University of Florida set to build championship-level golf course

Press release from the University of Florida Athletic Association

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A transformational gift from Consumer Cellular Chairman and CEO Ed Evans will make possible a new championship-level golf course in Gainesville, creating an elite home for the University of Florida’s nationally acclaimed men’s and women’s golf programs while positioning the university to host premier collegiate, amateur, and professional tournaments.

The Evans University of Florida Golf Club will encompass more than 500 acres in west Gainesville. It will feature an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Beau Welling and Steve Smyers, a clubhouse designed by Hart Howerton, and guest cottages. The new facility will fundamentally enhance UF’s ability to recruit, develop, and retain the nation’s best student-athletes in both men’s and women’s golf through an exceptional, purpose-built environment that will prepare them for competition at the highest levels of collegiate golf.

At the center of the new course will be the Power Design Team House, a state-of-the-art performance center made possible through a lead gift from Power Design, a national design-build multi-trade contractor. Designed specifically for Florida’s student-athletes, the team house will bring together advanced player-development technology, specialized training spaces, and practice environments. Together, these resources will create one of the nation’s most comprehensive collegiate golf training environments.

“The support of Ed Evans and Power Design will have a lasting impact on the University of Florida, our golf programs, and the Gainesville community,” said UF President Stuart Bell. “Our lead donors understand what golf can mean to a university and a community, and their vision and generosity will help provide our student-athletes with resources that match the caliber of our programs. We are incredibly grateful for their investments in the Gators.”

The new course will also position Gainesville as a premier venue for major collegiate, amateur, and professional golf competitions.

“This project is a defining moment for Gator golf,” said Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. “Our men’s and women’s golf programs have established themselves among the nation’s elite. This facility gives our student-athletes the championship-level resources they deserve, positions us to compete for national championships, and creates a legacy that will benefit the University of Florida for generations to come.”

Beyond providing best-in-class facilities for the UF intercollegiate golf programs, the Evans University of Florida Golf Club will also serve as a laboratory for innovation in golf course maintenance through collaboration with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), creating opportunities to apply university research and expertise in areas such as turfgrass management, water use, and environmental stewardship.

“Championship programs require championship-level resources,” said J.C. Deacon, Florida men’s golf coach. “This new facility gives us something we don’t currently have – access to a championship-level course and expanded practice environment, right here in Gainesville.”

“This will be transformational for our program,” said Emily Glaser, Florida women’s golf coach. “Having a championship-level home golf course changes everything for how we can develop our student-athletes and compete nationally for championships every year.”

UF has no current plans to change the use of the on-campus Mark Bostick Golf Course.