HBCU National Champs get indoor putting practice green

The 2024 PGA Works Collegiate National Champion Florida A&M (FAMU) Rattlers just received a gift that is aimed at further improving the team.  On Aug. 9, FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard and FAMU golf coach Mike Rice cut the ribbon on a new indoor practice green for the HBCU national champion golf program.

The venue was previously an unused locker room in Jake Gaither Gymnasium. It now has an artificial turf surface, and regulation putting holes, and the walls are wrapped to showcase their 2024 PGA Works Collegiate Championship.

Former FAMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes was beaming at the opportunity to offer the golf team their own place to improve their game.  “This is a very transformational project on our campus,” Sykes said. “ We believe it to be the first of its kind in any HBCU space.  When I took over the helm of FAMU Athletics in January of 23’, this was a staff locker room, and we had a team that was essentially unhoused. So, I gave up that space to give it to our student-athletes.   Don’t want to say this was the reason you all were national champions, but we just made it home for you.  I hope you know how much it means to me to give to you in that particular way.”

Central Florida donors made the HBCU facility possible

Rattler donors from central Florida sponsored the upgrades to the locker room.  The team now has both a driving range and a putting surface on campus, allowing members of the golf team to practice between classes.

FAMU head coach Mike Rice, a FAMU Sports Hall of Fame golfer, was pleased to see the facility come to fruition.  Rice first led the Rattlers to the HBCU National Championship as a player and individual national champion in 2000.  He would lead the Rattlers 24 years later to their second national championship as the head coach of his alma mater’s team.

“What a heck of a year we had.  Definitely an experience that I’ll never forget.  I was fortunate to play in the event we won and play in it 24 years ago.  We’ve been chasing it for a long time,” Rice said.

FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard is a golfer

FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard, a golfer himself, took several putts, including sinking a long right-to-left breaker.  The following day he would participate in the Rattler Boosters Golf Tournament, but on that day he was happy to be leading his alma mater.

“We often call certain things transformative,” Beard said. “What I’ve heard today is indeed transformative.  To our golf team, you’re the best.  I only ask one question of you…you need to help me with my handicap,” he said to rousing applause.

The FAMU alums behind the transformation were Ricardo “Rick” Kinsey, Maurice Pickett, and Keith Stubbs.  The trio have partnered with the Plant City Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association, where Pickett is the president, to make significant donations in the academic, ROTC, and athletics departments of FAMU over the last decade.  Kinsey is slated to be inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in September of this year as a financial contributor.  They have been steadfast in their support of FAMU Golf purchasing electronic carts for each player, golf bags, and anything else requested from the golf coach.

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