A new era in the Georgia Tech golf program began on February 17, 2017 with the grand opening of the Noonan Golf Facility, a 13-acre complex on the edge of the Tech campus in midtown Atlanta where the Yellow Jackets can practice and work on every part of their games on a daily basis.
Every step of the way, two people have stood at the forefront of fundraising: Kim P. Noonan, IM 1983, and Thomas E. Noonan, ME 1983. Their leadership has been integral to the success of the project to date. They, along with countless other generous donors and volunteers, have continued to reach out to individuals, foundations, and corporations in helping to ensure that the overall philanthropic goal for the project is met, and that Georgia Tech’s golf team will enjoy and make the most of the significant benefits that come with having a first-rate practice facility near the Tech campus.
“There is no doubting the importance of having a quality practice site near campus,” said head coach Bruce Heppler. “We cannot thank our alumni and friends enough for supporting Georgia Tech golf, or put into words how much their association with the program means to us.”
The story of this facility’s birth is long, but the story here is about these Jackets and how they may benefit not only from the ability to hit balls from garages in the dead of winter, but having a facility where they can practice every shot imaginable practically in their back yard.
There are seven greens, shaped bunkers and approaches, all built with golf architect Tom Fazio’s firm at the helm and former players like Matt Kuchar, Roberto Castro, Kris Mikkelsen and Carlton Forrester and others advising. The East end of the property, named for alumnus David Dorman, is designed for work on every short-game situation imaginable. Routing has been designed into the entire property for a par-3 competition course, named for alumni Linda and Ray Helton.
Add the fact that one of the world’s top teaching pros is splitting time between working with professional golfers in south Florida, North Carolina and the new facility, and Tech has a gold mine.
Beyond the clubhouse, named for Stewart and Lisa Cink, which includes lockers, showers, a kitchen area, a washer and a dryer, a refrigerator, microwave, and large television screens everywhere, there is the business of technology.
Inside the Kuchar Teaching Center, which includes three hitting bays, one of which is can be set up specifically for putting work, players and coaches have the ability to study their shots on video and with devices that monitor club head speed, weight on front foot vs. back foot, on toes vs. heels, club angle, ball velocity, and more.
“I think you can hit more individual shots here that you would see on a course,” said 2018 graduate Chris Petefish. “Before, it was just more of a wide-open piece of land of grass and range. Now, we have a lot more greens that you can hit more kinds of shots into and see how the ball reacts, and have competition with each other.“
Beyond the par-3 options, players can work on everything.
Jeff Pierce, a professional instructor, volunteers time to the Tech program in exchange for being allowed to use the facility and all the new video and technology equipment that he helped Heppler order to work with multiple PGA professionals, as well as the Jackets.
It’s all about how they can practice any and every shot to goals designed by professionals — and Tech graduates — Kuchar, Cink, Castro and the Tom Fazio design group.