Source: Bernie Haney, 785-532-5162, bhaney@k-state.edu
http://www.colberthills.com
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
K-STATE'S COLBERT HILLS TO ADD CLUBHOUSE TO WORLD-CLASS GOLF COURSE
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's Colbert Hills Golf Course, which brought championship golf to Manhattan, is building a new clubhouse to meet the needs of visitors who play 28,000 rounds each year at the scenic Flint Hills course.
A groundbreaking is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, July 10; construction should start by Aug. 1. Speakers at the ceremony include professional golfer Jim Colbert, a member of the PGA's Champions Tour and a K-State alum; Bob Krause, vice president for institutional advancement and director of athletics at K-State; and Howard Sherwood, board president of the K-State Golf Course Management and Research Foundation.
The 18-hole links, designed by Colbert and Jeff Brauer, opened eight years ago on 315 acres. It is home to the K-State men's and women's golf programs and provides a wide range of opportunities to students in the golf-course management program of the College of Agriculture. The First Tee of Manhattan and Earl Woods Youth Academy, which use the game of golf to instill strong values in youth, make use of the nine-hole teaching course at Colbert Hills.
The clubhouse, which will house locker rooms, a pro shop, a multipurpose area, a conference room and a bar and grill within its estimated 13,500 square feet, should be completed in fall 2009, according to Bernie Haney, executive director of the K-State Golf Course Management and Research Foundation. The $5 million project will be financed entirely with private donations.
"The new clubhouse will be built west of the tee box on the first hole," Haney said. "This location will provide tremendous views of Manhattan and will continue to attract destination golfers to our area."
Other amenities will include a 3,000-square-foot covered patio, administrative offices and a display area for trophies and memorabilia.
The existing temporary clubhouse has been moved to a location east of the first hole to facilitate construction of the permanent building.
"This is a very exciting time for Colbert Hills, K-State and the local community," Haney said. The process started with a lead gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Since then Ernie Barrett has led the fundraising effort.
Barrett, known as "Mr. K-State," retired last year as director of development for K-State athletics. "I can't thank Ernie and all our wonderful donors enough for their tremendous generosity," Haney said.
The project has been designed by Gossen Livingston Architecture of Wichita. The contractor will be Coonrod and Associates Construction Co., also based in Wichita.