Featured Article on the PGA Program - Methodist University

COVER STORYGolf Range Association of America (GRAA)Top 50Methodist University Golf Course was recently selected as a 2012 Golf RangeAssociation of America (GRAA) Top 50 Range in the Private category. The award waslisted in the January 2013 issue of Golf Range Magazine and on GolfRange.org.“This award will be cherished by our prestigious alumni, faculty/staff, and students,” said Robbie Fritz, head golfprofessional at Methodist. “The award demonstrates our commitment to player development and our passion forhelping students become future golf professionals that can compete and play golf at a high level.”Jerry Hogge, director of PGA Golf Management, said, “The award is a tribute to Robbie Fritz, who recognized thequality of the practice facility and Steve Dockery our Golf Course Superintendent, who has maintained the facility ona daily basis. The students who use it daily appreciate everyone’s efforts.”MU’s on-campus 18-hole golf course has 10 acres of practice facilities where students can practice every shotin golf with target greens, bunkers, short game areas, and all-weather hitting bays. Methodist is the only PGA GolfManagement University listed as a GRAA Top 50 Private Range.“Our practice facilities have played a major role in the skill development of our students, preparing them tobecome PGA professionals, and in the success of our men’s and women’s golf teams, who have won a combined35 NCAA DIII Championships,” Fritz said.“Since the redesign of our practice facilities in 2004, led by past president PGA of America Brian Whitcombe,we have added a wedge range, new target poles, and the Bernie Krick Teaching and Technology Center,” Fritz said.“We are also grateful for the support of Titleist, which has greatly enhanced the image and effectiveness of ourpractice facilities.”Fritz credits the guidance of Hogge, and the support of alumni, such as Joey Wuertemberger, with the design of thefirst-class practice facilities.Inczauskis, the head women’s golf coach, has beenwith the program for eight years, the first four of whichhe was the head professional/director of instruction. Hebelieves the program’s greatest strength is the studentathleteswho come to Methodist for what he calls “theDivision III experience:” athletics, academics andcommunity service.“The PGM Program has the best facilities availableto our student-athletes and aspiring PGA professionals,”Inczauskis said. “The PGA program also has a highlyskilled group of professional staff members to mentorour students.”Because of the women’s golf team’s long historyof national championships – 25 of the last 27 years,including 15 in a row – Inczauskis says alumni followeach season closely leading up to the Nationals in May.“We’ve started a quarterly newsletter that is emailedto the alumni,” Inczauskis said. “Our team also has avery active Facebook following of alumni.”JourneyThe Methodist hUniversity53