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Golf Indoor Practice Facility
Rutgers men’s and women’s golf programs unveiled the Class of 1957 Indoor Golf Training Center in 2020, located inside the College Avenue Gym in New Brunswick. The state-of-the-art, two-room facility features indoor putting space with Envyscapes turf and a hitting bay with Swing Catalyst technology, allowing student-athletes from both teams to train year-round.
The game-changing facility was spearheaded by the Rutgers University Class of 1957, who previously provided financial assistance towards the purchase of RU’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van used to get both programs to tournaments around the country. Thanks to the leadership of the Class of 1957 President Tom Carpenter and Vice President Harold Kaplan, the idea of an indoor practice area for RU’s golf teams went from a vision to a reality.
Additional passionate donors also made the training center possible. Marge (NCAS ’71) and George Derrick contributed to the naming of the putting room inside the facility, while Mike (RC’ 75) and Jean MacDonald donated a recognition wall for the golf programs’ successes over the years, which includes their son, golf letterwinner and four-time team MVP Ryan MacDonald (1998-01).
Other benefactors towards the project include men’s basketball head coach Steve Pikiell and his wife, Kathryn, Mark and Trish Hansen, Russell Bershad (CLAW ’77) and Sharon Wynn (CLAW ’78) and Don (RC ’69) and Penny Pray (DC ‘70). Additionally, proceeds toward the project from prior year Manasquan River Golf Outings were led by the generous leadership of Andy Sisti RC’76, Rich Stanzione RC’67 and Paul Magno RC’83.
The indoor facility will help both teams as they continue their improvements within the Big Ten Conference.
A list of leadership financial contributors to the project can be found below. Rutgers Athletics and its student-athletes cannot thank this group and our many golf donors enough for making this facility possible and our program successful.
Rutgers Class of 1957
Margaret T. Derrick (NCAS ’71) & George Derrick
Russell B. Bershad (CLAW ’77) & Sharon L. Wynn (CLAW ’78)
Mark & Patricia Hansen
Michael C. MacDonald (RC ’75) and Jean A. MacDonald
Donald Pray (RC ’69) and Penelope Bragg Pray (DC ’70)
John C. Huss (RC’57)
Gary W. Gerold (PHAR ’78) & Carol S. Gerold (PHAR ’78)
Harold J. Kaplan (RC ’57) & Rosalind Kaplan
Paul J. Magno (RC ’83) & Dana L. Magno
Danaka B. Olsen (RC’ 02)* & Peter Olsen (RC ‘00)
Stephen & Kathryn Pikiell
Adam G. Rabinowitz, Esq. (RC ’95)*
Andy Sisti (RC ’76) & Andrea Sisti
Richard D. Stanzione (RC ’67)
Edward & Randy Stevenson of Gilbane Building Company
Brian M. Whitman (RC ’04)* & Suzanne M. Whitman (MGSA ’04)
Jeffery A. Bailey (RC ’84)* & Jacqueline I. Connor-Bailey (PHAR ’85)
William B. Boyle (RC ’80)*
Ronald A. Fuerst (Cook ’87)
Stephanie & Michael Giordano
Joseph F. Hurley III (RC ’72, RBS ’87) & Joanne Hurley (GSNB ’74)
Dr. Richard Hurley (GSNB ’83) & Nancy Hurley
Walter L. Leib (RC ’51, NLAW ’53)
Robert L. Levenstein (RC ’54) & Ann H. Levenstein
Raymond C. Liotta (CC ’76)* & Mary A. Liotta
Robert & Georgia Weise
*Golf Letterwinner
