Department Breaks Ground on 'Premier' Golf Facility

Golf Practice Facility Ground Breaking (9/19/2026)

Photo by: Josie Ransley '25,M'27 - @josieransmedia

9/22/2026 9:46:00 AM | General, Women's Golf, Men's Golf, Our Stories

Photo Gallery Ground Blessing Story New Golf Facility

By: Andy Sneddon

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – "When the doors open," Central Michigan President Dr. Neil MacKinnon said, "this will stand as the premier golf training complex in the Mid-American Conference and rank among the finest in the nation."

MacKinnon, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe members, donors, alumni, coaches, staff and supporters gathered on Saturday for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the university's new men's and women's golf practice facility, located immediately west of Theunissen Stadium.

"A championship-caliber project of this magnitude only happens when dedicated supporters step forward with extraordinary vision and generosity," MacKinnon said, addressing the donors specifically. "To the donors who have made today possible, you are directly responsible for shaping the future of CMU Athletics.

"It's your leadership and your belief in our student-athletes that have turned an idea into concrete reality. Because of your generosity, CMU is setting a new standard for athletic and academic excellence. Every swing, every championship push, and every student success story written under this roof will trace back to your incredible investment."

The 40-acre, year-round facility will provide indoor and outdoor practice facilities including putting and short-range practice areas, multiple hitting bays with golf simulators, locker rooms and a fitness area, among other amenities.

A groundblessing led by the SCIT was held in June and the facility is scheduled to be completed by late, 2027.

"It will provide our men's and women's programs with a world-class, year-round advantage, no matter what the Michigan winter or rainy season brings," MacKinnon said. "It is built to build champions.

"This facility will immediately elevate CMU's footprint on the national recruiting trail, serving as a powerful magnet to attract top-tier talent from across the country and around the world."

"We are making strategic investments to strengthen the student-athlete experience and position CMU student-athletes for success," Folan said. "Together these investments create opportunities, elevate programs, and reinforce the commitment to excellence that this university stands for.

"We want to take a moment to thank and recognize all of those without whom and their visionary leadership and extraordinary generosity, today would not be possible. Rocky and Traci Ricelli, we can't say it enough: Thank you for your transformational investment and belief in our mission.

"Scott Pranger, Tom and Sharon Weirich, Dan and Candace Sebold, and so many others who support the project, we know this doesn't happen without you."