By Nicarlyle Hanchard / The Jambar
For all seasonal golfers and nongolfers, the Youngstown State University women’s golf team has added another facility to the rental list.
At the start of the month, the team began its open golf simulator sessions, which allow registered participants to use their half of the recently installed golf simulators.
Nate Miklos, head coach for women’s golf, said the program is an opportunity for the public to utilize the facility and support the team.
“Well, for the last several years, we’ve opened up our entire indoor facility, the [Watts and Tressel Training Site] to the public, on several occasions throughout the winter,” Miklos said. “It’s a good way for people to take advantage of the incredible facility we have on campus and also to help our golf program make some money.”
Though no instruction or coaching will be provided for public participants, Miklos said there will be staff to assist in the set up and tear down of the equipment to ensure a pleasant experience. He also said participants have several ways to use the facility.
“There’s a variety of different [ways people] can use it for, from just practicing and working on their game to playing, playing a golf course on the simulator,” Miklos said.
Miklos stated the open golf program is one of the ways the team interacts with the community and brings attention to the sport.
“The support of the community is incredibly important to our program. We are very proud of the facilities and the team we have, and look forward to all of these opportunities to showcase and allow the community to get to know our team and everything YSU has to offer,” Miklos stated. “The financial support definitely helps us do even more to provide a better experience for our players.”
Echoing Miklos’ sentiments, Lizzie Saur, first-year assistant coach, said support from the wider community has been a driving force for YSU’s golf teams.
“It’s huge, I mean, funding alone is great, but then also just, the support we get from alumni and people in the community and athletics and the school as a whole, I mean that’s just invaluable,” Saur said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without the help of everyone else around us, so it’s awesome.”
Emphasizing the support, Maddie Shoults, senior psychology major and member of the women’s golf team, said during her two years at YSU, the community support is evident.
“YSU just feels like a huge family almost, everyone is so supportive and nice, and especially all the people who support athletics, like the Penguin Club, they are always wondering, asking what we need, or ‘What’s some equipment that you guys would like?’ or ‘What’s something you guys are trying to raise money for?’ like they want to make it happen for us,” Shoults said.
She also said the community’s support helps to keep the team motivated.
“Just knowing that we have the community behind us and having all that support just helps us, I mean, that can help you become more motivated as a team, because we know, no matter what, we’re gonna have people supporting us,” Shoults said.
For more information about the program, those interested can contact Nate Miklos by phone at 724-979-1192 or by email at nmiklos@ysu.edu.