University Park, Pa. — A formal dedication was held for the state-of-the-art Tombros Varsity Clubhouse, a new asset to the men’s and women’s golf teams. The dedication was held on Friday, Sept. 3, with tours, along with food and mingling. A ceremony was held behind the new Tombros Varsity Clubhouse in a large white tent, with enough people in attendance to cause standing room only.
Peter and Ann Tombros, the donors of the main gift to the clubhouse, spoke on behalf of the dedication. Peter earned his baccalaureate and master’s degrees from Penn State. He is currently the chair of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.
"It’s very gratifying to see this turnout," said Peter Tombros. "It’s a tribute to the leadership that Tim Curley, Graham Spanier, Steve Garban and the Board of Trustees have produced to make our Penn State athletic department the premiere athletic department in the country."
Both the head men’s golf coach Greg Nye and the women’s golf coach Denise St. Pierre spoke to the importance of the clubhouse and gave their praises to the Tombros family.
"It is a beautiful, warm, and inviting facility, centered in the heart of our golf courses just a stone’s throw from campus," said Coach Nye. "All involved have worked diligently to maximize every square foot to include all the essential elements involved in operating a collegiate golf program today."
St. Pierre also spoke on behalf of the importance of the new clubhouse. "I have been all around the country and I have seen a lot of facilities and certainly the trend is for many golf programs at universities to have their own building, to have their own locker rooms, but ours is pretty special," said St. Pierre. "I think the attention to the detail that we have put in to this building and the amount of time that has been put into the planning of this building; when you walk into this building it is special."
Along with the coaches, Penn State President Graham Spanier, Athletic Director Tim Curley and Steve Garban of the Board of Trustees also spoke on behalf of the dedication of the facility.
"Today, our dreams have come true to give our golf teams a place to call home," said Tim Curley.
The Tombros Varsity Clubhouse was constructed conveniently between the first tees of the Blue and White courses at Penn State, right beside the Walker Clubhouse. Offices in the clubhouse provide the head and assistant coaches with their own space, right on the golf course. Both teams also have locker rooms in the clubhouse, with places to leave their clubs.
There is also a lounge with a big screen TV, allowing players to build team chemistry and study while at the course. The new heated indoor hitting-net facility and the indoor to outdoor hitting bays have provided golfers with a way to improve development, even in the winter months. A new V-1 video system provides the team with video instruction. New practice putting greens in the Tombros Varsity Clubhouse give the golfers and advantage that they didn’t have in Holuba Hall.
"For years the team had to carry clubs across campus," said Peter Tombros. "We hope it’s going to transform the golf programs and enable them to attract more players and to perform better as well."