High expectations of WSU's renovated golf course

Washington State University’s renovated golf course, Palouse Ridge, is expected to rate higher overall, than University of Washington’s championship course and the project is supported by many members of the Pullman community.
UW’s golf course, Washington National has been ranked among ‘the 101 best golf experiences in the West’ by Fairways and Greens, golf magazine. When Mel Taylor, executive director of Real Estate Operations and External Affairs, was asked how WSU’s golf course will compare, he said, “Palouse Ridge will be of much higher caliber. I am very confident it will be rated in the top 10.”
Washington National is an 18-hole championship golf course that sits on 200 acres of well maintained greens. The golf course’s website credits its white sandy bunkers and breathtaking natural beauty for becoming one of the Northwest’s golfing treasures.
WSU’s golf course architect John Harbottle III has received recognition for the playability and environmental sensitivity of his courses. His goal is to ensure that the natural beauty of the landscape will be preserved and enhanced by the challenging course.
The renovation of Palouse Ridge will produce a 315 acre, 18 hole, NCAA championship golf course. Each of the 18 holes will have five different tee positions, allowing a variety of skill levels. The renovation will also include a $4 million club house, restaurant, pro shop and practice facility.
Taylor has proposed golf rates ranging from $26 for students to $58 for non-residents. Taylor said they will also be working on a discounted rate for WSU alumni. These rates were established based on the revenue needed to complete the golf course and also took into account the rates of other similar golf courses in the region.
The renovation price is estimated at $8.4 million which Taylor said will not be a burden on the students. All of the funds needed to renovate the course will come from donations and revenue from the facilities.
Washington National’s golf course does not have a student discount for their course. The current rates range from $39-$96; however, golfers who wear Husky apparel receive a $10 discount. These rates are similar to many golf courses in the area.
WSU’s golf course opened in 1936 and had not been renovated since. Senior advertising major Gino Click explains his previous golfing experience by saying, “It sucked, you could hit your ball down the middle of the fairway and still not be able to see it. The grass was so unkempt.” Click said a newly renovated golf course would be a necessary addition to the campus. Many university officials have been in support of the project as well.
“We had overwhelming support,” Taylor said, in response to the City Council meeting where the proposal for the renovation of the golf course was passed. “There were 150 people at the meeting and 135 of them were pro golf course,” Taylor said. The majority of the concerns stem from environmental issues that Taylor has promised will be handled. “WSU is a steward of environmental issues and always performs higher than most universities to uphold this image,” Taylor said.
“We [WSU] are known for having such horrible facilities compared to the rest of the Pac-10. This new golf course will help our image,” Click said. The west end of the practice range will open in fall of 2007, while the rest of the golf course will open to the public in Fall of 2008.