TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The media got its first look at Alabama’s new golf facility on Friday, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
The multi-million dollar “Crimson Reserve” is just minutes away from campus and is comprised of a full team training facility and a 10-hole golf course. Unlike those of most college golf teams, the course is entirely private to players and Alabama’s tour players.
You could simulate almost anything on this range.
pic.twitter.com/PloUy9nr0w— Nicholas Pursley (@nicholaspursley)
October 11, 2024
“It’s a separator for us,” said Alabama Athletic Director Greg Burne.
“They can be out on the golf course on the third hole, and not worry about who’s behind you or in front of you. If they want to stay out there for an hour working on a certain part of their game, they can do that. You can’t do that anywhere else.”
Both teams have a full and equal suite of facilities, including team rooms, hitting bays, and state-of-the-art artificial putting greens, allowing for practice in all conditions. The men’s weight room was designed to resemble the tour truck, there’s a dedicated space for club repair and a massive room to showcase the programs’ accomplishments.
The whole building is full of Alabama golf memories, including an unreal trophy room.
The “paintings” on the walls are actually pictures that have been altered to look like art.
pic.twitter.com/yjQX7Bv4tz— Nicholas Pursley (@nicholaspursley)
October 11, 2024
Even only having been open for a month, it’s already proven to be a massive weapon in recruiting for the Tide.
“The word ‘sick’ comes out a lot,” said Head Coach Jay Seawell.
Crimson Reserve gives both teams a place to dedicate themselves and take their game to new heights. Seawell even joked that he wants players to “live” at the new facility.
“Almost everyone has said ‘this is a game changer. I’ve never practiced this way in my life.’ They know they’ve got to practice that way and they understand the conceptual way of how you should get better as a player, but it’s hard to simulate that, and that’s what we’re giving our players.”
Alabama’s strong group of current and former PGA Tour players like Justin Thomas and Nick Dunlap were involved in shaping the facility to the needs of future professionals.
“I can’t wait for when Justin comes back. He has not seen the final product. He was in the middle of the dirt with us, so I’m excited,” Seawell said.
“We had Davis Shore, who plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, he called and said ‘I want to see it.’ Davis goes, ‘this is the talk of all of the tour,’ so the good players are talking about it on the PGA Tour. ‘Is this real? How is that, how’d they do it?’ And I just tell them, ‘it’s Bama’.”
Both Alabama men’s and women’s golf have already won a tournament this season, with the men winning the season-opening Folds of Honor Collegiate and the women winning the UAB Hoover Invitational.