How SLU Golf’s Indoor Facility Drives Success
The St. Lawrence University men’s and women’s golf teams are gearing up for the spring tournament season after four months of training at the indoor practice center on East Main Street. Equipped with two simulators, a hitting bay and a putting green, the facility has been a key factor in the teams’ recent success. This includes a second-place finish in the 2024 Men’s Liberty League Championship, two men’s team wins, and one women’s team win in the fall 2024 season.
Since becoming head coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams in Summer 2024, Dave Clausen has emphasized the importance of the indoor practice center. He believes it provides a crucial space for players to train year-round. “You can want to train and prepare, but without a facility, it’s impossible,” he said.
Jimmy King ‘26, a junior on the men’s golf team and the defending Liberty League individual champion, has spent countless hours in the indoor facility, attributing much of his success to the work he puts in during the offseason. “The cold climate here could hold us back, but having this space allows us to keep improving,” said King, who regularly practices between and after classes.
First-year golfer Sadie Cumming ‘28 only had one offseason to train in the indoor facility but believes it has been essential for her development. Cumming finds using the simulators for swing data especially valuable. “Getting swings in has been super helpful to keep us warm, and it makes the transition to the spring season a lot easier,” she said.
The indoor practice facility has been crucial to the SLU golf program’s success since 2000. Former head coach Mary Lawrence, who led the teams for over 25 years, believes it is essential for player development, calling offseason training a great opportunity for players to “become swing-conscious, not ball-conscious.” Lawrence explained that by focusing on their swing rather than the ball, golfers can develop a deeper understanding of their technique.
Players on the SLU men’s and women’s golf teams see the indoor facility as more than just a place to practice; it’s also a space for team bonding. Unlike other sports with locker rooms for building connections, the golf team uses the facility for this purpose. Cumming described it as “a team hangout spot.” King sees it as a place where players can practice, bond, chat with teammates or even get some homework done.
The SLU golf teams will kick off their upcoming season in April, aiming for success at the Liberty League Championships. Clausen sees their offseason training in the indoor facility as a key advantage, giving them “a leg up on the competition, especially in the spring.” He believes both teams have what it takes to finish strong.