STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific men's golf program is proud to officially announce the opening of the Walter Chang Golf and Learning Center.
 
In partnership with The Reserve at Spanos Park, the state-of-the-art facility is 4,200 total square feet and features coaches offices, a conference room, team lounge, locker room, alumni locker room, a kitchen and three hitting bays with top of the line swing analysis technology.
 
Head coach John Cook is thrilled to launch the beginning of a new era of Pacific Golf: "This first-class facility will not only enhance our current team's ability to fine tune their game, but also will help attract nationally-recognized athletes to become Tigers. We are ecstatic at the layout and technology within our new facilities and look forward to utilizing them as we continually push to be one of the top tier programs in the NCAA."
The completion of this building marks the end of a two-phase project, which began with the dedication of the Dr. Glen Albaugh Short Game Area in 2017.
 
The short game practice area includes three chipping greens and space to putt, giving the Tigers different varieties to practice their short game on. With diverse terrain that includes seven traps and bunkers, Pacific golfers can practice their approach, chipping and putting for a wide array of potential shots. As part of Walter Chang's vision for a first-class practice and training facility, the Dr. Glen Albaugh Short Game Area also features Bermuda grass greens, giving UOP the opportunity to match their training to the type of grass on their next competition course.
 
"The beginning of a new chapter for Pacific Golf was marked by the dedication of the Dr. Glen Albaugh Short Game Area in 2017 and now with the official opening of the Walter Chang Golf and Learning Center, we are truly positioned to provide a first-class, cutting-edge experience for our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics, Janet Lucas. "I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this project possible.  The unique partnership with Barry Ruhl and The Reserve at Spanos Park when combined with the generosity of Walter Chang and many other donors have transformed the vision for this amazing facility into a reality."
 
University of the Pacific Athletics is extremely thankful for the program's long-time supporter, Walter Chang, who earned his bachelor's degree from the Eberhardt School of Business in 1982. 
"This new facility will attract higher caliber players not only from Northern California, but throughout the country," said Chang "The short game area and high-tech video analysis will be one of the best in the Central Valley. The indoor driving range means that the team can practice all year long without any interruptions from inclement weather. This facility, combined with the educational excellence provided by the university, will benefit the present and future student-athletes greatly."

Austin Fox, a 6'4" senior who is in his final season with the Tigers, is also delighted to begin training at the new facilities: "The Walter Chang Golf and Learning Center is a great addition to the Pacific Men's Golf program. It will serve as a home for all current players to hone their skills while also incentivizing the future generations to choose Pacific. Investments in the facilities where we play and practice nearly every day pushes me to perform my best. Overall, knowing we have the support of the community is beyond meaningful to us."
The Tigers will kick-off their 2020 spring schedule at the Amer Ari Invitational, hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa at the Waikoloa Kings' Golf Course in Waikoloa, Hawaii from Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8.

For more updates and more information on the 2019-20 Pacific men's golf team, be sure to follow @Pacific_Golf on Twitter, @PacificMGolf on Instagram and @PacificGolf on Facebook.