Interesting as the club, in the past, was anything but accommodating to MSU golf. It was a relationship of tolerance than anything more.
The range and swing center will be excellent additions to the program. Hopefully the relationship between club and school has changed in the last few years and MSU is embraced instead of tolerated.
The MSU course would be much closer and more convenient from a logistics perspective. Figure 4.5 miles from campus to MSU golf course. Its over 20mi from campus to Old Waverly. But the quality of the course's conditions just isn't close. MSU's course has a good enough layout to be used by the team, but the conditions just are not up to par(pun!). It would be fantastic if a separate driving range, putting green, practice area, and swing facility could have been built next to the MSU golf course(east of the lake for example) as that could have kept golf close to campus and on campus facilities while still providing the program with a significant upgrade in quality.
But again, the golf course's condition is simply not close to Old Waverly. Some serious improvements in drainage, grasses, and maintenance would be needed to put MSU's course in consideration for being an equal trade to Old
Waverly.
Its good news from a quality of facilities perspective. Its unfortunate news otherwise.
As for other golf programs needing to travel 20mi- that is partly true but mostly not. It completely depends on where the team is located. Also, many programs have multiple locations- so a range/practice facility close and a home course elsewhere. Or multiple home courses.
As close(to me) examples, one that is quite similar to MSU in terms of location etc- Iowa State practices and plays at Veenker Memorial which is basically on campus. The other is U of Iowa- they practice and play at Finkbine which is on campus. Both of these courses have held multiple tournaments for college, prep, and even low level pro.
Both these teams play elsewhere too though at times for practice and competition. Iowa State does play and practice at The Harvester which is an incredible course some 35mi away.
Basically- the MSU course's conditions are just terrible compared to what should be expected and accepted for major D1 golf. If the course's conditions were improved, it would be a fantastic major D1 college course.
ETA-
http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=541512 this shows ISU's practice facility that is ON CAMPUS. It cost $2million. For the teams use only, there is a fitness area, heated shot bays, multiple putting greens, multiple bunkers, a couple of fairways, multiple teeing areas, and lighting for evening practice.
Again- on campus(at the golf course on campus).
