University of Alabama Dedicates Jerry Pate Golf Center
11/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
The University of Alabama celebrated the opening of a brand new facility Friday. Several hundred people, including NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, gathered at Tuscaloosa’s Ol’ Colony Club for the dedication of the Jerry Pate Golf Center.
The building was designed by its namesake, former Crimson Tide golfer Jerry Pate who was a designer of the course at Ol’ Colony as well. A man who wants only the best for his Alma Mater, Pate and Tide Athletics Director Mal Moore put many hours of work and thought into the design and function, and the result is that the Alabama men’s and women’s golf teams now have one of the best facilities in the nation, if not THE best. Included are teaching bays where Alabama’s golfers, who have exclusive use of the facility and its surrounding putting greens, driving range and practice hole, can hit out or put and still stay dry. Video equipment will tape their swings so Bama’s head golf coaches Jay Seawell and Betty Palmer can visually show their golfers where to improve. And the building includes office space for both the men’s and women’s coaching staffs as well as the men’s and women’s team locker rooms.
Among those who came out to celebrate the dedication was University of Alabama president, Dr. Robert E. Witt and members of the Board of Trustees as well as Director of Athletics Mal Moore. Many former Tide golfers were there as was Pate who brought along his fellow PGA Champions Tour player, and 1981 British Open Champion Bill Rogers. Former Tide and NFL star Joe Namath was also on hand. Namath and many former Tide football players and athletes helped raise some of the money used in funding the building of the facility. Pate’s golf coach at Alabama, Conrad Rehling, cut the ribbon that officially dedicated the building. Former Tide men’s and women’s golf coach Dick Spybey was also there to celebrate the opening.
PHOTO GALLERY
Athletic Director Mal Moore greets the visitors in attendance.
Mal Moore and President Robert Witt chat at the reception.
Joe Namath chats with Tuscaloosa mayor Al DuPont.
Ticket manager Rhoda Vaughn and Coach Betty Palmer visit.
Coach Betty Palmer greets some friends.
Coach Betty Palmer talks to the crowd in attendance.
Conrad Rehling, Jerry Pate, Maxine Rehling, and Roland Pugh chat.
Jerry Pate addresses the crowd.
Jerry Pate introduces Conrad Rehling.
Roland Pugh speaks at the podium.
Conrad Rehling speaks to the crowd.
Cutting the ribbon.
Cutting the ribbon.
Coach Jay Seawell addresses the crowd.
Michael Thompson speaks at the podium.
Dr. Robert Witt addresses the crowd.
Dr. Robert Witt and Kevin Almond chat.
