From Rough to Ready: Bill Rankin ’60 Makes Golf Center Dream a Reality

From ROUGH to READY

Alumnus makes golf center dream a reality

By NATHAN LARICCIA

Golf is best played in ideal weather conditions. The Westminster men’s and women’s golf teams compete in both the fall and the spring, and as anyone who lives in Western Pennsylvania knows, the weather is not always predictable.

Head Titan men’s golf coach Matt Torrence ‘93 thought of a solution that would solve the weather dilemma. Coincidently, his idea came on the golf course.

“I met with Bill Rankin ‘60,” said Torrence. “He asked me to join him for a round of golf. During the round, we discussed many things about the golf program, including my desire for an indoor practice facility. That evening, he called me and offered a donation to make the idea a reality.”

Rankin, a Westminster trustee emeritus and a member of the Titan Sports Hall of Fame, was a standout tennis player for Westminster as an undergraduate. Bill Rankin ’60

“When we discussed Matt’s ideas for an indoor practice facility, I was very impressed with his vision and enthusiasm for the project,” said Rankin. “What I did not know, but came to discover early on, was his outstanding dedication and hard work for the project.”

Many other people were involved, including donors Rankin recruited, members of the Westminster Physical Plant staff, head Westminster women’s golf coach Jeff Roud, Director of Athletics Jim Dafler, and Rick Montanti, contractor and father of men’s golf team member Ross Montanti ‘15.

The project started with an approval in November 2015 and the primary features of the center were completed in April 2016.

“I contacted 20 individuals seeking support for the project and received positive responses and subsequent donations,” Rankin said. “These were folks who had a connection with Westminster and a love for Titan sports!”

Members of the men’s and women’s golf teams, left, present Bill Rankin ’60 with a plaque at the dedication of the indoor golf center. At right, Rankin poses with retiring head women’s golf coach Jeff Roud, left, and head men’s golf coach Matt Torrence ’93, right.

Torrence was familiar with a space located in Eichenauer Hall where movie nights, concerts, and other social functions were held when he was a student. The space formerly known as the “Down Under” was transformed into the new Bill Rankin Golf Center.

The facility, officially dedicated on May 6, features two stateof-the-art golf simulators, a chipping/putting green, the Palmer conference room (named in honor of the late Western Pennsylvania native Arnold Palmer), a players’ lounge, and locker rooms for both Titan men’s and women’s golf teams.

Each pair of Foresight GC2 simulators features 10 different iconic courses such as Oakmont, Merion, and Firestone, and are the same ones used by the Golf Channel. The nearly 1,000 square foot Southwest chipping and putting greens are similar to the ones used by professionals.

“(Southwest) has installed greens for golfing icons like Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam,” said Rankin. “Touring professionals on their extensive list of clients. The artificial putting surface has a perimeter of artificial rough which can be used for short game practice in chipping.”

So why the basement of a dormitory? “Our original plan was to construct a separate building,” Rankin said. “We met with Ken Romig, vice president for finance and management services, who said we could build this, but that it would be much more costly and would require numerous building permits, etc. Mr. Romig then offered up the basement of Eichenauer, which contained storage items. The available space was about 3,000 square feet with 10 feet high ceilings—perfect for our golf center.”

Not only is this a facility where the Westminster golf teams can compete year round, but it also appeals to potential recruits.

“The facility is a great place for members of the men’s and women’s golf teams to practice and socialize,” Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, and Suzann Pettersen are just a few names

Torrence said. “It is also an excellent recruiting tool. We have a facility with which very few Division III schools can compete.”

The Bill Rankin Golf Center, which has been described as a Division I-type facility, has already helped recruit first-year student-athletes.

Rankin added, “From my perspective, it is a joy to see the golf center being utilized with team members practicing in the off-season and in inclement weather. It is so good to see them practicing, but also having fun while doing so.”

Torrence said, “If a potential student-athlete is serious about working on his/her golf game, then this is the place to be.”