Bama Golf's new Crimson Reserve golf facility

[BamaNation]

No other place like it in the golfing world. Design input from Justin Thomas, among others.

"In 2024, the University of Alabama opened the Crimson Reserve golf facility. Built on 164 acres, at a cost of over $47,000,000, it could be the best practice area in golf. With design input from Justin Thomas as well as Davis Love III, the Crimson Reserve features a 400-yard long driving range, a custom-designed 9-hole course and a 24,000 square foot clubhouse, complete with a gym, putting studio, hitting bays and locker rooms. "

 

[Padreruf]

I've seen pictures and videos....it is spectacular. Now these coaches need to up their recruiting game....and they are fully capable.

 

[KrAzY3]

I understand that this is beautiful, and a nice asset. If Alabama had billionaire boosters I'd get doing this.

They took out a 34 million dollar loan though, for a golf practice facility. In the NIL era. When they can't seem to get the funding to replace Coleman and they're getting beat in NIL.There's talk about whether or not Alabama could even afford to buyout the coach if they need to. But they have 34 million for a non-revenue golf facility?

I'm just not sure how this sort of thing coexists with the modern reality of college sports. Something will have to give.

 

[Padreruf]

I understand that this is beautiful, and a nice asset. If Alabama had billionaire boosters I'd get doing this.

They took out a 34 million dollar loan though, for a golf practice facility. In the NIL era. When they can't seem to get the funding to replace Coleman and they're getting beat in NIL.There's talk about whether or not Alabama could even afford to buyout the coach if they need to. But they have 34 million for a non-revenue golf facility?

I'm just not sure how this sort of thing coexists with the modern reality of college sports. Something will have to give.

Did not know they took out a loan...I guess some successful UA pro golfers could pay for it at some point....LOL. There has to be more to this story than we know...Jay Seawell is a man of integrity so I have no clue as to what is transpiring.

 

[KrAzY3]

Did not know they took out a loan...I guess some successful UA pro golfers could pay for it at some point....LOL. There has to be more to this story than we know...Jay Seawell is a man of integrity so I have no clue as to what is transpiring.

Well, my understanding is it was roughly 14 million in donations and then 34 million loan from the University. I was expecting/hoping it to just be rich donors saying we want this, we'll pay for it.

I'm not questioning integrity though, honestly this is par for the course. I've followed athletic department budgets over the years and what usually happens is the revenue sports (football and basketball) get their funds siphoned off for other things. Perhaps in this case it's just clever bookkeeping and it will be fully funded by donors, but with a program like Alabama I'm just not sure if there's a long term path forward to both staying competitive in football and continuing to spend lavishly on the non-revenue sports.

 

[BamaNation]

One of the "Whereas's" in the original BOT info says it is an internal loan and "the Project will be funded from a combination of Crimson Standard Cash and Gifts and Future General Revenue Bonds"

https://buildingbama.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Golf-II.pdf

I'm guessing this is almost like a 30-year marketing / branding expense.