by Dennis Dalman
The Sartell boys’ and girls’ golf teams have launched a fundraising campaign to raise $50,000 to create an indoor practice space with a golf simulator.
Currently, those student golfers do not have an indoor-practice facility. Thus, they have to drive to Sta Fit or St. John’s University for indoor-practice time. However, some golfers do not drive yet, and renting space and simulators can be very pricey.
A golf simulator is a computerized system installed within an indoor golf-practice facility. The simulator contains sensors and camaras to track a ball’s flight path, speed and spin. That data calculates the ball’s trajectory to show where the ball would have landed on the “virtual” golf course. The simulator also provides feedback on a player’s swing, with a video of the swing.
Both the Sartell girls’ and boys’ golf teams have had tremendous competitive success, with the girls winning the Central Lakes Conference title this year and the boys winning that title last year. In addition, individual team members have participated in state tournaments in the past two years.
Sartell Activities Director Bruce Thompson told the Newsleaders there are plans to renovate a space within the maintenance building next to the high school so as to create an indoor golf-practice place, with simulator.
Letters and emails will soon be sent to students’ families, businesses and the general public about the fundraising effort.
A “Gold Level” sponsorship of $25,000 will give the sponsor naming rights on the outside of the golf facility, among other privileges. There will also be similar privileges to a “Silver Level” sponsorship ($10,000) and a “Bronze Level” sponsorship ($1,000 to $5,000).
To make a donation, however large or small, contact Thompson at Bruce.Thompson@isd748.org or at 320-656-3718.
