GRANITEVILLE and AIKEN – Golfers sometimes use chalk lines to practice their putts or have used liquid chalk on their hands to get a better club grip, so it is fitting that a former chalk mine property became Chalk Mine 9, a new golf facility of the University of South Carolina Aiken dedicated Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Officials from USC Aiken and the First Tee of Aiken, with a crowd of more than 70, dedicated the new facility on Gregg Highway in Graniteville – just a short drive or shuttle ride from the Aiken campus. The facility will serve as the home for both the Pacer Golf program and First Tee – Aiken.
The celebration is the culmination of a fundraising campaign that brought in about $1.3 million to construct Phase I of the facility which includes a nine-hole short course, putting greens and a driving range along with a temporary classroom facility.
S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, District 86, during the celebration, read a speech from S.C. Sen. Tom Young, District 24, who was unable to attend because of a legislative session in Columbia.
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“After more than six years of tireless planning and work by many including the USC Aiken and First Tee Leadership, the Chalk Mine facility is now a reality. This beautiful golf facility will not only serve as a practice facility for USC Aiken’s golf team as it strives to maintain its elite status in the college golf world, but it will also further the efforts of Aiken’s First Tee with instilling quality of life skills and positive values in many young people across Aiken County and the region.”
In his speech the university’s chancellor, Daniel Heimmermann said, “This 40-acres of land has been beautifully landscaped to create a new permanent home for our USC Aiken’s Men’s Golf team.”
He next thanked Carlisle of the men’s golf team for his years of service and success. Heimmermann then conveyed the possibility for a new team and growth.
“We hope to introduce a Women’s Golf team over the next few years, and this facility will allow the university the potential for future growth,” he said.
Taylor said those who came up with the idea, turning a chalk mine area into a golf course, were skilled at making something out of nothing.
“That’s what we call a eureka moment,” he said.
Heimmermann also thanked Jim McNair, Gary Frazier and Brent McGee for transforming the chalk mine into a destination for “others to enjoy for generations to come.”
First Tee – Aiken definitely plans a lot of use for the facility with the kids they serve.
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“As many of you know, First Tee teaches important life skills, core values and healthy habits through the game of golf. Character development and education is the primary focus of our program, using golf as the vehicle,” said Heidi Hoffman, executive director of First Tee – Aiken. “The facility allows us to expand our impact in Aiken County.”
The USC-Aiken Pacer Golf team will use it as a practice facility.
Gage Weeks spoke at the event as a member of the Pacers Golf Team.
“I’ve been playing golf since I was 12 years old, and I am really proud to be a part of this team working with Coach Carlisle,” said the junior who is majoring in business administration. “I just want to say how much having this practice facility means to the team and me. It’s great to be basically on campus and fit practice in our personal schedules.”
Weeks, after a ribbon cutting in front of a donor plaque installed at the facility, participated with others in a second dedication at the event at the USC Aiken Men’s Driving Range at the Chalk Mine 9 project in honor and memory of Sarah Patterson, Bill Tucker’s aunt, who generously gave to the Chalk Mine 9 project. Weeks, Tucker, Carlisle, Jim McNair and Hoffman ceremoniously drove golf balls on the new driving range.
Mary Driscoll, Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs at USC-Aiken, said it was as if they were sending a few messages into the heavens as they drove their golf balls outward.
Ron Baxley Jr. is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
