The Wolfpacker

70 ■ THE WOLFPACKER got, and it means a lot for us. I'm now at a place where the guys are coming to and it makes a lot of difference in our program." The Big Boy Building Pack memorabilia, trophies and other awards won by the two programs are proudly displayed throughout the building, which also houses offices and classrooms for the PGA Management and Turf Grass Management programs. However, having everybody under one roof was not in the original plans, which called for two sepa- rate structures. "Four years ago, the plan was to have a separate building for turf management and athletics," director of athletics Deborah A. Yow said. "We requested in the sum- mer of 2010 that instead we be included in what we called, 'the big boy building,' for recruiting purposes. We knew it would be lovely and the campus agreed [to it]." "For us in athletics, it's an amazing re- cruiting tool. It's one of the best golf club- houses in the nation." Sykes is prevented by NCAA rules from talking about recruits who have not signed their National Letters of Intent yet, but in addition to a solid class of 2014, the squad has already landed commitments from members of the classes of 2015 and 2016, thanks to the Pack's new home. "I guess the key thing is that some of the guys that may not have looked at us before are now looking," he noted. "As the years go by, the golf course matures and it gets more notoriety, it will just help that much more. Our program is going to be in great shape recruiting-wise in the future with all of these facilities." "We were able to bring people here on visits in the fall on hard hat tours," Marsh said. "Even without being able to see things finished, it gave a tremendous boost in our recruiting." Home, Sweet Home Sykes is quick to note that if it wasn't for the accommodations and hospitality provided by Raleigh-area clubs to the Pack when it didn't boast a course of its own, there might not be a golf program at the school today. However, the lack of a home course has not prevented the programs from finding success before — the men's squad boasts 34 All-Americans and one NCAA champion, while the women's team was re-instated in 2000 and finished 13th nationally just 12 years later — and the The clubhouse veranda overlooks the golf course and provides a spectacular view of the Raleigh skyline. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS Lonnie Poole and his wife, Carol, provided a naming gift for the golf course in 2007, and the groundbreaking for the clubhouse was in October 2012. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS 68-70,72.Golf Clubhouse.indd 70 4/29/14 2:38 PM

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