiking, running and climbing. The Fitness and Recreation Center will organize events for competitors, but individuals can also compete on their own. You must participate for 30 minutes and upload a picture to the online site proving that you have completed each activity. The first time you log an activity you will receive 20 points. Afterwards, each 30 minute activity is worth 10 points. A maximum of 5 activities can be logged per day. Assistant director of the Fit-

ness and Recreation center Karrie Fletcher has organized this event for TWU. She is excited for the university to have this opportunity. Fletcher is confident that the Fit and Rec Center’s activities like outdoor adventure, outdoor trips and the rock climbing wall will be a good place to earn points. However, Fletcher wants participants to understand: “You don’t have to be super sporty, outdoors-minded, or extremely competitive to be a part of this.” Simple activities such as walking around campus, bird watching, or even laying in a hammock count for points. As a part of being chosen, TWU is one of 50 schools to receive a $1,000 grant to use for equipping the university for the competition and to provide neat giveaway prizes. Giveaway prizes include backpacks from The North Face, GoPro cameras, Coleman tents, hammocks, Bose earphones and T-shirts. The participant from each school that earns the most points will win the Outsider of the Year award from Outdoor Nation, along with gear from outdoor retailers like The North Face and REI. Also, one student and one faculty or staff member from TWU with the most points will win a GoPro camera. For more information or to register for the competition visit www. oncampuschallenge.org.